The Best TV Antenna Signal Amplifiers from an Installer
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 3 ก.พ. 2019
- This video highlights three of the best antenna preamplifiers (aka signal amplifiers, signal boosters, ect) for three scenarios. Keep in mind that not everyone needs a preamp as setting one up in a strong signal area can lead to overload.
NOTE THAT MOST OF THESE MODELS ARE NO LONGER IN STOCK. You can find an updated list of recommended preamps at the link below:
www.amazon.com/shop/antennama...
All outdoor antennas need to be properly grounded per NEC regulations. Below is a guide but I will be posting a video demonstration in the coming weeks:
www.groundedreason.com/how-to...
Subscribe to my channel and do not hesitate to ask any questions about antenna recommendations, preamps, and grounding.
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Note: this video and description contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, I'll receive a small commission. - วิทยาศาสตร์และเทคโนโลยี
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Hey everyone, I have an updated list of recommended preamps at the link below. I NO LONGER RECOMMEND THE ONN PREAMP. Some people have had problems with it. www.amazon.com/shop/antennaman?listId=XLT94P404QUY
📡 Also note that an amplifier is only as good as the antenna. If you don't have the right antenna no amplifier will help. You can sign up for an antenna recommendation from me below:
antennamanpa.com/antenna-recommendations.html
Will these preamps work with a roof top cell phone booster yagi antenna?
I live in 08330 nj
Thanks for the tip on the onn antenna
Its going back today
Im keeping the clearstream 4 max
Also which preamp do you suggest for 08330
And which splitter or amplifier
Thanks for the great information. Can you use a pre-amp in addition to an amplified distributor? My scenario is I have an attic antenna with about 30-ft run to my home's video distribution panel. From there each TV cable run is anywhere between 10-ft to 75-ft. I was thinking I could install a pre-amp at the antenna to maximize signal coming into the distro panel and then add a powered distributor to ensure no signal is lost in the longer runs to each TV. Is this overkill? I live in 85142 which shows pretty good signal on aw.org. thanks
You're a good guy for helping the older friend on fixed income. The world could damn sure use more people who think of others, not just themselves.
So true
Tyler, I started out my electronics career working on televisions, radio & audio amplifiers many many years ago. I even worked for a company that repaired & aligned TV tuners. Very few people in this world can do what you do, especially when it comes to RF. Your knowledge & wisdom is greatly appreciated. I'm sure that most of those who subscribe to your channel would echo back to you my words. The general public doesn't understand & would not want to put in the endless hours needed to break down & convey what you do in your videos. You are providing priceless knowledge to those that watch your channel. Keep up the great work!
Absolutely the best antenna info I've seen. It proves somethings I already knew and raised questions about stuff I didn't. Thanks Antenna Man!
Great job Tyler. You are very knowledgeable and cover all the angles. Terrific having someone like you out there in internet land helping us less knowledgeable folk. From Ottawa, Canada.
Thanks Tyler, you have encouraged me to pull out my homemade antenna from 09. At the time i lived in Aurora CO. I had found on TH-cam a video on how to make an antenna with a 2' 2x4 and hangers. of course everyone said - that wont work. I was able to pick up everything, i never went to cable. Then I moved to Evergreen CO, again everyone said you have to have a dish to get anything up here in the mountains, hmm I had to prove them wrong, again my 2x4 & hangers worked.
Left Colorado in .14 now I am in West Branch, Iowa 52358, tougher area cause the stations are in multiple directions. Surprisingly I can pick up about 28 channels, some are pretty weak with no pre-amplifier, although the channels are lets say not much to watch.
The tv I have is a Insignia 55" NS-RC03A-13, yes it is a bit old.
Which preamp or tuner would you recommend for an in door antenna zip code 52358
Just wanted to say thanks for your information on walmart amplifier. I took your advise and you know what your talking about, it didn't give me any new stations but no more weak signals or lost stations Thanks again.
Thanks for the info. Bless you for helping the Elder. TV means so much to them as they become less mobile.
Thanks for making mention of grounding the antenna, back in the early 80s I lost several of these preamplifiers due to lightning close by but not on the antenna. One other problem I have found out here in the rural areas is interference from powerlines. Until I became a ham radio operator I had no idea how much powerline interference was going on at my residence. Once that was solved, TV cleared up quite a bit.
