distance limitations with amplifier

[gerryhornick]

I was scheduled to have a new HD DVR installed this afternoon, but the installer says the new receiver's location is too far from the multiswitch-about 200 feet of coax length. I called DTV's tech support before I built the new building and buried two coaxes in 3 inch conduit. The techie told me that if the length was more than 150 feet, then an inline amplifier would be needed, but the signal strength would be fine. Now the installer says he thinks there's a problem, because the KA band won't work with an amplifier or an amplifier doesn't exist for both a KU and KA band. Yet, several amplifier manufacturer's websites advertise such an inline amp. Does anybody know the real story?

[ebms1]

I was scheduled to have a new HD DVR installed this afternoon, but the installer says the new receiver's location is too far from the multiswitch-about 200 feet of coax length. I called DTV's tech support before I built the new building and buried two coaxes in 3 inch conduit. The techie told me that if the length was more than 150 feet, then an inline amplifier would be needed, but the signal strength would be fine. Now the installer says he thinks there's a problem, because the KA band won't work with an amplifier or an amplifier doesn't exist for both a KU and KA band. Yet, several amplifier manufacturer's websites advertise such an inline amp. Does anybody know the real story?

there are amps that should help the situtation...i have some runs in high rises that are very long...dtv has to put the limitations on for what they feel is going to work & what might be a problem ...you might have unusual problems with the long run ... you will just have to accept that fact... you might be able to get them to do it if you fully accept that they wont be held responsible for it ....

[gerryhornick]

Well, the good news is the installer arrived yesterday afternoon and hooked up the new HD DVR. As mentioned previously, it was a long cable run of "high quality" RG-6 coax, and after measuring the accurate distance from the multiswitch to the receiver, we discovered the actual length to be 237'.

WOW! The signal strength came in about 85% on average, with many well above 90%. The multiswitch was not powered and no amplifiers were used. (By the way, this was on a cloudy day.)

Obviously, this result goes against conventional wisdom, so I suggest new installations with long cable runs be tested before any modifications be attempted.

Good luck on your new locations.