RCA Digital Signal Preamplifier for Outdoor Antennas Review

[@AntennaMan]

Affiliate Link to the RCA amplifier on Amazon: amzn.to/34L12Is If this amplifier doesn't improve your reception consider an antenna recommendation from me at the link below. I run a reception report at your location and determine what antenna would work best for your area. www.antennamanpa.com/antenna-recommendations.html

[@normhodgkinson6965]

Tyler, when i turn on my lights in the house, (led's) my TV signal/picture goes crazy. any thoughts ? anyone else ?

[@Craig1967]

Great job! I love your "drop the antenna on the floor" videos. It really drives the point home.

[@AntennaMan]

I try to display the antenna as much as possible!

[@DavidSmith-rv1bg]

Tyler, you are the Gallagher of cheap antenna smashing. You should do a channel where you smash antennas and accessories, which will in turn, help those of relax at the end of a hard day. Keep up the great work and the educational videos.

[@carlitowey8632]

I have used this since 2016 and it still works in the Florida sun 🌞

[@makarov138]

6/24/2023 HEADS UP Y'ALL! I've been running a round UFO looking antenna for years with reasonable service. Except for my ETV channel out around 37 air miles away. It would come in now and then. It transmits on RF 8. Since you said the Fire Star 2020 antenna worked better on high band VHF........ I bought it. And since you said that little RCA preamp worked pretty good as well............I bought that too! I mounted the bundle up on a 30ft pole and aimed it in with the metered display. Wow! That ETV channel is tripled in strength. And I'm running 100ft of RG6 cable. Thanks for your info! Fixed my problem. Course, I could'a used your help pulling that new coax down through my attic young feller! Its hot up there! I'm in Mississippi!

[@5argetech56]

I have the Model TVPRAMP1Z with separate VHF input.. It works very well.

[@MrHominid2U]

As do I, had it for years, works great

[@godvsevolutionmythgodvsevo1038]

Hold on does this model TVPRAMP12E work for both VHF and UHF band ? it's advertised as combined input for UHF/VHF preamp specs gain VHF 16db /UHF 22db Intermodulation avg 60db

[@GodManCan]

You do a fantastic job explaining what is confusing to most people. I ran out of patience years ago explaining this stuff. When they ask me for assistance or recommendations now, I refer them to someone who has more patience than me. Definitely will refer your channel Tyler. BTW, I loved the antenna drops. Whoops, there goes the patience! 😬 LOL 😆

[@ckopchick4]

Thanks for the recommendation. I live ~20-22 miles from the broadcast towers in my area and am using the RCA ANT1450B/E antenna in my attic (attached to a bracket I made) with it aimed properly. I was pulling in 67 channels with mostly good signal quality, but a few stations were inconsistent. I added this preamp to the setup and now I'm pulling 87 channels, with all major channels getting 100% signal strength! It also eliminated any inconsistency I had previously. I'll be adding the SiliconDust 5G/LTE filter tomorrow to complete my setup (I used your link in the review). Thanks again!

[@henryriehl5440]

July 2024. Antenna / cable run with no preamp scanned 66 channels. Added RCA preamp to exact same antenna / cable run, rescanned with same TV and now get 103 channels. While newly-acquired stations are remote (Rhode Island and Maine) and not of much interest, this also tells me my core-interest Boston and New Hampshire stations have stronger signals that should better-withstand wind, rain and snow. Pretty good for $30.

[@PC4USE1]

Another Tyler toss like a boss-even though I don't have an outdoor antenna-the drop was worth the view.

[@thadrumr]

I went with this preamp based on your recomendation. It worked great in my situation. I have a 3 way splitter and was missing a few channels. This brought up the signal for the few stations I had issues with and even brought in the one VHF channel in my area. I am using a Wineguard panel style outdoor antenna this works great along with it.

[@davidlogan9344]

Thank you for all of your informative videos! We just tried this on our older RCA 3036 antenna, and, we actually lost channels with it installed. Without it, the farthest tower we receive is 61 miles away, and with it, the range dropped to just over 40 miles. I was hoping to be able to increase reliability on a tower 63 miles away, but, no luck. I guess I should consider us lucky to be getting what we get, without having to go larger, or higher up (antenna is rated maximum 65 miles, and is only about 16 feet above ground, with lots of surrounding trees.

