Antenna Suggestions

[Cawyer]

First off... thanks in advance.

I have a rural property in need of a new antenna. There is currently no equipment in place and will be used with a single TV.

http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%3dd243f5cfb3cb30

I'm thinking about a DB8e mounted above the ridge of the roof (>18'). Any suggestions would be appreciated.

J.

[timgr]

Hi Cawyer -

If accurate, the report you posted is not encouraging. Any channel with a noise margin NM of less than say -5 will be pretty much hopeless without heroic measures. 25' is likely way too low for your location. Maybe you could make another report at 50' and 100'?

[timgr]

Looking at your report a little more, I think you probably want to focus on Abilene (29, 24 and 15) and the ABC affiliate from Sweetwater (20 KTXS). That would give you the four majors (ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox) in more or less a single direction. But 20 at -13.5 NM is unrealistically weak at that height. You need to go higher, I would guess. Or use some heroic antennas like a stacked array. http://www.kyes.com/antenna/stackluge.html http://www.ifwtech.co.uk/g3sek/stacking/stacking2.htm

[Jake V]

Your report is only resolved to the block level, so it might be accurate or it might not be accurate. Possibly the database didn't recognize the exact address.

Try making a new report with these directions: http://forum.tvfool.com/showthread.php?t=14508

It's probably very similar, but you might as well be as exact as you can.

[Cawyer]

http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%3dd2432c769a8550

Here's a bit more accuracy at 50'. Thanks for the suggestions.
J.

[Cawyer]

http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%3dd2430aa2273922

...and at 100'

[Jake V]

The 50' and 100' reports are certainly more encouraging. Additional height often provides a much better reception.

I would, however, still recommend a report at the height you will actually place the antenna. 25' feet is probably about right.

[Cawyer]

http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%3dd2432f6d08cd71

... and at 25'.

[Cawyer]

So toying around with the different heights it appears that there isn't a way to get the primary 4 stations to better than -5, especially trying to go more or less in a single direction. in fact the KTVT / sweetwater station seems to get worse with height?

[ADTech]

Don't put a whole lot of effort into playing varying heights with the simulator; when signals are of this distance and strength, you're doing it for entertainment purposes only. Actual signal levels, if measured, might be plus or minus 10 or 20 dB, especially for "2-edge" signals. Localized weather in the signal path will also have effects.

If you have a clear and unobstructed path towards the Abilene transmitters, then trying the DB8e with a PA18 preamp makes sense. Be prepared to vary the height of the antenna, if needed, to accommodate any localized layering of signals. If your signal path is not 100% clear, forget it.

You might also add a rotor and play with reception from other directions, especially during the overnight hours.