Antennivõimendi

An antennivõimendi, often translated as an antenna amplifier or masthead amplifier, is an electronic device used to boost the signal strength of an antenna. This is particularly useful in areas where the television or radio signal is weak, often due to distance from the broadcast transmitter, obstructions like buildings or hills, or losses in long coaxial cables. The primary function of an antennivõimendi is to amplify the incoming radio frequency (RF) signals before they are processed by the receiver.

These amplifiers are typically installed as close to the antenna as possible, often on the mast or roof, to minimize signal loss in the cable connecting the antenna to the amplifier. By amplifying the signal at the source, the amplifier combats the degradation that occurs as the signal travels down the cable. This results in a stronger, cleaner signal reaching the television or radio, which can improve reception quality, reduce picture or sound interference, and allow for the reception of channels that were previously out of reach.

Antennivõimendid are commonly used in terrestrial digital television (DVB-T) reception, but can also be found in older analog television systems and for radio reception. They are available in various forms, with some designed for specific frequency bands or types of signals. It's important to note that while an antennivõimendi boosts signal strength, it cannot create a signal where none exists, nor can it fix issues caused by interference or signal reflections. In some cases, an overly strong signal amplified by a poorly chosen or faulty amplifier can also cause reception problems.