Excellent job, Tyler. Cannot beat experience. I am a retired antenna installer, among other talents, and the stories I could tell. Glad to see the world is in good hands with your expertise. Thanks for the videos.
Your username looks like a HAM call sign.
I would say that it obviously is... 6 digits... Retired antenna installer.... Lmao
Certainly is. He's probably been a ham since the 1960s, (unless he used the vanity callsign program to get the callsign, perhaps it was his dad's callsign in the past).
@John Gohde
Call signs were issued sequentially back then.
My first callsign, in the winter of 1982, was KA8P**.
In addition to an FM trap, I would also recommend an LTE filter, even if the amp has one built in. Place the filter between the antenna and amplifier.
Thx Tyler, I was looking for a way to cut the cord and your expertise hit the nail on the head. You are an excellent resource for the cable cutting community.
.I had a CM7777 fail after a couple days of use, and after reading the reviews I noticed others have seen early failure with this model.. The second one I installed has lasted for years, so I guess there are exceptions. I've also been pleased with the Radio Shack Two output amp. Great info. Thanks!
Thank you for your knowledge and presentation.
Your video is excellent - and useful. I really appreciate you producing this! As for Radio Shack, they fell victim not to a recession, but to their own poor marketing strategy. They were once an excellent source of electronic parts and, as you pointed out, for antennas, amps, etc. HOWEVER, they became primarily just another cell phone store in an already glutted market. Come on, you can wear a blindfold and find a cell phone store in 3 minutes or under in most areas. Antennas, etc? Not so much...Radio Shack was the source until they decided being the 743rd cell phone retailer on the block was the way to go.
The RCA preamp you showed is one I used for 9 years, before I had to move. I don't need it for full market Chicago stations, but needed it for most low power stations from Chicago. My last antenna setup was separate VHF and UHF antennas, Antennacraft CS600 (all VHF channel) for VHF and the Antennas Direct DB8 for UHF. I bought this preamp, simply because it allows me to hook up separate VHF and UHF antennas into one preamp. I dread the day when I have to replace my VHF antenna, because of Antennacraft being out of business, and they were the only manufacturer that made separate VHF and UHF antennas, and while I don't really need the Antennacraft CS600 antenna in Chicago, my eventual plan is to move to Milwaukee Wisconsin, and I need it there for WIWN 68 because they're on RF 5. In Chicago, WOCK-CD 13 on RF 4 change networks on their subchannels frequently, that I sometimes want that station. I need a preamp for this station, because I otherwise cannot pick it up, due to their signal only transmitting at either 300 watts, or 810 watts (under ATSC 3.0, they're supposedly going to 3kw). If it weren't for the LPTV UHF stations in Chicago being directional, with less signal going towards Indiana, I wouldn't need a preamp, because unlike VHF not being powerful enough in digital, the 15kw UHF signals are strong enough to reach my home,but the preamp gives it the boost it needs.i like the RCA model you showed, and hope it stays around indefinitely, as I want to continue with using separate VHF and UHF antennas.
I live in the backwoods of Mississippi outside of Tupelo. I wasn't getting the stations that I wanted on my Channel Master antenna. I took your advice and tried the Onn powered amplifier. You're amazing dude. I can now get the channels that I actually put the antenna up for.
Edit: Just recently I lost my channels. Somehow, and I don't know how, water got into it and ruined it. When I pulled the boot seals off of the cables they were wet. I installed everything correctly and somehow water got inside the unit on the pole.
Another great video. I agree with your logic and recommendations. I personally do like the RCA pre-amp for one reason. It has a built in combiner to hook up a separate VHF antenna to a UHF antenna. So, far after 2 years, the power transformer is still working well. What is your plan when ATSC 3.0 comes to your area?
Just subscribed. Very knowledgeable presentation. Will be looking at all your videos to get better reception in central Florida!
I just uploaded one that gives ten tips to improve reception
Whoa!!! I didn't know radio shack was still alive online!! That's huge. I used to buy from that store for all this kind of stuff, and was lost when they all closed. Thanks for the info . Keep em coming.
Thanks to you I have finally cut the cord. I went with GE indoor pro crystal HD amplified antenna. I live in Dallas Fort Worth and I am currently able to get 67 channels. One thing I found out was the coax supplied with the antenna is not good, I doubled the number of channels by changing to a better cable. This will save me almost $3000 a year. Thank you.
The Radio Shack Preamp I have works Good I would Recommend getting that one
That one doesn't seem like it still available.
