reception problem (Richmond, CA)

[davygrvy]

Hi,

My report (http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%3d99004166dc43e6) shows KICU 36(36.1) is shadowed by the ridge to the south of me. The report also shows the relative level is 4dB down from KEMO from Santa Rosa which I can get just fine at around 83%.

Apparently, I'm below the threshold my Sony DHG-HDD250 (http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/model-home.pl?mdl=DHGHDD250&LOC=3) can detect for the antenna scan. UHF antenna is a 91XG (http://www.antennasdirect.com/store/91XG_HDTV_Antenna.html) at 18 feet off the roof on a rotator.

Times like this I wish I had an RF testset to see real 605MHz signal level whether it is worth trying a mast mounted preamp or not.

Should I try? Signals from Sutro tower come in very strong, could the preamp overload on these or overload my receiver?

[davygrvy]

I think I understand what 2Edge means now.

http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%3d99004166dc43e6%26t%3dDIGITAL%26n%3d24

[GroundUrMast]

The only two preamps I can suggest are an Antennas Direct CPA-19 and a Winegard HDP-269. The CPA-19 has a slight edge in noise performance. Both can take higher signal levels better than most other preamps.

But, yes, you're close to overloading if you turn the same antenna & preamp toward Sutro.

If you try it, only to find the amplifier overloads when force fed 16+ powerful signals, are you willing to install a fixed aim antenna dedicated to Sutro... leaving the rotating combo to chase down everything else? An RCA ANT-751 would be plenty of antenna if fixed on Sutro... A Winegard HD7694P would be a 'Premium' option in that roll. Use an A/B switch or auxiliary tuner to choose between the two feeds. http://forum.tvfool.com/showthread.php?t=2882

[davygrvy]

hmm..

I like the idea of a fixed on Sutro, but I have a height issue with the tree as it was causing some dropouts and crazy sensitive positioning with the old antenna at 10 foot. Not shown in the pic but I added a Y5-7-13 (http://www.solidsignal.com/pview.asp?p=Y5-7-13) Hi-VHF fixed on Sutro for 7(7.1) and 12(11.1) just yesterday. Another UHF there and I'll be fighting the same positioning problem (I think).

I'm a bit of an electronics hacker and was thinking of making a preamp to be gain switchable remotely.. maybe over CEA-909B (http://www.ce.org/Standards/Standard-Listings/R4-Video-Systems-Committee/CEA-909-B-(ANSI).aspx), DiSEqC (http://www.diseqc.org/) or something custom rolled.

I'm eyeing the 430MHz VHF GaAsFET preamp project in the ARRL Handbook ;)

[davygrvy]

after experiencing what 2Edge diffraction is with the FM antenna, this is going to be exceptionally difficult to solve.