Ok, some previous reviews were really negative towards this product. I purchased a 3 amp switcher power supply, in case the supplied wallwort quit.
My findings after installation: RCA did a good job on designing a low cost/good performance preamp/booster. **NOTE**: The preamps sole job is to amplify tv signal so as to overcome feedline loss. I have replaced my coax as part of my install with a high quality flooded type Rg6 coax. So far I have not had any problem at all with my RCA preamp and it had outperformed the channel master spartan I took down that I had for years. This unit has a fm trap to help with close fm broadcast transmitters, which I did switch on. I cannot coment on its ability to handle overload strong nearby tv transmitters, as I am located in a extreme fringe reception area. Overall I think RCA did a pretty good job. (Don't over tighten coax to the connectors) (hand tighten is sufficient). It's a good product that I found so far. I will do an update review later probably 6 months-a year to give a full honest review. 73 GOD bless. K5EWM.
UPDATE,:
RCA has done an amazing job in bringing an affordable/guallity product for consumers. Mine has been up now over 2 months and has performed flawlessly. I did puchase a replacement wallwort power supply @ 12 volts 3 amp capacity (switcher) to operate it should it fail. The supplied power supply is still going strong. When I put mine up I used a coaxial discharge unit that is grounded with it's dedicated ground wire and ground rod. This is for lightning protection. The unit bleeds off the static charge that builds up and the spike energy from a close strike. If the lightning is super close it will blow out the discharge unit, but at the same time saving the preamp from damage. Amazon has these discharge units and they work very well. Now in a direct strike; there is nothing that can be done about that. It becomes a non functioning crispy critter. (Blitzed) (junk). RCA designed this product to operate on 12 volts via the injector and wallwort.
Always use high quality coax feedline for less signal loss. I used a swept tested flooded Rg6 cable I made up off a spool (the good stuff). Being a flooded cable it doesn't assorb moisture leading to signal degrading and last a very long time. They said my cable was suitable for direct burial (not string trimmer proof) I didn't do that. RCA 👍 did a good job. Just don't over tighten the coax connectors/use good quality coax/ consider the use of antenna discharge units with ground rod & wire. Make certain when building a coax assembly feedline, be absolutely sure none of those small wires of the sheild can short the center conductor and blow out that wallwort power supply. Also very important; ( DO NOT LOCATE YOUR ANTENNA ANYWHERE NEAR POWER LINES) Let's be safe so we can enjoy all that wonderful free tv reception. Also it is a good thing to have a helper on an antenna project, and extra set of eyes to spot potential danger, and warn you of it and if a accident does happen they can call 911 if and when you can't. Be careful on ladders and roofs a fall from even a single story House roof can very well be fatal. Practice safety, it's for your own health and well being. Ok, I guess it's time to get off the soap box. Lol. Saftey-saftey-saftey in practice keeps you out of the hospital. 73 and GOD bless K5EWM.
UPDATE: I made a mistake in my previous installation. With the outdoor portion amplifier mounted, I didn't leave enough slack in the input and output coax cables. I'm using a very stiff flooded version of RG6 swept tested 75 ohm coax. I used vinyl electric tape to secure both coax to the mast. Over time the taps shrank, much like heat shrink tubing. This caused extra pressure against both the coax fittings in the bottom side of the outdoor booster amp. That caused the fragile connections to break internally to the amplifier. This was my fault as I didn't leave enough slack, and was worried about wind vibration causing fatigue and then failure of the connections.
I replaced both the power supply (indoor portion), and the outdoor amplifier portion, leaving more slack, so as not to repeat the same problem again. Anyone can make a mistake, including me. Lol.
Tv reception fully restored and working great now. When I get time I will checkout the outdoor unit to see if I can repair it. If so, there will be more to come. These inexpensive preamp boosters work pretty good, considering the price point. Off air tv signals can be pretty complex in extreme deep fringe areas, like I'm in, so large antenna array are necessary to ensure satisfactory results. The boosters sole job is to help overcome signal loss of the coaxial feed line. Adding more amplifier gain, won't do much to get more channels. Bigger antennas or stacking for more gain is a much better route to improved signal. Hope this helps someone out. 73 Earnest K5EWM.
