Suitable for terrestrial digital television standard DVB-T2. But it is not at all necessary to buy them, especially since the cost of a device together with a digital receiver can result in a decent amount. Moreover, such an antenna must be suitable for the parameters of the frequency range that is used in the area of \u200b\u200byour residence. Otherwise, the multiplex used in the antenna will not receive all available TV channels.
We will tell you how to find out the frequency range of your region and calculate the parameters of the desired antenna. Also, our step-by-step instructions will help you quickly make a high-quality antenna out of scrap materials for receiving terrestrial channels of the new digital DVB-T2 standard.
For reference:
Multiplex (from the English. multiplex - mixture, mixed; also muks) - combining television channels into a single digital package for digital television broadcasting
What you need to assemble a digital antenna
How to make an antenna for digital TV yourself? The main condition for self-assembly of a digital antenna is the use of a wire or tube (copper or aluminum) with a diameter of 3 mm (the cross-sectional area is slightly less than 6 mm2). It is not always possible to find such material even in specialized hardware and electrical stores. Therefore, we have chosen from a huge variety of types of homemade antennas the most optimal and least expensive - using the antenna wire itself as the main material.
When choosing such a cable in a store, it is necessary to proceed from the parameters that it must have a characteristic impedance of 75 ohms, and its cross-section (including the sheath) must be at least 6 mm. It is highly desirable that the center conductor and the braided shield be copper. Antenna cables are commercially available with a copper-plated steel center wire. This is a budget option and not very desirable to use.
For the antenna itself, you will need a cable length of about 2 m in total, and to connect to your TV you need to determine the required distance yourself.
In addition to the antenna cable itself, you will need:
- soldering iron with solder and rosin;
- sharp knife with a short blade
- pliers with cutter and tape function
- sealant or glue gun with appropriate disposable plastic rods (if you intend to place the antenna outside).
Antenna design features
Most of the antennas offered on the Internet have an angle design made of copper or aluminum tubes (or thick wires), which works great in open areas with a direct line of sight to the translator. Another type is based on an antenna cable circle.
Both designs provide not very good reception in dense urban areas or in places closed from the line of sight of the translator.
Our version of the antenna (spied on the vastness of a popular video hosting site) is focused both on the direct signal and on the reflected from buildings in the city. That is why the structure consists of two concentric rings made of antenna cable, which greatly simplifies its manufacture.
It might be interesting:
How to make an antenna for digital TV with your own hands: step by step instructions
Before you start cutting and stripping the wire, you need to determine the correct length of the cable sections for the components of our antenna. To do this, you need to find out the frequency of broadcasting digital television in your area. But how do you calculate an antenna for digital TV? Go to the official website card.rtrs.rf and find the area where you live. In the left menu, select the "Frequency zones" checkbox. Now on the map, in addition to the frequency ranges, multiplex packets will be displayed and the number of channels included in them will be indicated. For example, almost throughout the entire Moscow region, the I-multiplex (RTRS-1) includes 10 channels (they are broadcast on channel 30) and you can catch it at a frequency of 546 MHz, the II-multiplex (RTRS-2) also includes 10 channels and is broadcast they are on channel 24 at 498 MHz.
In order to calculate the length of the cable sections for the antenna based on the frequency maps, you need to use the formula for determining the wavelength:
λ \u003d 300 / Fwhere F - the frequency of the transmitted signal in MHz.
For example, for a frequency of 546 MHz, the wavelength is about 550 mm... It is this length of cable that must be used to obtain the first circumference of the antenna.
To receive the second multiplex at 498 MHz, the antenna cable length must be about 600 mm.
First step - cut the cable with the required lengths. In our case, these are 550 and 600 mm. After that, each end of the cable is freed by 15 mm from the outer braid, and twist the shielding into a tight pigtail and tin with a soldering iron. Leave the center of the wire intact in the braid. You won't need it. 
Second step - solder the right end of the tinned screen braid of one wire to the other, then do the same with the left ends of the cable. Do not touch the center wires of the antenna cable. They can even be wrapped with duct tape so that the ends do not touch each other. 
