Re: Stupid RF newbie has a question...
From: Nicholas O. Lindan (see_at_sig.com)
Date: 10/14/04
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Date: Thu, 14 Oct 2004 01:36:47 GMT
>> I am wanting to build a simple RF amplifier to boost the signal to my
>> television,
You can buy a 4-output distribution amplifier for ~$25 (?) at Radio Shack.
This is useful to mitigate cable loss if you have a lot of TVs in your house.
It won't improve your reception.
'Building' an amplifier will teach you nothing but how to screw and solder.
Designing a wide-band RF amplifier for the VHF & UHF TV broadcast bands is
another
matter - a whole bunch of university level circuit design courses should about
do it. And you will need all sorts of very pricey RF instrumentation to
verify the design.
> and then use the knowledge I gained in that project to build a
> second RF amplifier to boost and filter the signals I receive on my
> Shortwave radio (which I connect to a random-wire antenna up on the roof.)
A 'random wire' antenna? I had one of those when I was young, are they
mainstream nowadays?
A pre-amp will not help you receive signals. The only thing that will help
is a very _non-random_ set of antennas: an antenna for each band; directional;
rotatable; on the highest tower the zoning ordinance will let you get away
with; on the highest ground in the neighborhood.
> Again, the ARRL handbook is a gem if you really want to learn RF.
Good idea. Start simple. Start in the 80 meter band where AOTE (Any
Old Test Equipment) will be adequate.
Get a novice license (do they still have novice licenses?).
-- Nicholas O. Lindan, Cleveland, Ohio Consulting Engineer: Electronics; Informatics; Photonics. Remove spaces etc. to reply: n o lindan at net com dot com psst.. want to buy an f-stop timer? nolindan.com/da/fstop/
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