For the most part, yes. Combinations matter, though. You'd think switching the order will not yield a difference (a 20db and a 10db, for example), but it does. Strongest first.
Pre-Amps are for the front stage only. Their purpose is to clean up the signal before amplification. If your source isn't noisy, it's best to leave it out. Pre-amps do create signal loss as well.
Nice job. I wanted to do this to transmit an analog signal out to my workshop that doesn't have cable. I like the fact that you mentioned the FCC rules. That's a good2know. Since I'll be in a certain location all of the time, it would be good to learn more about directional antennas so that I wouldn't have to boost my signal so much.
Should be fine. It's the 2nd amplifier, if any, that could get overloaded. If one is much stronget than the other, the weak one should be first, so as to not blow anything, but your signal would be less. This is designed for use on rabbit-ears (dipoles). The roof antenna was for demo purposes only (will send you out of legal range too easilly).
You're either using an amp that has a shut-off point, so you don't oversaturate (overmodulate) the output, or it doesn't work right. Try putting the one in question as the first amp. If the problem persists with just that one, the singal is too strong (auto shut-off), or the amp is bad.
@WarpedApps I know. Funny thing is, it went quaite a ways past 300ft, but then again, it was just for this demonstration. Normal use gets about 80 feet tops.
Probably so, especially a very large one. HOWEVER, you should check with regulations where you live, to see what maximum allowance you can do without a licence. Here it is 300 feet, and in some countries, 100 meters (slightly longer).
@SimmeringPotpourri In your case, a roof antenna will definately be best, if you can't find anything more unidirectional. It'll also cost less to run the system. With analog cable, unless the system changed since the early 90's, you're relegated to the first 12 (2 to 13) channels. It's probably not so anymore.
@UnknownThomasFan1 That's my understanding of the rules. If I'm wrong, oh well. I am sure anything under 300 feet, not causing interference, is accaptable. Someone else is E-mailing the FCC to be 100% sure (asking same question).
Provided you have an open connection, you can, but it'll be very weak. With Twin-Lead, in a closed-circuit connection I started with in high school (a very long time ago, 8-Bit Nintendo-Era), I could get a signal about 12 feet away, where the connections broke, and were twisted back together. The signal wasn't watchable, but there were recognizable shapes. A few feet away, assuming analog signal, you may get color, if the tuner is VERY good.
So as long as the signal travels less than 300 ft or to neighbors (whichever closer), this is legal? I have a modulator and stick rf indoor antenna and am thinking of trying this. (Portable TV on way)
@honse246 Yes, it would, same to more powerful ones. Another thing that will help, like it did here, is a bigger antenna. Keep in mind, to keep the signal under 300 feet (or about 100 meters). This went past that, but it was only a demo. I use rabbit-ears normally, and get a 100-foot max on this.
RadioShack only sells 12dB amps now. There is a cable amplifier, bit I'm not sure the dB rating, or if it'll work with broadcast (likely just channels 2 - 13).
@JDTV1995 Not really, but if there's a gain control, set it to it's lowest setting, and adjust while in operation. If that's not an option, use collapsed rabbit ears, and slowly extend.
Do you have them in the proper order? The RF signal on the amp's Input, antenna on the Output? Seems simple, but that's not uncommon to happen. I'd set the amp to the lowest settings, and ramp up, although I'll tell you that being directly under the antenna may actually produce a bad result, as seen here in the video. Otherwise, try out the individual components, see if one isn't working. Also keep in mind of analog/digital content.
@SmashSomeCrap It seems so obvious, right? It doesn't work that way. Take a 20dB amp, and feed it into a 10dB amp, you're amplifying a 20dB gain by 10, giving you about 50 or so (it's not mathematically 200, or it would be real strong), whereas a 30dB amp won't go as far. I'm not sure where you can get these amps, as RadioShack seems to stop making those before the DTV switchover. Not sure why, because you need the extra power to get equal strength from DTV.
You won't fry the antenna, the question would be how many of those amps can you put in-line, before frying the amps (particularly the ones receiveing the amped signal near/at the end). 4 10dB amps in-line seems to be a safe stopping point.