Thus, the base of our concentric antenna is done.
Third step - fold both segments into rings and arrange them concentrically, i.e. one ring inside the other, for example, on a shoe box and secure closer to the ends with packing wires. 
The only thing left to do is connect the antenna cable to your TV and insulate the exposed contacts.
Fourth step - take your antenna cable of the required length, strip it from both ends of the outer braid by about 15 mm. Strip the end of the cable leading to the antenna in a special way: twist the braiding of the shielding cable into a tight pigtail and tin. 
And strip the central wire from the remaining braid by 10 mm, leaving about 5 mm of the braid to protect it from short circuits with the screen wire. 
Fifth step - lead the antenna cable with prepared ends to the previously obtained antenna from concentric rings and twist the end of the braid from it with the end from the left side of the antenna, solder the resulting connection.
Sixth step - insulation of bare wires. For these purposes, you can use electrical tape or a glue gun (if you have one). The second wire is the central core of the cable, twist it with the end of the braid on the right side of the antenna and solder the connection. Thus, you will get the braided shield braided to the left side of the ring, and the center conductor to the right side of the circuit.
Seventh step - connecting the cable to the antenna plug. To do this, cut the outer plastic sheath of the cable by about 15 mm and turn the shielding wire inside out by pulling it over the sheath. Carefully strip off the center conductor 10 mm. Insert it into the center of the plug (if the design allows it), and then screw the outer shield nut tightly around the shield of the wire. The remnants of the screen can be carefully cut off.
This makes our universal dual band antenna ready for indoor use. The antenna does not require amplification and additional power supplies. But in dense urban development, the question still remains how to properly install an antenna for digital television. To do this, try to experimentally determine the place of the best reception.
If your TV is not equipped with a modern receiver for receiving terrestrial digital television of the DVB-T2 standard, you will need to purchase this unit. Which one works best you can read in.
The era of digital signals has arrived. All broadcasting TV companies began to work in a new format. Analog TVs are living out their age. They are still in working order and are available in almost every family.
In order for the old models to successfully finalize their resource, and people can use them when watching digital broadcasting, it is enough to connect the DVB-T set-top box to the TV receiver and catch the TV wave signals with a special antenna.
Any home craftsman is able not to buy an antenna in a store, but to make it with his own hands from improvised means for watching digital TV programs at home or in the country. The two most affordable constructs are described in this article.
A bit of theory
Principle of operation of an antenna for digital packet television
Any television signal propagates in space from the emitters of the transmitting television tower to the television antenna by a sinusoidal electromagnetic wave with a high frequency, measured in megahertz.
When an electromagnetic wave passes through the surface of the receiving antenna beams, a voltage V is induced in it. Each half-wave of a sinusoid forms a potential difference with its own sign.
Under the influence of the induced voltage applied to the closed receiving circuit of the input signal with resistance R, an electric current flows in the latter. It is amplified and processed by the digital TV circuitry, output to the screen and speakers as image and sound.
For analog models of TV receivers, an intermediate link works between the antenna and the TV - the DVB-T set-top box, which decodes the digital information of the electromagnetic wave into its usual form.
Vertical and horizontal polarization of digital TV signal
In television broadcasting by state standards, it is customary to emit electromagnetic waves in only two planes:
- horizontally.
In this way, transmitters direct emitting signals.
And users just need to rotate the receiving antenna in the desired plane for maximum removal of the power potential.
Digital packet TV antenna requirements
TV transmitters propagate their signal-waves over short distances, limited by the line of sight from the top point of the TV tower emitter. Their range rarely exceeds 60 km.
For such distances, it is sufficient to provide a small power of the emitted TV signal. But, the strength of the electromagnetic wave at the end of the coverage area should form a normal voltage level at the receiving end.
A small potential difference is induced at the antenna, measured in fractions of a volt. It creates currents with small amplitudes. This imposes high technical requirements on the assembly and workmanship of all parts of digital reception devices.
