Antennas Direct 4-Port TV Antenna Distribution Amplifier, Output to 4 Televisions, CATV Systems, 4K 8K Ready – w/Power Supply, Coaxial Cable (Silver)

This splitter really helped. It is very sturdy and well built.I decided to try and cut the cord. For years I had cable, and then I switched to directv. My directv bill averaged $98 per month and really all I watched were the ESPN’s and the network channels. I decided to cut the cord. I have AT&T Internet so WatchESPN streams on my Roku and AppleTV’s at home perfectly. I thought that if I could get the network channels then I could cancel Directv.The problem is, I am located about 50 miles from the broadcast tower and 2 of the 4 network channels are broadcast in VHF while the remaining channels are UHF. This would mean that I would need 2 antennas. So I went to antennasdirect.com and began researching.2 websites that were a huge help werehttp://www.antennapoint.comandhttp://www.tvfool.comBoth websites have data on the closest television towers at your address. They show the frequencies and the direction in relation to your home. Over the air (OTA) television is directional meaning you antenna must be aimed at the tower broadcasting the channels you plan to pick up. (Especially the further you are from the broadcast tower).I decided to order 2 antennas. UHF and VHF.VHF antenna (Clearstream 5 – I highly recommend. It works great): https://www.antennasdirect.com/store/vhf.htmlUHF antenna (DB8e – This antenna worked wonderfully as well): https://www.antennasdirect.com/store/DB8e-Ultra-Long-Range-Outdoor-DTV-Antenna.htmlThe clearstream came with a VHF/UHF antenna combiner. So I used the combiner to combine the two antennas. A combiner is nothing more than a splitter used backwards from what I could gather.I intended on splitting my signal to 4 different televisions. Everything I read said that when you run long runs of coax cable, the television signal is diminished drastically. So, I purchased a pre-amp and a powered 4-way splitter.Pre-Amp: http://www.amazon.com/Winegard-LNA-200-Boost-Digital-Preamplifier/dp/B00DQN3R9O/ref=pd_sim_e_3?ie=UTF8&refRID=0NDCZXJGZZ8ZK1PEMR6P4-way splitter: http://www.amazon.com/Antennas-Direct-CDA4-Distribution-Amplifier/dp/B0082ZJNW6/ref=pd_sim_e_6?ie=UTF8&refRID=0NDCZXJGZZ8ZK1PEMR6PI decided I would install my antennas in the attic. I felt like I would get more life out of the cables, antennas, and splitters if they were out of the elements. I wasn’t sure if the signal strength would be strong enough but I thought I would try it, and if it didn’t work then I could mount onto the roof.I installed the antennas in the attic and hoped I wouldn’t need the pre-amp or the powered splitter. The first thing I did was hook up a regular 4-way splitter and ran a channel search. All the desired channels came in, but the signal strength was too low and there was a lot of buffering. I decided to hook up the powered 4-way splitter and that increased the signal strength a bunch but still it was in the 65-70% range and that was not what I wanted. I then hooked up the pre-amp and boom! I had a 90% or more signal strength on all channels.I also made sure to use only RG6 coax cable and cut the cables to be as short as possible.Here are the RG6 cable tools I purchased.Cutter and stripper: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0099DIV4G/ref=sr_ph?ie=UTF8&qid=1420732747&sr=1&keywords=RG6+cable+toolsCable end compression tool: http://www.amazon.com/RG59-Connector-Waterproof-Connectors-Crimping/dp/B0050N0S36/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1420732747&sr=8-8&keywords=RG6+cable+toolsCable ends: http://www.amazon.com/PCT-TRS-6-Universal-Coaxial-Compression-Connector/dp/B00760VRCM/ref=pd_bxgy_hi_img_yI also used two mounts in the attic. They worked great. Here is the link: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000WOVD1Y/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1That’s it…that is all you need to get free OTA television. I was able to receive all the channels available in my market. WMAB 2/WMAE 12 (x.1 PBS/MPB, x.2 PBS HD, x.3 Create) WCBI (4.1 CBS, 4.2 MNTV, 4.3 The CW) W07BN-D (IND/TBN) WTVA (9.1 NBC, 9.2 ABC) W25AD (TBN) WLOV (27.1 Fox, 27.2 Me-TV, 27.3 This TV) W34DV/W39CA (UBN) WEPH (49.1 CTN)The best part of all this, was calling Directv and canceling my service.

This distribution amplifier was part of a recent antenna installation to achieve cutting the cord from satellite TV.I installed the Antennas Direct Clearview 2V on my house, but needed to install it on the roof on the opposite side of my home where the internal cables terminate (where my old satellite dish was previously installed). That original location was not an option due to the roof peak that would block a clear view to the local transmitter towers.This required running about 175 feet of RG6 coax from the installation location to the termination point in my garage. Under normal circumstances, this would likely be an issue for a good signal through a cable that length. But the transmitters are relatively close (within 20 miles as the crow flies) so even without the amplification, the tested signal was pretty strong. The addition of this Antennas Direct amplifier/distribution box allowed me to get a better signal and hook up three separate televisions without dealing with the cables embedded in the walls.After installation, I'm pulling in at least 65 channels on each set. I'm only having pixelation issues with a couple of channels that are offset in direction and about 50 miles from my home, but I believe adjusting the antenna just a bit to the north might pull them in better. I get all the major networks and their local sub-channels extremely well with an outstanding image on all.The primary reason for this installation is to have an OTA backup in the event we lost Internet access and cannot view TV on our streaming service (YouTube TV). This full installation will pay for itself after canceling the high monthly bill I paid for satellite.If you desire the amplification this unit provides, you will require access to A/C power nearby for the electrical plug.If you install one of these, make sure you add F-connector 75 Ohm terminators on any unused RF ports to eliminate any signal leaks. And be sure to properly ground this unit and the antenna itself.