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View Full Version : Should I be able to get this?

cnads
19-Nov-2012, 4:12 PM
i'm hoping that someone can help me out as I'm pretty new to this. I guess I'll start with a link to my report:
http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%3dcc4938cfa8e368 - I select "Only Digital - Pending applications included" as there is a channel in there that I actually get. (CBAT-DT/CBC on 31).

So here is my situation. I am hoping to get WAGM-TV/CBS on channel 8 but I am wondering if it is a lost cause. It is a long story about how I got to where I'm at lol so I won't get into that. But I picked up this antenna:
http://www.solidsignal.com/pview.asp?p=y5-7-13&d=antennacraft-y5-7-13-highband-broadband-vhf-hd-yagi-tv-antenna-for-channels-7-13-(y5-7-13)&sku=716079000987

And I got this preamp:
http://www.solidsignal.com/pview.asp?p=cm-7777&d=channel-master-cm7777-titan2-vhf/uhf-tv-antenna-preamplifier-with-power-supply-(cm-7777)&sku=02057207774

and I have 2 of these mast/extensions joined together to make one long one
http://www.walmart.com/ip/RCA-53-Antenna-Mast-Mount-Extension/14554632

I attached the antenna to the side of the house and pointed it at approx. 308 degrees wrt true north. I was just using the compass on my iphone so I figure it is not completely accurate. I don't get any signal. I've fiddled with it a bunch and got nothing. I have attached a pic of my setup as well as what it is pointing to. It is pointing pretty much directly into some power lines so I assume that, if nothing else, those would interfere with the signal. Is that correct? Originally I wanted to put the antenna at the high point of the roof but I went up there and felt like my life was on the line lol so this is about the best I am going to do I think.

On a related note, I first put my antenna in a room on the back of the house facing pointing out a window at roughly 145 degrees. I am able to get CKLT-DT/channel 9 without much trouble and CBAT-DT and CIHF-DT I can get with pretty much any piece of metal. I then planted the antenna on the mast outdoors pointing in the same direction and I can not get either CKLT-DT or CBAT-DT, so I am wondering if I did something wrong. The mast is metal and the antenna is connected with a metal clamp - could that be causing a problem or is that ok? I also attached a pic of the antenna sitting in the room where I can get a better signal then when it is outside that window. Right now that is where it is sitting. If I can't get WAGM-TV then I'd like a better solution on where to put the antenna so I can at least get CKLT-DT and CBAT-DT

This is a pretty long post so thanks for reading through it! I hope someone can give me some advice.
teleview
21-Nov-2012, 3:05 AM
Install the Y5713 VHF channels 7 thru 13 antenna above the roof in such a manner that reception is not restricted or blocked buy the roof or house to the , north west at 326 , south east at 163 degree magnetic compass direction.
Aim the Y5713 antenna at 326 degree magnetic compass direction.

Install the CM7777 , preamp , power injector , power supply , for the Y5713 antenna , Only.

The VHF Tv transmission/reception is Very Weak Signal Strength at your location. That is why the CM7777 preamplifier is only connected to the Y5713 VHF antenna.
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Install above the roof in such a manner that reception is not restricted or blocked buy the roof or house to the east at 90 degree magnetic compass.

Install a Antennas Direct Clear Stream 2 CS2 UHF channels 14 thru 51 antenna aimed at about 90 degree magnetic compass direction.

The CM7777 ->Will Not<- be connected to the CS2 antenna.
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At a location where the CM7777 preamp can be plugged in for power.

A UVSJ = UHF/VHF Separator/Joiner will connected at that location , the UVSJ requires no power , it is the location that is important.

The Y5713 antenna and CM7777 preamp , power injector , power supply will All be connected to/on the VHF input of the UVSJ.
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The Separate coax from the CS2 UHF antenna is connected to/on the UHF connection of the UVSJ.

The UHF Tv transmission/reception is Very Strong Signal Strength at your location , it so strong that a preamplifier will be overloaded , so no amplifier is connected to the UHF antenna.
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The third connection of the UVSJ is the output that goes to the Tv/Tv's.

For one Tv connected use no splitter.