I just want to say thank you, you are the best.
I’m a retired electronic tech, fixed TV’s, stereo’s & installed antennas in the 79’s, then a Field Engineer fixing ATM’s, Financial & Retail systems for 38?years. Love watching your videos, I’m currently renting a bottom floor apartment in Glens Falls, NY. Landlord let me install a Clear Stream 2Max under the eve, also tried a Clear Stream 4Max but the 2Max works better, go figure, gotta love RF. Installed the Onn Antenna Amp mentioned in this video, it helped with a couple Albany stations, 52 miles away, didn’t want the higher gain models as we have a couple low power repeaters locally 5 miles away. Keep posting the videos & stay safe.
Very timely video. Last night watching tv, the antenna feed went out. It has a channel master, for 15 years. Sucks, have to go up the roof, drop mast, and start figuring out what is going on...
I fixed my signal problems, first my Channel Master CM-7778 16db Preamp Power Inserter started working again and I removed the extra LTE filter at my Channel Master CM-3418 8 port Distribution Amplifier and put in a 6db signal attenuator. Some local channels were blinking in and out from being over-amplified. So from a total of 20db gain, I dropped it to 14db, that's why I didn't choose the CM-7777 30db as I was afraid of too much amplification. The local channels are still reading at Max or just below it and the further away stations are still coming in at an acceptable signal strength. I did notice that the SNR did improve as too much amplification can raise the amount of noise in the signal and the SNR goes down. Usually when this drops to 15db is when the picture starts breaking up. Most of my channels are at 24 to 31db and some are at 21db. SNR is more important than signal strength I found, so you can have not enough amplification or too much amplification. You have to find the correct balance between the two.
I'm surprised you don't discuss using a signal strength meter & ideal signal levels into the house and into and out of distribution splitter amps. Love to hear your thoughts on subject
Thanks Tyler, I have one of those cheap "HD" antennas with amplifier mounted in my attic, I was getting over 40 channels but two network channels were weak and pixelating. The amp was installed at the TV end of the cable, so I moved it to the antenna end (on the antenna), where as you say it amplifies actual signal, it worked! The two network channels now lock in crystal clear, and I'm up to over 50 channels.
Glad it worked out for you. If you have problems in the future the best solution is a larger antenna or mounted outside
months later after finally giving an expensive preamp a try, YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR! The difference is insane. I was using cheap china PBD 25-30$ preamp, bought a channel master medium gain which ran me about 70 bucks, and I saw about a 40% signal improvement. I went from about 50-60% signal on channels I struggled with, to 85-100%. Just want to spread the word, do not cheap out on antenna equipment, unless you literally live 20-30 miles away from high powered towers, then you can obviously get away with cheap stuff. In my case, the towers were 2 edge and 56-60 miles away. I went through 4 antennas and 1 crappy preamp, now I have a great setup with a wineguard platinum and channel master medium gain :D very happy
Overall, very good and informative videos. One area of confusion though. This video advises against the RCA Preamp, but there is a link in your other video regarding preamps that shows the RCA Preamp as a recommended preamp. Please clarify. Thank you.
I've only had great results with the RCA pre-amps (TVPRAMP1Z) and have used them on a few installs. Over 4 yrs and still going strong!
WM had them for about $15 a couple yrs ago so I bought a few..
The Channel Master CM-7777 died after less than 2 yrs and the replacement unit failed less than 90 days.
I see CM came out with newer pre-amp models, but I'm still leary of their quality and reliability...
I saw your review of my antenna after I installed it. You are 100% correct in it being crap. Big ravines and crows hop around on it and brake all the plastic parts holding it together.
Got rid of the onn amplifier and got a better amplifier and helped my channel strong now cant complain now hopefully ill get more soon
Really informative. Channel Master is still ahead of the game.
The RCA preamp you showed is not defective with a 9.0VDC output. The Wall-wart is 12V and the inverter has. 7809 IC voltage regulator that keeps the voltage at 9.0 volts. Some have stated it would be at 18.0 volts. That would only be the case if the supply was unregulated and drops down to 9.0 volts with a load. The current design has a 9.0 voltage regulator. That means it will read 9.0vdc connected or not.
I'm finding your vids very informative, seeing I'm getting rid of cable...wish I would have found your vids on antennas sooner before I bought some crap ones...