Antenna design should be:
- made accurately, with a good degree of accuracy, excluding loss of electrical power of the signal;
- directed strictly along the axis of an electromagnetic wave coming from the transmitting center;
- oriented by the type of polarization;
- protected from extraneous interference signals of the same frequency coming from any sources: generators, radio transmitters, electric motors and other similar devices.
How to find out the initial data for calculating the antenna
The main parameter affecting the quality of the received digital signal, as can be seen from the explanatory first figure, is the length of the electromagnetic radiation wave. Symmetrical arms of vibrators of various shapes are created under it, and the overall dimensions of the antenna are determined.
The wavelength λ in centimeters can be easily calculated using a simplified formula: λ \u003d 300 / F. It is enough just to find the frequency of the received signal F in megahertz.
We will use the search for GUGL for this and ask him for a list of regional TV communication points for our area.
As an example, a fragment of the data table for the Vitebsk region is shown with a red rectangle highlighting the transmitting center in Ushachi.
Its wave frequency is 626 megahertz, and the type of polarization is horizontal. This data is quite enough.
We carry out the calculation: 300/626 \u003d 0.48 m. This is the length of the electromagnetic wave for the antenna being created.
We divide it in half and get 24 cm - the required half-wave length.
The maximum value of the tension reaches in the middle of this area - 12 cm. It is also called the amplitude. A whip antenna is made for this size. It is usually expressed by the formula λ / 4, where λ is the length of the electromagnetic wave.
The simplest TV antenna for digital television
It will require a piece of coaxial cable with a characteristic impedance of 75 ohms and an antenna plug. I managed to find a ready-made two-meter piece in the old stock.
From the free end, I cut off the outer shell with an ordinary knife. I take the length with a small margin: when setting up, it is always easier to bite off a small piece.
Then I remove the shielding layer from this section of the cable.
The work is done. It remains to insert the plug into the connector on the TV signal set-top box and direct the bare wire of the inner core across the incoming electromagnetic wave, taking into account the horizontal polarization.
The antenna should be placed directly on the windowsill or secured to the glass, for example with a piece of tape or tied to the blinds mount. Reflected signals and interference can be shielded with a strip of foil located at a short distance from the central core.
Such a design is done literally in a dozen minutes and does not require special material costs. It's worth trying it. But, it is capable of working in the area of \u200b\u200breliable signal reception. My building is shielded by a mountain and a multi-storey building. The transmitting TV tower is located at a distance of 25 km. Under these conditions, the digital electromagnetic wave is reflected many times and poorly received. I had to look for another technical solution.
And for you on the topic of this design, I propose to watch the video of the owner Edokoff "How to make an antenna for digital TV"
Antenna Kharchenko at 626 MHz
To receive signals of analog TV broadcasting of various wave frequency ranges, the design of a zigzag broadband antenna, which does not require complex manufacturing, worked well for me before.
I immediately remembered one of their effective varieties - the Kharchenko antenna. I decided to use its design for digital reception. I made the vibrators from a flat copper bus, but it is quite possible to do with a round wire. This will make it easier to bend and align the ends.
How to determine the dimensions of a specific antenna
Online calculator
Let's use the omniscient Google search. We write in the command line: "Calculation of the Kharchenko antenna" and press Enter.
We choose any site you like and perform an online calculation. I went to the first one that opened. Here's what he calculated for me.
I presented all his data with a picture with the designation of the name of the Kharchenko antenna size.
Manufacturing of antenna structure parts
I took the information provided as a basis, but did not exactly maintain all the dimensions. I know from previous practice that the antenna works well in the broadband wavelength range. Therefore, the dimensions of the parts were just slightly overestimated. A half-wave of each harmonic of the sinusoid of the electromagnetic TV signal will fit into the shoulder of each vibrator and will be received by it.
Based on the selected data, I made blanks for the antenna.
Vibrator design features
The connection of the ends of the "figure-eight" bar is created in the center during the bending stage. I soldered them with a soldering iron.
I have it created according to the "Moment" principle, made by hand from old transformers, it has been working for two decades. They even soldered 2.5 squares copper wire in thirty-degree frost. Works with transistors and microcircuits without burning them out.
