Perfect television reception isn't always possible with a standard antenna if you live too far away from a TV transmitter or the signal is blocked by nearby tall buildings or trees. Missing channels and a grainy video signal on the TV set can indicate that the antenna requires a preamplifier to work properly. A preamplifier on your existing TV antenna boosts the broadcast signal by enough to improve the video quality on the TV set and provide the full range of over-the-air TV channels.

Features
Television antenna preamplifiers consist of two devices. The amplifier component is contained in a hard, plastic case that's bolted to the antenna mast and connected directly to the antenna with a short coaxial cable lead. The power for the preamplifier comes from the second component, a power supply unit that's mounted indoors and connected to the preamplifier unit with a longer run of coaxial cable.

Function
The power supply unit feeds the masthead preamplifier unit with the power necessary to amplify the level of the incoming TV signal that the antenna receives. This lifts the weak signal by enough to allow the tuner in the TV set to receive the channel and decode the video and audio information contained in the signal.

Considerations
Preamplifiers can also cause reception problems by boosting local strong TV signals to a level where they interfere with the weaker stations that actually require amplification. Local radio stations can also cause reception problems on amplified antenna systems. The solutions to this problem include careful positioning of the antenna and, if necessary, fitting a "trap" to the amplifier system to filter out strong local signals on specific channels. Avoid placing splitter devices between the preamplifier unit and the power supply unit because these can block the antenna signal from reaching the TV set.

Installation
Installing an antenna preamplifier requires technical and electrical knowledge, so it's usually a job for an antenna contractor, particularly in complicated systems that supply more than one TV set. If you have basic knowledge of TV antenna and electrical systems, you might decide to install a preamplifier yourself. TV antenna preamplifier kits come with the amplifier, power supply unit and all necessary mounting clamps, screws and bolts. You'll usually need to buy coaxial cable and cable connectors separately.

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What Is a TV Antenna Preamplifier?

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