MS-2002 - Will another amp hurt?

Question:

I have the MS-2002 installed and have fairly reasonable reception for being 48 miles from the major antennas. Most of the signal is orange at 4 bars and a couple at 3 bars. My question is, is it possible to amplify the MS-2002 with another amplifier maybe the AP-8275? I know a pre-amplifier is already built-in but I'd like to boost the few weaker stations. Will adding another pre-amplifier to this antenna damage any of the components?

Tech Tip:

Adding another amplifier may or may not help. If you wish to try another amplifier use an HDA-100. It is possible to over amplify the strong channels and get too much signal for the digital tuners to handle. However if that happens you can just remove the HDA-100 and nothing will be harmed.

FT-7500 - Stop FM interference

Question:

One of my local VHF stations just went digital and I'm having trouble receiving it. They tell me that they are the only VHF digital signal in our area and that the FM Radio Station signals are stepping on their signal and my indoor digital antenna won't discrimanate between the signals. I think I need an antenna with a trap to keep out Radio signals. Is this true?

Tech Tip:

I would suggest that you install a Winegard FT-7500 FM trap between the antenna and your digital TV set. It is designed to help stop FM interference.

Star Choice Becomes Shaw Direct

CALGARY, ALBERTA -- (Marketwire) -- 04/15/09 -- Shaw Communications Inc. (TSX: SJR.B) (NYSE: SJR) announced today that Star Choice, the direct to home satellite subsidiary of Shaw, has been renamed Shaw Direct. The move builds upon the extension of the brand in 2007 to include the divisions of Shaw Tracking, Shaw Business Solutions and Shaw Broadcast Services.

"The renaming of Star Choice to Shaw Direct allows us to continue to offer our customers the same outstanding service while aligning all of our product and service offerings under one single brand," said Peter Bissonnette, President, Shaw Communications Inc. "This will help us strengthen the Shaw name from coast to coast."

Customers can still contact Shaw Direct through the existing website, phone numbers and email addresses, which will all be automatically redirected.

For more information on Shaw Direct, visit SHAWDIRECT.CA.

About Shaw Communications Inc.

Shaw Communications Inc. is a diversified communications company whose core business is providing broadband cable television, High-Speed Internet, Digital Phone, telecommunications services (through Shaw Business Solutions) and satellite direct-to-home services (through Shaw Direct). The Company serves 3.4 million customers, including 1.6 million Internet and 700,000 Digital Phone customers, through a reliable and extensive network, which comprises 625,000 kilometres of fibre. Shaw is traded on the Toronto and New York stock exchanges and is included in the S&P/TSX 60 Index (TSX: SJR.B) (NYSE: SJR).

Contacts:

Shaw Communications Inc.

Investor Relations

Email: Investor.relations@sjrb.ca

Winegard Company Adds Video Selection to Website

BURLINGTON, Iowa – April 20, 2009 – Winegard Company has added a new video library to its website at www.winegard.com/videos. The site currently includes three videos, aimed at both mobile satellite and home antenna consumers and dealers, which serve to provide installation and troubleshooting tips and answer questions.

“The video library is an excellent way to provide our customers with training and information on Winegard products” said Aaron Engberg, director, mobile products division. “We will continue to add to this video library as new topics surface, in an effort to help make our products easier to use and understand.”

Current videos are: Troubleshooting Phasing Lines; Troubleshooting a Winegard Power Supply; and Setting up a Winegard Carryout™ Portable Satellite TV Antenna. To view the videos, visit www.winegard.com/videos.

New videos including the Winegard Wingman™ will be posted soon so be sure to check back.

About Winegard

Winegard Company has been manufacturing quality television and radio reception products for more than 50 years. Headquartered in Burlington, Iowa, Winegard enjoys a worldwide reputation that is based on many industry “firsts,” including the all-channel “Yagi” TV antenna, 82-channel antenna, antenna mounted preamplifiers, antenna amplifiers, the anodizing process, perforated aluminum satellite antenna and the RV television antenna, among others.

Winegard Company currently manufactures and markets four distinct product lines:

• Mobile Television Reception Products: Recreational vehicle, truck, marine, and automotive applications. Digital and HD satellite TV antennas ranging from manual crank-up models to fully automatic stationary and in-motion systems with GPS/DVB. DTV and HDTV bi-directional and omni-directional over-the-air antennas. Ground Antenna Mounts and Accessories.
• Satellite TV Antennas and Mounts: Residential antennas ranging in size from 46 cm to 1 meter, including mounts and accessories.
• Over-the-Air DTV/HDTV Antennas: DTV and HDTV VHF/UHF/FM TV Antenna Systems, Distribution and Preamplifiers, Power Supplies and Accessories.
• Telemetry: Medical and Data Antenna Systems, Distribution Amplifiers, Power Supplies and Accessories.

For technical product questions, contact Winegard Customer Service at 800-288-8094 or visit www.winegard.com; for additional downloadable press releases and images, visit Winegard's online pressroom, www.editorpressroom.com/winegard.

Where do I find antenna patterns?

Question:

We are looking at buying a Winegard antenna we need to see the antenna polar patterns as we are working in a signal rich environment. Where can the patterns be found?

Tech Tip:

The specification sheets for the Winegard antennas can be found on http://www.winegard.com/ under HDT Home Antennas. Just go to the model of antenna you are interested in and click on Spec Sheet.