How To Fit A MASTHEAD AMPLIFIER & Power Supply Unit
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- Опубліковано 9 лют 2025
- This video shows you how to install a TV aerial masthead amplifier and power supply unit. With this type of amplifier the power supplied via the coaxial cable itself which usually plugs in by a TV. This makes it perfect for installing amplifiers in positions where there is otherwise no electrical power point to plug a traditional aerial amplifier in, like in lofts, outside or on the aerial mast itself.
In the video demonstration, A wolsey 4 way 0-10dB masthead amplifier and Wolsey 12V power supply unit have been installed onto a Optima log periodic wideband aerial.
Tools you will need:
1x Stanley Blade or Utility Knife
1x Side cutters
Parts you will need:
1x Masthead amplifier
1x 12V Power supply unit
F connectors
Insulating tape for securing cable to mast
Step by step guide:
Masthead amplifier
1) Cut the existing aerial cable where you intend to install the masthead amplifier.
2) Install F connectors on both ends of the cable.
3) Install a third F connector (If you're using a multiple output masthead amplifier) onto a new coaxial cable which will be fed into a new room, repeat this process for as many extra cables you will be installing.
4) Insert the aerial input cable into the input of the masthead amplifier.
5) Install all the remaining output cables and screw into position.
6) Tighten all F connectors with a 11mm spanner or pliers to maintain the integrity of the cable screen and to minimize RF leakage.
7) Secure the amplifier in position.
Power Supply Unit
8) Cut the aerial cable where you intend to install the power supply unit.
9) Install F connectors on both ends of the cable.
10) Screw the aerial side cable into the input of the power supply unit, often marked aerial or 12V.
11) Screw the TV side cable into the output of the power supply unit, often marked TV or output.
12) Plug power supply unit into mains point.
For more information on how to install a F connector please watch this video.
• How To Fit An F Connec...
If you need to install a separate splitter for extra TV point, please watch this video.
• How To Fit A TV Aerial...
For more information on how to install a masthead amplifier, please read our blog.
www.smartaeria...
Cheers Tommy!
Out of all the guff advice and sites/videos trying to sound like they know it all, YOU! ma man do it like, "it says on the tin". SIMPLES!!
Yor down to earth, explaining like you were helping your mate next door or the lady across the road !
Sound pal!!👌👍👊
Terrific presentation, Tommy. Thank you.
You're welcome, glad you liked the video. Please subscribe to our channel. Tom
A bit drawn out but a good video that explains exactly what I needed to know. Thanks! :-)
You're welcome and thanks! Please do subscribe to our channel. Tom
Thanks mate learnt something new today as didn't know the amp had to be close to the Ariel and not the other end like near the TV, that I didn't think, as having some probs with installing a loft ariel, so hope when I put what your have learnt me today I will get a decent picture, so thanks buddy
I need to fit a four way splitter and power supply like you have in your video. If the aerial coax goes into the IN connector on your splitter then the coax which goes to the power supply connects from one of the splitter OUT connectors and to the IN 12v connector on the power supply, hasn’t my 4 way splitter now become a 3 way because one of the outputs has been taken up by the splitter to power. Hope this makes sense. It does to me. The video really useful and much appreciated. 👍
Hi Neil, most multiple output masthead amps like the one in the video can be powered off any output but some require the power unit to be connected to a specific output. It will say on the unit itself. The PSU also has an output which will feed to the 4th TV. I hope this helps. Tom
Nice one mate. I just got quoted £260 to supply and fit all that stuff - I’ll now go out and spend around £70 buying the gear and doing it myself.
Hey Stephen, your welcome. Hope it all goes to plan. :) Please do subscribe to our channel. All the best. Tom
Oh, I have just seen you have already subscribed. Thanks!
Smart Aerials Yes mate I have. Thank you again.
Hi Tom, thanks for your help, I phoned the manufacturer and they said a 100mA one should work. Went to Screwfix, got one for 12.99, plugged it in and retuned the tv, hey presto, it’s all working again.
That's brilliant Bob, glad the video was some help to you. Please subscribe to our channel. Tom
It's a really good video. Well done sir
Thank you, please subsribe to our channel. Tom
Hi just come across this video, I have the same setup but how would is differ if you have multiple TVs?, do they just connect straight into the Splitter or would I I need to go through the AMP?