Informational update:
I have had good luck with this product and it works very well considering it's price tag. **NOTE**; for my install, I already had a good quality amplified splitter to distribute TV signal via RG6 to other rooms of the house. Typically most non-amplified splitters have horrible loss in signal and then the cable runs to each tv in the home.
RCA has an inexpensive amplified splitter, using one of these instead of a non amplified splitter with killer signal loss can help out considerably to ensure you get signal sufficient to operate your tv and minimize signal loss in your multiple tv set installation. The RCA distribution amplifier isn't the absolute best money can buy; but for consumers trying to achieve tv reception goals on a budget, it's probably a game changer.
All tv booster/amplifiers do 1 thing only: ( amplify a weak signal to overcome signal loss in coax feed line run).
All boosters/amplifiers do generate noise (distortion) in the process of amplification. Now the lower the noise and higher gain is to the better.
RCA has put together products in their upper line that will do ok performance for most applications and do so on a reasonable budget. I am talking about their higher end tv antenna amplifier products only.
To really benefit and get high performance, the antenna must gather enough useable signal on its own to start with.
I started working with tv antennas and improving reception from age 12; I am 65 years of age now and held amateur radio operator license since 1976 to present. I try to convey my findings to give an honest review that anyone can understand and benefit from. Enough about me, I have tinkered with this stuff my whole life. Now about safety (yours); DO NOT LOCATE ANY ANTENNA OR MAST ANYWHERE REMOTELY CLOSE TO ANY POWER LINE EVER!
NEVER EVER ATTEMPT TO DO AN OUTDOOR ANTENNA PROJECT WITHOUT A HELPER. IF THERE IS AN ACCIDENT; THE HELPER CAN CALL 911 FOR HELP IF YOU CAN'T. SAFETY IS NUMBER ONE PRIORITY AT ALL TIMES! BE ABSOLUTELY POSITIVE CLEAR THAT WHEN USING LADDERS, THE LADDER IS SECURE AND WILL NOT SLIDE/BECOME DISLODGED OR NOT LOCKED INTO PLACE. ALWAYS HAVE YOUR INSTALL BUDDY LOOK THINGS OVER BEFORE THE JOB STARTS. CARRY NECESSARY TOOLS WITH YOU IN YOUR POCKETS, SO YOU CAN SAFELY COMPLETE THE INSTALL.
73 and GOD bless Earnest K5EWM.
New update after 3 years continuous service. This preamp booster amplifier is built by parent company that owns Audiovox. The model I have has the 12 volt switching wall watt power supply rated at 200 ma.
I use the fm trap to eliminate strong signal overload from a newly added FM broadcast radio station with pep transmitter rf output of 30kw. My tv antenna installation is less than 1/4 mile from the FM broadcast radio station transmitter and the FM trap is working well. 73 Earnest K5EWM.
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This Item  RCA TVPRAMP12E Digital Signal Preamplifier for Outdoor Antennas Black 5.90in. x 4.10in. x 3.90in. |  |  |  |  |  | |
| Price | -25% $29.99 List: $39.99 | -13% $69.95 List: $79.95 | -11% $79.95 List: $89.95 | $30.99 | $9.99 | $19.00 |
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| Customer Ratings | ||||||
| Sold By | ShopVoxx | a1-Components | a1-Components | ZS Cable | Amazon.com | Channel Master |
| impedance | — | 75 ohm | — | — | 75 ohm | 75 ohm |
Reviews with images
Technical review by Pete Higgins at HDTV Forum (excerpts)
I want to report my findings with my new RCA TVPRAMP1R Amplifier. This looks like one of the few remaining switchable dual VHF/UHF input, mast mounted, pre-amps. with a switchable FM trap.Manufacturer (for RCA) is VOXX InternationalRCA literature says :”Outperforms old preamps made for analog & preserves signal purity with Extremely Low Noise (ELN) circuitry” but doesn’t specify an actual NF. Other features listed include:Separate or combined inputs for UHF/VHF (switchable)Switchable FM trap reduces interference from FM frequenciesBefore I ordered it I contacted Audiovox Electronics (the company who makes them for RCA) and requested its specifications. I received the following information in an email.From Audiovox Electronics:The TVPRAMP1R is spec at: 16dB gain with a 2dB noise figure and 22dB gain with a 3dB noise figure.Thank you for using Audiovox ElectronicsA follow up email indicated they did not have any more data available.A technician @ Antennas Direct who goes by “ADTech” on the digital home web site had previously