Compatible booster for KUMA Cosmos TV Aerial?

jezmck
jezmck Forum Participant Posts: 4
edited September 2022 in Parts & Accessories #1

Hi all,

I bought a KUMA Cosmos Omni-directional TV Aerial from the CaMC shop, expecting it to work with the booster which was installed in our second-hand van, a Svensen ANPS 209 Distribution Amplifier, but it didn't.

The included little 12v amplifier works fine, but we have two TVs and I would like a neater install.

I bought a Labgear LDA102R 2-Way Distribution Amplifier, and it doesn't work with that.

I'm now nervous to buy anything else without hearing from someone who has actually got this Aerial working with a twin distribution amplifier.

Any advice will be appreciated!

 

 

Comments

  • Vulcan
    Vulcan Forum Participant Posts: 670
    edited September 2022 #2

    The Kuma Cosmos already has a 20db amp built in, you are probably providing too much signal if you are putting it through another amp. Just try a 2 way splitter to both TV,s.

  • peedee
    peedee Club Member Posts: 9,383 ✭
    1000 Comments Name Dropper
    edited September 2022 #3

    You could try the aerial direct into the Labgear distribution amp. This should be better than using a splitter. Labgear produce good low loss distribution amps, I have had a 4 way in use in my house for over 30 years and it is still  going strong.

    peedee

  • Vulcan
    Vulcan Forum Participant Posts: 670
    edited September 2022 #4

    I may be wrong but the way I read the original post was that he had done exactly that with the on board amp and then with the Labgear amp. 

  • peedee
    peedee Club Member Posts: 9,383 ✭
    1000 Comments Name Dropper
    edited September 2022 #5

    I read it as both the on board amp and the Labgear were conected in tandem hence too much gain and you were suggesting the use of a splitter instead of the Labgear.

    peedee

  • mickysf
    mickysf Forum Participant Posts: 6,474 ✭✭✭
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    edited September 2022 #6

    Omni directional aerials are not brilliant. They work well in strong signal areas, so can a coat hanger, but go to a site with less than a strong signal and they can perform very poorly, even with booster, particularly when you can’t change between horizontal and vertical polarisation as may be essential for good reception. Good directional aerials allow this.

  • peedee
    peedee Club Member Posts: 9,383 ✭
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    edited September 2022 #7

    But "the included little 12v amplifier works fine" unquote. Therefore the OP's problem was not the aerial.  Jezmck has two other amps, a Svenson and a Labgear,. What is not known for certain is how he was connecting them in circuit. Was there too much gain or not enough?

    peedee

  • mickysf
    mickysf Forum Participant Posts: 6,474 ✭✭✭
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    edited September 2022 #8

    There are so many variables at play here, location being one of them, then the polarisation of the transmitter. Now with an omni directional aerial reception is at best only good in good signal areas and their performance may well be interfered with from several signals from different transmitters. At least with a directional one you can reduce interference by pointing and polarising it accordingly.  The OP asked for any advice, mine would be that omnidirectional aerials are notoriously poor in certain circumstances, even with boosters/amplifying/splitting devices which can actually make things worse. It’s not an exact science! 

  • jezmck
    jezmck Forum Participant Posts: 4
    edited September 2022 #9

    Sorry for the delay in replying, and thanks for your time and thoughts. 

    I only ever used one amp at a time.

    I get zero signal from either, making me think that I'm trying to use the wrong kind of amp? Is that possible?

  • jezmck
    jezmck Forum Participant Posts: 4
    edited June 2023 #10

    For closure; I needed to be using both the antenna's amp and the distribution amp in series.

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