Helpfull Video
Thanks, glad it helped. Please subscribe to our channel. Tom
Top Job Tom!
Hey Darren. Thanks! I hope that the video was on some help to you. Please do subscribe to our channel. Tom
Hi do you have to have a powersuply to be able to use the amplifier? Thanks
Brilliant tommy thanks 👍
Hi Great video, I've had one of these installed by a local fitter and it's worked great for months. The main TV in the lounge is fine but all of a sudden I've lost signal on 2 TVs and the third will only tune to BBC channels.
Any ideas please.
Thanks Adam
Hi Tommy, if I install the amplifier on the aerial which will be on the roof, could I then split it at ground level to go to three wall plates?
Hi there i really enjoy the videos they come in really handy. I hope you can help. I have a mobile home in the country. I have a high gain aerial to a indoor 4 way booster box. Im looking to receive feed from a main freeview transmitter. Would i be best adding a masthead amp. And if so should i continue splitting the signal from the booster box or do i split the signal at the masthead and run separate boosters. Many thanks
Hi Lewis, thanks. One amp/ booster is usually more than enough. It goes like this - Aerial > Amplifier > Splitter > TV's. You could just get a four way masthead amp which has is an amp/ splitter all in one. If you're worrying about not having enough signal I advise getting one with an adjustable gain, so you can adjust the amount of amplification. I hope this helps, Tom
@@smartaerials thats great tom. Thank you so much for replying, i really appreciate it
Can this be installed at the back of the TV?
Thank you good video, how can you check if the amplifier is gone, I do not have a signal any more
Easiest way would be to just try a new one or bypass the amplifier altogether with a join and test the TV to see if it works. If you have a masthead amplifier and power supply unit. It's more common for the PSU to become faulty.
@@smartaerials thank you for the quick reply
Good video I have a question on the 2/1/20 I had 88 TV channels put new aerial on roof 15/1/20 now have 93 chanals had to retune on 17/1/20 because of missing channels now I have 29 channels. Is it a freeview issue or do I need a booster
Hi Tom great vids.
Hope you can help. I have just purchased a property which has tv sockets in 4 rooms. I've had to put the ariel in the loft. I purchased a 6 way splitter but no picture. I've put the coax from the ariel straight to a tv which worked a treat. I have been told I need a booster? Can you recommend a good booster I need and point me in the right direction of one of your how to install vids.
Thanks bud Al
Hi Alan and thanks. Yes you would lose quite a bit of signal out of a 6 way splitter (around 12dB), can you please just confirm for me if you have a mains electrical point in your loft? Where the splitter is.
Hi fella, just moved into block of flats, I'm on the top floor but our signal comes from a communal aerial.
I have exact same equipment as in your vid..
If I came from the face plate to the splitter, then put one of those power supplies on each leg, one each to kids room, and my room, and then run the coax from near the front room face plate to my desired rooms... Should that work.....
I have already done it, but had the booster on the line first, then into the splitter, and then to the 3 rooms, but I got nothing... Could that be coz I did it the other way around to what you did...
Some advice or help would be great.. Thanks alot
Hi Liam, I wouldn't use this if equipment if I was installing this inside a flat with internal cabling. I would just use a distribution amplifier. You would only need one power supply to power the amp, you don't want to install any more than that. I would install it this way if you using your kit. Wallplate>>Ampllifier>>Splitter>>Cables>>PSU(in any room). If it doesn't work you may have a splitter that is not DC passing or connections on power supply the wrong way around. Tom
Hi Tom, as soon as I txt you I went and messed around a bit more... I have coax run from far corner of my flat near incoming point, to the two bedroom at opposite furthest point of flat.
It comes in from outside and goes straight into the exact same splitter on your video, then I have 3 outgoing cables, 1 to tv above the point, and 2 running to bedrooms, on the furthest bedroom run, I have it going from the splitter into a amp(again the exact same as in your video). And then from amp to bedroom....
It didn't work at first, but I turned down the dB dial on the splitter and EUREKA!!!!!