@JDTV1995 No really, but you'd want the strongest first. On paper, it doesn't matter, but the noise added to the signal is amplified greater smaller first, winding up with a weaker image. If you use one that automatically cuts off with a strong signal, don't use those. Does nothing.
@StrangerUnidentified Not around here. :) Be careful, though. Make sure they don't have automatic shutoff ability (just passes signal through, if it's strong enough).
@StevenL1967 I've used this for that as well. Anything RF, or composite. If you have a device that has RF out, and can do other media inputs, (HDMI, Component, etc.), those too.
@coolgabe9 Where I live, there used to be a channel 4, so I never switched it over. Then again, the distance traveled was for demostration purposes only. Good idea though, as higher VHF channels do go farther, because they're not as prone to interference.
@Firebirrd85 For this demo, yes, they could. The antenna was aimed towards the testing "strip" I used, so the best coverage was that way. Under normal usage (rabbit ears for transmission), those 50 feet away MIGHT see ghosts of something, and maybe very faint audio.
I got it to work using the Radio Shack MTS stereo modulator (only sold on Ebay) using a Ramsey whip antenna being held by my hand in the "Out to TV" jack. Although it only would travel about 3 feet to the indoor TV antenna. I'm going to try using a Ramsey right angle mount whip antenna so my body doesn't ground the signal holding the antenna. Then I can try connecting it to a 36 db amplifier.
You really got to know what to do, to get these to travel far. In most cases, the signal will not do very well. My original setup (long before this) was a 20 and 10Db amp, in that order. In a TV stand with an 8 inch shelf, tucked in the back, the signal went about 75 feet. Out in the open, about 6.
If you wire the two up, the weak one should be last, to get a better signal. If you're worried about blowing it, the other way will work, just a hare worse.
@puterg33k Good enough for government work. :D Serial amps won't last long, I know, as the 3'rd amp in these circuits tend to go. :P It had a 3'rd. I decided to leave it at 2.
Since you're measuring in kilometers, I'm assuming you're not in the States, so I'm not sure what the law is on broadcasting where you are. Here, it's a 300 foot (just shy of 100 meters) limit without a lisence. In your case, you'll need professional-grade equipment to do what you want. This stuff will get blown to bits, trying to make a signal that strong, and that stuff is NOIT cheap, and costs a ton of money to operate, roughly the annual salary of a fry cook, per MONTH.
i built a 1 transistor amplifier on tv ch 4. range 25 feet with solid state tv receiver tuner. I built a 1 tube transmitter. I wish someone else could test it.
How much does it cost roughly to make tv transmission radius about 100 kilometers , I mean to make your own tv broadcast channel 100 km around you, I have plans to make my own tv broadcast in my region
Did you find a different size antenna made any difference? I have a small one for my broadcast setup and it is maybe 2 feet tall when extended but its hard to get a clear pictures from just 5 feet away there is lots of snow static and interference. Plus I get some noticeable lines moving up the screen when the picture is good unless the antenna is just about to touch the tv's antenna. I have 2 36db amps but when i turn up the gain the picture looks worse. If you care to share any info that can be helpful it would be more than appreciated.
There's no video needed, as you simply attach an antenna to the poutput, and point it where you'd like the signal to reach out to. It's that easy. Besides, the equipment is long gone now (it stopped working right).
Can you give me please an exact specs about booster, please. Any antenna Amplifier 20 or more watts works? Excelent experiment. Thera are some wireless video (sender/receiver 2.4ghz),short range, Did you try to amplify range, you think works on it?
@cmpunkmx This is a bigger version of what I built as a teen. Back then, it was used to spy on people playing Nintendo, when they didn't want anyone watching them play. If they disabled this ability, they disabled their own display as well.
Actually it does. Unless you have a weird set, they still have analog tuners, and the ability to display analog signals. My brand new 4K set can do analog if I wanted.