[@chasing_dragons]

Thank you so much for all of your work. I just found your channel two days ago and have learned a wealth of information. Happy holidays and keep up the great work.

[@aaronb483]

That preamp work good for me. But especially when added to the indoor amplifier I already had. I learn that for an indoor amplifier to work, you need a decent signal first. And I learned that from YOU, another one of your videos.

[@michaeltucker1520]

Great, I'll try to buy RCA digital signal strength preamplifier for very difficulty area at my cousin's house. Good job Tyler !! You're #1 Antenna Man KZbin videos !! 🎄⛄😎👍

[@Mrmikemike46]

A quality antenna with a quality low loss cable is the winning answer for most situations.

[@davidwalle5025]

I found that preamp at Menards and will be trying it out when I get time.

[@zandig666]

Bought the channal master preamp1 it really strengthened what i had and more !!! I recommend !!📶📶🍻🍻✌️

[@jeffstephens8584]

I bought one of the televes pre amps after watching your video on it. i had the rca and the televes is by far way better but like you said for the price it's not bad

[@AntennaMan]

No doubt the Televes would be better.

[@Gawron69]

I have an older version of this that has separate inputs for VHF and UHF with the option to use a combined input. Those can still be found and I prefer them because I like using the Stellar Labs deep fringe VHF antenna in combination with a dedicated UHF antenna. I have no complaints about mine. It has always worked well.

[@yvesbrissette4074]

I have the same setting and this preamp was the best choice. seperate UHF/VHF inputs and one output . Fantastic results for 6 years now.

[@Hazeyone7977]

Just bought this preamp today. Installed it and went from 17 to 44 stations. Great product! Thanks for the video!

[@DXingSlovenija]

Why does this cheap antena (at 6:10) have reflector made from plastic (it seams) Does plastic also reflect the signal?

[@ClassicGuy57]

I've noticed that certain stations Tyler tests out have this in common. When they are below 50%, no picture and no sound. For me back a few years ago, this one channel was at 10% signal strength and both the picture and sound were coming in.

[@unclefester6033]

I have one of these tied to an antennacraft y5 7-13 & a antennasdirect c1 & get great performance with an RCA rotor

[@nekansasfisherman2334]

Just put up a Clearstream 4 today on a RCA rotator. On the second story of the house . I have access to a bucket truck. I mounted a FM dipoled antenna above It. Ran it thru a splitter. I actually think it may be helping my TV signal. But I’m not sure if I’m hurting my FM signal.

[@Манлетопия]

You can put power inserters after a splitter if you use a PowerPass Splitter

[@druliefw]

Be sure to install any filters you may need, such as an LTE 5G filter or HI PASS filter for HAM frequencies, before the INPUT of any preamp.

[@RealMark999]

This preamp made my local Nashville ABC station drop it's reliable signal and didn't bring in the one set of local PBS stations that I can get occasionally for a few hours. I do have 2 amps connected already and even with disconnecting those, this preamp didn't do much of anything. I knew when buying this preamp that there was the possibility that it wouldn't work with every antenna setup and that it's not going to receive every local channel that's available. Sometimes a station might just require a large outdoor antenna with a high powered amplifier because it's broadcasting at a lower frequency or is located further away from other broadcast towers. That's the 2 biggest things that will definitely cause signal issues especially if there are trees or other objects that are messing with the signal from the transmitter.

[@daverussell4941]

Good choice for Phila since the FM trap can be turned off. Results with a 4 way splitter were similar to an amplified splitter.

[@tlebryk]

Couple years ago on sale for $20 at local hardware store, got the previous model with two antenna inputs, one for VHF and one for UHF. I use one antenna for FM and the other for UHF TV. OTA works great from 34 miles away. Apparently, the new model has only one antenna input.

[@wesmckean1443]

I have the "Z" model as well. I agree with your assessment on both price and quality. Antennas Direct JUICE and the Televes pre amp are better, although three times the price.

[@ClassicGuy57]

Love the Junk Antenna Throw!! Can't wait to see what comedy you put in your 2021 videos! Maybe some more scenes with Tyler the Conspiracy Nut?