For 2 Tv's connected use a common simple 2 way splitter.

For 3 Tv's connected use a common simple 3 way splitter.

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As for power for the preamp , power injector , power supply. Most attics have a electric power outlet , the coaxes and preamp and UVSJ can all be routed/installed into the attic. And then the coax to the Tv/Tv's can routed as required.

You remember the word ->Location , the location of electric power is what is important. It does not have to be the attic , but does have to be a location where there is electric power.
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For a example of what a UVSJ is , type these letters ->uvsj <- in the http://www.solidsignal.com search box.
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As always , trees and tree leaves do a real fine job of reducing or blocking Tv reception and so do buildings and other obstructions including your own house.

It is best to install antennas at a location that has the least amount to no amount of obstructions of any type or kind in the directions of reception including your own house.

The Tv/Tv's Must Channel Scan for the Broadcast Tv Channels , sometimes named the 'Air Channels' or 'Antenna Channels' in the Tv setup menu because the Tv transmissions travel through the air from the transmitting antenna to the receiving antenna.

DO NOT channel scan for cable tv channels.
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Here are some places to buy antennas and etc. , http://www.saveandreplay.com , http://www.trentondistributors.com , http://www.canadapost.ca/shopper , http://www.amazon.ca , http://www.solidsignal.com , http://www.amazon.com , http://www.antennasdirect.com ,
ADTech
21-Nov-2012, 11:12 AM
Background noise on VHF channels is common due to local power lines and other electrical distribution infrastructure. If it's present, it will wipe out the weak VHF signals from your northwest.

Unfortunately, it would take a spectrum analyzer to 100% identify if this is your reason for the "No reception" of WGAM's channel 8 signal.
cnads
21-Nov-2012, 2:35 PM
Background noise on VHF channels is common due to local power lines and other electrical distribution infrastructure. If it's present, it will wipe out the weak VHF signals from your northwest.

Unfortunately, it would take a spectrum analyzer to 100% identify if this is your reason for the "No reception" of WGAM's channel 8 signal.

If I am able to raise the antenna a bit more so that it is above the power lines (say 6 feet or so above them) and not pointing directly at them, will that get around most of the noise from the powerlines? Or do I need to be very far from them?

Thanks to both you and teleview for the info. I have some PVC pipe that I am going to use to try to raise the antenna as high as I can so that it is still stable and see if that gets me anything.
teleview
21-Nov-2012, 4:01 PM
Installing a Tripod antenna mount on the highest part of the roof and installing the antenna above the mount will most likely get the antenna above the power lines.

As always , falling off the roof is very close to zero fun , so do not fall off the roof.

A way to become acclimated to being on the roof is to get up on the roof and move away from the edge of the roof and - and sit down - up there for a long time , looking all around and getting a feel for being up there , then begin to move around.
Stereocraig
21-Nov-2012, 4:07 PM
Thanks to both you and teleview for the info. I have some PVC pipe that I am going to use to try to raise the antenna as high as I can so that it is still stable and see if that gets me anything.


I would NOT use PVC, unless it was sch80 and even then, not more than a few inches, as in just enough to clear a rotor.
cnads
21-Nov-2012, 4:17 PM
I would NOT use PVC, unless it was sch80 and even then, not more than a few inches, as in just enough to clear a rotor.

Yeah it doesn't seem too sturdy lol. I'm thinking of using just a few feet of it for testing. If it works out that I can get reception then I will invest in the proper mount.

Bad idea still? :)
Stereocraig
21-Nov-2012, 4:45 PM
Yeah it doesn't seem too sturdy lol. I'm thinking of using just a few feet of it for testing. If it works out that I can get reception then I will invest in the proper mount.

Bad idea still? :)

That antenna doesn't have much wind load, so testing should be OK.
It's just as they get longer, they're more susceptible to the wind, not to mention outgassing from UV over time. Depending where you live, maybe even ice loading.

Just don't get caught off guard by a sudden gust.
cnads
21-Nov-2012, 5:45 PM
Ideally I'd like to mount it to a high point on the roof and only use a 6 foot or so long mast. But I don't want to go through that until I know that I will be able to get reception.