I plan in the near future to describe its design in a separate article on the site for those who also want to make it with their own hands. Follow the publications, subscribe to notifications.
Connecting the antenna cable to the vibrator
The copper core and braid were simply soldered to the metal of the figure eight from different sides along its center.
The cable was tied to a copper bus, bending it in a loop in the shape of a semi-square vibrator. In this way, the cable and antenna impedances are matched.
Shielding grid design
In fact, Kharchenko's antenna often works fine without signal shielding, but I decided to show its manufacture. I took a wooden block for the base. I did not paint and saturate with varnish: the structure will be used indoors.
I drilled holes in the back of the block for attaching the screen wires and inserted them, and then jammed them.
The result is a screen for Kharchenko's antenna. In principle, it can be made of a different design: cut out of a piece of frontal armor of a tank or cut out of food foil - it will work about the same.
On the reverse side of the bar, I fixed the structure of the vibrator with a cable.
The antenna is ready. It remains to install it on a window to work in vertical polarization.
When a television receiver is located at a great distance from the transmitting generator, its signal strength gradually weakens. It can be increased by special electronic devices - amplifiers.
You just need to clearly see the difference between the signals received by the antenna, which can be:
- just weakened;
- contain high-frequency interference that distorts the shape of a digital sinusoid to the shape of some kind of "karyabola".
In both cases, the amplifier will fulfill its role and increase the power. Moreover, the TV will clearly perceive and display the weakened signal, and with the reinforced "karyabola" there will be playback problems.
To eliminate such interference waves are designed:
- h / h filters;
- screens.
They need to be measured with an oscilloscope, and the ways of using different designs should be analyzed on a case-by-case basis. The antenna is not to blame here.
A super simple and super fast-to-manufacture antenna from a coaxial cable for receiving digital television channels can be made with your own hands in 5 minutes. For this, you do not need absolutely anything except the cable itself. And this is the main advantage of this antenna.
Nowhere without a TV.
This design will surely help you out, for example, when you have just entered your home and have not yet managed to stretch the cable or install a stationary antenna. Of course, this is not the only example where this truly simple loop antenna will help.
Now in the comments, someone will definitely write that there are antennas even simpler, such as a whip. For the manufacture of which it will be enough just to remove two insulation from the cable and everything will work. Of course, I agree with this, but the loop antenna, which I will make from a coaxial cable, will have much higher gain, due to its directivity and resonant-closed loop.
Making an antenna from a coaxial cable
This is what the version made of black cable looks like.
And now the manufacture of the antenna in order. All we need is less than half a meter of coaxial cable of any color. I took the white one.
We retreat 5 cm from the edge of the cable and remove the upper insulation.
Next, we remove the insulation from the central core.
Now we twist everything together neatly and tightly.
Then, from the edge with the insulation removed, we retreat 22 cm and cut out a piece of 2 cm of the upper insulation and the shielded wire with the file, without touching the insulation of the central core.
Now we measure another 22 cm from the end of the cut and make a cut 1 cm wide only with the removal of the upper insulation. Do not touch the cable screen.
Next, we take the end of the cable from which we started. And we tie it very tightly at the last cut, forming a circle of the antenna.
At this point, our antenna is ready to work. Of course, this is not necessary, but if you hang the antenna on the street, then it is better to insulate all bare areas of the cable with electrical tape. You can also add a rigid frame, but this is optional.
Antenna location
We direct the antenna to a repeater or television tower. The direction can be chosen empirically by rotating the antenna.The best option would be if you place it outside the window, since the walls of the house very much jam the high-frequency signal.