[@AntennaMan]

I keep forgetting to include him in the script! Thanks for the reminder!

[@ClassicGuy57]

@@AntennaMan 👍

[@lakorai2]

Tyler should reach out to KitzTech to get review samples. Their Preamps are considered the gold standard.

[@MrMikey1273]

I just ordered the wineguard lna200 for my antenna set up

[@jamesm568]

I like the power delivery as it's less cumbersome since it's in line. I love channel Master but their power delivery uses a cumbersome splitter which makes a clean cable management difficult

[@WPGinterceptor460Interceptor]

I used this amp for my area here and didnt notice any diff on uhf, BUT Vhf side had about a 10% gain!

[@jodyljohnson8515]

Oh bummer, I seem to have antenna just like the one you dropped!😳😮 I thought it was just me not knowing much about antennas, which still may be the case....

[@RobbieStrike]

Something you want to test with a device like a HDhomeRun or A ATSC tuner box that can give you a signal quality reading. To see how much better signal you can get like Tyler did with his TV on this video! I just hate how on some TV's the signal quality only stays on screen for 5 seconds!

[@caseyhartman7094]

Samsung's signal tool has an added benefit of showing SNR.

[@MrDan708]

Since June 2018, I've been using a Mohu Sail outdoor antenna which came with its own (indoor) signal amp. I'm guessing it might not work if I tried to use this RCA amp as well.

[@allenmillburg4678]

In the video for tvpramp I would like to know if you could install the power injector out side in my cable box where my power and splitter are?

[@tedkiser6860]

I have that same preamp hooked up to a rca antenna . I used a rca 4 way power splitter and get good reception on most channels. Was wondering should I use the power booster that came with the preamp before the power 4way splitter?

[@tpmarkham]

Can I use this pre-amp at the antenna and then a distribution amp in my basement junction? Thanks, Tom

[@Toto4730]

Happy Holidays Tyler.👍👊📶📡

[@kevinjones3224]

I had one of those and didn't work on my antenna for some reason and took it back to Lowe's I need a better amplifier signal booster but I'm broke right now

[@powerelectricalsafetysyste4056]

When tv was still analog we used to pre amp at the antennas down distribution amp than splitter to TVs. Here my question. I currently have a Anton Omni directional with internal amp so it has a power injector in the coax. Any ideas to get some additional power for a few weak channels

[@powerelectricalsafetysyste4056]

FYI I wanted a antenna that could be connected to several TVs without constantly rotating the antenna. I current get about 80 channel but a few pixel

[@AntennaMan]

You can't add a preamp to your antenna if it already has one built in or it won't power the internal preamp and you'll lose all reception. I tried the antop omni directional antenna and it did not work well. If you have reception problems even with an amplifier you're going to need a better antenna setup.

[@powerelectricalsafetysyste4056]

@@AntennaMan I understand the power injector powers the internal amp . Picture if you would keep the Omni directional ( that get 90% of my channels) . Install a 2nd antenna directional and install it’s coax with a combiner down stream of the power injector than to the TVs in my house . I’m not sure if I would need to install attenuators to stop over driving the channels

[@simonpotter7534]

Happy Christmas AM!

[@printxii]

You can also get a cheap tv recorder box and they have built in filter and pre-amp.

[@Mark-hb5zf]

One thing I've always looked for w/respect to LNA's was reviews that do bench testing. NF, IP3 (or maybe compression instead), gain, etc. Just can't seem to find any. I'm a RF design engineer and it sure would be interesting to see some numbers to base my purchase on. Know of any? I realize that test equipment is likely prohibitive to most. Thanks for the videos.

[@AntennaMan]

Most of the numbers published are not accurate. That's why I tested all of the preamps in my videos side by side.

[@Mark-hb5zf]

@@AntennaMan Yeah, no doubt about taking with a grain of salt. I was thinking along the lings of a 3rd party reviewer like yourself. Thanks for the reply, sir!