Used nothing but CM-7777 in all of the installs I've done for several family members. They work great!!
sorry tyler i forgot to include my info. im in canada l4l 7x3 is my postal code not sure if you can advise but any info would be appreciated
@John Gohde No need for your comment but what do you expect from a dumbass. You're Welcome Troll
I've had the CM preamp for years, but it has separate VHF & UHF inputs. It works great. I've been very happy with it.
The information you provide is awesome! I live in San Diego in the 92027 zip code. By Watching your videos I was able to install an antenna - now I am watching your videos to see which pre amp to buy. The uhf channels are clear - and the VHF channels (ABC 10 & CBS 8) are mildly pixelated.
This video is outdated and will be updated. This is the preamp I'm recommending now. If it doesn't fix your issues you may need a better antenna setup. I do offer custom antenna recommendations on my website as well: amzn.to/3lVW3LF
Tyler! You are the best! To the point, clear speaking voice, no bullshit! Keep it going; you're going to be the reason paid tv crashes!!!
One important point you didn't mention, especially for that Channel Master: too much gain is just as bad as and maybe worse than too little. I'd use the lower gain setting unless you've got a really long coax run (>> 100'). My 2 cents. I'm an EE. I have that Channel Master and an AntOp big boy antenna on a pole outside.
Yup. I have the Antop 400bv in my attic (I have the amp at the end of the cable in my media panel, not in the attic) and if I turn the amp from "Passive" 10db, to the "On" 33db I lose most of the channels. Their new one is better at is allows adjustment from 7 to 22db.
I absolutely have no issues with my cm 7777 preamp. Also have a deep fringe antenna running 100feet of coaxial cable and up high in Worcester Ma, altitude of 730feet. Can pull in 70 miles easy. Beyond that with good weather I can pull anything around 130 miles.
I've had that RCA preamp for almost 10 years now. Still works great.
If setup properly, it's a great preamp
The channel Master has a built-in FM trap.... !!!! That just answered my next ten questions! Thanks man 👍
And I just realized there's no link to the channel Master because it's been discontinued. 😭 What do I do now? This would have been perfect for my situation.
Hey everyone, I have an updated list of recommended preamps at the link below: www.amazon.com/shop/antennaman?listId=XLT94P404QUY
Tyler, it looks like the list on Amazon includes the RCA model you are not recommending in this video ? Thanks for your informative videos !
Crap. I just bought the winegard preamp. Guess I’ll see how it does
How'd it go?
Been there, done that. Two RCAs, one Winegard. Winegard fared the worst,
crapping out within two months. I'd LOVE to return it, but I put silicone around
the lip of the halves to keep water out. Gotta go on the roof AGAIN.
Love your videos. Learning a ton! Thank you!
Really appreciate the heads up I'm in Toronto Canada and we too are cutting the cable we pay some of the most expensive cable/internet in the world
Radio shack manufactured an awesome FM antenna at one time. I loved it back in my DX'ing days.
Great description! Question: I have an RCA pre amp and amp that I installed in approx 2003. Is something that dated due for an upgrade? I have outdoor antenna approx 30 ft tall with trees all around. Any thoughts on when to upgrade would be appreciated. THANKS
2:06 - I didn't know this site existed my dude. I love this video. Great information. Subscribed, and good luck!
I've seen many people speak positive of the RCA... Plus, I've been using 2 for yrs, and they both still work, and do a great job.
I've and still install the RCA preamp. Haven't had any issues with them at all. I like the fact it has separate VHF and UHF imputs
I live in mid Georgia now, and I use a homemade vertical double Bay Gray hoverman. With a channel master preamp. Works like a champ❤
Hi Tyler, Thanks for these jam-packed information videos. I have been testing antennas and found your videos to be the most informative. I have a tip that I just came upon. One of those "duh" moments... but thought it might also help someone else. I started with indoor ( no channels) then tried an attic ( 3 channels- 1 was Spanish so for me only 2 usable) and have decided on outdoor to get the channels I wanted. Each time I got a product I followed the directions and some were very poorly translated to English. The last antenna had directions that said to change the setting on the tv to "Air" not "Cable" when I did that I went from 9 channels to 24!!! This gave me the 3 major stations plus Fox. So I tried another antenna that I was about to put back in the box because it got 9 stations and this time it got 32.
I am about to install everything so I have watched all of your videos and have these questions:
*Should buy a Pre-Amp and a regular Amp? When I tested everything I was testing with an amp going into the tv.