The check showed an excellent work result
Digital terrestrial television (DVB-Digital Video Broadcasting) is a technology for transmitting television images and sound using digital coding of video and sound. Digital coding, unlike analog, ensures signal delivery with minimal loss, since the signal is not affected by external interference. At the time of this writing, 20 digital channels are available, in the future this number should increase. This number of digital channels is not available in all regions, you can find out more precisely about the possibility of catching digital channels on the website www.rtrs.rf. If there are digital channels in your area, then it remains to make sure that your TV supports DVB-T2 technology (this can be found in the documentation for the TV) or buy a DVB-T2 set-top box and connect the antenna. The question arises - What kind of antenna to use for digital TV? or How to make an antenna for digital TV? In this article, I would like to dwell in more detail on antennas for watching digital television, and in particular, I will show how to make an antenna for digital television yourself.
The first thing I would like to emphasize is that a specialized antenna is not needed for digital television, an analog antenna (the one you used earlier to watch analog channels) is quite suitable. Moreover, only a TV cable can be used as an antenna ...
In my opinion, the simplest antenna for digital television is a television cable. Everything is extremely simple, a coaxial cable is taken, an F connector and an adapter for connecting to a TV are put on one end, and the central core of the cable (a kind of whip antenna) is exposed at the other end. It remains only to decide how many centimeters to expose the central core, since the quality of reception of digital channels depends on this. To do this, you need to understand at what frequency digital channels broadcast in your region, to do this, go to the website www.rtrs.rf / when / here on the map find the tower closest to you and see how often digital channels broadcast.
You will receive more detailed information if you click the "Details" button.
Now you need to calculate the wavelength. The formula is quite simple:
where, λ (lambda) is the wavelength,
c - speed of light (3-10 8 m / s)
F - frequency in hertz
or easier λ \u003d 300 / F (MHz)
In my case, the frequency is 602 MHz and 610 MHz, for the calculation I will use the frequency of 602 MHz
Total: 300/602 ≈ 0.5 m \u003d 50 cm.
Leaving half a meter of the central core of the coaxial cable is not beautiful and inconvenient, so I will leave half, or even a quarter of the wavelength.
l \u003d λ * k / 2
where l is the length of the antenna (central core)
λ- wavelength (calculated earlier)
k is the shortening factor, since the length of the entire cable will not be large, this value can be considered equal to 1.
As a result, l \u003d 50/2 \u003d 25 cm.
From these calculations, it turned out that for a frequency of 602 MHz I need to strip 25 cm of the coaxial cable.
Here is the result of the work done
This is how the antenna looks when installed.
Aerial view while watching TV.
TV antenna - when there is a need to make a choice, many find it difficult to buy an antenna to receive free digital television. For this reason, many people buy for publicity stunts and there is a high probability of purchasing an unimportant antenna for a lot of money.
Hello dear readers! The author of this blog, Vitaly, is in touch! In my previous article on this topic, I talked about the antenna known as "The Key to Digital TV" And readers of this post very often ask the question about which antenna to choose?
To answer most of these questions at once, it was decided to write another article in which there will be a selection of antennas recommended by me and other experts. And also some explanations and recommendations. Please read them carefully, perhaps this will clear some of your questions.
P.S. Antenna names are given in the article, but note that they may differ from manufacturer to manufacturer. This means that antennas of a similar type and characteristics can have the name LOCUS, DELTA, MERIDIAN, ETHER, etc. Therefore, it is not necessary to be guided by the given names, look at the appearance!
All images in the article will be numbered, but this is only so that I could easily indicate the recommended antennas, if asked about it later. There is no rating in this numbering! For convenience only. So! Go!
Fast navigation through the article
Indoor antennas
Indoor antenna Sirius 2.0 without amplifier. Designed for use in areas with a strong signal. These are settlements in which there are transmitting towers and at a short distance from them, 5-15 km. With line of sight. Signal gain 5 dB. Similar antennas can be performed with an amplifier, but this does not make them suitable for difficult signal reception conditions.
Indoor antenna with amplifier DVS-Z2. Although this antenna has a large gain, up to 32 dB (due to the amplifier), there will be little sense from it. I also recommend using it in areas of reliable reception and at short distances from the tower of 5-15 km. With line of sight. It is good to use such an antenna in a city to receive a reflected signal, an amplifier can be useful in this. And it is powered through the antenna plug with a voltage of 5 volts.