Komaromi Kristian you can buy an AV to RF converter pretty much anywhere that takes the audio video signal and turned it into a RF signal for TVs that don't have the audio video input signal the way I did it is I took an old VCR hooked it up to the output and ran the cable from the output of the VCR where the cable line goes from that to the TV hooked up to a amplifier and then put an antenna on the amplifier it only works with in like 8 feet though so it doesn't go as far as this one was in this video but that's the basics of how you can do it there's a bunch of ways you can do it just look on UA-cam
how much db would i need for uhf. i have a tru-spec usm 8 uhf modulator hooked up to my vcr on the output but the signal is very weak through the antenna
UHF is a major pain. You need roughly about 10,000x the power just to get a signal as far as a low-range VHF station. (Probably a lot less difference with minimal, or no obstructions.) You'd probably blow the amplifiers trying UHF because of the power needed to get a signal anywhere, so unless you go heavy duty, I'd not try.
Danny Vanhala Just a guess, because I never did anything but 3 and 4, I'd guess a barely usable signal in 15 feet. If you got the stuff now, you could see.
Danny Vanhala A very good antenna will help here, especially a high-end UHF one. Not sure on distance, because there's so many factors and variables, but I'd say you might do OK with 3 of those amps in series, if the 3rd can handle the signal going in.
YES I FINALLY FOUND THIS VIDEO AGAIN
For the most part, yes.
Combinations matter, though. You'd think switching the order will not yield a difference (a 20db and a 10db, for example), but it does. Strongest first.
You have made the wii u before the wii u with a portable screen
Every one in town is watching your wii games haha
Hell I have all that junk down in a box in the basement. I know how I'm wasting my week.
Pre-Amps are for the front stage only. Their purpose is to clean up the signal before amplification. If your source isn't noisy, it's best to leave it out. Pre-amps do create signal loss as well.
"we 're officially breaking the law now " hahahaha lolled
Nice job. I wanted to do this to transmit an analog signal out to my workshop that doesn't have cable. I like the fact that you mentioned the FCC rules. That's a good2know.
Since I'll be in a certain location all of the time, it would be good to learn more about directional antennas so that I wouldn't have to boost my signal so much.
with a license George could start a tv station for his neighborhood or street. :)
I would Like to say YOU ARE AWESOME! I love old analog stuff, I built my own yesterday... It worked.
attach another 50 amplifiers, lets see what the fcc thinks
Should be fine. It's the 2nd amplifier, if any, that could get overloaded. If one is much stronget than the other, the weak one should be first, so as to not blow anything, but your signal would be less.
This is designed for use on rabbit-ears (dipoles). The roof antenna was for demo purposes only (will send you out of legal range too easilly).
You're either using an amp that has a shut-off point, so you don't oversaturate (overmodulate) the output, or it doesn't work right. Try putting the one in question as the first amp. If the problem persists with just that one, the singal is too strong (auto shut-off), or the amp is bad.
@jebug29
VHF low bands, at least. There is no use for the old 2 through 6 frequencies, because of their lack of reliability.
@WarpedApps
I know. Funny thing is, it went quaite a ways past 300ft, but then again, it was just for this demonstration. Normal use gets about 80 feet tops.
Probably so, especially a very large one. HOWEVER, you should check with regulations where you live, to see what maximum allowance you can do without a licence. Here it is 300 feet, and in some countries, 100 meters (slightly longer).
@StrangerUnidentified
Whatever works. Nice to hear it worked out.
Anything that will go into the composite and/or antenna input. In other words, yes.
@SimmeringPotpourri
In your case, a roof antenna will definately be best, if you can't find anything more unidirectional. It'll also cost less to run the system.
With analog cable, unless the system changed since the early 90's, you're relegated to the first 12 (2 to 13) channels. It's probably not so anymore.
@UnknownThomasFan1
That's my understanding of the rules. If I'm wrong, oh well. I am sure anything under 300 feet, not causing interference, is accaptable. Someone else is E-mailing the FCC to be 100% sure (asking same question).
Provided you have an open connection, you can, but it'll be very weak.
