Labgear KIT415V-LTE Masthead 4-way Amplifier With Power Supply

Before I installed the Labgear KIT415V-LTE Masthead Amplifier, I was generally getting between 40% and 60% in terms of signal "Strength" across all tuning channels on my TV (using a high-gain loft aerial) ... although, all "Quality" readings did in fact come back as 100%. That is, apart from the new television station called 'Quest HD' (on tuning channel 37), which was not being received at all.However, after the installation of my new amplifier, I started receiving 100% for both signal "Strength" and "Quality" on every tuning channel on my TV. When measured through my HUMAX Freeview HD Recorder, on the other hand, signal "Strength" and "Quality" readings still generally came back impressive at well over 90% on all channels. Furthermore, and whereas before I was running only one television off the loft aerial, I have now split the aerial signal (via the Amp) over two televisions in separate rooms, and both TV's are now performing at 100% across all channels.I have left the Amp's variable gain adjustment on the Maximum setting, which is the condition in which it was received. It could very well be that I might have achieved the same increase in performance by lowering this setting. However, because the Maximum setting didn't create any unwanted artefacts (picture noise etc.), I decided to benefit from the maximum available boost. My way of thinking is that when we are subject to adverse weather or extreme atmospheric conditions, this shouldn't be enough to disrupt my viewing pleasure. I can now enjoy watching the Saturday football highlights (on 'Quest') in High Definition, instead of having to make do with the Standard Definition of old.This has been a very worthwhile exercise, and I can thoroughly recommend the product. It appears to be very well engineered, robust and built to last. The supplied Power Supply does not seem to get too warm, which is all the more good news. Simple instructions (as you'd expect) are of course provided. I am very happy indeed with my purchase.

Simple to install, just the thing for a under the roof Antenna. Improved the reception no end. A good buy.

I wanted to be able to send TV to several rooms but didn't want to go on the roof (as advised) to install. I just mounted this at ground floor level and then ran the extension cables from there To the front room, another under the floor to the downstairs back room, another upstairs to the front bedroom, looped to the back bedroom and another across the house to the other front bedroom. All work fine. The power supply has been reliable for the last two years.

Easy to fit. It just worked! Signal improved immediately. Adjusted the gain to about the middle of the dial and since it ain’t broke I have not fixed it.

Easy to install and good gain and performance.

Despite having a front end diplexer, your FM and DAB input will simply be split 4 ways, so rather than being amplified you'll be >6dB down. UHF works fine though.

Labgear describe this item on their website as a "2 In, 4 Out, 5 – 15dB Variable Gain UHF & VHF Masthead Amplifier". While this does amplify UHF signals, it most certainly does not amplify VHF - this is not made clear in the manual and you have to look on the unit itself to find that it imposes an 8.5dB signal *loss* on VHF signals. If you wish to distribute radio FM or DAB signals, then you need to look elsewhere since even a direct connection (bypassing this unit) will give better performance.For UHF signals, this unit didn't perform too well either - I used it on an aerial receiving strong signals from Winter Hill and weak signals from Storeton and Moel Y Parc, a challenging situation for any amplifier since the goal is to strengthen the weak signals without overboosting the strong ones. In this case, the amplifier only managed to equal the performance of the  Wolsey WFAV 225 LTE  at full boost when the Wolsey was at half - and this only for the strong signals from Winter Hill, with the weaker signals being lost. Only at minimum boost could the weaker signals come through, and then still too weak to receive. Given that the Wolsey cost £30 compared to the £35-40 price on this unit, that's another element in Wolsey's favour (though it offers 2 outputs rather than 4).However where this unit does score better is in its construction, with a well-sealed plastic case and a metal bracket for attaching to a mast (the Wolsey is well-sealed also, but relies on a thick cable-tie for fastening). An LED is present to show that power is being received. So in cases where the environment is particularly challenging, the higher cost and weaker performance of this unit might be tolerable.

Well designed with a separate UHF and VHF input providing extra functionality to this unit. Four outputs and the ability to increase or decrease the gain - makes this the definitive Masthead Amplifier on the market. The power unit is super neat and contains an LED power light (as does the masthead unit). Five Stars and In a word: superb!