No.
The frequencies for these systems are within the 54-1000 MHz band, so the
signal will pass through and be amplified by the unit. However - the Electroline
amplifiers are specifically designed for a cable TV signal - which
generally arrives at the home at the same level across the
spectrum.
In
comparison - Antenna signals will have a high degree of variation - as the
transmission points and original signal strength will be very different for
each channel. Channels in close proximity to your home will have a very strong
signal, channels far away will have a weak signal. As a result - our
amplifier will can over-amplify an already strong signal. This will not improve
the viewing experience. You are better off seeking an amplifier that is
specifically built for an antenna application.
What is Noise? What is a ‘Noise Figure'?
Any electrical device creates its own noise, which is an inherent characteristic of all amplifiers. In televisions, excessive noise may cause snow on the video. Noise figure is a measurement of the amount of noise being generated by the device.
Electroline DROPAmps have an industry-leading low noise figure of 3 dB, which essentially means there is no noticeable impact on the cable signal.
What is Flatness?
Flatness refers to the ability of a device to minimize the distortion of a signal across the signal range (for example 54-1000 MHz). Low flatness results in a stable signal quality across all channels.
At typically better than +/- 1dB, Electroline DROPAmps are noted for having an exceptionally good flatness rating.
What is 'Surge Protection'?
Electrical storms and surges through the power lines can cause damage to electrical devices in a home.
The Electroline DROPAmp can protect your cable infrastructure up to 6000 volts - and will continue to operate after a hit. This is a very high level of protection.
My reception on some channels is worse than others. Why?
This phenomenon arises more from the nature of cable TV transmission, and the evolution of TV itself, than your cabling.
Generally, you get the best reception on the original VHF channels (2-13).
Next are the UHF channels (14-69), which are at a higher frequency so it is harder to get good reception. This is particularly noticeable when longer cable runs are present which weaken the signal.
The channel bands where you may find noticeable differences are:
Mid band 14-22
Super band 23-36
Hyper band 37-94 & 100-125
Mid-low band: 95-99
The higher the channel band, the worse it can get!
I've got the snow, but I also have shadows (double images) and ghosting (a different channel showing in the background). What causes that?
These types of problems can be partially addressed by the use of a DROPAmpTM product, but they are more likely to be related to other common installation problems:
Bent cable:
Coaxial cable is flexible, but you should never have a sharp bend or kink in a cable. A kink anywhere in the run causes a mini reflection to occur, creating a second signal. This is the cause of the echo or ghosting effect and shadow.
Check all the coaxial cable leading to the TVs. Replace any sections where there is a kink.
Connectors:
Ghosting can occur as a result of problems with the metal connectors at the end of the cable.
If these connectors are improperly installed, or of poor quality, they can cause impairments to the signal.
Consider getting a qualified technician to check your connectors, or use pre-made cable lengths, which you can buy from us!!
Why have I never heard of this product before?
This is a somewhat unknown product,but it is sometimes refered to as a cable booster, CATV amplifier, or a signal booster.
What is CATV?
This abbreviation has two interpretations. The first is Community Antenna TeleVision, and generally refers to the origination of cable TV - when the cable network operators had large antenna's that received the broadcast signal, which they would in turn re-distribute to the subscriber.
A more recent usage is Community Access TeleVision - which refers to the content that is typically available from the local cable operator on their in-house station.
What do RG59 and RG6 refer to?
These terms refer to two types of coaxial cable that are commonly used in residential settings. RG6 is a heavier, thicker wire, and is generally considered to be a superior option to RG59.
What does 'RF' refer to?
RF stands for Radio Frequency. In the early days of television broadcasting, and later when cable TV was developed, the abbreviation became synonymous with signals that were transmitted via coaxial cable, and through coaxial compatible devices, such as a DROPAmpTM.