madpoet said:
Hey Sat... I'll refrain from some of the mildly sarcastic crap I was going to say to you and just tell you to stuff it. Diplexers DO make a difference in signal quality. If you are in a fringe area, it can be the difference between getting and not getting a channel. You seem to assume that everyone is going to get this Sensar OTA antenna when in fact most local installers for Voom are given an antenna allowance and seem to buy whatever the heck suits their fancy. For instance, I have a Wineguard 7084P. There is absolutely nothing wrong with requesting (or even demanding) seperate runs as long as you understand the reasons behind it.
-MP
Respectfully, you are wrong, installers do not have an open book or allowance as to what antenna is used. They have to have approval from Installs Inc and VOOM. There is a specific platform they must go through to get approval and expect to get paid to upgrade the antenna. Don't tell folks they have some certain expectation to demand separate cables for the OTA. They don't, and who made you the authority anyway to even suggest that. Did VOOM give you some "crown" to wear and set that expectation? NO, then keep that opinion to your self because it's not your money and it's not in the scope of work either for the installers, per VOOM!
Some installers might and others will stick to the book and not run separate cables. Installs Inc/VOOM does not require the installer to provide or automatically include 2 cables in the install. I know some of you were sent your email that said different, that was then and it was misprinted, according to VOOM last month.
As far as the diplexers make a difference in signal quality; sure in some extreme cases where the OTA signal is so low anyway, any insertion loss can be a problem. If you start with crap you still have crap right? Nobody said a diplexer will IMPROVE signal, but it will not adversly affect it if the starting signal is good to begin with.
Diplexers have been around for over a decade and millions have been sold and installed and work as designed. I've had the same diplexers on my DTV system since 1995, NO PROBLEMS, so please don't tell me, mr. madpoet, that diplexers are BAD, you don't have a true understanding of signal pathways and how db insertion is calculated and what db starting and ending values have as an effect of over all signal.
Are you disputing the already successful installations using diplexers?
There are far fewer installation that diplexers MAY cause any problem.
Most of the post of diplexer issues are from what I can see is the installer who didn't know what he was doing and that feeds guy's like you to become "experts". I've been doing this for over 18 years my friend, and I've been there and done that thousands of time more than you.
I respect your opinion as to tell me to stuff it, but before you do, you have recommended others to refer to Wilt to help out or clear a question and Wilt is after all, the "VOOM God", ask him his opinion on this and tell him to stuff it too, after he confirms what I've been posting. Wilt's part of the design team that makes or consults on some of these decisions to use what parts, and how it gets installed.
How many installations have you done to make you an expert? I'm a level 3 (highest level, full commercial rated) SBCA certified installer.