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Archer77

131 posts

Master Geek


#140738 19-Feb-2014 08:44
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Hi. I have a question about using an amplifier, yes I have searched but wanted to make sure I have got it right.

I can not get Terrestrial Freeview, I am dish only. I have a standard Sky box in the lounge (with the RF out). I want dish + Sky RF out to the bedrooms (x4), so that bedrooms can watch Freeview with a set top box but also see the channel the Sky is on.

This is what I have got: (calling each run of rg6 A1, A2... etc, all rg6 is quadshield and terminated with f connectors)
From the LNB to under the house (A1) to two way splitter (outputs A2,A3). A2 goes to lounge as input for Sky. A4 is from Sky RF out.
A3 and A4 are diplexed together (output A5)
A5 goes to a 4 way splitter (outputs A6-A9) to each bedroom (with diplexers in the bedrooms to separate the signal where required).

A1 is around 15m to underneath the house where the Sky is located in the lounge, all the splitters etc are located at that point, then runs to the lounge and bedrooms are around 5m x3 and 20m x1. I get good dish signal in the lounge at the Sky box, no problems there. In the bedrooms however, is very poor dish signal (unwatchable).

I'm thinking an amplifier will solve my issue.
1. What sort of amplifier should I get (passive, 240v etc - power source is not a problem)
2. Where should I put the amplifier it (ie on A1, amplifying everything, or at A3 (or A4?) just amplifying before the 4 way split?)

Thanks

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Archer77

131 posts

Master Geek


  #990184 19-Feb-2014 09:58
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B1GGLZ: http://matchmaster.co.nz/domestic/amplifiers
http://matchmaster.co.nz/_literature_115557/10MM-DDA28_Flow_Diagram


Thanks - do you think the Digimatch amplifier is the way to go? I'm not a fan of belling-lee plugs though, would prefer an amplifier with f connectors. Or are you recommending a masthead amplifier? Is it okay for them to be located under the house at the end of an rg6 run?

B1GGLZ
1961 posts

Uber Geek


  #990275 19-Feb-2014 11:13
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Archer77:
Thanks - do you think the Digimatch amplifier is the way to go? I'm not a fan of belling-lee plugs though, would prefer an amplifier with f connectors. Or are you recommending a masthead amplifier? Is it okay for them to be located under the house at the end of an rg6 run?

Look closely at the pictures and mouse over the enlargements.
They are all f connectors. Belling Lee are useless for satellite work. The DDA28 should do all you need. Have no need for amplifiers myself as I'm on Terrestrial but that's what I'd use for multiple rooms.



Archer77

131 posts

Master Geek


  #990285 19-Feb-2014 11:23
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Ah the belling lee are just adapters that come with it. I see.

Would you amplify the whole lot or just prior to the 4 way split?

trig42
5809 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

  #990289 19-Feb-2014 11:28
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What is the 4-way splitter you are currently using? Is it rated for the frequencies needed for Satellite?

I thought that there were two types of splitter, RF and Satellite.

Archer77

131 posts

Master Geek


  #990291 19-Feb-2014 11:32
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Not sure until I go home and have a look at it. I have had the set up working with just one output off the splitter to one bedroom, however once all the runs of rg6 to the bedrooms are connected it becomes too poor. So I know the splitter is capable of doing what I am expecting of it.

I am confident an amplifier will solve it, I just need advice on what to get and where exactly to put it (ie before 4-way splitter or before everything). I would have thought amplifying everything was the way to go but I had read a post in my search prior to posting that it can be detrimental to have an amplifier very close to the Sky box - 'overload' it or something. The other issue is basically whether to get a passive one powered by the set top box or a 240v, I don't mind pay extra for a mains powered if it will give me the best result, but if a passive is safer for the relatively short runs to most bedrooms (5m) then...

B1GGLZ
1961 posts

Uber Geek


  #990497 19-Feb-2014 14:32
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Have you not looked at the flow diagram .pdf file? It shows you how to wire it up. Feed in sat dish co-ax and co-ax from sky box rf out and the outputs go to all tvs in the house. Just install it where convenient. You may have to alter some of your cable runs but it will do away with all your splitters.

 
 
 

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Archer77

131 posts

Master Geek


  #990518 19-Feb-2014 14:54
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B1GGLZ: Have you not looked at the flow diagram .pdf file? It shows you how to wire it up. Feed in sat dish co-ax and co-ax from sky box rf out and the outputs go to all tvs in the house. Just install it where convenient. You may have to alter some of your cable runs but it will do away with all your splitters.

Yes I saw the flow diagram. I know how to wire it up, all the wiring is already in place and works as well as it can. But I need an amplifier. Your first link includes both inline and active amplifiers, but half the point of this thread is that I do not know which is best suited for me. The second part of my query, on where to place said amplifier, is not addressed in your diagram.

If you're suggesting I get a DDA, well I'm not interested as I don't need one. I already have everything I need except an amplifier. I'm sure a DDA will cost at least twice as much as I need to pay for an amplifer. The DDA looks great if it is suitable for your circumstances, but it doesn't look like it is what I need.

B1GGLZ
1961 posts

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  #990677 19-Feb-2014 18:37
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Archer77:
If you're suggesting I get a DDA, well I'm not interested as I don't need one. I already have everything I need except an amplifier. I'm sure a DDA will cost at least twice as much as I need to pay for an amplifer. The DDA looks great if it is suitable for your circumstances, but it doesn't look like it is what I need.

OK.
I don't think you'll find an amplifier by itself that's suitable for what you want which is why I suggest the DDA28. It's self contained, has it's own power pack and amplifies both the satellite and modulator signals. That's what I'd use in your setup. Multiple amplified output ports have got to be a lot better than an amp followed by splitters. I'd just stick it in the roof cavity, under the floor, or in a cupboard and reroute all the cables.
Others may have different suggestions but they haven't replied to your post yet.

Archer77

131 posts

Master Geek


  #990683 19-Feb-2014 18:44
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Do you have one of those DDA's? How much was it?

B1GGLZ
1961 posts

Uber Geek


  #990685 19-Feb-2014 18:46
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P.S. This might work as well if the gain is enough.
http://www.freeviewshop.co.nz/10db-inline-satellite-amplifier-p-58.html
but you really need to try before you buy.

B1GGLZ
1961 posts

Uber Geek


  #990686 19-Feb-2014 18:48
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Archer77: Do you have one of those DDA's? How much was it?

No idea. As I said I don't need satellite distribution as I have Terrestrial FreeviewHD and just use a UHF antenna with a 2 way splitter.
Was just making a suggestion.

Archer77

131 posts

Master Geek


  #990692 19-Feb-2014 19:01
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Very good, thanks, I'll look further in to them.

Edit: They are on freeviewshop, but $300 for an 8 way.

bales
116 posts

Master Geek

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  #992678 23-Feb-2014 10:01
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where are you located

Archer77

131 posts

Master Geek


  #992698 23-Feb-2014 10:55
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Near Pukekohe in South Auckland. I've ordered a cheap in line amplifier to start off with, I will see how that goes and if it is no help then I will get a 240v amplifier.

B1GGLZ suggestion of a DDA is on the money, and was the first suggestion from a guy I know who has experience with this sort of thing. Just that since I have the splitter etc already I will try and make it work as cheaply as possible. If I was starting again I would go for DDA.

I'll report back on the success/failure of the inline amp.

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