FM antenna amplifier

They are all pretty much the same. Be sure you get one that is (or can be adjusted for) the FM band. I have a Winegard. The other big name is Channel Master. Radio Shack sells the same stuff rebranded. In the old days a mast mount RF amplifier didn't buy you much because what really matters is signal-to-noise ratio, and FM tuner front ends were generally better than the mast mount RF amps. This has changed, and mast mount RF amps do help.

Of course, the mast mount amplifier is what you do AFTER you put in a directional antenna and rotator.

Much thanks. I'll pick up something at Radio Shack. But I want something that will be indoors- going from the coax cable to the amplifier and then into the tuner. Two of the three tuners get good signal strength. But the Macintosh MR 80 does not. This is on a separate lead from the antenna and it's a long run.(It's not a problem with the MR-80. I switched it for the MR71 in another system and the MR 71 had much more signal strength in it's original location.) I've tightened all the connections but it still is somewhat weak. I hope the amplifier will boost it. Thanks again.

Tedkurtz...The best setup would be an amplifier on the antenna and one long downlead to the amp power supply which is located inside, and sends low voltage DC up the wire to the amp. Then coming out of the amp power supply (indoors) use a splitter to feed all your FM sets.

Hi Eldaford.... That is exactly what I will be doing. Thanks for your terrific assistance. Much appreciated. Ted

If you do use a Winegard or Channel Master TV pre-amplifier for FM, make sure the FM trap setting is the one that lets the FM signal through at full power.

A lot of people are unaware of the FM trap and then can't understand why the preamp does not work for FM very well. It should work great. FM is between VHF channels 6 and 7.

Can BOTH the amplifier and power supply (preamp) be used and connected to each other INDOORS? Or does the amplifier have to be located up by the antenna on the roof?

Sugarbrie...Anyone who is unaware of the need to set the FM trap has not read the instructions that come with the unit. But, as you suggest, sadly this may be the case.

Tedkurtz...Of course you can use the amp indoors, but that lets it amplify any noise picked up in the wire down from the antenna. If you just want an amplified splitter (distribution amp) for use indoors Radio Shack sells those too.

While a preamp and an amplfier are two different devices, I think in some cases you are talking about the same thing.

That small device that goes up on near the antenna outside, and has a small power supply for it inside is a preamplifier. The power goes back up the cable somehow to power the preamp.

A distribution amplifier is just a box that boost the signal and can be put anywhere it can be plugged in, obviously the closer to the source the better. I have an amplifier on my cable TV system. The cable signal is split too many ways in my house. The picture quality is reduced without it.

If you ever get a distibution amplifer for cable TV and you have broadband internet, make sure it is a push-pull design, or in other words allows the signal to go in both directions. Your internet will not work for obvious reasons if the amplifier does not let the signal go backwards out of the house. All new modern amplifiers for cable do this. Some old models do not, so it might be best to buy a new one and don't try to save money on an old model used.

My CATV distribution amp is a commercial grade Winegard model.

This is a good source for all this kind of stuff. [url]http://www.starkelectronic.com/[/url]

Sugarbrie,
Your starkelectronic is a fun read.

Stark electronics in Worcester Mass is where I got my RF amp. I was in Worcester on another matter, so I stopped into the store. A bit of a "hole in the wall" but they really stock a wide range of products.