Antenna amplifiers for TV - how to choose?

Often even in the city center, when using a conventional TV receiver, there are problems with signal quality. To avoid this, you can connect satellite or cable TV.People in rural areas can not do this and are forced to look at a bad image. If you want to improve the picture quality on the screen that the antenna gives out, then you need to connect an amplifier to it. This device will be useful if the tower is too far away or if you have a poor antenna or picked it up incorrectly. Such a device helps to improve the signal quality that the TV receives. Often amplifiers are used in holiday homes and on the lower floors of apartment buildings. Since there are different antenna amplifiers for a TV, how to choose the right one, we'll cover in this article.

to the contents ↑

Basic selection criteria for the

To properly select the antenna amplifiers for a TV, the following characteristics must be kept in mind.

Required frequency range

For this feature, the devices are divided into:

• broadband - they operate only in their frequency band;
• range - amplify a certain predetermined range;
• multi-band - work in several bands.

Distance to TV tower

Look at the map where the nearest TV tower is located. Once you know the distance, you can calculate the required gain.

Important! This can be done using the RTRS website - it allows you to find out the coverage area of ​​digital terrestrial broadcasting in your area and the location where the towers are located.

Do not take too powerful a device, this will cause unnecessary interference.

The properties of the device

These are the noise figure, the current consumed by the device and the voltage, as well as the gain.

Antenna and signal type

Among other things, the choice of receiver depends on what kind of receiver you use. You need to know this to select a TV signal amplifier. They are made for antenna, cable and satellite signals. A little more about each.

Antenna

Can be useful if:

• house is far from the transmitting station;
• signal is muted by buildings or trees;
• if the antenna is not correctly installed.

Important! Before buying it, try to twist the antenna itself. Probably, it will be possible to improve the signal.

Often, in order to improve image quality, you should buy an active antenna with an integrated gain path. So often do people living in urban apartments.

Important! Such devices are very convenient and compact, you can move them in the room and find the best place to receive the signal.

Cable

They can be found much less often, because cable television providers, as a rule, give a pretty decent signal. Such devices are purchased when you need to connect multiple TVs from one point. Therefore, they often have signal splitters installed.

Important! Often amplification of the signal is not necessary at all. You can buy a conventional splitter, installing it where the cable enters the apartment. This also does not add interference. But if you have more than three TV sets in your apartment, then the signal will need amplification.

Satellite

They are also not very common. As a rule, people prefer to install a satellite dish with a large radius or replace the equipment with a more modern one.

Important! Sometimes to improve the signal, install a cable amplifier on the antenna input of the TV.The main condition - the frequency ranges must coincide.

Active or passive amplifier

One of the criteria for classification is the operating principle of such a device. On this basis, active and passive devices are distinguished. The main difference is that in active devices an antenna amplifier is installed, which is powered from the network. He needs an adapter of 12 or 9 volts.

There are certain requirements for the installation of such a device:

• The device should be positioned as close as possible to the receiving point - this significantly increases the signal quality.

Important! When installing this amplifier in this way, the quality will not be spoiled even by distortions occurring in the feeder, which is a 75 ohm wire.

• It is better to protect the device from rain and snow.
• Do not place it too close to the TV - this will cause interference.
• You can connect power to the antenna cable. It is better to use a coaxial cable to connect.

Important! With the active antenna amplifier, it is possible to connect the power supply unit separately, and put it in the room.

to the contents ↑

Additional tips for

Which amplifier for a TV antenna is better? Consider these recommendations to make the choice reasonable:

• It is necessary to choose the device with the desired gain. The largest possible distance is 150 km.

Important! If the distance to the TV tower is less than 10 km, an antenna amplifier for the TV is not needed, it's enough to install the antenna itself.

• Do not try to buy the device with the highest gain - such devices can create very strong interference.
• You can connect a broadband device and you will be able to catch all the channels available to you. Most often choose this option.

Important! For the same antenna, you can find a variety of amplifiers with different characteristics. To simplify the task of choice, use special tables, with which you can select the model you want.

Amplifier ratios

Here are some more details about the characteristics of the device that will help you choose the antenna amplifiers for your TV.But the overall gain will consist of several parts:

• Amplifier conversion factor;
• Gain factor.

The first parameter is pretty obvious, and the second one needs to be clarified. It can generally be zero. An antenna with such a conversion ratio will be omnidirectional.

These devices can also be used with an amplifier. Here are some of the pros and cons:

1. Receives a signal from all sides, then - do not need to waste time on aiming the television antenna. But this property also increases the amount of interference, and with the amplifier they become even greater.
2. They have better gain, they give less interference. But they are more difficult to install correctly. If the direction of the beam changes from the TV tower, then there will be problems with the reception.
3. Omnidirectional devices can receive signals from more than one tower. There is a possibility that the image may double. The same can happen when reinforced.

Important! Consider the radiation pattern. The devices receive the signal in the best way no more than from two directions. They specially have this design. The direction of the antenna depends on its shape.

to the contents ↑

Popular manufacturers and models

Now there are many different manufacturers. But which amplifier for TV antenna is better?

Delta

Among Russian manufacturers, the company "Delta" enjoys popularity. It produces active antennas. Judging by user feedback - this is quite a good manufacturer.

Such models are in constant demand:

• Delta 3311 A. It has a log-periodic scheme. However, the antennae for the CF frequencies are firmly fixed so that the device does not begin to swing strongly on the mast with wind. This could interfere with the reception of the signal.
• Delta K 331 A. This device has a gain factor for different ranges. In the range of the decimeter frequency this is 24 dB, in VHF - 14 dB, in the range of KB - 6 dB.This model has the best reception on regional channels and digital television. To cover this range, it uses built-in digital antenna amplifiers to achieve very good quality.
• Delta K 331 A.03.A device with better qualities than the previous two. This antenna is log-periodic. For the MB range, it has a telescopic antennae. This is a room model, it can not be installed on the street.

SWA

For the type of antennas of the Polish type, select the TV signal amplifier SWA.Its range is 49-790 MHz. It is better to seek to purchase a device with a lower noise figure and not the greatest gain.

Important! There are a lot of SWA models, so when choosing, pay attention to the characteristics that suit you.

Locus

A fairly common model, in the event of failure of which it is necessary to install an antenna amplifier LSA.It will resume its operation and improve the signal quality.

Alkad

These amplifiers have 2-4 outputs, they can be connected to more than one TV.Some of these models allow you to change the gain, and in different ranges.

Terra

This company from Lithuania produces antenna amplifiers with several inputs, which allows to add signals from several antennas. They also produce instruments with several outputs.

Important! Together with the amplifier is sold, as a rule, the power unit. Producers of active antennas and amplifiers are basically the same. Some of these include additional functions such as radio reception.

In this article we have prepared for you an overview of all important technical characteristics and popular manufacturers, models of antenna amplifiers. The question of how to choose the right one, we hope, is now solved very simply for you.