Radio Shack Bi-Directional Cable Amplifier Owner's Manual

1 in 4 out Bi-Directional Cable / TV Amplifier

OWNER’S MANUAL — Please read before using this equipment.

The RadioShack Bi-Directional Cable Amplifier is ideal for long cabl e
runs or where additional signal level is needed to deliver clean video
signal from a single source to four receivers. The amplifier increases
the output signal up to 7dB to ensure that the receivers have a stron g
signal. This amplifier also has an unamplified reverse path to allow sig­nal to be sent from a video output for bi-directional communication, ca­ble modems, pay-per-view, and interactive TV. The amplifier’s gain
control lets you adjust the amplification to help minimize interference
an maximize picture quality.

WARNING:

this product to rain or moisture.

CAUTION:

NOT REMOVE COVER OR BACK. NO USER-SERVICEABLE PARTS
INSIDE. REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED PERSONNEL.

!

Cautions

adapter
Using an adapter that does not meet these specifications could
damage the amplifier or the adapter.

Always connect the AC adapter to the amplifier before you connect it
to AC power. When you finish, disconnect the adapter from AC power
before you disconnect it from the amplifier.

To reduce the risk of fire or shock hazard, do not expose

CAUTION

RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK. DO NOT OPEN.

TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO

This symbol is intended to alert you to the presence
of uninsulated dangerous voltage within the product’s
enclosure that might be of sufficient magnitude to
constitute a risk of electric shock. Do not open the
product’s case.

This symbol is intended to inform you that important
operating and maintenance instructions are included
in the literature accompanying this product.

:

You must use a Class 2 power source that supplies 9V
DC and delivers at least 100 mA. Its center tip must be

!

set to positive and its plug must fit the amplifier's

jack. The supplied adapter meets these specifications.

!

• This amplifier should be situated so that its location or position
does not interfere with its proper ventilation.

• This amplifier should be connected only to a power supply of the
type described in the operating instructions or as marked on the
amplifier.

• Do not attempt to defeat the grounding or polarization compo­nents of this amplifier.

• Power supply cords should be routed so that they are not walked
on or pinched. Pay particular attention to cords at plugs, power
receptacles, and the point where they exit from the amplifier.

• Wipe the amplifier with a damp cloth occasionally to keep it look­ing new. Do not use harsh chemicals, cleaning solvents, or strong
detergents to clean the amplifier.

• The power cord of the amplifier should be unplugged from the out­let when left unused for extended periods of time.

• Do not allow liquids to spill through the amplifier’s openings.

• The amplifier should be situated away from heat sources such as
radiators, heat registers, stoves or other appliances that cause
heat. Temperature extremes can shorten the life of electronic
devices and distort or melt plastic parts.

• If an outside antenna is connected to the receiver, be sure the
antenna system is grounded so as to provide some protection
against voltage surges, built-up static charges and lightning
strikes. Section 810 of the National Electric Code (NEC), ANSI/
NFPA NO. 70-1990, provides information with respect to proper
grounding of the mast and supporting structure, grounding of the
lead-in wire to an antenna discharge unit, size of grounding con­ductors, location of antenna-discharge unit, connection to ground­ing electrodes, and requirements for the grounding electrode.

• The CATV system installers attention should be directed to Article
820-40 of the NEC that provides guidelines for prop er grounding
and, in particular, specifies that the cable ground shall be con­nected to the grounding system of the building, as close to the
point of cable entry as practical.

SELECTING A LOCATION

Select a location for your amplifier that is close to your input source
and an AC outlet. You can mount the amplifier on a wall or other sur­face using #6 screws suitable for mounting in your location.

Warning:

Do not place the amplifier outdoors.

SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

•

Read all the safety and operating instructions before operating the
amplifier.

• Retain these safety and operating instructions for future refer­ence.

• Heed all warnings on the amplifier and in the operating instruc­tions.

• Carefully follow all operating instructions.

• This appliance should not be used near water, such as near a
bathtub, washbowl, kitchen sink or laundry tub.

To keep the amount of exposed cable to a minimum, you can place
the amplifier in your attic. To prevent interference, do not place the
amplifier within 6 inches of any other electronic device.

ROUTING CABLES

Route 75-ohm (RG-6 or RG-6Q) coaxial cable from the amplifier to
your input source and to each receiver.

Follow these hints when routing cable:

• Use only as much cable as is necessary to reach from the ampli­fier to the input source and receivers.

2001 RadioShack Corporation.

©

RadioShack and RadioShack.com are trademarks used by RadioShack Corporation.

All Rights Reserved.

• Do not route cables where they might be cut, crimped, or crushed
by normal activities.

• For the best appearance, route the cable through the attic and
walls, and terminate each cable in a wall mount box with an F­connector. Wall mount F-connectors, coaxial cable, and other
video accessories are available at your local RadioShack store.

MAKING CONNECTIONS

1. Connect coaxial cables (not supplied) to the amplifier terminal
using screw-on F-connectors.

• Connect the input source’s coaxial cable to the terminal labeled

.

INPUT

• Connect the receivers’ coaxial cables to terminals 1, 2, 3 or

located under

OUTPUT

used, attach the supplied terminators to any unused output.