[@Robert-sl7jo]

The coax should be RG6 solid copper coax instead of Copper Coated Steel (CCS) as you’re sending voltage through the cable as well as TV signals. In 2018 I added the Channel Master CM-7778 preamp to my CM-4228HD through my Channel Master RG6 Quad Shield CCS Coax. The preamp and the Inserter burnt out in 6 Months. Hot to the touch (power Inserter) and brown. The PCT RG6 connector was also burnt out. Then I read somewhere that copper conducts electricity better than copper coated steel does and there’s 24 Volts running through that section of coax between the Inserter and the preamp.

[@the32-bitguy80]

I have a 100ft coax RG-6 Quad shielded coming from my antenna so Im thinking im gonna need a preamp because Im not getting ABC and possibly another independent channel on VHF Lo but I have until spring to decide if i need one or not tho. Any suggestions? Edit: I can get the abc station with a much smaller directional antenna with a shorter cable up high so im thinking I do but not sure

[@godvsevolutionmythgodvsevo1038]

Whats the best budget splitter to use with this preamp using three 75 feet rg6 wires to three separate tvs and if i use a three way splitter can one 75 ohms coaxile surge protector model # 212FF75F22521 protect all three rg6 lines to tv appliance ? I bought this through your affiliate link Question do i turn the FM switch off or should i leave it on ?

[@johnbartholomew8399]

It would be better if "they" would show the circuitry of the device.It would make clear what is substantial and what is 2 cent junker meant to make money. Also,an antenna tuner device would be helpful in signal reception,but so is getting a better antenna. I'm using two amplified indoor antennas in an array where they are joined at a splitter that I opened and by passed the inner circuitry with jumpers(helped).Together they are working well.

[@jeaninebunt9739]

Can Onn cancel my warranty on my TV if I don't use their brand of hookups and antenna and others accessories?

[@MatthewHajjar-Betters591]

Speaking of RCA, will you do a review of the ANT5000E antenna in the near future?

[@AntennaMan]

I have no plans to - the antenna looks like junk. It's a TV antenna designed as a wifi router which won't work well for TV broadcasts.

[@bricknboxer]

Pre amp gain should just cover the signal loss for long coax and any splitter loss. A pre amp can also improve reception if the noise figure of the pre amp is better than the noise figure of the tuner. This is where the better pre amps out perform the cheap ones.

[@cajunman7389]

I need your help. Is there a antenna that will connect to my fire tv sticks wireless to catch my local channels without running coax to all the TVs i have 4 tvs in the house. Thanks

[@AntennaMan]

yes, check out my review of the Fire TV recast: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nnLIo6qfr9Zsa5I

[@phillipbonner5215]

Thank you Tyler Happy New Year almost😁😂

[@cliftontibbits6644]

Love this channel, I'm very new to it all and was wondering ..is there a site or lit you would recommend for a fast crash course catching one up to speed of it all...keep it up and thank you for sharing....

[@AntennaMan]

Not sure of a website but there's my KZbin channel. Check out my other videos!

[@cliftontibbits6644]

@@AntennaMan will do for sure and this might be a dumb question but are you familiar with radio frequencies,Wi-Fi and sat ??? Really caught the bug and trying to learn up on the mentions, thanks again...

[@romarovinciguerra5387]

I live in an apartment, but I am limited on where I can put my antenna. Where I live we have four OTA stations. I can get two without an amplifier but the third one I need an amp. I am facing south and the one I can't pickup is on the west of me. It's frustrating since I can't just put the antenna outside and face it in a west direction. It there anyway around this or am I still out of luck?

[@AntennaMan]

Use the Tablo to send your channels from the one antenna wirelessly to the other TV sets in your home. Find it at the link below: bit.ly/3sM4mwh

[@romarovinciguerra5387]

@@AntennaMan thanks.

[@85camaro57]

Previous video you said this amplifier was NG as the power unit wasn't good.

[@AntennaMan]

That video is over 3 years old an no longer accurate. The power supply has been fixed.

[@markclark1042]

Can you tell me when I cut the cord my cable company will block me from streaming Fox News, CNBC, etc. Is there a way I can still get these channels

[@AntennaMan]

Yes through streaming services. I have several videos on them on my KZbin channel

[@katherineaustin2477]

Love your videos.