characterized this model around Christmas time and shared what he found on that forum. He has access to some pretty impressive HP test equipment for characterizing preamps. including an HP8569B Spectrum Analyzer & an HP 8970A Noise Figure Meter.Here is what he found for the RCA TVPRAMP1R:Low VHF - 3.9 dB NF/16 dB gainHigh VHF - 3.1 dB NF/16.2 dB gainUHF - 2.6 dB NF/23.7 dB gainI wasn’t bothered that the RCA didn’t quite live up to its published specifications. On the contrary, it came much closer than others –some of which I own.The supplied power brick is hard wired to the power inserter and is rated @ 12 VDC, 200 ma. Mine actually outputs 16.63 VDC. Output from the power inserter measured 9.50 VDC unloaded and 9.47 VDC with the amplifier connected. This is important to know because unlike my Winegard amps that have the voltage regulation in the mast head unit the RCA amp. has the regulation in the power inserter. For long cable runs or if you decide to use a different power supply/inserter you will need to insure 9-10 volts is delivered to the amp. I took mine apart to compare it to both of my Winegard preamps.I probably wouldn’t have bought the RCA TVPRAMP1R Amplifier if ADTech hadn’t indicated they bench checked pretty good (compared to other preamps. he’s tested), well that and the fact that it only cost $22.80 delivered. I owe him a debt of gratitude for all the work he’s done and for sharing his data.I connected my new RCA TVPRAMP1R Amplifier to my HDB8X & YA 1713 to give it a try. Voltage at the amplifier input measured 9.50 volts through 50’ of solid copper RG-6. I had it set for dual VHF/UHF inputs with the FM trap switched in. I wanted to first try it without the Antennas Direct FM band pass filter and the Channel Plus NF-471 channel 24-29 filter that I have to use to keep my Winegard AP-2870 from overloading to see how badly the new RCA overloaded. Boy was I surprised. It didn’t show any signs of overload!The NF-471 is designed to remove RF channels 24-29 but rolls off slow enough that at my location it also removes channel 30 (KPBS, 15.1 @ -96.3 dBm from San Diego) and channel 31 (KTLA, 5.1 @ -103.5 dBm from LA) plus channel 32 (KDOC, 56.1 @ -110.9 dBm from LA). So by just swapping out the AP-2870 with its required filtering I added channel 24 (KBEH, 63.1 @ -98.6 dBm from LA), channel 26 (KVCR, @ -15.60 dBm from Box Springs Mtn.), channel 30 (KPBS, 15.1 @ -96.3 dBm from San Diego) and channel 31 (KTLA, 5.1 @ -103.5 dBm from LA) plus channel 32 (KDOC, 56.1 @ -110.9 dBm from LA). Not sure why I couldn’t get channel 29 (KFTR, 46.1 @ -107.4) but it wasn’t there with my 91XG/PCT MA2-M combination either.I should probably be shot for what I tried next, but I pointed my CM-4228 towards LA and combined its output with the HDB8X and applied that to the UHF input. This should give me a further boost in signal strength probably >1dB & <3 db. While I can’t quantify how much of a boost in signal strength this gave me, it wasn’t enough to put the RCA into overload. Based on a sample size of one, and some less than scientific testing I conclude that the RCA TVPRAMP1R Amplifier is way more overload resistant than my Winegard AP-2870 and possibly even my single input Winegard HDP-269. The HDP-269 is specified for high signal environments but last year when I had mine connected to my 91XG/Y10 7-13 through a UVSJ it was overloading, which is why I switched that array over to PCT MA2-M drop amps.Finally, I disconnected the dual UHF antenna configuration and connected just my CM-4228 to the RCA’s UHF input. Subjectively, I couldn’t tell any difference between the two UHF antennas when used with the RCA preamplifier.I did feel like, on a channel-by-channel basis, my SNR’s were higher than with the AP-2870. Again, that’s very subjective and could be nothing more than propagation. Dealing with predominately 1-Edge & 2-Edge signals I experience a lot of day-to-day and even hour by hour variation in signal quality.The signals that I suspect overload both of my Winegard amps. are an FM station KOLA on 99.9 MHz @ -13.4 dBm and KVCR on RF channel 26 @ -15.6 dBm. Both stations are on Box Springs Mtn. ~ 3.5 miles from my back door. To make matters worse, I have to point my antennas right at them to get the LA stations.Based on one day of testing, I think this is a quality product that has shown good tolerance to overload.I'll try to add the pictures from Pete's review to the product data.
