Looking for a stronger signal

[gla_guy]

If you install TWO or more dishes (let's say two 1.1mt. dishes) looking to the same satellite, is there a way to combine the signals to make it stronger?
Is there any other way to amplify the signal?
This is for the people in fringe areas like me...

[Fro]

Basically the bigger the dish the better the reception. You have to receive a decent signal before you can amplify it.

[vampire]

Line amplifiers are the only way to increase signal level. If you have an extremely long cable run to the reciever you can insert a line amp to increase the signal as much as 20 Db. BEWARE line amps are designed to boost signal as it gets it. They CANNOT be installed too close together or in a system that does no need the boost as they will OVERDRIVE the signal resulting in VERY bad pic or audio. What is your actual problem (that makes you think you need an amp)???

[smack]

Install the line amp as close to the antenna as possible. The amplifier cannot discriminate signal from noise, so it'll amplify the noise as well as the signal. If you feed it a clean signal, it will amplify the clean signal.

When I say "as close to the antenna" I mean put the amplifier in as soon as possible after the cable comes into the house. If you're using a long cable (greater than 75-100 feet) from the antenna, try to rig up a water-tight enclosure out nearer to the antenna (or seal the amp in goo).

FWIW

Scott

[Shakes]

Good advice smack, I love the seal it in goo...LOL. But would the "goo" cause heat problems with the amp??? Just curious..

[smack]

Well, you don't have to seal the whole thing in goo....just the cable ends if it's in a semi-protected place (like under the overhang in the roof).

An old ham radio trick is to get some tupperware-like container, drill holes in it, run the cable trough to the device inside, then seal the holes with goo (RTV/bathtub calk, etc). Maybe even mount the container with a few screws if you have a good spot.

There should be one or several small hole on the bottom to allow some airflow (helps prevent rust / corrosion).

Even if it's completly covered, I don't think the amps are likely to heat up...it's just a pain to do any further work on 'em when they're covered with cable snot.

So there ya go.....

Scott