ATM, all is OK, should I disconnect the amp, or if its working, should I be OK????
Again thanks for your time Tom...
Top vids!!!
Good detailed video..
You're welcome. Please do subscribe to our channel. Tom
I have the televes preamp I had it set up and working. now the power light is on in the house but the preamp is not and I habe no channels I checked connections but did not go on the roof to check the one on antenna. how do I find out what went wrong
Hi Tom thanks for the reply. Yes there are power cables in the loft which I could run a spur off.
Cheers Alan
Hi Alan, you could install a one way set back amplifier before the splitter. Like this -
cpc.farnell.com/antiference/a1100r/1way-signal-booster-amplifier/dp/AP00780 This should overcome the signal losses associated with the splitter,
or you could remove the splitter and fit a 4 or 6 way distribution amplifier like this - cpc.farnell.com/antiference/a260d/2-in-6-out-remotelink-amplifier/dp/AP01143?mckv=s93PuUNzw_dc|pcrid|224680055011|kword||match||plid||slid||product|AP01143|pgrid|51011277550|ptaid|pla-805426656427|&CMP=KNC-GUK-CPC-SHOPPING&gclid=CjwKCAjwssD0BRBIEiwA-JP5rO2hz1e36YX19eNdahKP3XdyVyCN8f2YePTA2ENdJ3Ofb5Nj6UpP7BoCidMQAvD_BwE
I hope this helps, Tom
I have 4 bedrooms, a Kitchen and Lounge where I would like to install TV's. What size amplifier will be required? Any recommendations?
Great vid.
Hi just moved into a new property which has a Vision V20 masthead amplifier but not sure its working correctly. The green light on the 12V power supply goes out when a cable is connected.
Ive read that the light should stay on but may go red if there is a bad connection i.e shielding wire touching conductor. is the light going out altogether a sign of a defective power supply?
Does it matter if you use a masthead distribution amp with masthead power if there is no masthead amplifier on the aerial due to it sending power up the cable but there being no amplifier there to send power to . Would this damage the power supply in anyway ? The reason I'm asking is the aerial man has replaced the aerial at my Auntie's house and didn't put a masthead amp on the aerial which was there on the previous installation. But the distribution amp is still there sending the signal to 4 tv's around the house. It previously provided power for the masthead amp before the aerial was changed.
I have one of these in my loft connected to the tv aerial, that is also mounted to the joists in the loft. It sends signal to each of my four bedrooms. I also have Cat6 cables in the loft for my CCTV, but I am getting horizontal interference lines on my cctv, mainly at night. Could the tv aerial, or amplifier box (and the wires going into it) be interfering with my CCTV system?
Which is better a 12db gain or 14db gain aerial?
Legend , thanks very much
Do you have to pass 4 cables through your roof to the aerial amplifier if you have 4 connected tv's?
If I was to install on a vehicle without 230v ac available could I use the 12v dc from the vehicle's electrical system to power the amp? Could I just inject 12v dc down the coax through a lead I make up and put through a splitter?
I have never done it but can't see what the problem would be, most PSU's for masthead amps are 100mA. I hope this helps
Nice detailed video on how to install it! I have a strange problem with mine though - it's sending the +12V from the power supply straight down one of the output legs instead of the signal! Any idea why?
Thanks! Some models DC pass down the output legs to power remote eyes for Sky playback systems but this wouldn't explain why it is not passing up to the aerial. What model of masthead amplifier are you using?
@@smartaerials Not sure of the make and model; it was installed for us many years ago. Three of the output legs work fine sending the amplified signal to the TVs, including the one with the PSU on it. If the defective one is connected to a TV however, the PSU shows a red light instead of green and all other TVs in the house lose signal. Crossed/reversed wires?
Sounds like you have a short on the aerial cable. I would advise checking the cable terminations to make sure that the braid/ shield are not connecting with the centre conductor at both ends of the cable. It could also be a faulty cable or if could be a bit of stray voltage coming from the TV. You will either need to replace the cable or fit a DC block to overcome these issues respectively. I hope this helps.
Have just checked the PSU and it’s a 200 mA , the only ones I can find locally are 100mA, will it make a big difference or will it not work at all?