Top reviews from the United States
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Reviewed in the United States on October 9, 2020
Reviewed in the United States on July 28, 2014
In my home I have several rooms already wired with RG6 that run to a central TV box outside. My living room however does not run there as it's RG6 runs much shorter to the Dish Network Dish. I extended that cable to the central location where the CM3016 is mounted, and also one RG6 goes from the TV box to there as well, and all this is from a 4-way splitter up on the roof. This presents a couple of issues:
1) The main room has a short length and better signal off the antenna.
2) Therefore the other rooms which are getting, by way of a 2nd 4-way splitter, weaker signal.
Since most 4-way splitters have about a 7db drop, my run to the TV box was -14db loss, plus some more loss due to the long 100'+ run there, and then the individual runs to each room. I was not able to get KQEH very well in the bedroom due to this issue, but was getting it fine downstairs. This station is coming in from Mission Peak area, but on the backside of my directional antenna. This is where the [[ASIN:B003P92D9Y RCA TVPRAMP1R Preamplifier for Outdoor Antenna Performance Enhancement & Extension (use with ANT3038XR & ANT3036XR), Black]] comes in.
I mounted it using the included hardware to the mast, and cut a few more cables using some double shielded RG6, [[ASIN:B00BB3PQ6S Ideal 33-632 F Compression Tool]], [[ASIN:B00H4FUM66 Brand New Ideal Video Coaxial Stripper Rg59/Rg6]], and [[ASIN:B00FNX8V3C PPC EX6XLPLUS RG-6 Quad Seal Outdoor/Indoor Compression Connector, (Pack of 50) + Qty 5: F-81 F-Type PPC CF81GHZC 3GHZ Coax Barrels Coupler]]. I put a new [[ASIN:B0029U2XH2 WINEGARD TV-2900 82-Channel Weatherproof Transformer]] onto the CM3016 as well. I set the FM- Trap to off since I want to use it for FM reception and most of the channels in my area are UHF anyways. I also set it to the combined setting since I don't have a separate VHF antenna.
To properly pass the power from the power inserter from one of my rooms up to the preamp I switched out two 4-way splitters to a couple [[ASIN:B009Q8635S PcConnectTM F-Pin (Coax) Splitter, 4 way, 2 GHz 90dB, 1-DC Passing]]. These block power to 3 ports and allow it to pass up the one port where it's clearly marked. This could be a reason why some folks have had no results and given bad reviews. They may not know how to properly use the power inserter.
I have the cables from the Preamp going into one of the 4-way splitters. One output from there goes to the TV box where the other 4-way splitter is. Another output goes to a another regular 4-way splitter near the first one. This one is used to attenuate the signal another 7db and then have two outputs that are short runes. One to the living room, and one to the Patio for FM reception on a receiver.
Inside the main living room is another 2-way splitter. One feeds my HTPC with built in [[ASIN:B002HWRN9U AVerMedia A188 HD Duet - Dual ATSC PCI-E TV Tuner for Windows Media Center]]. The other feeds a [[ASIN:B00GY0UB6I SiliconDust HDHomeRun PLUS 2-Tuner ATSC DLNA/UPnP HD Compatible Streaming Media Player, HDTC-2US]].
I put the power inserter into the gym/extra room were I have an older HDTV LCD up on the wall. I was able to get about 14 more channels vs without the Preamp. The KQEH that I really wanted and couldn't upstairs comes in super clear. I was afraid that living in such a OTA signal saturated area a preamp would make the the already strong signals too strong, and tried to over come this by making sure to get -14db of drop through two runs through splitters, and it looks like the combo is very effective. I get nearly full strength on all channels now. I'm very satisfied with this preamp.
