Channel Plus DA-500A 18 dB RF Amplifier

Considering that the first unit might have been defective, I obtained a replacement which performed exactly as the first. Both provided no alteration of the input signal, weak or strong, across the UHF DT channel range, either amplification or attenuation. The case is streamlined and with cooling fins, making for a lovely appearance, and was slightly warm to touch when energized. However, those features provided no functional advantage.A post script: I have since become more aware of the difference between signal data rate and signal amplitude. This unit, it appears, works its magic on the signal amplitude, but it cannot do anything about the data rate which, evidently, was what my meter was measuring. The unit may be working wonderfully as a signal amplifier, but that does not provide much help if the data reaching the antenna is impaired. I was able to remedy my problem by moving my antenna, a solution that was not immediately obvious to either me or the TV station technician I was consulting.

Bought this unit for new home construction. This was my first foray into "Structured Wiring."This is a sad comment on today's society, but my friend wanted provisions to support 8 TV's in her new house! (Maybe more.) Yikes! I knew I was going to need an amplifier.She has cable TV and Internet from the same provider. Since my Master's in Electrical Engineering was in Communication Theory, I know you're supposed to put an amp as close to the signal source as you can for lowest noise. However, in this situation, I have a long run of RG-6 Quad from the demarcation box to the central wiring panel. I would have tried putting this amp near the demarc box, but I purposely bought this amp because it's uni-directional, and I don't think that will play with the cable modem (which is bi-directional). Beside, you want all your equipment in one place in the house for troubleshooting, UPS, climate control, etc.So I go Demarc box to a 2 way splitter. IIRC, I think we're at +3dBM once we get the cable signal to the panel, but don't quote me on that. One side of the splitter goes to the cable modem so it can talk back to the cable company, the other side to this RF amp. The output of the RF amp goes to an 8 way splitter and from there in the panel to the various TV's throughout the large house. (RG-6 Quad everywhere.)It works well. I don't see any evidence of noise on an analog TV at the far end of the run at cable channel 70. Other TV's are a Digital HD that uses a set top box for 1080 and a Digital 760 that picks up the digital signal raw off the cable.As I said, I purposely bought this amp because it's uni-directional. Call me paranoid, but I didn't want the cable company spying on us, so I didn't want to send a signal back to them. That means we can't use Pay per View or any other type of interactive TV, which we don't use anyway. We had unrelated trouble with a bad cable box from the cable company in the beginning, and the tech at the office said she couldn't get a ping back from the box. So I know this scheme is working.If you mount this amp in a smart box, you may want to buy some 90 degree F connectors RiteAV - Coax F-Type Right Angle Adapter to make your coax flow better. We couldn't close the door properly until I did this because the input and output stick out perpendicular to the unit.It's been operation for nine months now. Working fine.(If you like the way I write, maybe you'll hire me? Please leave a comment.)

It transmits a very bad 60 Hz RF hum on my AM Radios . The radios are not attached to the unit. I took the radio outside, and the hum was still there. The RF interference could probably upset the neighbors also. I talked to the manufacturer, and they told me that this is something that it can do, and there is no getting around it. I was using it as a distribution amplifier for my off air UHF and VHF TV antenna signal.

It worked but not the gain i was looking for.

Great amplifier for outlying areas.Make sure you know why you need one of these.No other option for many.

This amplifier did not bring reception in clear their was a lot of snow and picture was fuzzy out of focus tv was newt would like to return. Please advise maryyppp

I would give this NO stars if I could!! I hooked this up and LOST channels. Its worthless and especially for $50. I returned it already! DON'T WASTE YOUR MONEY

This has been working just great for over a year. It is pushing an attic antenna's digital TV signal all of the way through to the basement (at least 25 feet of cable) where it is boosted by another (unknown brand and model) unit into the cable splitters to feed the entire house.I have absolutely no complaints with this unit.