[@thatdecade]

Can you mention grounding more in future videos? You have a grounding video, but never mention in other videos for running cables or installing preamps. In addition to lightning protection, the ground protects the preamp from static damage. Both cheap and expensive roof mounted preamps will fail after a few years installed without a ground.

[@AntennaMan]

Your suggestion is great. I had started to mention my grounding video and some of my newer videos but did not make it a priority. I will definitely mention it in all future videos regarding outdoor antennas and preamps.

[@thatdecade]

@@AntennaMan awesome!

[@jerrydemas2020]

Tyler, why was your live chat taken down ? Was it my comment?

[@AntennaMan]

I took the live stream down because of technical reasons. It wasn't your comment.

[@erasmorodriguez8181]

It just occurred to me that I placed the pre amp power after the splitter.....

[@Dabid13]

Hey Man, do you use locast? If so do you like it? And lastly do you think it can get to other countries?

[@AntennaMan]

I don't use Locast. I have a video about them. They're a non profit that will likely shut down in the next year as the major broadcasters sue them

[@stevejohnson1321]

There's a distant chance they'll make it, given that they don't time shift like a certain predecessor. Would I put money on that? No! It may come down to the broadcasters having deeper pockets.

[@tbkulavik]

I like how you can pair the cities with Locast and IP Vanish and receive other markets across the country. I’m in Chicago and will be able to watch the Colts-Steelers game tomorrow at noon on the local CBS station out of Phoenix.

[@sawyernettlebeck9443]

Great I was just looking at this today

[@robertgeary7520]

Great video thank's 👍

[@davidanderson8643]

2 things I've discovered about this unit. 1> Don't overtighten the mast clamp or the case will crack, allowing water in. 2> Those rubber boots are useless. They look nice for about 6 months then dry out, crack, and fall apart. Use a good quality waterproof fitting and forget the boots.

[@lobstermania4025]

Right! These are garbage, mine lasted 8 months and now I have to pay a person 200 bucks to climb the tower and install a much better one. I wish I had done my research and went with a TELEVe

[@billshepherd9550]

Will the RCC preamp work with the Televes Dinova boss antenna

[@AntennaMan]

It would probably work but I do not think it will make a difference in your reception since the Dinova already has a built-in preamp that is likely better than the RCA model

[@billshepherd9550]

@@AntennaMan Thank You

[@billshepherd9550]

What is the suggested height for televes DiNova outside antenna

[@AntennaMan]

@@billshepherd9550 between 20-30 feet above ground level

[@allensanderson1271]

Hey Tyler, Do you have your Ham Radio License?

[@allensanderson1271]

You could easily pass the tests.

[@ken2400]

Anyone else trying to figure out the date code on the Preamplifier 2w37gm ?

[@djbeatreviews3438]

Antenna man how many total channels do you get on a good day.

[@AntennaMan]

76

[@admirals818]

Mine is the similar RCA TVPRAMP1Z, which is a few years old now but does feature an additional antenna input. One input is UHF/Combined and the other is VHF, and has a switch to select which setup you have. It appears the newer ones no longer have this feature (like the one reviewed here). I only have one antenna, so I'm not sure how well that feature works. As for the preamp, the RCA models work pretty well. I have some marginal signals, long cable runs, and multiple splitters. This preamp definitely helps, and the $25 price tag is much better than some of the other preamps on the market. Those may be better, but $40 better? Probably not.

[@mackerel69]

Looks like Tyler has another video in which he ended up not recommending this preamp

[@viazel2796]

My days of on the roof is over so I will stick with the 🐇rabbit👂🏽 ears. Thank you for sharing and will pass it on!

[@TWayneD1020]

Thank you so much !!!

[@Saturday8pm]

I got this then the Winegard … both crapped out within months; my guess is their build is NO MATCH for outdoor use under ANY circumstance. Bought a basic Channel Master and four years later it’s still cookin’. Now for that FM problem …

[@Wardell43]

Lowes carries this unit that has a single input for the same price lowes has the dual input. Now you've got to pickup every box and look at the configuration because lowes mixes them together. Generally they keep a decent inventory online, but when you get there, it's all one display. So the Dual can be used as a single input but still give you the option to expand if you can be serviced by 2 markets like myself. TVPRAMP1E is the dual input

[@1Aquadon]

thanks Tyler!!