Works Perfect, Easy To Install, Maximizes Signal
Reviewed in the United States on July 28, 2014
I live in the East Bay of the San Francisco Bay Area. I'm about 26miles line of sight from Sutro Tower (NW of me) in SF, but some of the channels I want come off of Mission Peak area, 13mi to my SE. Being a bit in the middle I wasn't sure how to pick up both. I was able to get an old [[ASIN:B000SAKDLS Channel Master CM 3016 UHF / VHF / FM HDTV Antenna - 45 Mile Range (CM3016)]] antenna from my brother, and purchased a [[ASIN:B001DFS49U Winegard DS-3000 J Pipe Mount for Antennas]] to mount it.Reviewed in the United States on July 28, 2014
In my home I have several rooms already wired with RG6 that run to a central TV box outside. My living room however does not run there as it's RG6 runs much shorter to the Dish Network Dish. I extended that cable to the central location where the CM3016 is mounted, and also one RG6 goes from the TV box to there as well, and all this is from a 4-way splitter up on the roof. This presents a couple of issues:
1) The main room has a short length and better signal off the antenna.
2) Therefore the other rooms which are getting, by way of a 2nd 4-way splitter, weaker signal.
Since most 4-way splitters have about a 7db drop, my run to the TV box was -14db loss, plus some more loss due to the long 100'+ run there, and then the individual runs to each room. I was not able to get KQEH very well in the bedroom due to this issue, but was getting it fine downstairs. This station is coming in from Mission Peak area, but on the backside of my directional antenna. This is where the [[ASIN:B003P92D9Y RCA TVPRAMP1R Preamplifier for Outdoor Antenna Performance Enhancement & Extension (use with ANT3038XR & ANT3036XR), Black]] comes in.
I mounted it using the included hardware to the mast, and cut a few more cables using some double shielded RG6, [[ASIN:B00BB3PQ6S Ideal 33-632 F Compression Tool]], [[ASIN:B00H4FUM66 Brand New Ideal Video Coaxial Stripper Rg59/Rg6]], and [[ASIN:B00FNX8V3C PPC EX6XLPLUS RG-6 Quad Seal Outdoor/Indoor Compression Connector, (Pack of 50) + Qty 5: F-81 F-Type PPC CF81GHZC 3GHZ Coax Barrels Coupler]]. I put a new [[ASIN:B0029U2XH2 WINEGARD TV-2900 82-Channel Weatherproof Transformer]] onto the CM3016 as well. I set the FM- Trap to off since I want to use it for FM reception and most of the channels in my area are UHF anyways. I also set it to the combined setting since I don't have a separate VHF antenna.
To properly pass the power from the power inserter from one of my rooms up to the preamp I switched out two 4-way splitters to a couple [[ASIN:B009Q8635S PcConnectTM F-Pin (Coax) Splitter, 4 way, 2 GHz 90dB, 1-DC Passing]]. These block power to 3 ports and allow it to pass up the one port where it's clearly marked. This could be a reason why some folks have had no results and given bad reviews. They may not know how to properly use the power inserter.
I have the cables from the Preamp going into one of the 4-way splitters. One output from there goes to the TV box where the other 4-way splitter is. Another output goes to a another regular 4-way splitter near the first one. This one is used to attenuate the signal another 7db and then have two outputs that are short runes. One to the living room, and one to the Patio for FM reception on a receiver.
Inside the main living room is another 2-way splitter. One feeds my HTPC with built in [[ASIN:B002HWRN9U AVerMedia A188 HD Duet - Dual ATSC PCI-E TV Tuner for Windows Media Center]]. The other feeds a [[ASIN:B00GY0UB6I SiliconDust HDHomeRun PLUS 2-Tuner ATSC DLNA/UPnP HD Compatible Streaming Media Player, HDTC-2US]].
I put the power inserter into the gym/extra room were I have an older HDTV LCD up on the wall. I was able to get about 14 more channels vs without the Preamp. The KQEH that I really wanted and couldn't upstairs comes in super clear. I was afraid that living in such a OTA signal saturated area a preamp would make the the already strong signals too strong, and tried to over come this by making sure to get -14db of drop through two runs through splitters, and it looks like the combo is very effective. I get nearly full strength on all channels now. I'm very satisfied with this preamp.
Images in this review
Reviewed in the United States on May 30, 2015
Top reviews from other countries
Steve1972
Works great! Got 20-30% gains on all channels!
Reviewed in Canada on July 9, 2021
