Need UHF+VHF multidirectional antenna recommendation

[bid74]

Does anyone know if there is a good antenna available in the market with can catch multidirectional (50-60 mile range) for both VHF and UHF signals with a good amplifier? I tried the "Antennas

Direct - Long-Range Digital TV Antenna - model DB2E" but it won't pick up over 25 miles and I need some amplification to get through our cabling. I will also need a splitter to feed two units. Is there any other attachment needed for my

situation? I will mount this outdoors about 10 feet off the ground. Below is my spectrum.

http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%3d5b9469e30034d0


Appreciate your help in advance.

[ADTech]

All of your stations are strong, there should be no need for any amplifiers as long as you properly select a mounting location and face the antenna the correct direction. You have signal margins in excess of 40 dB for most of your stations. You should be able to feed a two-way splitter and several hundred feet of coax without an amplifier.

The DB2e is the wrong antenna for San Francisco (unless you add a VHF dipole for ch 7-13, in which case it should be fine). It should do fine on all the UHF channels out of the box. If it didn't, there's something amiss somewhere that needs to be fixed.

Our normally recommended antennas is the ClearStream 2V mounted in a location so that it can "see" Mt Sutro.

[bid74]

Thanks ADTech. I am actually in Sunnyvale, CA so let me know if the CelarStream 2v will work and where it should be pointed in my region in Northern CA.

Thanks.

[ADTech]

Per your posted TVFool plot, northwest.

I'm most interested about the specifics of your experience with the DB2e as your description of your results is very much out of character with all reasonable expectations. Failure to identify what might have gone "wrong" is important in the event that some mistake was made or fault overlooked. Failure to resolve something like that will usually mean a repeat failure.

[bid74]

The DB2e was mounted ~10-12 feet off the ground at the first story roofline. I rotated it in various directions and could get channels but many came in very week. I suspect it was not mounted high enough. Let me know if that sounds right or if you need more details and what height the antenna should be mounted (or the guidelines on determining it).

[teleview]

+=>
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The reception signal strengths are --->Strong Signal Signal Strengths at your reception location and are LOS=LINE Of Sight.

This means that reception will be easy at your reception location.

Even with a antenna that is not the correct antenna.

Some thing is not correct with your wiring and connections and couplers and etc.

---> To Prove reception.<---

Connect a NEW Continues length of coax to the DB2e antenna and run the NEW Continues length of coax through a open door or window direct to 1 Tv.

No splitters , No Couplers , No amplifiers , No etc. .


Aim the DB2e antenna at about 310 degree.

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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The Tv Must Channel Scan for the , OTA=Over The Air , ATSC-Digital Broadcast Tv Stations/Channels , often named the ~ Antenna Channels ~ DTV Channels ~ ATSC Channels ~ Air Channels~ because the Tv transmissions travel through the Air from the transmitting antenna to the receiving antenna.

Some digital Tv's will Automatic channel scan for cable the channels.

DO NOT channel scan for cable Tv channels.

Go int the Tv Setup Memu and select ~ Antenna Channels ~ DTV Channels ~ ATSC Channels ~ Air Channels.

Scan for the ATSC-Digital Broadcast Tv Stations/Chsnnels.

[ADTech]

The antenna must be mounted so that the signals can get to it, whether that be 2 feet or twenty feet, or whatever. If you face it the wrong way or put it behind a building or a tree, for example, no antenna will work any more than a baseball player's glove would work when positioned so the ball can not get into the glove.

[bid74]

I certainly understand that. Based on what I have wrote do you recommend that I switch to the Clearstream or try mounting the DB2e higher first? I won't clear all the obstacles but I can eliminate some of them.

Thanks.

[bid74]

Hello Teleview,

I somehow missed your post. The first time I tried the antennae I did use a new coax cable and ran it directly to the TV. That is when I was able to get signals as I rotated the antennae. I will make sure it is pointing exactly as you say and will try that.

Thanks.

[teleview]

+=>
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As always , trees and tree leaves , plants and plant leaves , have a Negative Effect on Broadcast Tv Reception and so do buildings and other obstructions including your own roof and building.