Depends on the masthead amp. Most of the ones I fit are 100mA.
Sorry for lots of questions - does each coax to each TV need to be the same length to avoide signal delay to TV's?
Hi I live next to the London to Edinburgh train line. I keep losing signal (the TV just goes to a black screen for about 30 seconds) and it seems to be when a train is about to or passes. Could this be due to the train ? If so is there anything I can do? Any help would be great full. I already have a booster
Hey 👋🏼 is there any way I could please get some advice? I just had sky installed but only in the living room . I had one of these power supplies (also in the living room) but the sky engineer told me I didn’t need it any more so I cut it off. Now my upstairs tvs have basically no signal . So now I feel a bit stumped . As I cut the power supply off so there’s no no aerial left to it 😩 thanks 🙏🏼
Thanks for the explanation!
Just wondering: have you ever come across a Wolsey WPS100/1 PSU that still lights up green but has actually blown and lost its actual functionality? My TV signals have all vanished - the 10 year old Wolsey PSU is still lit, but there are slight singe marks on its outer casing...
BTW: If you were going to replace such a unit (assuming that IS the culprit) what (reasonably-priced) alternative would you recommend...?
Great Video, as electrical contractor I am
Frequently asked to include installation of new aerial points, this has really helped and gives me the confidence to offer this on small domestic extensions. Do you have a preferred/go to manufacturer for splitters and master head amps?
Thanks and sorry for the slow reply. Glad the video helped. I mainly use Wolsey and Antiference for amps, but Vision and Triax are good too.
Anyone know a price for fitting these I’ve seen the part for £25 roughly and our local company want to charge my 90 year old Nan £360 seems expensive
Just for a masthead amplifier and power supply? £360 seems very expensive. Price can depend a bit on where it will be installed. I would be asking questions if it is more than £150.
@@smartaerials cheers top channel
Please help, I have an aeriel on my wall outside, then in my loft I have a black box that looks simial to what you have here. In my bedroom I have 6 cables, labeled, dining room, bedroom1, 2, 3 etc... Where do I plug these into? Getting a real headache
Hi. Really helpful video, many thanks. Gave me the confidence to install a new antenna and Wolsey LTE WFAV 425 masthead amplifier with power supply. All went really really well and I had a great picture on 2 TVs in a dodgy reception area.
However... I tried putting a splitter off the power unit to feed another TV and now I have no signal at all! I removed the splitter and returned it to the previous set up but still no signal so I think something has gone wrong with the power unit or masthead amplifier. I still have a green power light on the Wolsey WMA-WPS100/1 power supply but no signal and the mast hasn't moved. Any thoughts what it could be please? Many thanks
Thanks. Hard to say, I would check the cable terminations. What do they look like?
Hi there i have 7 tvs to supply cable to for freeview in my new house. How would i do this ? Thanks
Easiest way would be to just get an 8 way distribution amplifier and connect all your cables into that. If you don't have a power supply where the cables come back to you could install a masthead amplifier and 8 way splitter, just make sure that the splitter is DC passing.
Hi
Thanks for the great video. I’m just after purchasing a wolsey wma-wps100/1 will there be interference with my Triax I/o link for my sky or should I be ok?
Hi thanks for the video. I'm wanting to install some extra TV points, what's the difference in this system as apposed to a regular booster box in an attic supplying multiple TV outlets
You're welcome. This one doesn't require a mains electrical socket in your loft.
@@smartaerials thanks. So does that mean that all the supply's to every TV come from the masthead amplifier?? Is that not alot of cables coming through your roof tiles if you've multiple tvs to feed??
Depends on the masthead amplifier that you have, if you had a 4 way masthead amplifier this can feed 4 TV's. A 6 way, six TV's etc. The masthead amplifier could be installed inside the loft so you only have to get the one aerial feed in, that's the way that I would do it.
Thanks for the Video! If you are using more than one port / TVs do you use one Power box per TV or will one work for all.ports?
One power supply unit is all that is required. Not separate ones.
Would you need one with a 8-Way Distribution Amplifier? Thanks
No you shouldn't, only in very weak areas or very large systems would you need both.
