bi-directional cable amplifiers

[Rosco]

Just checking to see if anyone here has a good source for a cable signal amplifier that can be used for cable tv and a modem. I have found a few online, but also know that folks on this board are much more knowledgable than I on these things.

I have cable tv, phone, and internet plus I ran about 100 ft of cable (RG11) to my detached garage. I know I will need one in the garage and it does not need to be bi-directional, just running tv's out there.

Any advice is much appreciated as always!

 

[Walterchang]

I have several distribution amplifiers. They were used at Circuit city to run multiple tvs off of one connection. They are all component cables though.

 

[ket-tek]

You can go as cheap or expensive as you want, Bidirectional is of course needed but also want to make sure the frequency range is wide enough, older amps used to max out in the triple digits, not enough bandwidth for digital boxes.

Channel Plus is totally reliable and will do what you need.

The DA-500A is a great amplifier if you already have your splitting system in place, and is under $50. The DA-500BID is the same thing with a built in 8 way splitter.

Always cap off your unused splitter outputs with terminators to eliminate possible ghosting or interference.

Quad Shield RG-6 is all that is needed for a 100' run, that's not very far at all. RG-11 is used for service entrance feeds, did you mean 1000' instead?

 

[Rosco]

Thanks. I know I could have used RG-6 but had RG11 and read on another tech board that long runs of RG-6 suffer more power loss than RG11. I will definitely look these up. thanks.

 

[JWR]

My suggestion would be take the incoming line and place a splitter. Off the splitter run one leg to the computer modem / Telephone and the other leg to the amplifier for the televisions. I have found that amplifying only the television works best.

As for amplifiers I have had very good luck with the adjustable model from Radio Shack.

good luck

 

[Rosco]

That is pretty much what this website says. Looks like some nice equipment on here too!

http://www.cabletvamps.com/products.htm

 

[tba]

Without a meter you can only guess what is coming into the house.

Lets say +12db give or take 2db
Loss of RG6quad per 100' -6.5db @ 1GHZ , 100' RG11 -5db @ 1GHZ
2Way splitter -3.5db
Just add it up (+12db)-(-3.5db)-(-5db)= +3.5
I think you need somewhere between -5db & +5db at the outlet.
I you are going farther or adding more splitters you might need the amp and always put the modem on the first 2way splitter.

Somebody might correct me if I am wrong, but that's what I remember about this stuff.

 

[Rosco]

For any one out there with the same issue, here is the one I ordered after several hours of research and phone calls.

http://www.cabletvamps.com/Products/EDA-FT08300.htm

bought mine off amazon. they have many reviews and the price/shipping was a great deal.