RCA 4-Way Distribution Signal Amplifier

RCA 4-Way Distribution Signal Amplifier*IMPORTANT TIP Indoor Signal Boosters Amplifiers can work nearly as well as outdoor amplifiers only if the loss between the amplifier to the antenna is low, (up to 50ft of low loss RG6 cable length and without the splitters between the signal amplifier and antenna side (coaxial lightning surge arrestors or grounding blocks are perfectly fine and recommended along with grounding for some lightning protection). All splitters, high loss components (note:

*IMPORTANT TIP -  Indoor Signal Boosters / Amplifiers can work nearly as well as outdoor amplifiers only if the loss between the amplifier to the antenna is low, (up to 50ft of low loss RG6 cable length and without the splitters between the signal amplifier and antenna side (coaxial lightning / surge arrestors or grounding blocks are perfectly fine and recommended along with grounding for some lightning protection).

All splitters, high loss components (note: coaxial lightning arrestors or coaxial grouning blocks are low loss components so won't cause issue) and/or additional RG6 coax cable length (beyond 50ft) should be installed on the "TV Side" (the output connector on the amplifier), otherwise a quality Outdoor Signal Amplifier should be used for a good result. 

*Note that coaxial/antenna grounding blocks or lighting arrestor (devices that add some lightning protection) are low loss components, so these won't effect the performance when installed between the antenna and signal amplifier or the power inserter (if an outdoor signal amplifier), coaxial lightning arrestors along with proper grounding are recommended for some lightning protection and these should be installed per their manufacturer's instructions/NEC guidelines.  High loss components namely refers to splitters.   Splitters are best installed on the "TV Side" (the output connector on the amplifier), if the splitters cannot be moved to the "TV Side" of the amplifier then a quality Outdoor Signal Amplifier should be used instea for a good result.

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If you have more than 50ft of RG6 coax cable (or 25ft or more of RG59 cable) or feeding your antenna to more than one TV, your install may benefit from a signal amplifier.

This model has 4 x ports of amplification (10db each).  By using the connectors on the amplifier, instead of a non-powered splitter, much of the loss is removed and still have plenty of amplification left over to also restore loss caused by long coax runs.

KEY FEATURES

• Reliable and precise connection

• Use with RG6 or RG59 coaxial cable

• Amplifies VHF, UHF, and FM signals by 10dB

DO YOU TRULY NEED A SIGNAL PREAMPLIFIER/BOOSTER?

A signal booster (or signal preamplifier or just amplifier for short) can make a remarkable difference, but only for specific circumstances (namely when high install loss is dropping the signal).   Although they don't actually increase the antenna's maximum range or change its pattern in any way, they can help the reception by replenishing high install loss that's eating up the signal (if you have high install loss  that needs replenished is key here).  High loss meaning well over 50ft of coax cable and/or if there are any splitters in the coax line (as these will drop the signal if not preamplified), but otherwise they generally aren't beneficial.  This of course also asume's the TV's tuner and coax cable used are working properly.  

If your install loss isn't that high, they may not make any difference at all.  They also won't push the signals through tree or home materials that are blocking the signals (sometimes they provide this illusion, it's actually replenishing high install loss that making the dfference)..  The only effective way to remove the object obstruction in front of your antennna is to change mounting spots or adjust height however. 

Signal amplifiers (also referred as signal boosters or preamplifiers) mainly assist with signals that are dropping due to splitters in the line and/or long coax runs (over 50ft of RG6 coax  cable).  If your install doesn't have either splitters or a long coax run, they generally aren't effective.

However they can still improve reception, by alleviating high install loss (i.e. longer than 50ft of RG6 coax cable, or any splitters / feeding to multiple tVs). 

However if your install loss is low, and the TV's tuner is working correctly to spec, they tend to make no difference whatsoever.  Generally at least 3db of loss is necessary to show improvement (ex: approx 50ft of RG6 coax cable or a 2 way splitter is approx 3db of loss, additionally having both 50ft of cable and a 2-way splitter would be approx 6db of  install loss)

*Note:  Sometimes old, corroded cable (sometimes happens due to  moisture inside the cable) or a weak/faulty TV / tuner can sometimes be bad enough that a signal amplification is needed.  The best remedy if you have bad / corroded coax cable or poor TV tuner, would be to replace the bad coax cable, TV or TV tuner if they're faulty however.