Terk Indoor/Outdoor In-Line Amplifier

wide bandwidth for all terrestrial and satellite applications * digital TV-ready * waterproof F-connectors for safe outdoor use * high-quality die-cast aluminum housing * frequency response: 54-2150 MHz * impedance: 75 ohm matching for a better picture * slope compensated gain: +11 dB @ 54 MHz, +20 dB @ 2150 MHz * noise figure:

I bought this with the "cheaper with" selection on the Terk Technology TV-55 UHF/VHF HDTV Indoor/Outdoor Amplified Antenna. I'm using the antenna indoors and have a short run of cable to my TV. The signal booster made slight improvements on a few of my channels, but also degraded a few others. Since it appeared to help my stronger channels and hurt my weaker channels, I judged this was not the way to go for me. If you are going to mount this antenna outdoors or expect to have a long run of cable, your results may be better.

Signal strength to my dish receiver was 62 on the 110 satellite. Installed terk bia-20. Signal came in at 62. No change!

I'm sure that this is a fine amplifier under the right conditions, but there is little documentation provided which explains which kinds of equipment/situations are best for this product. Signal amplification is a complicated topic, but this amplifier didn't help reception of my satellite, or over the air tv signals in an urban area. Eventually I gave up trying to figure this thing out - better documentation would be much appreciated.

Nowhere is it mentioned in the product description or PDF data sheet that this device requires 12 volts DC (VDC) to 18.5VDC from your satellite receiver to operate, although the product package states this. Without a power source, the amplifier will NOT work and will likely reduce your signal. This issue appears to be the general reason for the negative product evaluations. If you're not using a satellite receiver that feeds 12-18.5VDC into the amplifier, then use an amplifier that comes with a power supply, such as the Motorola 484095-001-00 Signal Booster. (Since writing this, Amazon revised the product details to include a power source statement at my request.)

DON'T WASTE YOUR MONEY! I have Directv with HD (5 LNB) and the signal was low. Signal was less than 60% for some of the transponder signals which caused a choppy picture or no picture while watching HD. So I bought these to amplify my satellite signal. They actually attenuated the signal. The signal strength wasn't improved on the non HD receivers that I have as well. It didn't matter where I put them in relation to the dish and receiver.