My first FTA installation

[mchomicz]

I am about to perform my first FTA install and after doing some research (including searches on this forum) I still have some things I'm wondering about:

1. I will be using an Invacom SNH-031. It has an amber window on it. It does not appear very "weather proof." Is that window supposed to be covered with something or should I be mounting the LNB as is?
2. I will have a 100 to 150 foot cable run. On a similar length cable run that I use for Over The Air HDTV I have an inline signal amplifier (RadioShack http://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?catalog_name=CTLG&product_id=15-1170 ) Without it I my signal drops quite a bit and some channels don't work at all (although I'm using a quad shielded cable - which I understand has higher attenuation; so I might not need the amp had I used double shielded cable instead). Questions:
a. what cable should I be using for my FTA setup: quad or double shielded?
b. should I be using an inline signal amplifier?
c. if so - what kind? The same RadioShack product? Or are there some other amplifiers specifically designed for frequencies used by satellite signal? Links would be great.

Help and any suggestions you may have would be very much appreciated.

Thank you,
Michael

 

[Wholeshoe]

1. I think the LNB should work as is.

2. Quad shield or double shiels should not matter, what does is using a quality cable preferrably RG-6 or RG-11.

3. Inline amplifiers are avaiable but I have not had much luck with one, the not only amplify the wanted signal but the noise too, plus the add a little noise of their own.

 

[Mr Tony]

1. the LNB should be fine. Thats how they're manufactured
2. 150 feet should be fine. I have a few 100-125 foot runs and its fine
2a. I use RG-6 cable...don't need the quad shield
2b. I'd avoid amplitfiers...not worth it in my mind