100 miles

[TheRaven]

Hello he is my fools report


http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%3d1dda1b2e2dfc04

I asked for help here and got it.

http://forum.tvfool.com/showthread.php?t=13247

My only problem i want to catch channels located 85 miles from me.

CBS,NBC,FOX,ABC.

My current cheap testing unit works great but is limited to 50 miles it seems. So is there something you recommend that will catch stations at 80 to 90 miles.


Thanks in advance.

[RhinoRunnin]

Get an antenna recommendation from :

http://dennysantennaservice.com/antennna_recommendation.html

[GroundUrMast]

Consider the Winegard HD7698P and an RCA TVPRAMP1R preamplifier. Use 149° (mag) as a starting aim point.

Rather than combining the existing and new systems, consider this option, http://forum.tvfool.com/showthread.php?t=2882.

[TheRaven]

Consider the Winegard HD7698P and an RCA TVPRAMP1R preamplifier. Use 149° (mag) as a starting aim point.

Rather than combining the existing and new systems, consider this option, http://forum.tvfool.com/showthread.php?t=2882.

The winegard unit only has a 60 mile range. Does that mean the RCA preamp will boost it beyond 80 miles

[ADTech]

"Ranges" are generally just estimates or generalizations from the marketing department.

Analyzing actual signal paths allows the experienced to adjust expectations and select an antenna that's most likely to do the job based on that technical analysis

[Stereocraig]

The winegard unit only has a 60 mile range. Does that mean the RCA preamp will boost it beyond 80 miles


ADT is right.

I had a 7698p and was able to receive stations from Wisconsin, to lower Northern Michigan and Indiana, w/ ease, consistently.

Then again, I suppose there may be instances where it would have trouble at 40 miles.
It's a slope, not a direct cutoff.

The 91XG seems to be every bit as good.

[ADTech]

Does that mean the RCA preamp will boost it beyond 80 miles

No, that is a false premise. There is no such simple correlation.

[TheRaven]

Thanks for the reply. I understand the distance might be for marketing but why not try something really better then my current units with it's 50 miles. Example the CHANNEL MASTER CM-5020

160km (100 mile) digital and HD reception range
VHF reception range: channels 2 through 13 up to 160km (100 miles)
UHF reception range: channels 14 through 69 up to 96km (60 miles)


I just don't want to spend another 100$ on something that might or might not work. All those items cannot be returned or simply not worth the shipping cost to return.

Thanks again

[GroundUrMast]

Reputable companies such as Antennacraft, Antennas Direct, Channel Master and Winegard offer performance data that include gain expressed in decibels (either dBd or dBi) which can help far more than any marketing department claim when trying to understand what sort of performance to expect from a product.

May I suggest that you completely ignore the mileage values offered by people selling antennas. The mileage figures are not based on a standard. As other have already said, these marketing clams can be based on anything from a well informed and honest generalization to a flat out lying attempt at deceiving you so that you'll by a piece of trash. Case in point, as I write this, the ad in the side bar is for a "150 Mile Antenna" well known to fall apart quickly and provide poor performance during it's short life.

[TheRaven]

Thank you i will start looking at those companies and look for a strong db. To maximise my chances of reaching my 85 mile goal :)

[GroundUrMast]

My suggestion of the HD7698P is based on the fact that WVNY is broadcast on real CH-13, a High-VHF channel. The 7698 has intentional support for UHF and H-VHF reception designed into the antenna.

An alternate solution that would slightly exceed the single combination antenna's performance would be an Antennas Direct 91XG + Antennacraft Y10713 + RCA TVPRAMP1R.

The CM-5020 is close to the same level of performance, but includes the long elements needed for Low-VHF reception. I don't see that feature being of use to you at this time.

