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Old 08-28-2011, 03:38 PM   #1
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Default Digital TV and amplifier

So Canada's DTV conversion for major centers is upon us. Aug 31 is the deadline.

One station near me went digital about two weeks ago. When it was analogue, the reception wasn't good. I'd watch it if there was something I really wanted to see but the picture was often snowy. The digital picture is just fantastic now.

The digital signal seems to respond very well to amplification. An amp helped the analogue signal somewhat but the interference and noise would get amplified as well. When the station first went digital the picture was great. Then one day, there must have been a lot of interference because it became unwatchable. I added a 15db amp and instantly the picture cleared up. Just perfect again. Previously, I had an old 10 db amp installed. I had bought the 15 db amp to see if it would help the analogue signal but it didn't improve it anymore than my old 10db amp did. I was going to return the 15db amp but never got around to it. I'm glad I kept it.

So if you are having trouble with digital transmission breaking up in your RV try a new amp before looking into a new antenna.

The amp I bought was $19 on sale. http://www.thesource.ca/estore/produ...roduct=1512505




It looks very much like the Winegard amp at Radio Shack.


My home antenna is a simple folded dipole that I made out of 1/2" copper pipe several months ago. I bought, tried and returned a few commercial antennas that did not perform any better than my folded dipole. I built the antenna for low VHF channel 2 but it works just great for the UHF 27.1 digital channel. The antenna is in my attic.
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Old 09-02-2011, 01:57 AM   #2
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Default Re: Digital TV and amplifier

You've read my mind. I'm in the market for a replacement 12VDC amplifier for my non-satellite OTA
signal reception. I've tried the new TV with the OEM one, and without, and there's no noticeable
difference in picture quality, so I'm thinking it's not working.
I like the looks of both of those. Are they 12VDC or 110-120VAC? I'd like to use the existing 12V
power source for my new one, when I get it.
Oddly, back in August when we were coming back through Maine, we stopped for lunch and there
was a RS in the same mall. I went in and asked about TV signal amps, they didn't know about the
ones you've shown here.
I was also looking for an A/B/C coax switch, but it appears they don't exist either.
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Old 09-02-2011, 10:40 AM   #3
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Default Re: Digital TV and amplifier

It is 120 volt

I completely forgot that most RV's use 12 volt amps.
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Old 09-02-2011, 02:24 PM   #4
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Default Re: Digital TV and amplifier

No problem. The search continues......
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