Some and not all Negative Effects are.

Absorbing and Blocking Reception.

Multi-Path Reflecting Tv Signals Bouncing All Around.

The Best Pratice is to install a antenna 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 roof and building.

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Cable Tv delivered services of any type or kind , be it , cable Tv service , cable delivered Internet service , cable delivered phone service , Must Not and Can Not be connected to the antenna or coaxes that are used for the antenna system.

Any type or kind of cable delivered service Must Be on a Separate Coax.

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Some satellite systems will accept and distribute the antenna system signals and some satellite systems Will Not.

If you do not have satelite service now.

Then disconnect and remove All satellite system components such as and not limited to , multi-switches , multi-plexers , amplifiers , power inserters , power supplies , splitters , couplers and etc. .

Yes , coax that was part of the cable or satellite services can be used for the antenna system.

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I recommend a antenna that will do a better job of receiving Tv transmissions of other directions.

Will receive the UHF channels 14 thru 51.

And will also do a better job of receiving the VHF high band channels 7 thru 13.
Install a , ANT751 antenna , www.amazon.com .

Home Depot or Lowes can have the ANT751 antenna in the store no matter what the Home Depot and Lowes web sites say.

Or install a , www.antennacraft.net , HBU11K , antenna.

Aim the , ANT751 antenna or HBU11K antenna at about , 350 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.

[ADTech]

We recommend the C2V because it has VHF support out of the box. If the Db2e had the dipole in the box, I'd certainly recommend it also. I'd give the DB2e another go first. It's stronger on UHF and, if needed for KGO or KNTV, the C2V's VHF kit can be added with a bit of work.

Look for a location that gives the best possible view back towards San Francisco and temporarily mount the antenna there to evaluate reception. Aim it northwest for initial testing. You have a few stations that transmit from the northeast including KGO's UHF translator, so it may be desirable or even necessary to cheat the aim eastward to see if you can also snag those broadcasts without compromising reception from San Francisco's towers.

In the event that you find reception is very weak and you have ensured a good coax cable is in use and you haven't placed the antenna behind common obstacles such as buildings or trees, then a possibility exists that the circuit board to which the coax attaches has been damaged in shipping, assembly, or installation. It's simple to replace and we can mail you one if it is deemed to be needed.

Let us know how it tests out and we can make any necessary adjustments.

[bid74]

ADTech, thanks for the response. I will try it with the DB2e first. What you described is exactly what happened before as I could get all the other channels except KGO and when I got KGO strongly I lost some of the other channels. Hopefully mounting it higher to clear obstacles and aiming it properly will remove this.

[ADTech]

You were likely catching that UHF 35 translator for KGO.

Let us know if you need help. We have folks on duty on the phones 7 days a week to provide customer assistance.

[bid74]

I want to thank both ADTech and Teleview. I mounted the Db2e above our top roofline and pointed it 310 degrees (Northwest) and it worked very well as we picked up 62 channels. The only channel that comes in weak is KGO, channel 7. Any suggestions on fixing that or do I need to switch antennas?

Thanks.

[GroundUrMast]

I want to thank both ADTech and Teleview. I mounted the Db2e above our top roofline and pointed it 310 degrees (Northwest) and it worked very well as we picked up 62 channels. The only channel that comes in weak is KGO, channel 7. Any suggestions on fixing that or do I need to switch antennas?

Thanks.
Before changing or adding an antenna, have you exhausted mounting location and aiming variation options? If you have thoroughly experimented with all the available possibilities, added H-VHF performance can be had in the Antennas Direct CS5, Antennacraft Y5713 & Y10713. These options would replace the VHF dipole... not the CS2 UHF loops.

[ADTech]

He has the DB2e - no VHF dipoles. Easiest to add them first and see if that accomplishes the mission. The math says it should work but, keep in mind that the math often doesn't cover all circumstances..

Tip sheet: https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/23201192/Adding%20VHF%20reception%20to%20Antennas%20Direct%20UHF%20antennas.pdf

[bid74]

Thanks GroundUrMast and ADTech. I read the tip sheet on C2V VHF Kit and I will try that next.