[TheRaven]

Again thank you for the help. I found this locally "Channel Master CM 7777 Titan2 VHF/UHF Pre amplifier with Power Supply" I will try it with my current setup to see if i have any difference in reception. The HD7698P is almost 200$ from amazon.ca. Thesource.ca carries channel master products can you recommend one from those listed

http://www.thesource.ca/estore/search.aspx?page=1&language=en-CA&keywords=channel+master&pagenum=0&refine=y&Category=Outdoor+Antennas

Sorry i am not trying to ignore the recommendations but getting something locally will help with return if needed.


Thanks again for all your help GroundUrMast

[Stereocraig]

Again thank you for the help. I found this locally "Channel Master CM 7777 Titan2 VHF/UHF Pre amplifier with Power Supply" I will try it with my current setup to see if i have any difference in reception. The HD7698P is almost 200$ from amazon.ca. Thesource.ca carries channel master products can you recommend one from those listed

http://www.thesource.ca/estore/search.aspx?page=1&language=en-CA&keywords=channel+master&pagenum=0&refine=y&Category=Outdoor+Antennas

Sorry i am not trying to ignore the recommendations but getting something locally will help with return if needed.


Thanks again for all your help GroundUrMast

I'm all for supporting the local guys too, even if it costs me a bit more.
The thing w/ antennas though, is that they can be tricky to fold back into their packaging state.

[ADTech]

You can try the CM4228HD, but it's performance on channel 13 is going to be a question mark until you get it installed.

If you want to try a CM pre-amp, try the CM7778, not the CM7777 which is too likely to overload something.

[TheRaven]

You can try the CM4228HD, but it's performance on channel 13 is going to be a question mark until you get it installed.

If you want to try a CM pre-amp, try the CM7778, not the CM7777 which is too likely to overload something.

Thank you :) Placed another order for the cm7778.


This is kinda it for now until i get the amp to see what it gives me. Then i can figure out where i stand on the channels.

FYI With my current 8bay digiwave antenna withought a booster/amp i get

2.1 3.1 3.2 5.1 5.2 6.1 10.1 12.1 15.1 15.2 17.1 33.1 33.2 33.3 33.4 35.1 44.1 44.2 57.1 57.2 57.3 pointing at 140 lots of doubles

Thanks all

[TheRaven]

It looks like the 7778 is out of stock and might be a while. I am now left with the RCA TVPRAMP1R or the LNA-100 or LNA-200 i have looked online but i am having trouble figuring out what will be best for me. Will start with dual antenna setup i will only need to boost the us channels that are 90 miles away the canadian ones are only 30 miles away.

[ADTech]

Then stick with the RCA. It's basically a clone of the original 7778 anyway

The LNA100 isn't an pre-amp and the LNA200 isn't worth it for whatever benefit it might theoretically provide.

[TheRaven]

Thank you ADTech

[TheRaven]

So i ended up getting the 5020 mounted on the roof at 149 degrees compass combined with the rca amp. I can catch all the channels from my fools report exept for one that i kinda really wanted abc channel 22.1. I tried repositioning the antenna a few times with no luck. All in all i am happy but abc is a nice channel to have. Will post a pick soon.

[Tower Guy]

All in all i am happy but abc is a nice channel to have.

WVNY should be strong enough with that antenna. FM interference could be the culprit. Is the FM trap in the preamp turned on? If not, switch it in.

[TheRaven]

hmm i read the manual it said to turn it on for better reception so i did. I will need to check again to make sure it's on, will also test it with a new cable direct to my tv the cable is rg6 but its 8 years old.

Thanks for the reply

[TheRaven]

Yup the fm trap is on also changed the wire for a direct route. Still no abc kinda odd because the tower is right beside the other ones.

[ADTech]

Regardless of what's on the TVFool plot....

WVNY pushes a mere <4,000 watts of RF power in your direction from 85 miles away. Your odds of its signal being above the local background noise level on VHF in a (small) city are pretty low. You'd really need to check out the airwaves with a spectrum analyzer to see if there is local interference. Such interference, when found, is often due to power lines, lighting equipment, even the TV set itself, plus a whole lot of other possibilities.

[TheRaven]

Ya bummer. The antenna is pointed at power lines.

Thanks no abc for me. The rest is all perfect signal.