Cable TV signal amplifier for an apartment: general information about the device, purchase and installation of the device

In the modern world, one of the most popular entertainment is watching your favorite TV shows. Sometimes the received signal does not meet the requirements of users, which significantly reduces the interest in television. Various factors may deteriorate the picture or sound quality. A cable TV signal amplifier for an apartment or a private house will help to solve this problem.

General information

Before installing any additional device on the TV, you need to understand the causes of the malfunctions, and also study in detail all the ways out of this situation. All this information will help you choose the most efficient cable TV amplifier and avoid any problems.

Signal degradation reasons

There are many factors that can have a negative impact on the quality of a TV picture. Their number may vary due to the characteristics of the landscape, the quality of the equipment and the conscientiousness of the services that control the repeaters.

The main reasons for the deterioration in the quality of the TV picture:

• Maintenance of transmitters. The culprit of the signal degradation is the owner of the TV. However, in some situations, these are the services that perform repair or maintenance work with the transmitter. The TV signal may disappear for several hours or until the breakdown is repaired.
• Hardware malfunction. Outdoor antennas installed on balconies or rooftops are often affected by various natural factors. Because of this, they gradually deteriorate and inevitably fail. This problem occurs due to improper installation of equipment and can lead to loss of TV signal.
• Errors when choosing an antenna. All receiving devices have different characteristics and are suitable for each specific situation. If you buy an old model or set it too low, the quality of the received signal will be much worse.
• High power. Sometimes the reason for a low-quality TV picture can be an overestimated level of reception. This problem occurs due to the use of antennas with a high gain, as well as when you are near the TV tower.
• Cable. The cable used has a significant impact on the quality of the television signal. If you use old or assembled from pieces, then it can cause interference in the received signal. This applies even to those cases when the highest quality and most expensive antenna is used.
• Connectors and dividers. Both of these passive design elements often degrade signal quality. This is due to improper installation and oxidation of the compounds.
• Noises. Various transmitting devices (modems, routers, telephones, radios, and many others) have a strong influence on the received signal. They operate in different frequency ranges, so they often cause interference.

Advantages and disadvantages of amplifiers

A TV signal amplifier for an apartment, like any other similar device, has its own advantages and disadvantages. They influence the choice of a particular model of equipment and allow you to accurately determine the most effective option.

Among the positive qualities of antenna amplifiers, the following are worth highlighting:

• The ability to receive any signals. Most models are capable of picking up even the weakest signals and maximizing them.
• Low noise figure. All TV amplifiers work in such a way that they practically do not have a negative impact on the picture quality and do not create additional interference.
• The ability to pick up different frequencies. Modern device models can operate in a wide frequency band of many wavelength ranges.

Despite the listed advantages, amplifiers have several disadvantages. They must be taken into account before purchasing equipment and starting to use it. Otherwise, you may encounter various problems that will create additional difficulties and increase financial costs.

Among the disadvantages are the following:

• High susceptibility to strong electrical discharges. This negative side is especially pronounced during a thunderstorm and leads to additional interference in the reception.
• Self-excitation of the amplifier (the occurrence of electrical oscillations in the absence of any external influences).
• Frequent overload. It can be the result of exposure to powerful signals in the meter frequency range (49 to 230 MHz).
• Passive output losses.

Purchase and installation of the device

In order for a television amplifier to perform its functions efficiently, it is necessary to choose it correctly. It is important to consider many factors that can degrade the signal and cause equipment to malfunction. Only in this case it is possible to achieve the desired result and avoid any negative consequences.

Criterias of choice

Buying a TV signal booster is considered a rather complicated undertaking. The owner of the TV needs to take into account various parameters that will help to choose the optimal model of the device. This work can be done by yourself or with the help of a qualified technician. The first option is much cheaper, but requires some experience and knowledge in this area.

