Signal Amplifier

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Location
Essex
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Hi, I think I need a new signal amplifier and wanted to know which would be a good quality one to buy, at the moment I have a Mercury with 8 connections with DC pass this is the second one I've had in 15 years, I have 3 TVs one is connected through a freeview box.
Thanks for any advice.
 
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TV plug or F-plug?
Why have 8 way distribution amp if only 3 TVs are connected? A 4 way unit would work.
Why have DC pass (presumably intended for supplying $ky magic eye remote controls)?

What has gone wrong (again) with this unit. NB The full output (if it has one) must have a 75 ohm terminator fitted or be used to feed more TV outputs on a long cable or the whole device gain goes up the creek.

Justin of ATV aerials in Sheffield recommends the Proception range as they are well-screened... Toolstation sell those, as well as Justin and other places (CPC Farnell).
 
Hi, Not sure why I got 8 way, I will get a 4 way this time, again I don't really know what a DC pass is, I don't have $ky magic eye just 3 tv's one freeview box. Whats gone wrong is about 6 channels on one TV started braking up didn't know why but I had a plug in signal booster so plugged it in next to TV and it worked, a few months later another tv started doing the same ( Strangely affecting different channels ) so I'm assuming its the amplifier in the loft.
 
Whats gone wrong is about 6 channels on one TV started braking up didn't know why but I had a plug in signal booster so plugged it in next to TV and it worked, a few months later another tv started doing the same ( Strangely affecting different channels ) so I'm assuming its the amplifier in the loft.
First thing to suspect is the aerial and/or cables and connections.

Examine all connections. Remake any suspect ones. Ensure plugs are in firm and not loose. Ensure any hdmi and aerial cables are apart (cross-interference can occur).

Aerial: where in or out. What style? How old? External aerials may have an average life of around 12 years (some die quicker other last a lot longer). They can also be affected by external things like tree growth.

Pretty hard to find maker / specs but if the amplifier is this one https://www.powersaver.co.uk/product/mercury-8-way-vhf-uhf-distribution-amplifier-amd08/ has 8dB gain (lowish but sufficient if the aerial is sound, working properly and supplies one TV at a time without any issues). The Full 20dB gain output must have a terminator plug (usually supplied) but could be used split two ways to provide 2 x 16dB gain feeds... or a 4-way split at 12 dB gain (cf 8dB gain for the main outlets).
You can test the aerial direct to one location by using a 'joiner' barrel and by-passing the amplifier box.

Check that a mobile mast has not launched close to your location and causing interference at https://restoretv.uk/ They can supply filters etc.,. if needed free of charge to you.

I'm not convinced a new amplifier is the correct solution.

NB Most TVs have signal strength (and quality) metering diagnostics built in. It's often worth using them to see if a pattern exists on the different frequencies received.
 
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Thanks for the info, I'll have a fiddle around with the cables and plugs. Aerial is outside and about 15 years old.
 
so I'm assuming its the amplifier in the loft.
Never assume. People waste a lot of money replacing things that are not broken on assumptions.

If you are only feeding 3 TVs you may not need an amplifier at all, just a 3 way splitter.
 
Will a 3 way splitter weaken the signal? or if I have all 3 TVs on at once?
 
A 3 way splitter drops the signal by approximately 6dB. Not a problem with a good aerial in most areas.

Putting TVs on or off make no difference to the signal levels.
 
A 3 way splitter drops the signal by approximately 6dB. Not a problem with a good aerial in most areas.

Putting TVs on or off make no difference to the signal levels.

6dB is the theoretical loss of a perfect 3 or 4-way splitter. Practical splitters lose more. Triax state 7.5dB for their 3-way version at UHF TV frequencies.
I always say 4dB for a 2-way and 8dB for 4 way, 12 for 8-way.

That an amplifier has been needed / used until recently with +8dB gain... a passive split would equate to a -16 dB change in signal level. That's a lot! I doubt a passive splitter is the solution to the problems here any more than a new amplifier would be.
 
6dB is the theoretical loss of a perfect 3 or 4-way splitter. Practical splitters lose more. Triax state 7.5dB for their 3-way version at UHF TV frequencies.
I always say 4dB for a 2-way and 8dB for 4 way, 12 for 8-way.

That an amplifier has been needed / used until recently with +8dB gain... a passive split would equate to a -16 dB change in signal level. That's a lot! I doubt a passive splitter is the solution to the problems here any more than a new amplifier would be.
My 3 way splitters are labelled 5.6dB loss 4 way 7.4dB but hey ho. I find amplifiers are often put in by DIYers because they assume they are required.
 

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