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UHF tv amplifier plans?

Anybody know where I can get a good schematic or kit to build a
variable UHF television signal amplifier? I need to amplify the UHF
signals from my roof antenna because they atennuate much more than the
VHF signals. I tried using amplifiers from Walmart and Target, but they
are very stupidly designed in that they aren't variable and they
amplify VHF more than UHF, which is ridiculously stupid and useless.
Plus they amplify too much, which ruins the picture. I just need a
small amount of amplification and it has to be variable so I can make
it just the right amount. I tried googling but so far I only found an
extremely expensive kit for professional usage.
 
...I tried using amplifiers from Walmart and Target, but they
are very stupidly designed in that they aren't variable and they
amplify VHF more than UHF, which is useless.

..
No idea, but I have some suggestions:

- Try Radio Shack. I purchased a small metal box that amplifies the
signal. It doesn't distinguish between VHF or UHF, but it is variable.
I have it setting behind my tv set.

- If that's not satisfactory, try a splitter to split the VHF and UHF
signals... then attach an amplifier to the UHF. Although I suspect the
act-of-splitting will cause losses & a dirtier picture. (That's why
amps typically amplify the whole spectrum.)

- Settle for fuzzy UHF stations; being of higher frequency they don't
travel as far. That's just the way it is.

- For about ~$10 a month you could subscribe to local-channels-only
cable, and get everything with crystal clarity.

..
 
D

Dave

Jan 1, 1970
0
Anybody know where I can get a good schematic or kit to build a
variable UHF television signal amplifier? I need to amplify the UHF
signals from my roof antenna because they atennuate much more than the
VHF signals. I tried using amplifiers from Walmart and Target, but
they are very stupidly designed in that they aren't variable and they
amplify VHF more than UHF, which is ridiculously stupid and useless.
Plus they amplify too much, which ruins the picture. I just need a
small amount of amplification and it has to be variable so I can make
it just the right amount. I tried googling but so far I only found an
extremely expensive kit for professional usage.

Suggestions:

1) Spend your money on a better (separate) UHF antenna. You can combine the
output from VHF and UHF antennas to a single cable, if that is a problem.

2) Another reason for a poor UHF signal might be the use of low quality
cable - UHF needs better cable than VHF

3) If you use an amplifier and the input signal causes it to be overloaded,
you probably didn't need the amp anyway.

4) If the amp is not overloaded, but the output overloads the TV, you can
buy (or make) attenuators that fit in the (output) cable.

It is always a good idea to start with the best signal you can, and
attenuate if needed, rather than a poor signal which must then be amplified.

Dave
 
T

Tam/WB2TT

Jan 1, 1970
0
Anybody know where I can get a good schematic or kit to build a
variable UHF television signal amplifier? I need to amplify the UHF
signals from my roof antenna because they atennuate much more than the
VHF signals. I tried using amplifiers from Walmart and Target, but they
are very stupidly designed in that they aren't variable and they
amplify VHF more than UHF, which is ridiculously stupid and useless.
Plus they amplify too much, which ruins the picture. I just need a
small amount of amplification and it has to be variable so I can make
it just the right amount. I tried googling but so far I only found an
extremely expensive kit for professional usage.
Channel master sells UHF only amplifiers in two flavors. The one I have is
stricktly UHF with VHF signals blocked. The other version amplifies UHF, and
passes VHF un amplified. Any UHF amp is useless, unless it is mounted at the
antenna. Got mine at www.warrenelectronics.com .
If you build your own, you probably will have no way to tell whether the NF
is 0.8 DB or 8.0 DB.

Tam
 
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