Just to add some technical info to the topic:
Looking at the
CM15A's receiver IC datasheet, the
typical sensitivity of the receiver is -98dBm and the
typical maximum input power is -35dBm.
From the measurements with a spectrum analyzer I have take for the
PalmPad (
in Re: Disarming DS7000 remotely?) the signal I measured with it situated directly beside a non-tuned (somewhat crude) antenna, was a
-28dBm signal.
Normally the remotes (or other RF transmitters) will not be that close to the antenna, so the received signal will be under the
-35dBm typical maximum level. But a
15dB amplifier could push it over the receiver's limit and cause reception problems. So basically, an amplifer will help distant signals, but any strong signal close to the receiver can cause problems.
So if you are going to try an amplifier, I suggest having some attenuators on hand and look for a happy medium from all your rf transmitters to the antenna. Also, you should use a
50-Ohm wideband signal amplifier instead of a
75-Ohm CATV amplifier. They cost a bit more, but if you are going to this length to create an
uber-reliable system,
why cut a corner here?