Pre-amps - worth the cost/effort?

[sajanisch]

ok, currently I've got the 'power amplifier' that came with the Terk-55 (OTA) antenna, and also bought a distribution amplifier (adjustable gain) for secondary sets after a multiple rf splitter...

...now I see after some more digging around on the web these 'pre-amps' (for example winegard AP-8700)

how does this differ from the amp that came with my antenna?  from my conversation with Jim Hall my belief is that the pre-amp strenthens the signal close to the antenna (better) where the power-amp that came with the antenna strengthens the signal close to the tv (assuming that's where you have it plugged into the power).

Is that correct?
what do you guys think, is it worth a shot to try one of these?
(looks like about $40 and one more trip onto the roof in december)

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Princeton Graphics 32" Monitor
(with built in tuner/HDTV compatible)
HiDTV Pro 2 computer reciever card
Terk-55 Roof Antenna and Rotor

[Gregg Lengling]

It doesn't differ..if an amp came with your antenna (usually located on the antenna itself) with a power supply down in the house, this is actually a preamp.  Preamps are great if you have a long run from the antenna to the first junction...however they can also cause problems.  Too much amplification can cause multipath increase and also Intermodulation Distortion which is a death knell for Digital Formats.  I have a preamp on one of my 2 antennas (they both have 100 feet of RG6 before they get to my Video Room.  On the one with the preamp I have to keep the gain control very close to minimum or it adds too much noise and multipath to be useful.


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Gregg R. Lengling
RCA P61310 61" 16x9
(Built in DTC100 w/Directv)
HiDTV Pro 2 computer reciever card
glengling@ameritech.net