Tv signal Amplifiers in series? will it just hose the signal??

[0roo0roo]

i use a tv antenna on the roof for tv signal. it goes straight to the living room tv and an amplifier connected to another 150ft that brings the signal to two bedrooms. i want to add another 50 feet to a 3rd bedroom but am afraid the signal will degrade badly. will having a 2nd amplifier at the end of the 150 ft work? or will it amplify junk?

 

[Nocturnal]

I'm pretty sure you'll just be amplifying junk.

 

[beer]

While I am not 100% sure, I'd probably say that you'd be amplifying the noise introduced after the first amp. I'd get a better amp if you need it, rather than a second one.

Amplifiers in series is like trying to compress a file multiple times. You can't zip up a zipped file to get more compression. They're not like repeaters that amplify telecom signals.

 

[0roo0roo]

a better amplifier? how can i tell? what spec? i got my first one frmo radio shack long ago, its a cheapie. the picture after 200ft is alright, i'm just wondering if it could be better as its feeding 4 tv's over 200ft.

 

[beer]

I'd probably look at the signal/noise ratio. But then again, I don't know a thing about real-world amps.

 

[PowerEngineer]

Originally posted by: Nocturnal
I'm pretty sure you'll just be amplifying junk.

My understanding is that signal strength drops as you split the signal but noise does not. I think your best bet is to put the amplifier in right after the antenna and then use a single three-way splitter to provide signal to each of the three sets. If you use two two-way splitters in series, then your signal strength for the two bedroom sets will be a quarter of what it was initially (rather than a third). Still might work though.

A second amplifier would only have half the signal strength to start with (and therefore half the signal-to-noise ratio), meaning that the output would also have twice the noise of the output from the first amplifier.

Good luck!

 

[beer]

Originally posted by: PowerEngineer

Originally posted by: Nocturnal
I'm pretty sure you'll just be amplifying junk.

My understanding is that signal strength drops as you split the signal but noise does not. I think your best bet is to put the amplifier in right after the antenna and then use a single three-way splitter to provide signal to each of the three sets. If you use two two-way splitters in series, then your signal strength for the two bedroom sets will be a quarter of what it was initially (rather than a third). Still might work though.

A second amplifier would only have half the signal strength to start with (and therefore half the signal-to-noise ratio), meaning that the output would also have twice the noise of the output from the first amplifier.

Good luck!

Do what he says. He's a much better EE than I am

 

[TechnoKid]

FAQ That faq has some pretty good info on signal loss etc and amps. Although it is mainly written for cable, the principles are the same.

 

[Nocturnal]

Motorola makes a decent amplifier.

 

[Analog]

Originally posted by: 0roo0roo
i use a tv antenna on the roof for tv signal. it goes straight to the living room tv and an amplifier connected to another 150ft that brings the signal to two bedrooms. i want to add another 50 feet to a 3rd bedroom but am afraid the signal will degrade badly. will having a 2nd amplifier at the end of the 150 ft work? or will it amplify junk?

the best way to get a good signal is to amplify at the source (antenna). There are several boosters that work at the antenna, even when mounted outside. HTH