The next group of indoor antennas
They have approximately the same characteristics. These are passive (no amplifier) \u200b\u200bantennas. Signal amplification factor 4-7 dB. But they will be somewhat more efficient than the antennas provided above.
These are not bad antennas, they can be successfully used to receive digital television in areas of both a strong signal and at some distance from TV towers. For example, I receive a signal with antennas of this kind from a distance of about 20 km. and from the first floor, but not everyone is so lucky!
It all depends on many factors. Transmitter power, terrain, blockage by high-rise buildings…. In general, if there is nothing very close on the way from you to the TV tower, then these antennas may well cope.
Indoor antennas with amplifier
These antennas do about the same job as those without an amplifier. But the amplifier is useful in some cases and helps to pull the attenuated signal to an acceptable level. They can be used not only in areas of a good signal, but also, let's say, a slightly complicated or reflected signal.
But still these are indoor antennas and this limits them. For example, if your windows do not face the TV tower, and there is no way to catch the reflected signal from the opposite side, they may be useless.
By the way! There is no need not to evaluate the reflected signal, you can perfectly watch digital television on it.
Locus L999.06 Next - Active broadband antenna. Supplied unassembled. The amplifier is powered by 12 Volts from an external power supply. UHF gain 23-27 dB.
Locus L922.06 Not a bad indoor antenna. It looks neat, there are options with and without an amplifier. The amplifier version is equipped with a power regulator, which can be very useful.
Delta K131A.02 and the other two from the above group are also active antennas, but with a 5 Volt amplifier supply voltage. It can be fed directly from the DVB-T2 set-top box or through a special injector from the USB port of an LCD TV. The gain of these antennas is up to 22-27 dB.
Cayman active antenna , - can be in two versions 1) With power supply via antenna plug. 2) With a built-in injector for power supply from the USB port, which is very convenient for use with LCD TVs that have this port. There is no need to purchase an additional 5 volt power supply with an injector and take up another outlet.
Outdoor antennas for digital television
Let's move on to more serious designs, the task of which is to provide a high-quality signal where indoor antennas cannot cope. Gain from 19 dB to 35 dB.
These are antennas that can be used in more difficult conditions and at somewhat longer distances. If you have noticed, they are structurally similar to indoor antennas, but only slightly larger. And this is the important factor that makes them more powerful. The longer the boom in the antenna, the greater the coefficient of its own gain. This is the gain that is achieved not by the amplifier, but by the antenna design. And the installed amplifier only "shakes" this signal even more.
In addition, the outdoor installation allows them to more accurately direct them to the TV tower, bypassing obstacles in the form of walls.
Hummingbird - An interesting antenna. Works in both meter and dmv ranges. Its peculiarity is an unusual design, which, despite its small dimensions, provides a fairly good signal reception. It is very convenient in urban conditions and for finding the reflected signal, the short length allows it to be installed in confined spaces. It has several modifications and can be supplied with an amplifier powered by either 12 or 5 volts.
Locus -14 AF - This antenna also has several modifications, designation AF- with amplifier, F - without amplifier. There is also Locus - 20 AF / F is distinguished by a longer boom, and therefore an even greater coefficient of its own amplification. The amplifier is powered by 5 volts.
Delta H3111.02 - There are also options with and without an amplifier, in addition, it may be under a different name (depending on the manufacturer) and differ in the way a TV cable is connected to it.
Meridian - 07 AF — Made of aluminum.
Antennas numbered 11-14 These are good antennas, and affordable, only "Kolibri" will be somewhat more expensive
They can be used at a distance of up to 30 km. But again, if there are factors that interfere with the passage of the signal, then even at closer distances an even more powerful antenna may be needed.
Powerful antenna for digital TV
These antennas are good for long distances and even more difficult conditions, for example, if your house is in a strong lowland.
At what long distances can they be used? For example, I had to put Ether 18AF (by the way, not the strongest in this trio) on a house located 45 kilometers from the TV tower. At the same time, the house stood in the lowland, and the antenna was fixed on the ridge of the roof of the house, there was some kind of pin sticking out, and the antenna was fixed on it. Everything is great!
