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Grab Bag => General Discussion => Topic started by: ibkurtbrown on November 15, 2012, 07:43:20 PM

Title: Going from 40-year-old antenna to projector
Post by: ibkurtbrown on November 15, 2012, 07:43:20 PM

I have a house, wired up with an big antenna in the attic. I borrowed a tv and used one of these adapters
altex.com/Assets/ProductImages/10-2280_lg.jpg

and it works great.

What I would like to do is cut one of the cables in the basement, install an adapter, and run it to another room.

Will this work? Do I need an amp of some sort?

Going into a projector. Suggestions for a tuner?

Thanks

Title: Re: Going from 40-year-old antenna to projector
Post by: Prop1 on November 16, 2012, 11:44:38 AM

I suspect the present wire is the 300 ohm flat stuff.  I would get one of the 75 to 300 ohm matching transformers: orvac.com/UserData/Images/Medium/248975.jpg

I would attach it to the antenna terminals and run 75 ohm coax and use a typical splitter for multiple TVs.  You'll get better reception and make connecting to today's TV easier.

Title: Re: Going from 40-year-old antenna to projector
Post by: ibkurtbrown on November 16, 2012, 04:59:59 PM

Thanks for the response.
So is that transformer different from the one I bought? I thought it was just male vs female. Are the guts different?

I was hoping to just tap into the line in the basement, convert it, and run it to the bedroom so I don't have to run coax from the attic to the basement (doesn't sound easy).

Title: Re: Going from 40-year-old antenna to projector
Post by: Prop1 on November 16, 2012, 08:06:09 PM

[quote author=ibkurtbrown link=topic=250.msg680#msg680 date=1353103199]
Thanks for the response.
So is that transformer different from the one I bought? I thought it was just male vs female. Are the guts different?

I was hoping to just tap into the line in the basement, convert it, and run it to the bedroom so I don't have to run coax from the attic to the basement (doesn't sound easy).
[/quote]

The old flat cable has about a 10 year life.  I suspect the wire's insulation is probably crumbling where you can't see it.  With luck you may be able to pull the old wire out and use it at the same time to pull the coax.  The transformer is the same as you have, but will allow you to attach it directly to the antenna terminals and then run coax from it.