*Does it matter what order I hook everything to the tv? Should it be Co-Ax, Surge Protector, Amp, TV? or Co-Ax, Amp, Surge Protector, TV?
*Would I be better off with the shortest length of Co-Ax by cutting off the extra and put on a new Co-Ax end or not?
*Do airplanes cause a lot of interference with antenna signals? I live about 1 mile away from a small plane airport.
Thanks!
You are correct, the RCA preamp I had didn't last long. I just ordered the Radio Shack one that you recommend. I don't like the idea of leaving that variable gain pot and switch out in the weather though. I may cover them with a piece of foil tape just for insurance. Thanks for the tips.
Correction - Didn't realize the controls were on the inside unit. Nix the tape. Radio Shack unit just installed. So far so good.
I’ve been using the RadioShack preamp that showed in your video for 10 years now. No problems so far.
I use the CM-7777 amp in my area and for myself. It is a great Amp for my hilly area and I hope when the new broadcast format launches, my Fox 66 out of Erie improves. Satellite is getting way to pricey. My only bugaboo is getting new boxes for my older TVs when the switch happens!!!
I have been working with TV Antennas since the 1950s and just came across your channel. I usually agree with your conclusions and reviews. For preamps noise figure is the most important specification since it determines how much the amplifier degrades the signal to noise ratio and the lower the noise figure the better. If we only look at that then the best three preamps would be the Kitz Technologies KT-200-COAX, which is what I use now (noise figure 0.4 dB), the Winegard Boost XT (noise figure 1 dB), which I have not used, and the Channel Master CM-7777 which I have used in the past (noise figure 2 dB). You indicate that the Winegard is not reliable which leaves the other two. I know I had a Channel Master preamp up from 1984 until 2004 without any problem so I would rate it as very reliable. I have only used the Kitz Technologies amplifier since 2012 but with no problem so far. It has been the best preamp I ever used in terms of pulling in weak signals.
I agree that the Kitztech pre-amp is the best one and I use it for my personal tv antennas. I did have one issue so the power supply went bad and leaked a bunch of noise effectively knocking out AM around the house but he sent me a new power supply for free and its been working perfectly since. But this pre-amp is a bit unknown and you have to look for it or hear about it on a forum for tv antennas.
Great video and I have found my antenna "Guy" so you have another subscriber and thanks for sharing all this tech~!!
Great video! I'd like to take it a step further. I currently have 2 high gain fringe antenna's on different masts pointed 90 degrees apart with separate preamps going to the same TV. One preamp was an older Radio Shack with a gain control that finally kicked the bucket. Had 45 TV feeds coming in. My question is, could running 2 preamps on different antennas have caused the failure of the old Radio Shack preamp?
Tried out a different amp--same specs--but with an FM trap. Wow. 25% improvement at least in signal strength.
I'm greatful for this video, very informative! God bless you brother!
Greetings Tyler. I enjoy your videos, one because I have installed lot of antenna for people in my area......and never to old to stop learning. This video I want to mention, in my experience if your cable is less than 100ft long or your very far a way from the broadcast station.... along with being not close to factories or places that could cause interference. In most of my cases the people Install the antenna with a pre-amp they get less channels, when I take the pre-amp off they get more channels and they're more reliable; and that's with a 100+ft cable. For example Channel WJW-FOX8 Cleveland, Ohio is one of the channels that are lost with pre-amps in my area due to a truck stop around the corner.
I noticed the same thing. In most cases I do not install a preemptive because it makes reception worse. I feel that the keys to use a good quality RG6 quad shield cable to prevent signal loss rather than using a pre amp on a crapy cable
well produced video !!!!! informative
Antenna web usually doesn't give me much of any TV stations from my location. We've had one of those antennas you hate so much on a 25-ft pole for the last few years and it's been okay but as you know it's going downhill. But I did see another antenna on Denny's website called a double stacker. I was hoping maybe you could compare it with the channel Master and the windgard long range antenna. Our house is located about 82 83 mi away from the main antennas in Dallas and fort Worth. I really enjoyed your unbiased opinion on antennas cables and amplifiers. Don't let the manufacturers suck you in. Keep it real
Am I missing something? I didn't know you could buy anything Radio Shack anymore, yet here you are recommending one of their signal amplifiers.
