MNtundraRet
Bloomington, MN
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Joined: 12/06/2007
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For those of you still not happy with your digital television signal pickup after adding Wineguard Wingman, I found one more option to pick up those borderline weak incoming signals. 
As many of you already know, adding the Wineguard Wingman added about a 10 decible signal improvement in the UHF range where the vast majority of transmitted television signals now reside.
One of my favorite State parks (close to home - about 55 miles from transmitters in city) is located in woods near the Cannon River. Not the best location for using a television. I had been only able to pick up 2 TV transmitters in city and 1 from a town about 30 miles in a different direction for a total of 5 channels. Some signals from other city stations were close (high red area 25-32) but no cigar! 
Someone last month mentioned an in-line signal ampilfier for improving cable reception on long cables for cable boxes, etc. I went to Radio Shack and asked the manager if he had something to amplify my antenna RF signal. He said no. 
I ignored him and went back and checked out the television section containing cables, etc. I located the Radio Shack #15-2505, Bidirectional Cable TV Amplifier ($32.99). The unit is advertised on box as being for amplifying components connected to cable in house. However; the directions do say it will amplify any signals including those coming in over-air.
I knew that and let the manager know as I purchased the unit. After installing the amplifier between the incoming antenna connection and the television, I plugged it in and ran a "add channel" search. I now picked up 10 different transmitter signals (20+ channels). Signal strength moved into high yellow (60-67) and blue range (68 to 84).
The unit will amplify RF signal from a minimum 2 decibles to maximum of 10 decibles. Well worth the money for me. There most likely are other brands out there. The amplifier was used with the Wineguard amplifier also turned on. If you are closer to transmitters just turn off one of the amplifiers.
Mark (now two happy campers.  and  )
Mark & Jan "Old age & treachery win over youth & enthusiasm"
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just_dave
Bay City, MI
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Thanks for the info. I wish I would have spent the money on an amp rather than the Wingman. It's passive and as such, it's results aren't so hot (at least fot the areas I'm in). I may pick up one of these amps.
Dave
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Wayne Dohnal
Bend, OR.
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Quote:I wish I would have spent the money on an amp rather than the Wingman. It's passive and as such, it's results aren't so hot (at least fot the areas I'm in). I may pick up one of these amps.
Every situation is different and the amp won't help everybody. The amplifier amplifies noise, too. If the reception problem is that the signal is too weak to break through the noise, an amp won't help. If the problem is a weak tuner, the amp will solve the problem. The best location for the amp is as close to the antenna as possible, otherwise you just amplify noise introduced by the antenna line. The Winegard antenna is pretty good in this regard with the amp right up there in the antenna head.
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Larry202br
Olathe, Ks
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... The best location for the amp is as close to the antenna as possible, otherwise you just amplify noise introduced by the antenna line. The Winegard antenna is pretty good in this regard with the amp right up there in the antenna head.
Agreed, but, if you have the type of amplifier that is not in the antenna, be careful if you put the additional amp between the antenna and the current amp. You could overdrive it, causing the signal to be worse, or even damaging your current amp.
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MNtundraRet
Bloomington, MN
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The amplifier is used with the Wineguard amplifier also on. It works fine with both amplifiers on. It is designed to amplifiy signal and minimize noise. No comparison to amplifiers designed 5 to 20 years ago.
It happens all the time with; DSL, Cable, company computer networks, etc. Signals need to be reamplified through the cables. Get with the times guys!
As I mentioned earlier you can leave it off, or by-pass it, if you are closer to transmitted signals.
Mark
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LarryJM
NoVa
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Joined: 11/09/2007
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MNtundraRet wrote:The amplifier is used with the Wineguard amplifier also on. It works fine with both amplifiers on. It is designed to amplifiy signal and minimize noise. No comparison to amplifiers designed 5 to 20 years ago.
It happens all the time with; DSL, Cable, company computer networks, etc. Signals need to be reamplified through the cables. Get with the times guys!
As I mentioned earlier you can leave it off, or by-pass it, if you are closer to transmitted signals.
Mark
As mentioned no normal amp will improve the SNR since that is in the antenna design itself so all normal amps you can afford to buy will amplify both the signal and the noise the same amount.
Larry
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MNtundraRet
Bloomington, MN
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I used the RS Amplifier this weekend at Lake City, MN. Had 21 usable channels versus the ussual 2 to 5 channels. This is good for a town located down on the river. If the television's signal strength meter is turned on, the RS amplifier can be backed down from 10 decibels to 2. While set on one of the closest stations, I was able to back down to 4 decibels without loosing signal strength. I left it at maximum for the farthest away stations. The in-line amplifier plays well with the Winegard amplifier turned on also.
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wa8yxm
Wherever I happen to park
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Thanks I will check out that product..
One of the things I know is that sometimes adding an amplifier makes thigns worse but.... With digital.. That might not be as bad as it was on Analog.
Nothin adds excitment like something that is none of your business
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SCVJeff
Santa Clarita, CA.
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Points:
- The Wingman provides an additional gain of 3db, not 10
- An amplifier can only amplify what it hears and is not a substitute for a good antenna with decent gain. Adding a wingman is the single best improvement you can make to the batwing, period.
- Adding yet another amplifier directly behind the batwing is a problem looking for an excuse to start. Even though the additional amp is a high level amplifier, I have seen them overload. The correct place to install it is on the output of the switchbox to get the signal back up to where it was before it hit the input of the box. I have one feeding the rear of the coach where RF passes through a 1x2 splitter and the signal was noticeably degraded before the addition of the amp.
- Just make sure that you buy a good quality amplifier. Most of the junkie ones out there have a noise figure at or exceeding the gain of the amp itself.
Jeff - WA6EQU
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MNtundraRet
Bloomington, MN
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I will be testing the system again this weekend. We will be heading for Lake City, MN which is in the Mississippi river valley (Lake Pepin). Transmitters in Mpls/St. Paul area are 60+ miles away, and river bluffs are high. Stations desired are in 25 to 33 signal strength range. Usually get La Crosse, WI (60 miles down the river).
Location is everything though. Frontenac S.P. sits on top of the bluff 6 miles north of Lake City. The same bluff blocking most signals from home. The Winegard Wingman get 50+ channels up there.
It helps to keep experimenting since the older TV's and equipment are just "dead weight" if you cannot use them. This is my 4th season for the HD television in the motor-home.
Mark
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