You need to choose a TV amplifier according to the following parameters:

• Compliance with the frequency range. The purchased device must not only be fully compatible with the TV, but also be able to work with it in the same frequency range.
• Maximum output level. Since it will be fed to the input of a television receiver, it is best to choose those models that have a value of at least 100 dB / μV.
• The gain of the device. This parameter shows the maximum values ​​by which the signal can improve. It is recommended to purchase devices with a coefficient of at least 40 dB.

Varieties of devices

The purchase of one of the amplifier models depends on the type of television used. According to this criterion, all devices are divided into 3 groups and are used only in certain cases.

Amplifier types:

• Antenna. It is used in case of significant distance of the received device from the repeater, as well as when making a minor mistake in the selection and installation of the antenna (wrong orientation or type). In addition, the antenna amplifier is used when the signal quality deteriorates caused by natural obstacles (residential buildings, industrial structures, trees). Some amplifiers are already built into the antennas and are sold together, which greatly simplifies the installation process and eliminates the need to search for a compatible device.
• Cable. This is one of the least popular devices that is used only to amplify a poor quality signal coming from a cable TV provider. It is most often used in cases where you need to connect multiple TVs. All modern models of cable amplifiers are equipped with a special divider that simplifies installation work. If you need to connect 3 or more TV sets, it is recommended to supplement the device with one more amplifier.
• Satellite. It is used quite rarely, since it allows only a slight improvement in the quality of the received signal. Each of the models of such a device must necessarily correspond to the parameters of the received device.

Installation procedure

After all the necessary equipment has been selected, you should begin the installation process. This work can be done by hand or with the help of a highly qualified craftsman. Self-installation is more affordable, cheaper, but always fraught with certain risks.

If there is no one hundred percent confidence in the success of the event, then it is best to contact a specialist. In this case, costs will increase, but the quality of work will increase.

For installation, you will need the following items:

• chip MAX2633;
• resistor with a resistance of at least 1 kOhm;
• a set of capacitors with a capacity of 1 nF.

It is important to prepare in advance everything you need for work so that during the process you will not be distracted and not waste precious time. The assembly of the structure must be carried out in the correct sequence. Only in this case the device will perform its functions efficiently and amplify the signal.

Complete procedure:

1. All the required electronic components are bought in specialized stores.
2. Then preparatory activities are carried out, as well as the necessary tools and consumables are selected.
3. After that, a dielectric plate is made, on the surface of which the electrically conducting circuits of the microcircuit used (printed circuit board) are formed.
4. In the next step, capacitors and a resistor are soldered.
5. The assembled structure is tested for safety.
6. Antenna and TV are connected to the amplifier.
7. The device is tested and minor bugs are eliminated.

Professional advice

During the assembly and installation of the signal amplifier, it is necessary to take into account not only the recommendations of the manufacturers, but also follow the advice of professionals. They will help you avoid most of the simple mistakes and achieve the desired result in a minimum amount of time.

The main recommendations of specialists:

• The antenna amplifier must be located in close proximity to the TV. This is done in order to reduce cable losses, which can cause deterioration in the quality of the television picture.
• It is not recommended to equip indoor antennas with signal amplifiers, as this will not provide any advantage and will not eliminate interference.
• Before using the device, be sure to study the attached instructions in detail. This information will help you install the appliance correctly and reduce the likelihood of installation errors.
• If the installed amplifier has not eliminated the problem, then the reason for the poor signal quality should be sought in the antenna itself, its location and compliance with wave frequencies.
• Any installation, repair or maintenance work on the device should be carried out only after disconnecting it from the power source. There is a high risk of electric shock.
• It is forbidden to connect the signal amplifier to antennas located on the roof of the building and in rooms that are not equipped with lightning protection. If you neglect this advice, then you can lose not only the amplifier, but also the TV.
• Do not connect a device that has visible damage to the case, as this will increase the risk of electric shock.

A TV signal amplifier is a useful and inexpensive device. With its help, you can eliminate various interference and significantly improve the quality of the television picture. With the right approach to choosing a device and following all the recommendations of professionals, you can achieve the desired result and reduce the likelihood of malfunctions.