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brightspark
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buy a 4way powered distributor amplifier simlar http://www.amazon.co.uk/Aerial-Splitter-Distribution-Amplifier-Booster/dp/B0060HJCO2 but cheaper elswhere
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Providing you have decent signal strength you should be able to run a couple of sets off one antenna, any more than that I would look into a powered amp/splitter.
Paul.
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It depends on the strength and quality of the signal, I have 2 tv's and a freeview recorder all running of one aerial, but had to fit a mast head amp to get it to work reliably, the quality of the splitter is important too, every joint is a potential weak spot, I use these rather than the cheap normal coax plug type http://www.screwfix.com/p/4-way-splitter-with-powerpass-all-ports/69265
brightspark
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buy one of these if your just going to join cables or buy cheap splitters test signal strength with just one point then test again when u have joined one see if theres any loss of signal http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Product...=adwords&kw=&gclid=CP_AzoSZjr4CFbShtAodii4A4Aany less than 2 digits on the led indicators is crap and signall will pixell and break up
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Labgear is a good brand for powered amps too.
Premiershipman
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Or this one .. https://www.letsautomate.com/10567.cfm
W4yne
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I fitted one of these in my attick, I put it there as it would have looked a little out of sorts on the chimney at nearly 2m long. I have 4 TV's running freeview channels off this aerial via a splitter box, I could have added an amplifier but with this aerial you honestly don't need one, brilliant picture with no interference at all.
http://www.televes.com/en/catalogo/producto/dat-75-hd-boss-790
http://www.televes.com/en/catalogo/producto/dat-75-hd-boss-790
ajlelectronics
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You are bit out of date sadly. Labgear was indeed a quality brand. Then they did deals with B&Q, slashed pricing just for them and alienated all the independants like ourselves. Net result is that they went bust. THEN... The name was bought by an outfit called Philex, who, how can I put this?... Deal in the "budget" end of the market and again do deals with B&Q.
Quality brands abound, We like the Televes and some of the Triax range. Antiference are OK ish, but not our first choice.
Feeding two sets from one good installation not a problem normally. Bear in mind that if you had a splitter that was theoretically perfect, you would lose 50% of your signal. In the real worl, more so. Multiply that up by a number of outputs and you will see that very soon, there is nothing left! Analogue degrades gracefully, so you can put up with poor signal, but digital is either perfect, or not there!
To overcome the splitter losses, you pre-amplify it. As a poster says above, you can use a mast head followed by a splitter, or a combined unit which is known as a distribution amplifier. They are available in masthead and set back designs, the former being most useful where access to mains power can be difficult. Good practice is to keep the amplifier unit closer to the aerial than anything else, ideally 1m or so down the cable for best performance.
If you buy one, go for a quality brand with F connectors, not Belling Lee.
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Thanks for the update, it was the late 90's when they were recommended to me
I've never been a fan of masthead pre-amps as they seem to amplify the noise as well as the signal, have things improved with the advent of digital signals?.
ajlelectronics
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Thanks for the update, it was the late 90's when they were recommended to me
I've never been a fan of masthead pre-amps as they seem to amplify the noise as well as the signal, have things improved with the advent of digital signals?.
All amplifiers amplify what they are given and then add their own noise. That in a nutshell is why they can often make things worse. The common misconception is that you can use them to magically produce a signal that was almost not there to start with. You MUST feed an amplifier with a reasonable s/n ratio or you are wasting your time. This is also one reason why caravan aerials tend to be useless. They are often negative gain followed by amplification, which is often wound to maximum by the user.
An amplifier is at its best when overcoming losses. By putting it at the masthead, you can overcome all the downlead losses and the signal to noise ratio will be better than it was. If you amplify after the losses, then the s/n will be worse generally. I can show the maths if you really wanted it!
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Makes sense, thanks.
I probably covered some of the math involved on the Radio Amateur course but that was many years ago
seriesonewelder
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Thread revival!!
@ajlelectronics
I want to install a splitter in the loft, the masthead type is unsuitable due to the aerial height off the roof.
What would be the up to date recommendation?
Thanks
@ajlelectronics
I want to install a splitter in the loft, the masthead type is unsuitable due to the aerial height off the roof.
What would be the up to date recommendation?
Thanks
ajlelectronics
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The masthead Distribution Amplifier type will be fine, just install it at the earliest point you can. Televes 8048 is our standard. Otherwise if you have local power, a good quality non masthead D/A will do fine. Again keep it as high up the cable as you sensibly can. Try not to buy from Screwfix / Been and Queued, they only sell the rebadged junk (Labgear badged etc).
seriesonewelder
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Thanks Aj, I have mains in the loft, can I buy off your site?
ajlelectronics
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You can, but it is a bit out of date. Have a browse and email me, is probably the best advice. Or even pick up the 'phone 09:00 to 15:45 Monday to Friday.
seriesonewelder
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Thanks, I'll call in the week.