Thanks for providing your video. My daughter has moved to an old house that already has a 4-way Wolsey Masthead Amplifier on an outside wall. When I looked inside the box the feed from the aerial was connected to one of the OUTPUT connectors and the main TV feed connected to the INPUT connector. In theory this shouldn't have worked but they get a good signal from it. The other OUTPUT feeds go to other parts of the house. None of these work. There is NO PSU connected (this being taken by the previous owner I assume). Does anyone known if you can purchase just a new PSU? The next time I visit, a 150 mile round trip, I will go armed with the necessary tools and equipment.
Tommy, very informative video. In my loft I've got a Labgear amp LMA125V with their downstairs PSU behind main TV. 2 WAY Labgear splitter (behind TV) sends 1 output to main TV, other goes back to loft for distribution to other rooms. If I added splitter in the loft just downstream of the Amp, so other rooms would be on shorter cable run, would main TV signal strength be compromised? Thanks again.
Hi so on my booster box I have one cable coming down into my front room with a 12v psu I wish to put a 2nd lead to a bedroom. On the box on the arial there are 2 outputs will I need a 2nd psu from the aerial to my 2nd TV or can I just run a cable from arial to the TV thanks
Hi Glyn, one PSU will be fine. Just connect the cable to the second unused output on the masthead amp. Tom
@@smartaerials would the masthead be on the aerial then?
Hi could I connect the masthead power supply between my tv and wall socket or would it have to be connected directly from the aerial splitter?
Thanks
And your video has been very helpful and informing. Thankyou
Just to add, I live in a 3 bed house and want to use a 4 way split; research has told me I need a very high gain aerial (which I have purchased). In your opinion do you believe I would benefit from an amplifier?
Hi Leigh, it can go between your TV and wall socket, that is actually the most common place for them, the socket just needs to not be isolated however as this would stop the DC voltage from the power supply reaching the masthead amp.
In regards to the aerial, I can't really say as this would depend on how much signal you're getting off the aerial. I would put an amp in to be on the safe side.
Thanks
You're welcome, please subscribe to our channel. Tom
Had a power cut and tv shows no signal when power restored. PSU led does not light, fuse in plug ok, is it likely that PSU has failed?
That would be the first thing that I try Bob.
I want to bring it down from my ariel in the attic to a wall plate. Ill put the 1st 1 way booster on my ariel. Should I put the 2nd booster(the one with the power supply) one straight after the wall plate or a bit further on. As the tv isn't near to the wall plate? Tv is about 7 meters in wire away from the wall plate. Does that make sense ?
Hi David. It doesn't really matter. You're supposed to have a few meters between the amplifier and the power supply but in practice it could go where ever. So by the wall plate, by the wall plate, before the wall plate would all be fine. If you're going to be using wall plates make sure that these are NOT ISOLATED as this will stop the DC voltage from reaching the amplifier.
Hi, thank you for your video, it was very informative. I recently moved into a house where my tv did not work as the previous owners had cable tv and had cut the aerial cable. I had a professional in to rewire the canal and he said the signal was too weak to get many channels. He then installed a booster 4-way splitter and a power supply in my loft. He said if that did not work, then the next stage would be a mast head amp but it would cost me quite a bit to add. He led me to believe that he could add it in between the aerial and the booster 4-way splitter, utilising the power supply added to the loft for the booster. Does this sound correct? Thanks you for your time and help.
Hi Matt, you're welcome. Yes that can be possible but it depend on what type of booster 4-way splitter that you have. You may need a second power supply.
Hello again. I've got around to added a mast head amp to my set up and it hasn't quite worked out to plan.
I added a mast head amp and power supply unit before the 4-way amp and it seems to have made things worse. I've then tried taking the 4-way amp out and going direct from the power supply unit to each tv which seems to work great. Would I have to use 2 separate power supply units to each output from the 4-way splitter? Thanks again for you help.
You might have a faulty 4 way amplifier. I would try keeping the new masthead/ power unit that you have installed and fitting a passive four way splitter in place of the 4 way amplifier.