Caution:

To prevent damage, do not use pliers or any other tool

to tighten screw-on F-connectors. Hand tightening is adequate.

2. Connect the other ends of the coaxial cables to the receivers and
input sources.

• To connect more than one input source to the amplifier, use a

high isolation A/B switch or video selector (not supplied, b oth
available at your local RadioShack Store) to switch between
the inputs.

• To connect the output from both the amplifier and another

source to the receivers, use a high isolation A/B switch at the
receivers.

Caution:

Never connect both an outdoor antenna and the output
from the amplifier to the antenna input of your TV or VCR without
using a high isolation A/B switch. Doing so could cause interfer­ence with other nearby receivers.

3. To provide additional grounding, remove a rubber foot and back
out the #6 grounding screw. Place a grounding wire (not supplied)
over the grounding screw and tighten the screw back into the
housing.

Caution:

This is an additional grounding method and is not to
replace the outdoor antenna system or cable system grounding
described in the safety instructions at the beginning of this man­ual.

4. Connect the supplied AC adapter to the jack in the side of the
amplifier.

5. Plug the AC adapter into a standard AC outlet. The amplifier’s red
power indicator lights when it has power.

6. Turn on every receiver connected to the amplifier.

. If all amplifier output terminals are not

SPECIFICATIONS:

Forward Path:

Operating Frequency Range..................................................................... 54–1000 MHz

Gain.................................................................................................................. up to 7 dB

Gain Adjustment Range.......................................................................................... 10 dB

Reverse Path:

Operating Frequency Range .......................................................................... 5– 40 MHz

Insertion Loss ........................................................................................................... 9 dB

Adapter Input Voltage .......................... ............................................................ 105–135V

Power Usage ........................................................................................................... <2W

Power Line Frequency ............................................................ ......................... 50–60 Hz

Dimensions (HWD) ............................. 1 ½ × 3 ¾ × 5 ½-Inches (3.81 × 9.53 ×13.97 cm)

Weight ................................................................................................ 7.36 oz (208.65 g)

Specifications are typical; Individual units might vary. Specifications are subject to change
and improvement without notice.

4

Limited Ninety-Day Warranty

This product is warranted by RadioShack against manufacturing defects in
material and workmanship under normal use for ninety (90) days from the
date of purchase from RadioShack company-owned stores and authorized
RadioShack franchisees and dealers. EXCEPT AS PROVIDED HEREIN, Ra­dioShack MAKES NO EXPRESS WARRANTIES AND ANY IMPLIED WAR­RANTIES, INCLUDING THOSE OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS
FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, ARE LIMITED IN DURATION TO THE DU­RATION OF THE WRITTEN LIMITED WARRANTIES CONTAINED HEREIN.
EXCEPT AS PROVIDED HEREIN, RadioShack SHALL HAVE NO LIABILITY
OR RESPONSIBILITY TO CUSTOMER OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR EN­TITY WITH RESPECT TO ANY LIABILITY, LOSS OR DAMAGE CAUSED DI­RECTLY OR INDIRECTLY BY USE OR PERFORMANCE OF THE
PRODUCT OR ARISING OUT OF ANY BREACH OF THIS WARRANTY, IN­CLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ANY DAMAGES RESULTING FROM IN­CONVENIENCE, LOSS OF TIME, DATA, PROPERTY, REVENUE, OR
PROFIT OR ANY INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, OR CONSEQUEN­TIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF RadioShack HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POS­SIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.
Some states do not allow limitations on how long an implied warranty lasts or
the exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages, so the
above limitations or exclusions may not apply to you.
In the event of a product defect during the warranty period, take the product
and the RadioShack sales receipt as proof of purchase date to any Ra­dioShack store. RadioShack will, at its option, unless otherwise provided by
law: (a) correct the defect by product repair without charge for parts and la­bor; (b) replace the product with one of the same or similar design; or (c) re­fund the purchase price. All replaced parts and products, and products on
which a refund is made, become the property of RadioShack. New or recondi­tioned parts and products may be used in the performance of warranty ser­vice. Repaired or replaced parts and products are warranted for the
remainder of the original warranty period. You will be charged for repair or re­placement of the product made after the expiration of the warranty period.
This warranty does not cover: (a) damage or failure caused by or attributable
to acts of God, abuse, accident, misuse, improper or abnormal usage, failure
to follow instructions, improper installation or maintenance, alteration, light­ning or other incidence of excess voltage or curren t; (b) any r epairs oth er than
those provided by a RadioShack Authorized Service Facility; (c) consumabl es
such as fuses or batteries; (d) cosmetic damage; (e) transportation, shipping
or insurance costs; or (f) costs of product removal, installation, set-up service
adjustment or reinstallation.
This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other
rights which vary from state to state.
RadioShack Customer Relations, 200 Taylor Street, 6th Floor, Fort Worth, TX

We Service What We Sell

76102

12/99

7. Use a flat-head screwdriver to adjust the amplifier’s

GAIN

control

until you get the best picture.

In extremely long cable runs (distances over 200 feet between

Note:

your outdoor antenna and the rest of your syste m), additional amplifi­cation might be needed. Your local RadioShack carries a variety of
signal amplifiers.

06/2001
15-1197 Printed in USA