If you’re asking how to check if antenna amplifier is working and dropped down to this article, you’re at the right place. You can either check it manually or with the help of a voltmeter/multimeter.
From your query I can guess you’re having issues with your antenna amplifier. Well, nothing to stress about. Antenna amplifiers often fail to work for some causes although they’re made to help you out with your TV signals.
In this article, you’ll find a step-by-step guide to check whether your antenna amplifier is working or not for your television antenna.
So, without further delay, let’s explore.
What Does An Antenna Signal Amplifier Do?
An antenna amplifier works just like glasses with lenses to help with your eyesight. Suppose, you see a bit unclear, glasses help you to see well. It also helps when you see totally blur with increased power.
Likewise when you have poor signal strength with your outdoor antenna, an antenna amplifier helps to get you strong signal quality. It also helps to get channels when you miss some of the channels because of weak TV signal transmission.
How Do I Test An Antenna Amplifier? – Step By Step Guide
Let me tell you the first thing. If your antenna reception is good enough and provides great quality experience there is no need to put on an antenna amplifier there.
When you see your antenna isn’t enough to serve you with quality TV, then you need an amplifier.
Now, let’s understand how to check if antenna amplifier is working with the step-by-step guide below.
1.Keep The TV On And Observe The Condition
Firstly you’ve to check the amplifier when the TV is on. Turn on the TV with the amplifier on. Let the TV run for a while. You can do a new channel scan too.
2. Check Signal Reception Quality Manually By Searching Through Channels
While the TV is on see if you can notice any poor reception. Go through some channels and see if there is anything wrong with it. If there isn’t any, your antenna and antenna amplifier is working just fine.
3. Touch The Antenna Amplifier While The TV Is On
If you notice a poor signal, keep the TV on and go toward the TV’s back. Look out for the antenna and the connected amplifier. Touch it and see if you can feel any warmth.
The amplifier should be hot enough to run. If you can feel it is cold then it might have gone bad. Or if it is too hot maybe it is burnt out and damaged.
4. Use A Voltmeter
Assuming if your amplifier is good or not just by touching is not really a scientific way, I know. That’s why you need a voltmeter.
Do not detach the amplifier from the TV setup. Take your voltmeter and connect it to the amplifier. See the voltmeter reading, it should be high enough as it claims in the package.
Antenna amplifiers catch the weak signals, amplify them and then transmit them to the antenna. Thus you get to enjoy your favorite TV program with great picture quality even though the station is far away.
Measuring your antenna amplifier will tell you about the power level your antenna amplifier is running with.
5. Run A Check Up With Antenna Amplifier Analyzer
If you don’t have a voltmeter you can also use an antenna amplifier analyzer or multimeter to check through. In fact, antenna amplifier analyzers can assist you better than voltmeters in this purpose.
Antenna amplifier analyzers are designed to read amplifier signals and power. When in use, it shows a graph that tells about your amplifier’s situation and if it is burned out or underheating.
Antenna Amplifier Not Working – Mistake Causes It To Fail
You’ve checked your signal booster a.k.a. antenna amplifier and found it at its best. But why is it still not picking up stations properly? Well, maybe you made the mistake that most people do while setting up antenna stuff.
It is choosing the wrong cable. You know you need a coaxial cable to set your antenna to the TV and the antenna amplifier to it.
Why You Should Be More Careful About Choosing The Cable?
While shopping for the TV or the antenna or the antenna amplifier people are ready for a good investment. But in terms of choosing the connection cable which is the coaxial cable, they’re highly reluctant.
Most people go for cheap coaxial cable as they are a very minor part of the whole TV setup. But guess what? A “wise cord cutter” won’t consider this decision a great one.
Which Type Of Coaxial Cable Should Use?
No matter how much you’ve spent for the antenna or the amplifier, if you choose the wrong coax then you’re dead done. Nothing is going to work for you.
By choosing the wrong coaxial cable I mean not choosing a pure copper central conductor wire.
The central conductor of a coaxial cable plays a big role in transmitting quality signals. There are mainly four types of central conductors you’ll find in the market.
Copper Clad Aluminum, Copper Clad Steel, Copper Clad Copper, and Pure Copper Central Conductor. Among all pure copper central conductors is the one you should choose.
You must avoid cheap coaxial cable which is mostly CCC ones, which have a lot of mixed brass material within. These are the cables that usually come with antennas or amplifiers in the box.
Spending a little more and sticking to a good coaxial cable like RG6 Quad Shield cable is going to save you a lot of headaches in the future for sure. So be wise while choosing the cable.
FAQs–
Why is my antenna booster not working?
The possible reasons for your antenna booster not working: maybe the model isn’t a decent one, the connection isn’t secured or you’re using a crap coaxial cable.
How do I know if I need an antenna amplifier?
Your need for an antenna amplifier depends on the signal issues. When cutting the cord and setting up the antenna, if you are getting all the channels you want and the reception is clear, you don’t need one.
However, if you are struggling to get the signals clear or missing out channels that come with very weak signals you need an antenna amplifier. It mostly happens when your broadcast tower is situated too far from your home.
Will an antenna work without the amplifier?
An antenna will surely work without an amplifier. The amplifier is there just to enhance the strength as a signal booster of your antenna signals. If the signals are strong on their own you won’t even bother to get an amplifier.
Wrap Up
As far as you have come I hope this guide on how to check if an antenna amplifier is working has helped you. Check your amplifier with an antenna amplifier analyzer or a voltmeter.
If everything is fine, look for the coaxial cable issues and fix them. After all this, you are good to go.
Do let us know your thoughts after applying the following guide above. Also, make sure to comment down below what you would like to hear from us next.