Ether 18 - Antenna made of steel, powder coated, available with and without amplifier. The letter A in the name indicates that the antenna is active, with an amplifier. If there is only F in the name, then this is an antenna without an amplifier. The antennas Meridian -12 AF / F are also marked.
Meridian-12 and Triton - Made of aluminum and even more powerful than Ether-18. The reason is not only in the material, but also in the design. For example, the antenna "Meridian" is about 1.5 meters long. And "Triton" has short arrows, but there are already three of them. It adds up to one long.
Active antennas from this trio have amplifiers powered by 5 volts. Which is convenient for use with DVB-T2 set-top boxes. The Triton antenna also has an injector for power supply via USB, which is indicated in the marking. The gain of these antennas reaches 35 dB. due to the amplifier. But thanks to their design, the amplifier has something to strengthen)))
THOSE. The antenna itself pulls a signal from the air with a level of about 10-12 dB (this is called the antenna's own gain) And the amplifier already accelerates it to 35 dB.
The most powerful antenna for DVB-T2
Well, if you carefully read the previous descriptions, then you should understand why these antennas are the most powerful ones presented in this review.
For example, the GoldMaster-GM500 antenna is a passive antenna, without an amplifier. But the coefficient of its own gain, only due to the design as much as 22 dB. Such gain is provided by mid-link antennas and then at the expense of the amplifier. And here in its pure form!
The next antennas from this "red zone" are just as effective, plus they are also active. Their amplifiers are powered by 5 volts. Ie are sharpened for digital consoles. Or, if you do not use a set-top box, since you bought a TV set with DVB-T2, then you will need either a separate power supply unit for antennas, 5 volts, or an injector for power from USB.
This is the class of antennas that you need to take if you live at a distance from the transmitting tower from 50 km and further and have a very difficult area for receiving a TV signal.
Why you do not need to strive for an antenna with an amplifier
It is noticed that the word "Amplifier" has some kind of magical property! And when a person chooses an antenna, he prefers just such active antennas. Why is this a wrong point of view?
- In the zone of reliable reception, the amplifier can lead to the fact that your TV / set-top box will not receive anything at all! Reason, signal over-amplification!
- The amplifier amplifies not only the useful signal, but also the radio noise. And the useful signal is drawn by the antenna design!
- The amplifier is always the weak link in the antenna design. It breaks down, a thunderstorm hits it, it oxidizes from moisture. As a result, periodic intervention in antenna repair is required.
- It is required to provide power to the amplifier located in the antenna, and this is another additional weak link, adapters fail and require replacement. In addition, one more connection point is required, an outlet or a USB port, and this is not always convenient!
- In the case of a connection, this is much easier to do with an antenna that does not have an amplifier.
When you need an amplifier
- If the total length of the television cable exceeds several tens of meters.
- If you live at a great distance from the transmitting tower, in an area of \u200b\u200bweak signal and the design of the antenna itself does not allow you to “pull out” the signal to the required level.
Conclusion! - If in your place of residence it is possible to confidently receive a signal to an antenna without an amplifier, always strive for an antenna without an amplifier!
How to supply power to an active antenna amplifier
There are several ways to supply power to the antenna amplifier.
- If you use a digital set-top box, then the power is supplied directly from it, via the antenna cable. You don't need to be smart Just go to the set-top box menu and find the item "Power ant. on »In different models of prefixes this inscription may differ, but the essence is the same. Turn on the power to the antenna! Even if the amplifier in the antenna is 12 volts, often 5 volts from the set-top box will be enough.
- If you do not use a set-top box, then to power the active antenna you will need either a special adapter with an injector that can be connected to the USB port of the TV and so to power the antenna. Alternatively, purchase a USB powered antenna. These methods are very convenient for LCD TVs, especially those hanging on the wall.
- The classic way is through a power supply for antennas with a voltage corresponding to the amplifier.
Well, perhaps on this and finish! Under the "Television" section of this blog, there are many more articles on antennas, set-top boxes, and television.