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Placement of masthead amp

  • 06-09-2009 05:10PM
    #1
    Verso
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 130 ✭✭


    I have an aerial on a mast fixed to the chimney to which I want to add an amplifier.

    Can anyone tell me if there is much difference to attaching the amp on the mast itself or in the loft.

    The amp would last longer in the loft as it would not be subject to weather conditions.

    Thanks for any replies.


Comments

  • #2
    tellyman
    Closed Accounts Posts: 12 ✭tellyman


    Its best to keep the amp as near as possible to the aerial to avoid signal loss and amplifying the "noise". However if the length of cable from the aerial to the attic is relatively short it should work fine.


  • #3
    TheDriver
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,710 ✭✭✭✭TheDriver


    it should be as close to the aerial as possible. You can have it anywhere in theory but problem is that more interference is picked up along the cable before amplifying which is then amplified along with the good signal if its further from the aerial.


  • #4
    200motels
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,619 ✭✭✭200motels


    What is the masthead amp for? Sorry for the stupid question.


  • #5
    byte
    Moderators, Regional North West Moderators Posts: 19,173 Mod ✭✭✭✭byte
    byte


    200motels wrote: »
    What is the masthead amp for? Sorry for the stupid question.
    For boosting weak signal basically.


  • #6
    Verso
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 130 ✭✭Verso


    tellyman and TheDriver, thanks for information. The cable length from the aerial to the point in the loft would be about four metres.

    Another question - what would be the best type of aerial to receive Freeview from the Preseli transmitter?. My setup is on the coast in North Wexford.

    200motels, a masthead amplifier used mainly in weak signal areas to increase signal strength.


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  • #7
    byte
    Moderators, Regional North West Moderators Posts: 19,173 Mod ✭✭✭✭byte
    byte


    Verso wrote: »
    tellyman and TheDriver, thanks for information. The cable length from the aerial to the point in the loft would be about four metres.

    Another question - what would be the best type of aerial to receive Freeview from the Preseli transmitter?. My setup is on the coast in North Wexford.

    200motels, a masthead amplifier used mainly in weak signal areas to increase signal strength.
    http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055658286 should help you with relation to Preseli reception.


  • #8
    200motels
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,619 ✭✭✭200motels


    Verso wrote: »
    tellyman and TheDriver, thanks for information. The cable length from the aerial to the point in the loft would be about four metres.

    Another question - what would be the best type of aerial to receive Freeview from the Preseli transmitter?. My setup is on the coast in North Wexford.

    200motels, a masthead amplifier used mainly in weak signal areas to increase signal strength.
    Thanks lads.


  • #9
    danjo
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 589 ✭✭✭danjo


    A masthead amplifier as it's name implies should be placed at the top of the mast as close as possible to the antenna. The function is to increase the signal to noise ratio and compensate for feeder cable loss. Placing it anywhere else is a compromise and will not yield optimum performance.


  • #10
    maxg
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 516 ✭✭✭maxg


    What is the sense to fit a mast amp to the pole? How much signal strength get lost at 2 or 3 meter cf100 cable if you place the amp to the attic?


  • #11
    marclt
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 852 ✭✭✭marclt


    maxg wrote: »
    What is the sense to fit a mast amp to the pole? How much signal strength get lost at 2 or 3 meter cf100 cable if you place the amp to the attic?

    Most set ups have the masthead on the pole, with the power supply in the attic. I recently installed an aerial with instructions that said any masthead should be within 1 metre of the aerial. I guess you want as little interference as possible to ensure a clean signal...

    Sorry 'within'... should have read 'at'.


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  • #12
    Rippy
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 961 ✭✭✭Rippy


    marclt wrote: »
    Most set ups have the masthead on the pole, with the power supply in the attic. I recently installed an aerial with instructions that said any masthead should be within 1 metre of the aerial. I guess you want as little interference as possible to ensure a clean signal...
    Either the instructions were wrong or you misread them. There should be a metre of cable between the aeriel and the amp. Closer and there is a risk of reflections reaching the aerial.
    1 mtr is the optimum distance. If using CT100 cable 4mtrs should be ok. So put it in the loft if you want to. A decent amp will last well outside though. That is what they are designed for.
    A better description would be mast foot amps .


  • #13
    Verso
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 130 ✭✭Verso


    Thanks everyone for replies and help.

    For the present I have put the amp in the loft and I currently receive the BBC DTT transmissions. However at times these freeze and pixilate so the signal must be weak. Of course this could be the result of many other causes. The current analogue reception is very poor.

    When the digital switchover is complete I will probably put the amp on the mast and replace my elderly wideband aerial to try and improve reception.


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