I fitted a LabGear LMA415V unit in the loft, powered by a small unit in the same manner as yours (up the coax). Believe it or not, every time I powered it up, my broadband signal fell through the floor. Took me a while to connect the loss of Internet to this, but is reproducible, so it's definitely the culprit. Any ideas? I don't want to buy another unit in case there's some problem with cables running near each other causing interference, and further expenditure being a waste of money. Come across this before?
Hi Nick, I have come across all sorts of funny things but it's difficult for me to say what exactly is going on here, do you have more than one TV point? Can you move the power unit to another room?
Smart Aerials yes I've got 4 TVs fed from the aerial, so I got the 4 output amp. I've tried it in different rooms with the same outcome. Recently switched to fibre broadband so I may have another go, possibly trying an alternative power source just in case the psu is the issue.
It's a funny one, earthing the coaxial cable might help.
@@smartaerials ground looping has always been an issue with switching power supplies naturally... neutral is ground in my case. (as per Canada reg, our neutrals are bonded to ground in the main panels)
Hi Tom, Excellent video, thank you. I have a question as I'm about to install a similar amp & PSU (Labgear LMA415VR 4-way amp with a Labgear PSUFC power supply). So the lead from the aeriel gets connected to the Amp UHF input and "output 1" gets connected to the PSU, then the output of the PSU gets connected to the TV. Does this mean that I have to provide a separate PSU for each of the other three outputs from the 4-way amp, or does the PSU that is connected to o/p 1 provide power to each of the other three amplifier outputs? Thanks again, Bill.
Hi Bill, no one power supply is all that is required to power the amp.
Great video, thank you! One thing I don't understand is the 1m minimum distance for the amp from the aerial. Does it cause interference if it's too close?
Hey John. Yes interference can feed back into the system. It's not such a problem with double screened cabling and screened connections that be used these-days but it's still good practice.
@@smartaerials Thanks!
I would have thought it was 1m MAXIMUM, The further down the line the more interference is picked up and amplified!
No it's definitely a suggested minimum, double screened cables & aerials with an integrated balun or log periodic design won't really pick up any interference. Cable lengths of less than a metre on the other hand would be capable as acting as an antenna as this would be a similar wavelength to the frequencies the aerial is picking up.
In that@@smartaerials
Great video! I am wanting to remove my masthead amplifier as it's no longer required so do I basically just do the reverse of what you did? I have a power supply inside the house behind the tv so I can skip that part but just hoping I can connect up the two cables with joiners and everything will work...
HI Julia, if you want to remove the masthead amplifier. You will need to remove both parts, the amp and the power supply. If the cables has F or coax plugs then yes you can just remove the cables and join them.
Hi! Very helpful video, thank you. I've just moved into a new build with five aerial points being fed from the loft but no aerial installed. The signal is pretty good in my area so it was recommended that I just bought the Labgear LOG Mast Periodic Aerial. I was planning on just installing a 6-way splitter with no amplification to see if that would suffice and if not, get a power supply to amplify the signal. Do you recommend any brands in particular for splitters? It seems to be recommended that power sources are kept far from the coaxial cables, so does applying power across the coaxial to amplify the signal from the splitter degrade the signal of the coaxial cable the power is being supplied along? Therefore, is it better to amplify at an outlet that isn't being used by your main TV? Thanks.
Hi can you help I have all this done in my House but the optima 12 v unit at the telly is fault can I get a replacement or would I need to get the whole lot again?
No you can get the power units separate, it doesn't have to be an Optima one also.
I got one connected it but now my TV upstairs isn't working. And my TV downstairs is dropping off any ideas what the problem Could be? Turning the power off and on seems to help find a signal. Thank you very much for ur help
Sorry it's difficult to say, have you tried re-tuning your equipment?
@@smartaerials I got it working needed a new cable running from outside aerial to the new unit thanks for replying
Hi, great video! So, a really simple question which I expect I already know the answer to...
I have a very high gain tri-boom aerial mounted in the loft. This originally fed two TVs using a two-way splitter which both worked fine. I have since added a third TV onto the same aerial and so have replaced the two-way splitter with a 6-way splitter with all ports power pass. The three unused ports are terminated using F-type termination caps. This is currently unamplified.
The original two TVs still work and I can get most channels on the new one, but not the freeview HD channels.