With Twin-Lead, in a closed-circuit connection I started with in high school (a very long time ago, 8-Bit Nintendo-Era), I could get a signal about 12 feet away, where the connections broke, and were twisted back together. The signal wasn't watchable, but there were recognizable shapes. A few feet away, assuming analog signal, you may get color, if the tuner is VERY good.
So as long as the signal travels less than 300 ft or to neighbors (whichever closer), this is legal? I have a modulator and stick rf indoor antenna and am thinking of trying this. (Portable TV on way)
@fwmultimedia
The 2 20dB amps are no longer made. You can find some equal, or greater in strength, on Amazon, so I've read.
@tug97
I'm not sure. You could check their site.
I do know the basic rule is up to 300 feet, if it doesn't interfere with other equipment.
@honse246
Yes, it would, same to more powerful ones. Another thing that will help, like it did here, is a bigger antenna.
Keep in mind, to keep the signal under 300 feet (or about 100 meters).
This went past that, but it was only a demo. I use rabbit-ears normally, and get a 100-foot max on this.
RadioShack only sells 12dB amps now. There is a cable amplifier, bit I'm not sure the dB rating, or if it'll work with broadcast (likely just channels 2 - 13).
@JDTV1995
Not really, but if there's a gain control, set it to it's lowest setting, and adjust while in operation. If that's not an option, use collapsed rabbit ears, and slowly extend.
@Balarick
If I had something that output in ATSC (digital format), and one or two powerful amps, I could.
Do you have them in the proper order? The RF signal on the amp's Input, antenna on the Output? Seems simple, but that's not uncommon to happen.
I'd set the amp to the lowest settings, and ramp up, although I'll tell you that being directly under the antenna may actually produce a bad result, as seen here in the video.
Otherwise, try out the individual components, see if one isn't working.
Also keep in mind of analog/digital content.
@SmashSomeCrap
It seems so obvious, right? It doesn't work that way.
Take a 20dB amp, and feed it into a 10dB amp, you're amplifying a 20dB gain by 10, giving you about 50 or so (it's not mathematically 200, or it would be real strong), whereas a 30dB amp won't go as far.
I'm not sure where you can get these amps, as RadioShack seems to stop making those before the DTV switchover. Not sure why, because you need the extra power to get equal strength from DTV.
You won't fry the antenna, the question would be how many of those amps can you put in-line, before frying the amps (particularly the ones receiveing the amped signal near/at the end).
4 10dB amps in-line seems to be a safe stopping point.
@faxmanloveswaffles
The Wii Remote system doesn't work that way, nor that far: about 30 feet or so.
@LordNikon20
Glad you liked it.
@faxmanloveswaffles
Yes.
If it outputs RF (ch 2 - 51), you can do it.
I tried it and it works great.THANK YOU
No problem. Glad to be a service.
Alex The Great But be careful. as your neighbor may pick up the signal
***** Ok
I don't think you want the FCC to show up
***** No that would not be desriable
You should have used a Sega console. Nintendo is a non-fan friendly company.
One amp will work, but two will generate a more powerful signal, as you amplify an amplified signal.
@JDTV1995
No really, but you'd want the strongest first. On paper, it doesn't matter, but the noise added to the signal is amplified greater smaller first, winding up with a weaker image.
If you use one that automatically cuts off with a strong signal, don't use those. Does nothing.
@StrangerUnidentified
I learned that one the hard way. They didn't work even as the first amp in-line. :)
@StrangerUnidentified
Not around here. :)
Be careful, though. Make sure they don't have automatic shutoff ability (just passes signal through, if it's strong enough).
@faxmanloveswaffles
There is a video somewhere, where they play in an actual old-time movie theater, complete with new "Light Bar".
@StevenL1967
I've used this for that as well.
Anything RF, or composite. If you have a device that has RF out, and can do other media inputs, (HDMI, Component, etc.), those too.
@coolgabe9
Where I live, there used to be a channel 4, so I never switched it over. Then again, the distance traveled was for demostration purposes only.
Good idea though, as higher VHF channels do go farther, because they're not as prone to interference.
@Balarick
Could. Pointless, since there;s only a couple of us using antennas for reception.