I have 3 different indoor antennas, depending on the time of day, and seasons of the year, I can get a few more marginal channels in addition to the approximately 5-6 I get all the time. Oddly, I am almost 60 miles in each direction from a major tv market. 1 antenna gets most stations from the north, while another gets them from the south. I believe ALL my antennas would benefit from better amplifiers....just need to find THE best.
Thanks for the info on the Walmart amp that I asked about on another of your videos
Hello my friend and thanks for the instruction and recommendations. I'm the typical "Jack of All Trades, Master of Some." I actually worked as a cable installer for about a year and a half after my retirement from the Army back in 2003, so I do kind of know my way around the block. I live in Bethel Park, PA which is a southwest suburb of Pittsburgh which is rolling hills, some small mountains with lots of trees and plenty of cell towers. For 5 years, I've been using a cheap, $20 RCA outdoor antenna since cutting the cord. I can usually get anywhere between 58-73 channels depending on the atmospherics, weather, time of day or price of tea in China. I can get channels (in some cases) from as far away as Cleveland or Morgantown, but usually no further than Youngstown. I've just purchased a Clearview 4 Max with a Clearview Juice Preamp. Unfortunately, I probably won't get to the opportunity to install the system until better weather arrives now. I have my set up for 5 TV's and am currently using an old cable inline dropamp in the basement. Yes, it is meant for Cable RF Power, but does give a good enough boost to make the TVs furthest away from the antenna recieve almost all of the channels the main set is receiving. I'll be replacing that old dropamp with an Antennas Direct 4 port inline amp when I'm ready to install everyting. My coax cables to reach all 5 sets are quite long so I'm 100% positive this will be necessary and it will probably be a bit more effective than that old cable amp. My biggest question is about the potential use of an LTE Filter. I do get plenty of pixelation from time to time, again depending on the same intangable items I mentioned above. If I do decide to purchase one of these little filters, based on what I've listed as equipment, where should I install this? Should it go into the 4 Max, at the pre-amp from the antenna befor it heads to the TV sets, or at the splitter when it first comes into the house and the first TV Set? Is it even necessary at all? Thanks so much and please keep on keeping us informed and away from the money grubbing "Cable/ Sat Pigs!"
I now offer antenna recommendations and a consultation service for a small fee at the link below. One from me can prevent you from spending hundreds of dollars and time wasted on setting up the wrong antenna for your area. antennamanpa.com/antenna-recommendations.html
Very helpful, Thanks!
Great video son, im starting a new phrase of my life to a more simple life. you have made these decisions much simplier. thanks.
I run the newer Channel Master CM777HD dual gain selectable pre amp which has a built in 700mhz LTE filter on my mast and RG6 down to a Commscope powered splitter.
For distribution the Commscope CSAPDU9VPI is sweet. Its a powered 8 way splitter with unity gain. So whatever the signal is comming into the splitter is the exact same leaving on all 8 ports.
Just another option, used mainly by CATV companies, just be sure to place a terminator on the -3.5db port and use the other 8.
Tyler really enjoy your videos about TV antennas and pre-amps, because I have had an interest in this field since 1960 and now being 75 could tell you stories about TV installations over many years. I started DX'ing MW
radio in 1960 too, then I had a hallicrafters SX-110 receiver, with tubes, from Radio Shack store in Stamford, CT, one of the early stores, and in 1962 became an amateur radio "ham", starting as a Novice, WV2ZPD, then Technician the next year, General Class, for High Frequency bands in 1979, Advanced Class, 1994, and finally Amateur Extra Class in 1995, and in 1997 got the Vanity Call, W2CH, still held today in my 58th year of license. I also DX'ed long distance " skip" TV reception a thousand miles or more distant and received reception report confirmations from some TV stations in the US and Canada. I have not really done it anymore with Digital TV. Here now in Delray Beach, Florida, with trying the GE Pro antenna on my terrace I can pick up 70 channels and sub channels on HDTV from Miami and the West Palm Beach locations. On Comcast and AT&T cable, here in Palm Beach County they do not carry the Miami Stations, on the ones from the West Palm Beach area. I used to live in NY just north of NYC, and over the air in Analogue days could receive Philly, Allentown, Scranton, and Wilkes Barre, PA too. Thanks from Ray Martin
Not a problem thanks for watching my videos. I do miss the analog days because DXing was a lot easier. I grew up in the Poconos and remember a time when I was 11 years old. I was playing around with an old analog TV set and it picked up stations from St Louis Missouri. Of course they went away after a few hours but I still thought it was very cool.
