50+ miles from broadcasting stations, antenna selection
Hello everyone. I live about 53 miles from the stations I am trying to pick up. I was able to pick up a few with a UHF loop + VHF dipole, but only at night at one instance. I am looking to get another antenna. I plan to put it on the balcony, or right inside by the glass/screen door, which faces NE. I am also above ground, which may help.
http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/v...ps63890d7a.jpg I am considering the Eagle Aspen EASDTV2BUHF antenna (do I need an amplifier if I go with this? I was looking at the RCA TVPRAMP1R as a option, if necessary), but have also looked at the Terk HDTVa, Mohu Leaf Ultimate, and RCA ANT 751R. The Eagle Aspen looks great for my purposes since every channel I am looking for is UHF, but I figured I would ask those with more experience than myself. Thanks! |
The 2-bay panel antennas may work, but I would have no guilt using a larger antenna... Even an 8-bay such as the Antennas Direct DB8e or Channel Master CM-4228 would not be over-kill IMO.
The higher up you go, the better your chances of be successful with a smaller antenna. |
Install a Channel Master CM4228HD antenna aimed at about 20 degree magnetic compass direction.
Here is how to aim antennas , http://www.kyes.com/antenna/pointing/pointing.html. Here are some places to buy antennas and etc. . http://www.solidsignal.com. http://www.amazon.com. http://www.channelmasterstore.com. |
4 bay?
I am one story up. What about a 4 bay antenna like the channel master 4221HD? The 8 bay ones are a bit large...though I guess I could put it on the balcony (saw someone on YouTube do this). If I can get by with the 4 bay, I thought I would try it first. Just wondering others' thoughts.
Should I use an amplifier too? |
A 4221 pointed at all those stations at 50 degrees should obtain every signal in Yellow plus the one in Green since it is fairly strong even if you are off axis with your placement. A pre amp should help too. I used one in a similar situation. One station on CH. 19 in green and the rest in yellow and red. Worked fine even with much larger antennas.
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Research shows that.
The 20 degree magnetic compass direction is a in between aim direction. WSPY , http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WSPY-CD. WSPY , is at 341 degree magnetic compass direction. And the main group of Tv stations is at 52 degree magnetic compass direction. 20 degree magnetic compass direction is a in between aim direction for reception of both directions locations. As always, the starting antenna aim direction is the --> starting antenna aim direction. Antenna aim direction can be adjusted for best reception. Most Digital Tv's have a Signal Strength Meter and some Digital Tv's also have a signal Quality Meter. |
If considering a 4-bay, My experience with the Antennas Direct DB4e has been quite positive. It beats the older competing designs which were engineered to cover channels no longer used for OTA TV broadcasting. By engineering the DB4e to focus on real channels 14 through 51, AD was able to squeeze some additional gain out of the antenna.
That said, if you already own a CM-4221 or other 4-bay... give it a try. |
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If you are only connecting one TV with 50' or less coax... no, try this with no amplifier. An amplifier would be helpful if you need to overcome the loss in cable or splitters down stream of the amp. An amplifier does not 'pull' signal from the antenna, air or coax.
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Got the db4e, great antenna, I am receiving tons of channels...but for some reason I do not get 38.1 even though I theoretically should
I have a magnavox tv converter box (I still have an analog television set, will upgrade soon), and when I type 38.1, it displays something in the 60s, not sure why. |
Got it! had to change the angle and do a scan again
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Thanks for the report... Enjoy!
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Thanks to all who helped. I have recently been having issues (pixelation, black screens randomly, or no channel at all sometimes) with the lower end channels (2.x, 5.x, 7.x, 9.x, and 11.x). I was considering moving over to the DB8 (not DB8e). I figured the larger surface area would improve reception. In addition, I am using a RCA preamp, which does help to some extent.
I have ordered a new coaxial cable, but still have the DB4e. Any thoughts on the DB8? |
DB8 vs DB4e
Anybody have any thoughts on this?
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There are situations where one will have an advantage over the other and others where one might have a distinct disadvantage to its companion. Others will simply be a toss-up where either antenna will work as well as the other. |
How about adding another DB4e with two short coax cables and a combiner? I've been toying with that idea, as I'm getting a couple of channels I shouldn't be able to using a single antenna in my attic, though not reliably (some days perfect, others not at all), and an increase in signal strength from a second DB4e may be enough. Essentially a DB8e, but since I already own one half, I may try another, which I can also take with me when I move next year, leaving the original and all that wiring for the new owners.
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I am trying to improve signal quality of the channels mentioned in post #13 (2.x, 5.x, 7.x, 11.x, 20.x). I am having particular difficulty with 2.x and 7.x, with 7.x being the one I care most about. This wasn't an issue before, except in bad weather. Now it is somewhat common. The new coax cable has helped, but still having pixelation/random black screen issues. RCA preamp (which I have used since I got the DB4e) has FM trap on, and set to VHF/UHF combined. Changing either if these results in lost channels. |
Please do a current exact location TVFool plot (use the interactive tool) and include the LINK to the plot, not an image of it. Also, provide a concise summary of how the antenna is mounted, what direction it is aimed, how it is connected, what, if anything, is in front of the antenna as well as a summary by call letters of the stations that are giving issues.
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1 Attachment(s)
http://forum.tvfool.com/attachment.p...4&d=1449695663
Based on your TVFOOL report image it looks like you are in Morris, IL 60450 near the Walmart Supercenter with a report something like this: http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...b97da22018ea6b The channels for your zip code are (click on callsign for networks): http://www.rabbitears.info/search.ph...pe=dBm&height= and your FM signals look something like this: http://www.fmfool.com/modeling/tmp/1...b/Radar-FM.png Quote:
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2.x, WBBM, CBS, real channel 12 your DB4e isn't designed to get that 5.x, WMAQ, NBC, real channel 29 7.x, WLS, ABC, real channel 44 11.x, WTTW, PBS, real channel 47 20.x, WYCC, PBS, real channel 21 |
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Given the location, should I switch over to a DB8 (not DB8e)? |
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