Re: Front End (TUNER)

Phil Allison wrote:

"Joerg"

Easy to buy, yes. But don't always expect a whole lot of dynamic range. With some tuners that I wanted to use I got the impression that their designers didn't know what a dynamic range is.




** Do tell us more.


It's been too long ago since I gave up on TV tuners (mid 90's) because of dirt poor 3rd order IP. After hearing from other engineers that is has gotten even worse I never looked back.


The TV and FM tuner modules I have used seemed well optimised for their jobs.


If you find a really good one again please let us all know. One of them I investigated further and I found a wimpy dual-gate running at 5mA or so in front. That won't hold any water with strong signals.


Maybe you expected something more.


Yeah, probably. But what really miffed me was this: Placed the antenna on a mast after re-roofing the house. So, I equipped it with a nice preamp, splitter, postamps with eight outputs and a home-run style wiring closet. It cost a bit but I wanted to do it right. I was very diligent with the gain distribution plan as well.

Hooked up a professional grade receiver to see how FM and stuff comes in. Sweet, could now get Bay Area stations etc. Listened to the audio on a few TV channels and found that I had now lots more than ever. Then I turned on the TV and it was pandemonium. Utter disappointment. All channels pumping with noise like crazy, not even the local stations showed clearly, audio either not there or completely garbled. Tried the downstairs TV, same thing. Then through the VCR's tuner, same thing. I had to attenuate by more than 10dB plus place a notch on a strong local channel 29 station, plus another channel I don't remember, plus notch out the complete FM band. It was pathetic. The result is that we don't have a single additional station from when the antenna was on the roof (with a shot preamp). Oh well, most TV programming ain't worth it anyhow.

--
Regards, Joerg

http://www.analogconsultants.com
.

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