I live about 8 miles from 4 local tv stations, and 25 miles from a muchdesired UHF station. Luckily, they are all in the same general direction.I plan to buy a medium size vhf/uhf antenna. My coax run will be 50 feet.Although I don't really need "gain" for the vhf stations, I do need it forthe uhf station. "Some" extra gain will be ok for the vhf stations.Whatever the setup, I want to use the lowest-loss RG6 that I can buy.Here are my questions:1. Where (online or else) can I find the very best, lowest loss RG6 coax ?2. Assuming that I need a pre-amp, if I only have a 50 ft run of low-losscoax, will my system work well if I mount the preamp at the tv end of the50 ft coax, as compared to putting it at the antenna? I realize theadvantage of mounting at the antenna, yet I would like the convenience ofhaving the pre-amp inside. I am considering an adjustable pre-amp, and thatwould be more usuable if I had it at the tv instead of at the antenna.3. Will a brick chimney (with no steel liner or inserts) about 20 feet fromthe antenna, but in-line with the desired stations, attenuate the signals??4. Are the Radio Shack pre-amps decent ??------------------------------My thoughts: Perhaps I will get a pre-amp that will produce about 20 dbof gain. I will mount it inside. The 50 ft of coax will have a loss ofperhaps 5 db, so I have a net of 15 db gain at the tv. This will be morethan enough for the vhf stations that are pretty close, but I am not sureabout the uhf station 25 miles away. It would seem to be good enough forthat as well.What do you think ?? Thanks for any advice !!--james--

1_ there is very little differance in the loss of the coax if name brandsare used. Get some that has a braid and foil shield. Forget about all thestuff that is quad shielded and other things unless you get it at a goodprice. Look for Belden if you can find it .2- with the station only 25 miles away and only 50 feet of coax you shouldnot need a preamp. With the VHF stations that close you might even get toomuch signal and the stations will overlaod the preamp and the receptiongoes all to pot. (simple explination)3- probably not so much that you could tell it.4= almost nothing from Radio Shack is worth it.

I'm not sure which cable you're looking for, but check: are an old & reputable company and have Mil Spec RG6/U in 100'spools.Bob S.

Low Loss RG6, and other tv antenna questions ??

Mar 10, 2005 Last reply: 21 years ago 22 Replies

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James 21 years ago

Thanks for these additional responses. I am not finding a good source for low-loss RG-6. I know how and where to find the right antenna and pre-amp )if needed), but no source for anything other than cheap, high-loss coax.

I did find one source on the net, but only in spools of 1000 feet !!

--James--

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Bob S. 21 years ago

I'm not sure which cable you're looking for, but check:

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They are an old & reputable company and have Mil Spec RG6/U in 100' spools.

Bob S.

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Travis Jordan 21 years ago

My local Home Depot has name brand double-shielded RG-6/U.

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