Would simply installing a PSU onto one leg of the setup solve this problem without the addition of the masthead amplifier? Thanks
Brilliant, exactly what I needed! What make and model is the mast head amplifier and power supply you're using there?
Thanks, glad the video helped. This one is a 4 way variable gain Wolsey model, power unit is also a Wolsey. (they come as a pair) but Vision, Antiference also make good kit.
Smart Aerials Hi, thanks for this, I have a LabGear aerial already, should I stick with LabGear for the amp or doesn’t it matter?
If you have the Labgear you might as well stick with that.
Hello, I've just installed a aerial in my loft with a 3 way splitter. I've got some channels but some seem to be jumpy. Will this help me boost my signal? I sadly do not have a power source in my loft.
Hi Byron, swapping a three way splitter for a 4 way masthead amplifier should help if your pixelation is to do with weak signal. It doesn't matter that you don't have a power source in your loft as the power supply unit can be installed behind one of your TV's.
Having read a few articles on installing these I still had no clue, but watching this really made it easy to understand, thanks! I'll get the same gear ordered and give it a go myself.
We're in a new build and the developer had pre installed the cabling to two rooms, would I be best to take each cable to the amp or just use the signal cable to the split as it is now?
Thanks again. 👍🏻
Hi there, thanks I'm glad that the video has helped you. I'm sorry I don't fully understand the question. Can you please re-phrase it?
@@smartaerials Sorry, let me try again.
I've moved in to a new build house and the builders have installed the aerial cable from the loft to the wall points in the two bedrooms, via a splitter. Would I be best to take the output of the cable to the individual cable runs, after where the splitter is now, to the rooms or to the single cable, prior to the split?
Hopefully tha makes sense now. 😂
Ok I understand. You could install a masthead amplifier before the splitter but there is no guarantee that the splitter is "DC passing". If it isn't the power from the power supply unit will not reach the masthead amplifier and it will not work set up like this. Mt advise is to buy a masthead amplifier with more than outputs (4 ways are very common) and remove the splitter altogether and connect all cables direct into this. I hope this helps. Tom
@@smartaerials Thanks Tom, really appreciate the replies and help. I'll get it all ordered and give it a crack.
Thanks again. 👍🏻
Random question, if I'm in the loft, can't I put the aerial feed into the power supply input, then the TV> to the input of the 4 way splitter (which is the opposite way to what you have)
It's possible to do that but you will need an amplifier that powers off the input, most masthead amplifiers will only power off the output cables.
Hi, I have several aerial points throughout my house that all have cables from them that lead to my attic. I have one cable coming from my external aerial into my attic, I would like to have all the points working so I assume I would need a booster, but there’s no power in my attic. How would I do this? Thanks.
You would need a masthead amplifier like the one in this video. This is powered via the coaxial cable so no power is needed in the loft. How many TV's points are you going to have?
Smart Aerials there are 5 tv points. All cables are in the attic ready to be connected.
Ok, get yourself a 6 way masthead amplifier and 12V power supply unit. Best if you get one with an adjustable gain but not essential. They usually come as a pair anyway. Connect your aerial into the masthead+ the five cables. Fit your power supply behind one of your TV's.
Smart Aerials would I run a short cable from the wall plate to the power unit, then from the power unit to one of the TV’s?
Smart Aerials and with regards the adjustable gain, what would this be set at? The one I’ve seen varies from 8-20db.
my new Ariel is not picking up some channels Dave poor signal tv says excellent reception i have a Labgear
8 Way Diglink Amplifier would a Masthead amplifier make any difference
It might do but I wouldn't have thought so as the signals are already being amplified in the 8 way Diglink Amplifier. Bit more info on TV aerial amplifiers here: www.smartaerials.co.uk/blog/do-aerial-signal-boosters-tv-amplifiers-work
how do i make my outdoor dab aerial get a better signal
Could try a 3 element DAB aerial if you currently have an omni DAB dipole, this will pick up more signal, or you could try amplifying the signal, you just need to make sure that the amplifier that is installed works with the DAB frequencies.
Hi, thank you for your illustration. One question, is the Power Supply providing power down the same coax cable that is going to the amplifier? In other words are both signal and power going down the same cable?
