On Tue, 25 Nov 2003 19:20:10 -0500, "lbbs" lbbs @dadffo.ca wrote:

I am trying to improve my TV signal. right now I have an old (made in
1995) amplifier that is connected to an TV antenna (aprox 25feet high)
mounted on my house. My amplifier is rated at 2.5w and 0.025amp.

That rating is for how much power the amplifier USES. There is no
point in trying to improve upon that (it's pretty good as numbers go).

Old or new, if it works, it pretty much works like it came off the
shelf.

I would buy a newer amplifier if I thought it would help my signal. Fist of
all I am not sure if you can get a more powerful amplifier and whether it
would help my signal. Also, I am having trouble understanding the rating
system. I looked at a new amplifier at Radio Shack and the rating system
seamed to be different now. It was rated at 10dB and I believe it mention
something about frequency. Is it better to have a higher or lower dB
number in an amplifier?

Larger number means more amplification. Odd as it may seem (this is
technical stuff) 13dB has twice the gain as 10dB. 16dB has four times
the gain of 10dB and twice the gain of 13dB. Basically, each time you
add 3dB (to any number for gain) you get twice as much as before.

Can someone clarity these points to me. They
could not explain it to me at the store.

Second question is about buying one of those omnidirectional TV antennas
that look like a flying saucer. I believe they have a built in
amplifier. If I bought one should I use it in combination with my old
indoor amplifier? Thanks a lot for your help.

Deep-six that idea and stick with an amplifier with more gain.

However, before that, make sure you have
1. good, clean connections at ALL connections EVERYWHERE;
2. the antenna pointed in the right direction (turn it 360 degrees,
you might be surprised the signal comes from a direction you didn't
think would work).
or
3. add height if that is an option.

73's
Richard Clark, KB7QHC