Another great video. 💯👍💯👍
great video !!!! good production!!!
Thank you. Make sure you're subscribed to my channel. I am trying hard to post useful videos every week.
Tyler: I'm trying to find an antenna to pick up the Andromeda Channel located in the Andromeda galaxy. I have oriented the antenna toward the galaxy but still getting a lot of pixelization. A radiotelescope is out of the question because I live in an urban area and the zoning issues for such an invasive structure are prohibitive. I am considering a move to the Atacama Desert in Chile but I'm having some complications with my visa application. Is there a cheaper alternative available at Wal Mart that would allow me to mot disrupt my life? Thank you. Enjoying your videos.
good job mister !! good information thank a lot !!
I have a RadioShack Amp that has 4 outputs. It has worked well for me for the past 4 years.
The internet is a scam comrade.
The critical factor is the signal to noise ratio. A weak signal will have a low signal to noise ratio at the antenna. The signal will then lose strength proportional to the length of the coax. Think of it like a partially filled water bucket with holes in the bottom, you won't be able to go very far before the bucket is empty. However, if you fill the bucket, the bucket still leaks, but since you start with more water, you can go farther before it is empty. An even better analogy is doing this during a dust storm. Adding amplifiers down the line is like adding water to the bucket. However, there is the problem of the mud buildup during the dust storm. The mud is noise and will eventually win. Better coax and low noise amplifiers can delay these effects and allow longer runs, but there is a limit beyond which these devices won't work any more.
I bought a Magnavox MG-ANT-104 and ran a channel scan through the power supply reciecver that rotates the ant. and I only got 3 channels and rotation only works sometimes. I removed it and connected ant. to TV without it and I get great reception on most loxal channels. Iwa shoping to get more channels that I sometimes got with old rabbit ears.
We still have a local radio shack! They had to add pack and print and Fed ex shipping and a picture framing section to stay open... But their still kicking, if you can't find a chord or cable or plug... They usually have it, just be ready to pay 250% of Walmart/Amazon price. :-)
I’ve had good results with the RCA preamp. It got 3 or 4 low power stations that I couldn’t get before. That gave me about 15-20 more channels.
It works well my main concern is the faulty power supply.
I guess I was just lucky. I’ve had it six months with no issues.
Thanks for the great information and please keep the videos coming. Need recommendations for an antenna and signal amplifier if needed for 75098.
Your signals are very weak so you'll need a decent outdoor antenna to pull in the stations. I recommend this RCA model pointed south west. amzn.to/2YxXAPn You can also add this preamp: amzn.to/2LU57SP
any suggestions on finding which external cable lead goes to which internal lead? I have multiple cable wires on the outside and I'd like to connect my antenna to the one that comes into my room.
Hey Tyler, thanks for the information! I'm looking at mounting an exterior antenna for my mom who lives at 91320. What do you recommend? She's a fair distance from Mount Wilson where there's a huge array of broadcast antennas (about 50 miles or so). Thanks again!
If you can email me the specific location as reception varies in that town. My email is theantennamanpa@gmail.com
I have several power supplies for the pre-amps. I have had a few pre-amps go out on me, including the Channel Master.
I use the Antennas Direct PA18 and it works very well for me. I'm in Eden, NC. I actually have two antennas on the roof, one pointed WNW to pick up the stations on Sauratown Mtn. This was necessary because the local PBS station is really weak and with a Clearstream 4 Max and the amplifier I can receive it consistently. The other is pointed north. It's an old Clearstream 2 and it does a great job pulling in the stations in the Roanoke, VA market plus a little bit from Lynchburg. I also get the stations to my south and southeast off the back of the antenna. I have a PA18 on each, separate coax runs, and an A/B switch near the TV. I had tried combining antennas and the separate lines work very much better.
Anyway, have you tried the PA18 and, if so, what do you think of it?
I haven't tried it but it looks good. There are dozens of preamps and it's not feasible for me to try everyone out when they all do pretty much the same thing. It's more important about how long they last and making sure to not get one that's too strong to overload your signals.