That's correct Abdol. It's usually a 12V DC. As the power is being transferred down the cable you need to make sure this reaches the masthead amplifier. This means if you're going to be installing a splitter in between it must be DC passing and any wall plates must not be isolated wall plates as this will prevent the DC reaching the amplifier.
I've had an amp fitted in the wall behind the TV. For some reason when the electrician wired the house, he ran all the cables from the aerial sockets to a point behind the TV, instead of to a cupboard or somewhere out the way. When the aeriel man came out to fit the aeriel, he fitted what i assume is the mast amp in the wall, behind the TV, where the aerial cables stuck through before.
The power supply unit was fitted in the bedroom, just plugged into a usual plug socket and a short cable into the aerial socket. I unplugged the power supply unit in the bedroom this morning, as I was having a carpet fitted, and now I've plugged it back in, I've got no signal on the TV, retune doesn't pick up any channels, not sure whats gone wrong.
Any suggestions?
Thanks
Have you got the input/ output cables the right way around? Try swapping them over.
@@smartaerials Pretty sure yeah, input goes from wall to device, and output goes from device to tv?
In the 1980s and early-1990s we received our TV signal from Crystal Palace (London) even though we were roughly around 50 miles outside the recognised recieving area. We had (I think) a 23 or 24 element criss cross aerial with a masthead amplifier in the loft. The signal was 100% with no hiss at all. Do you think in the same location with the same recieving equipment it would work for Freeview today? There's two extra TV channels on Freeview in London. Great UA-cam channel by the way. 🙂
It should be fine if it was fine before, digital TV actually requires less signal strength than analogue (usually broadcasted at a lower also). Some things may have changed like trees, buildings in the direction but the only real way to know is to run a test or give it a go.
Hi
I live on Ireland. Terrestrial TV here is gone digital. I have a 2 triax free to air combi boxes. Tsc 114. Our terrestrial channels would not work very well. I got an LTE WFAV 25 today. Will this serve only 1 TV? Does the power supply unit have to go next to the tv. Could it go in the hot press where all my cables are ran to? Thanks. Mick
Hi Mick, no it doesn't have to go where the TV is. It can go where all your cables run back to. I advise having it so that it so power unit connects to the masthead amp with a direct cable, e.g not passing through any splitters if possible.
@@smartaerials thanks for the swift reply. The cable that leaves the power supply, can it be split to run 2 TVs.
Sound man.
Yes it can, best to do it on the output of the power supply but it can be done on the input cables as long as the splitter you're fitting is DC passing (not all splitters are)
@@smartaerials thanks a million
You're welcome, please subscribe to our channel. Tom
Is Optima any good or do you prefer another make?
Optima is OK, it's the budget version of Vision. Vision is better.
Oh if only my aerial was as easy to get to. I have to lie on my back in the loft in the dark with the spiders. Nice demonstration though.
Having problems with Freeview HD the signal seems to be a bit weak. SD perfect. Any ideas how to improve HD?
Hi Lyle, I can't offer anything specific to HD, but because of the compression techniques used HD is less forgiving with signal problems. There is a couple of blogs on our site which may help you.
Generic Freeview related problems - www.smartaerials.co.uk/blog/why-does-my-freeview-tv-signal-break-up-pixelate
Weak Signal - www.smartaerials.co.uk/blog/how-to-improve-a-weak-tv-signal
Hope this helps. Tom
Hi my power unit overheated and took out the mast amp just let every one know need to change the power unit and the mast unit both
appropriate F! Connectors....rofwl!
Screw on F Plugs are hilarious.
I put one of these on and lost my signal totally
Most likely that the masthead isn't receiving power, or faulty kit.
I can’t understand some buts because he’s from the UK and is speaking too quickly! I need to understand what he’s saying about isolated vs non isolated outlets for the power supply plug. Will look for another video. US English speaker here.
If your powering the amp at a socket, the socket needs to be unisolated type so that it can pass the DC voltage from the PSU. Any other devices, e.g diplexers, between the unisolated socket and the amp must also pass DC on the TV leg.
About as clear as mud
Sorry Jezz