@presto123451
lol
It's decommisioned anyway (some non-replacable parts no longer work).
My brother use to have this. Now I want one.
I'
m not sure, since RadioShack doesn't seem to sell amps of 20Db anymore. The current ones will blow out if you attempt this same strength.
@elevatorsonly
Maybe they allow just a slight overage.
@Firebirrd85
For this demo, yes, they could. The antenna was aimed towards the testing "strip" I used, so the best coverage was that way.
Under normal usage (rabbit ears for transmission), those 50 feet away MIGHT see ghosts of something, and maybe very faint audio.
I got it to work using the Radio Shack MTS stereo modulator (only sold on Ebay) using a Ramsey whip antenna being held by my hand in the "Out to TV" jack. Although it only would travel about 3 feet to the indoor TV antenna. I'm going to try using a Ramsey right angle mount whip antenna so my body doesn't ground the signal holding the antenna. Then I can try connecting it to a 36 db amplifier.
You really got to know what to do, to get these to travel far. In most cases, the signal will not do very well. My original setup (long before this) was a 20 and 10Db amp, in that order. In a TV stand with an 8 inch shelf, tucked in the back, the signal went about 75 feet. Out in the open, about 6.
@JDTV1995
No problem.
This is awesome mate :)
@SmashSomeCrap
I think about 35 feet, before it gets unusable.
Roof antenna, or rabbit-ears (Dipole)?
Try just one if it's a roof antenna, and see. Two with bunny-ears.
If you wire the two up, the weak one should be last, to get a better signal. If you're worried about blowing it, the other way will work, just a hare worse.
Not too far, but a halfway decent image can go about 6 feet. Snowy, but viewable at 12. From there, it's downhill.
They were RadioShack.
The 20dB ones are no longer available.
If it puts out a signal between channels 2 to 69, yes.
Just be careful of what you broadcast, and how strong.
I don't think its sold anymore, it was a TERK. Model number? No clue (forgot a long time ago).
@StrangerUnidentified
Sometimes, learn by doing is the only way to go.
@StevenL1967 that's doable. i'd prefer having a second receiver. 2nd receiver lets both tv view show different channels.
@puterg33k
Good enough for government work. :D
Serial amps won't last long, I know, as the 3'rd amp in these circuits tend to go. :P It had a 3'rd. I decided to leave it at 2.
So you don't need a license of your frequencies are less than 300 feet? I thought you needed it under any condition.
nice job, hey what rf modulator is this?
so the signal would go farther if you had more amplifiers right?
Since you're measuring in kilometers, I'm assuming you're not in the States, so I'm not sure what the law is on broadcasting where you are. Here, it's a 300 foot (just shy of 100 meters) limit without a lisence.
In your case, you'll need professional-grade equipment to do what you want. This stuff will get blown to bits, trying to make a signal that strong, and that stuff is NOIT cheap, and costs a ton of money to operate, roughly the annual salary of a fry cook, per MONTH.
Channel 3.
There's no 3 in the area, but there was a channel 4, so I couldn't use that.
Very innovative
Not really, the second one just boosts the signal that much more.
i built a 1 transistor amplifier on tv ch 4. range 25 feet with solid state tv receiver tuner. I built a 1 tube transmitter. I wish someone else could test it.
You're not suposed to have it hooked into the TV.
(Or extremely close.)
How much does it cost roughly to make tv transmission radius about 100 kilometers , I mean to make your own tv broadcast channel 100 km around you, I have plans to make my own tv broadcast in my region
Did you find a different size antenna made any difference? I have a small one for my broadcast setup and it is maybe 2 feet tall when extended but its hard to get a clear pictures from just 5 feet away there is lots of snow static and interference. Plus I get some noticeable lines moving up the screen when the picture is good unless the antenna is just about to touch the tv's antenna. I have 2 36db amps but when i turn up the gain the picture looks worse. If you care to share any info that can be helpful it would be more than appreciated.
It does make a difference. A set of rabbit ears gets about 80 feet in this setup, but on the roof antenna, I was well past 350 feet away.
Have you tried one of those DIY antenna's that's suppose to work better than an off the shelf kind?