Hello Tyler thanks for the great channel. I live in 78605 Bertram. Will be doing a roof mount antenna with a 50’ RG6QS at the end of 50’ run will be a splitter for 2 TV’s. I’m certain I’ll need.a pre-amp but there is a cell tower about a mile away to the SW though not in direct line to stations I’d say about 20 deg off so I’m thinking on running a filter as well. The Antenna I’ll be using is the Clearstream 2max I think. It works ok inside but in overcast weather I lose/pixilated my VHF channels
I'm in that dilemma where antennaweb shows that I have 'no stations found' (with 30' mast) but I did get a station in my RV parked at my house. I have the Channel Master 3414 so I'm try it with my VHF/UHF antenna on the roof with a 20' mast. 88061
Great channel content!
Don't use antennaweb.org. See my video below: th-cam.com/video/RC8VmyjSE-M/w-d-xo.html
Hey luv everything u do. I went to antenna web n they say no channels r available for me. I have a 30ft tower for now with a lava I got it for $5 n I get 26 channels my locals fade sometimes what pre shioyld I get the onn
Always use those boots, heck I even use cable ties around the end up the boots for extra protection, keeps them from accidentally sliding off. Just last week I had to make a few changes to my antenna set-up, and after 5 plus years, my connections were clean, zero rust or corrosion on the connections... boots did their job. Wonder how many people don't do this?... then later have equipment failure and blame it on faulty equipment?
Am in Toronto and see the CN tower and am in the Great Lakes bowl with Buffalo NY across Lake Ontario. What the best antenna setup for me ?M8X 1V1
Best Regards, John
I guess this useful information will help with Antenna Stacking & Baying also.
Good video. Thanks Man.
If you are in fringe area's an antenna pre-amp is a must. The technical reason is a thing called noise figure. What it means is what is lost in the coax, can't be recovered, so boost the signal before the coax.
The TV is also important. When shopping, see if there is a weak channel, then find the TV, in your price range, that pulls that channel in the best. Even with a good antenna amp, I was able to convert a couple of unwatchable channels into good channels.
I wonder if retailers would let you bring in an antenna and plug it into a few sets of display to see which one picks up the most channels
Thanks for your knowledge! I haven’t had any luck with the “cheap” antennas. I am afraid to get the expensive stuff and it still not work. Could you help please? My zip is 40701
That Channel Master looks a lot like the old Winegard AP-8700. I had an AP-8700 for about 12 years. It went out a couple of weeks ago, and it looks like it's not being made anymore. It worked well all those years, but since I couldn't find it I ended up buying one of the Winegard's in your video. I was a little skeptical, and still am in particular about the power supply. My old amp ran off of 24V while this one just uses 5V, and can be powered from a USB. I didn't even know they were putting USB connections in TV's these days. Anyway I imagine some people are trying to use their TV USB outputs to power the amp right at the TV. I've only had it connected since yesterday, but it is working excellent. I scanned in 72 channels yesterday. I think the most I had gotten in the past was 68. They may have actually added some channels since I did the original install though. I was still surprised because this was right after it rained, and it was nasty down here in SC all day. I thought surely a bunch of the channel were barely coming in, but no. For kicks, and giggles I went through all of them, and every one was clear. This is a different TV than I had connected to begin with so not sure if that has anything to do with it. The original was one of the first ones with a converter box installed. So far I'm totally pleased, but that's a bummer to hear they don't tend to last long. Oh well, fingers crossed. Also thank you for the vids.
Curious to hear your thoughts on the CM-7777HD preamp. Thanks for the recommendation for the 4228HD. It's on the way. Can't wait to drop DirecTV after I get the antenna installed. Philo and the blue package from Sling have got everything else covered.
It's a good preamp but may over amplify strong signals. If you're 25+ miles from the tower you'll be fine.
@@AntennaMan I've used the CM 7777HD don't think I could get it to overload but had to combine 3 different antenna's which weakens the signal, and placed preamp 10 feet below the antenna so it can be placed under the over hang. Low power WGPS 22 was hard to get sometimes during storms, now it moved to 21 about 15 miles on a old UHF antenna I repaired. ABC, CBS, CW, FOX, NBC stations from different direction range from 21.5 miles seem to work fine on the original analog version CM 4228, and I tried a yagi but the CM 4228 seemed to work better picking up stations from a wider angel. A Wineguard points toward Tampa about 88.5 miles. I got a new version of the CM 4228 in a box with a transformer built in I think but not sure if it's better than the old version. I used the CM 7777HD like above while using 3 antennas but local station 10 miles away.
Great information.
good information , thank you