[@kevinm974]

That was great, Thanks!!! I think the only thing that might be better, would be an "over the shoulder" toss/throw of that junky antenna!!! lol,

[@sierraastrology9975]

I tape quartz crystals on my antenna. It helps

[@ElectoneGuy]

These units can have a bum power supply with weak voltage output. Mine kills my signal and I have confirmed solid power output. Better to go with a Channel Master or Televes pre-amp.

[@AntennaMan]

I agree, it's better to spend a little extra money on a much better amplifier. It will save future headaches.

[@williamquemuel7824]

This looks like the one that Tyler (in another video) said that the power inserter had a history of being defective in 25 to 50% of the time. I think it was the video of the Best TV Antenna Signal Amplifiers.....He didn't mention the power inserter in this video. Does this mean that the power inserter is no longer a problem and RCA made corrections to address the issue? If the power inserter is defective, how about using a Channel Master Power Inserter paired with this RCA preamp? Channel Master sells an exclusive power inserter.

[@AntennaMan]

The power insert a problem is no longer an issue. the video you are referring to is about 2 years old and will likely be deleted soon since it is out of date

[@alonsoaguilar3905]

Hello!

[@buro.6]

should @Antenna Man make a subreddit? r/antennaman would be cool

[@fieldguy316]

People don't understand crappy antennas equal crappy reception & nothing you add will fix it

[@Madness832]

LOL, droppin' the raygun aerials....

[@tron3entertainment]

Tyler, most people just do the mic drop.

[@amerigovespucci4076]

Much better to go with the TELEVES T-Force Dual Input preamp as it will save you money in the long run......

[@JFrenchRennier]

I have 2 of them on a 3 antenna system but the 2nd is with the Eclipse Mix antenna.

[@ZZ24AS]

Like your way of treating antenna of " good quality," but i was watching one other chanel,where man is putting on the roof the same antenna and having excelent signal.😂😂 But I am sure that is just one case. In Europe we have simple antenna,but other way of connection,not that simple way you have,everything prepared for...maybe our way helps better reception?

[@davidanderson8643]

It's not always about if it will work, it's about how LONG will it work /last...

[@404010ful]

That antenna you drop I saw it on someone's roof on the way to work. Too funny

[@donbest5024]

I bet they get a total of 2 channels,if their lucky.

[@onceANexile]

100 ft of coaxel, = no signal.

[@classic287]

I bought one of those and it doesn't work and it's your fault 😂, Just kidding 😇 👍

[@StephEWaterstram]

I too bought an RCA amp for My Philips HD Wing Indoor OTA Antenna I mounted to a Dish elbow and it did nothing so I returned it. I added a Cookie Cooling rack to the situation and it stabilized and improved My reception.

[@biggybig6266]

i replaced mine with one of those flat tv antennas,lol

[@johniec2]

Had one of these very same pre-amps and had issues with it, went back and got a Wineguard and fixed my issue. It goes back "you get what you pay for"... I intend to replace it with a high quality Channel Master soon.

[@godvsevolutionmythgodvsevo1038]

The thing is i have seen videos showing if you place the power unit of the preamp right next to it everything works perfect

[@jimjam1719]

hey tyler- maybe next time, instead of dropping the antenna, doing something more destructive,,, like kick it or throw it outside or maybe take a hammer to it, light a firecracker on it or light it on fire. just abuse it in some kind of way. i think everyone would like that and or get a great laugh out of it. lol.

[@AntennaMan]

I actually have a video of me smashing it. Check out my review of the Vansky antenna. It's in there

[@jimjam1719]

@@AntennaMan lol. ok, will do.

[@biggybig6266]

that is the very amp i use

[@AntennaMan]

It's not that bad of an amp.

[@luvdady]

ying ping ding ping pong klunk lmao

[@keitha.9788]

At 3:08 "could no longer pick-up ABC, CBS, or Fox". Three worthless TV stations. You are better off without them.........

[@garymiller3194]

How do u know all this sh@#

[@marioescobedo1137]

,What a mess FCC made with TV reception.

[@AntennaMan]

Yes they did make a huge mess