Tropicalwebsurfer Nope.
Be interesting to see an end result.
True, but it was only for demo purposes anyhow.
No problem.
There's no video needed, as you simply attach an antenna to the poutput, and point it where you'd like the signal to reach out to. It's that easy.
Besides, the equipment is long gone now (it stopped working right).
Can you give me please an exact specs about booster, please. Any antenna Amplifier 20 or more watts works?
Excelent experiment.
Thera are some wireless video (sender/receiver 2.4ghz),short range, Did you try to amplify range, you think works on it?
How much is that
@cmpunkmx
This is a bigger version of what I built as a teen. Back then, it was used to spy on people playing Nintendo, when they didn't want anyone watching them play. If they disabled this ability, they disabled their own display as well.
I'm assuming a VCR would work too?
since all antenna tv is digital and (I assume) this is analog, would the FCC still get on my case about this?
Noah Barrager as long as your project does not cause interference there shouldn't be any issue.
Stay under 300 feet. I didn't know this would go as far as it did, so if I were to do it again (and won't), I''d have to tune it down a bit.
with a house antenna , a large antenna, I think you can easily reach 1km (3 280,8399) no?
In simple terms, more dB = more range?
@knowthenotes
That's what people did back then.
now all u need is to hook up that wii remote somehow to that antenna and have portable wii!
a booster of 36db after rf modulator output will overdrive o saturate? what model of roof antenna is?
you didint show how to make it how do u ?
One can tell who doesn't read descriptions. :)
How-to's are there.
o ok i thought you would show it in the video and yes i do read descrtions
christopher jaeger
Did really think of showing how, just how it worked. Hindsight is 20/20, they say.
Watching an analog TV signal on a digital TV doesn't work.
Actually it does. Unless you have a weird set, they still have analog tuners, and the ability to display analog signals.
My brand new 4K set can do analog if I wanted.
why do you need 2 amps?
Do you have to use 2 signal amplifiers?
What dB would you recommend since they no longer have 20?
Can I use an old VCR for broadcasting?
bro, where did you get that Radio signal converter?
+Komaromi Kristian
The amplifiers were from Radio Shack. Don't know where you could get them now, at least the amps.
no, the rf converter
Komaromi Kristian
I think Best Buy still would, or a specialty shop (B&H Photo/Video is a good place.)
Komaromi Kristian you can buy an AV to RF converter pretty much anywhere that takes the audio video signal and turned it into a RF signal for TVs that don't have the audio video input signal the way I did it is I took an old VCR hooked it up to the output and ran the cable from the output of the VCR where the cable line goes from that to the TV hooked up to a amplifier and then put an antenna on the amplifier it only works with in like 8 feet though so it doesn't go as far as this one was in this video but that's the basics of how you can do it there's a bunch of ways you can do it just look on UA-cam
@georgef551 you might have tv version of your youtube channel.
thanks
Try channel 4 because you get better signal less snow
nice
how much db would i need for uhf. i have a tru-spec usm 8 uhf modulator hooked up to my vcr on the output but the signal is very weak through the antenna
UHF is a major pain. You need roughly about 10,000x the power just to get a signal as far as a low-range VHF station. (Probably a lot less difference with minimal, or no obstructions.)
You'd probably blow the amplifiers trying UHF because of the power needed to get a signal anywhere, so unless you go heavy duty, I'd not try.
georgef551 what would the signal distance be if i were to use say channel 16 and use two 36db amplifiers
Danny Vanhala
Just a guess, because I never did anything but 3 and 4, I'd guess a barely usable signal in 15 feet. If you got the stuff now, you could see.
georgef551 so what would i have to do for a fairly clear signal to go about 30ft
Danny Vanhala
A very good antenna will help here, especially a high-end UHF one. Not sure on distance, because there's so many factors and variables, but I'd say you might do OK with 3 of those amps in series, if the 3rd can handle the signal going in.
Good video, but i have a question. How many 10 db amplifiers could i have without (possibly?) frying the antenna?
@georgef551 Yea, I know. But it would be cool though :D