Splitters and amps
TM
way bi directional amp (radio shack) that feeds the phone, computer,
bed room tv (non-hdtv) and family room (hdtv plasma). All runs are
home runned to the basement where the main cable feed is (and where
the amp is.)
My question is what is the best way to add another TV. Can I split
one of the four outs from the amp in the basement using a traditional
cable splitter and then run that to two tvs? I tried this with a
splitter I had laying around the house but it didn't work.....
Thanks,
TM
Steve Cutchen
<t...@themorgans.org> wrote:
That should work. Be sure you are using a splitter that is made for
cable frequencies, not anenna frequencies
G-squared
> In article <1179193034.755867.256...@e51g2000hsg.googlegroups.com>, TM
I've had a spectrum analyzer on my cable. There are signals from 54 to
750 MHz. My OTA antenna has signals from 54 to 800 MHz. How are they
different?
GG
wbertram
Difference 1: Frequency Assignments
Cable typically has 125 (more or less) 6MHz wide channels in
essentially contiguous frequency assignments from 54MHz up to around
800MHz. OTA presently has 68 6HHz wide channels in 3 groups, 54 to
88MHz, 174 to 216MHz, and 470 to 804MHz.
Between the two, only channels 2 thru 13 share the same frequencies.
Difference 2: Digital Modulation Standard
While OTA and Cable use the same modulation standard, as specified by
the NTSC, for analog channels, they use different modulation standards
for digital. Cable use a digital modulation specified as QAM, while OTA
uses the digital modulation specified by the ATSC.
G-squared
Are you implying that the splitter is actually a band separator? The
splitter is a broadband unit. The fact that there are 'holes' in the
spectrum of OTA vs cable is of no consequence. The modulation method
isn't an issue either. Flat response is required for _all_
modulations, even Bob's cherished COFDM.
So since the bandwidth is the same, I repeat, what is the difference
between an OTA vs cable splitter? Answer: none at all.
GG
David
> splitter is a broadband unit. The fact that there are 'holes' in the
> spectrum of OTA vs cable is of no consequence. The modulation method
> isn't an issue either. Flat response is required for _all_
> modulations, even Bob's cherished COFDM.
>
> So since the bandwidth is the same, I repeat, what is the difference
> between an OTA vs cable splitter? Answer: none at all.
>
> GG
David
G-squared
wbertram
That wasn't the question you originally asked!
You asked "I've had a spectrum analyzer on my cable. There are signals
from 54 to 750 MHz. My OTA antenna has signals from 54 to 800 MHz. How
are they different?" "they" in this questions refers to signals, not
splitters.
The splitters are identical.
G-squared
<snip>
>
> That wasn't the question you originally asked!
>
> You asked "I've had a spectrum analyzer on my cable. There are signals
> from 54 to 750 MHz. My OTA antenna has signals from 54 to 800 MHz. How
> are they different?" "they" in this questions refers to signals, not
> splitters.
>
> The splitters are identical.
Reading as you did: I was a dufus as I did indeed imply the signals
but meant the splitters. Sometimes brain fades happen. Though my
original response was about splitters. The spectrum analyser reference
was about spectrum. I have to take it home again as the cable is funky
again. (Cox's gear, not mine)
GG
wbertram
Yeah, we all go through the 'dufus' bit now and then. Me especially!
Incidentally, an ICOM PCR-1000 with the TalkPCR software makes a pretty
damn good spectrum analyzer. Total cost, a couple hundred dollars.
dave....@geewhizmail.com
antenna on the way and I'm still debating how I'm going to mount it.
One option would involve using some existing cable coming into the
house. Would using an in-line barrel-type connector affect the
antenna's performance?
Dave Clary/Corpus Christi, TX
http://davidclary.com
G-squared
I bought a small (3 ft) tripod and put it mostly behind the chimney
with the little Winegard poking its gray face above the chimney. From
the ground and street level it's mostly not ugly -- at least to the
point that the wife doesn't complain. From the antennas view, it
clears the top of the chimney by 6". Roofing is aphalt shingle. This
not would _not_ have worked at the last house with the red tile roof.
Check out the 'photo gallery' for the SquareShooter for some mounting
examples.
http://www.winegard.com/offair/squareshooter.htm
I heard long ago that each connector in line adds 1/2 to 3/4 db loss
and some impedance 'bumps' due to the VSWR not being 1:1 through the
barrels. If signal is rather weak I'd look to something like Belden
1694A as it's about the lowest loss RG-6 you'll find. There's larger
coax if you need even less loss but from a practical standpoint, an
antenna preamp can make up for a lot of cable losses for less $$$.
GG
G-squared
I looked up that ICOM box. Looks like a lot of bang for the buck. I'm
spoiled however. I can borrow a Tek 2712 when I need to check things
out at home. Made aligning the antenna really short work.
I wasn't the only one with cable problems in the neighborhood. Cox
said they could make it out on Saturday (from Monday) but enough calls
gets 'em moving so it's all squared away.
GG
Steve Cutchen
G-squared <stra...@yahoo.com> wrote:
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