Antenna & equipment recommendation

[Jen]

We're in the hills of WV (the bottom) and can get high winds.

Base analysis http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%3d46ae170803f434

we have a 3.5" pipe that had a Satellite 25' http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%3d46aea74998b23d

35' is as high as we'd feel comfortable going http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%3d46aee4f33b33be

60' just for you to see http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%3d46ae327bdd388f

the first 3 stations are what we need. would have loved to get WTAP but it's over a high ridge line.

So what do you think. Keep in mind 35' is the max. (sorry to be limiting)

[GroundUrMast]

It's quite likely that with weak TV signal levels, you'll find other radio services will be blocked by the same terrain. If that's true, you have less interference to contend with.

So, a big antenna with VHF capability would be your best hope. Consider the Winegard HD7084P + Antennas Direct PA-18 preamplifier.

[Jen]

I was looking at the Winegard HD7084P or 8200U

We appreciate the input getting us started, Thanks:)

[stvcmty]

The PA-18 amplifier is the way to go. It is low noise, and with the TV fool report for 25/35’ you are not at a risk to overload it.

For real 10/12 (Fox and NBC), you might want to try a dedicated VHF-high antenna such as the Y10-7-13.

A 2 edge path on VHF-low is not going to do you any favors for channel 5.

If it were me, I would see if I could get 10 and 12. Without other channels, trying to get 5 would not have much value to me. If I could get 10 and 12, then I would work to get channel 5. I would be looking for a long boom single channel yagi (that may be something custom made).

Things are better than they look. WBOY has ABC on 12.2. WVFX has CW on 10.2. If you get the two VHF-high channels, you have 2 of the big 3 networks (NBC/ABC), and Fox/CW. On the other hand, WDTV only brings you ABC and weather, so it has less of a return on investment.

[stvcmty]

I was looking at the Winegard HD7084P or 8200U

It does not look like there is much UHF to be had. I would stay away from a VHF/UHF combo. The UHF section will add weight and wind load.

[GroundUrMast]

I agree that the Y10713 is a great choice for the real CH-10 & CH-12 signals. However, the lack of any high performance Low-VHF-only antennas on the market leave us little choice but to suggest the 7084 if you are to have any chance at the signal from WDTV.

If you intend to try for WDTV, using the 7084, it's performance in the H-VHF band (real CH-7 through CH-13) is similar to the Y10713.

[teleview]

The current receivable channels are all in the VHF band.

VHF low band channels 2 thru 6.

VHF high band channels 7 thru 13.

And no current receivable channels in the UHF band channels 14 thru 51.

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WDTV-DT , Real VHF low band channel 5 , virtual number (5.1) , CBS.

WBOY-DT, Real VHF high band channel 12.1-2 , virtual number (12.1-2) , NBC and ABC.

WVFX-DT , Real VHF high band channel 10.1-2 , virtual number (46.1-2) , FOX and CW.

Install a big high gain antenna with high antenna gain of the VHF band channels.

Install a Winegard HD7084P antenna aimed at about 96 degree magnetic compass direction.

Here is how to aim antennas , www.kyes.com/antenna/pointing/pointing.html

Use a Real and Actual magnetic compass to aim antenna.

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Install the Antennas Direct PA-18 preamplifier.

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Going higher then 35 feet above ground does not provide a signeficant increase in signal strength.

Install the antenna at about 25 feet above ground.

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Here are some strong and sturdy antenna mounts.

www.ronard.com/909011.html
Install the , ronard(911) , 5 foot tripod antenna mount.

www.ronard.com/Tripods%200703/4712.html
10 foot tripod antenna mount.

www.ronard.com/34424560.html
Install the , ronard(4560) , eave antenna mount.

www.ronard.com/ychim.html
Measure around the chimney and use a , ronard(2212) , ronard(2218) , ronard(2224) .

Buy the ronard antenna mounts at , www.solidsignal.com , by typing , ronard(x) , in the solidsignal search box or by from , www.ronard.com .

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Here are some places to buy antennas and etc. .

www.solidsignal.com

www.amazon.com

www.winegarddirect.com

www.ronard.com

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For 1 Tv connected use No splitter.

For 2 Tv's connected use a , Holland Electronics , HFS-2D , 2 way splitter.

For 3 Tv's connected use a , Holland Electronics , HFS-3D , 3 way splitter.

Buy the HFS splitters at , www.solidsignal.com

[teleview]

There is no good reason to fall off the saddle by installing a antenna that does not receive the VHF low band and UHF band channels.

When new Tv stations begin to transmitt , the channels will be in the UHF Tv band.

The big antennas are all about the same price.

The Correct Action to take is the , HD7084P antenna.

[stvcmty]

[...]HD7084P antenna.

Teleview and GroundUrMast’s suggestions are very good suggestions and the best you will do COTS (commercial off the shelf).


I would be looking for a long boom single channel yagi (that may be something custom made).

Teleview and GroundUrMast; I have a question:

How important is 1.3 dB for a 2 edge VHF low situation?

According to the manufacturer’s specs, The HD 7084P will give about 7.4 dBd of gain on channel 5, and it is 131” long. A dedicated channel 5 yagi 131” long would give about 8.7 dBd of gain. I thought in a VHF low situation, “every dB counts”, hence my recommendation. (Also, the channel 2 elements are 40% longer than channel 5 needs, and at 25' or 35’, that is a fair bit of element surface area to catch the wind that is not actively helping channel 5 reception).

[GroundUrMast]

My mind set is usually aimed toward consumer grade solutions... If you can offer a specific recommendation for a higher performance cut-to-channel or cut-to-band L-VHF option, please do.

Yes, the noise produced by power lines, radio systems, computers, vehicles, etc., all tend to impact the L-VHF band disproportionately. So every dB of antenna gain can be critical, when, as in this case, you're starting with a weak signal level in the air.

(Or are you suggesting a DIY solution such as the attached?)

[teleview]

1 to 1.5 dB is not that important for VHF low band reception.

The average consumer is not interested in jumping through hoop after hoop to get reception.

If you can recommend a consumer grade or even a professional grade low band antenna that does not cost big dollars , then recommend it.

Yes I am aware of the Big Winegard VHF low/VHF high band HD5030 antenna that is discontinued.

The HD5030 has less antenna gain at channel 5 , then the HD7084P antenna at channel 5 .

[teleview]

The HD7084P antenna has the advantage of , shorter in length VHF high band metal reception elements and the longer length low band metal reception elements , act as both directors and reflectors , this helps reception of channel 5.

Low band Tv antennas are big antennas.

Quibbling over a few inches one way or the other makes no sense.

[Tower Guy]

Take a look at the Winegard hd-5030 available at Summit Source. It is a VHF only antenna.

[teleview]

The HD5030 has less antenna gain at channel 5 then the HD7084P.

[teleview]

Here is a way to receive more Tv channels.

FTA= Free To Air , Satellite Tv.

Receive All of the PBS channels for free.

And receive more Tv channels for free.

With a small satellite dish and FTA receiver.

Here is a starting place to learn more.

www.ftalist.com

www.manhattan-digital.net