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Old 10-Aug-2019, 7:02 PM   #10
rabbit73
Retired A/V Tech
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: S.E. VA
Posts: 2,747
GroundUrMast gave you a link above that shows the terrain profile for the WQED signal. This is another profile using different software:



The Longley-Rice coverage map for WQED on channel 4 looks like it might put you in the yellow, which is encouraging:



This is the link to the full coverage map;
https://www.rabbitears.info/contour....5&site=1&map=Y

Quote:
Originally Posted by custom1 View Post
I am also running an RCA amp #2R43GM on the case......Or an amp that is better suited for VHF low.
That's not a model number for your RCA amp, it's a production code number.
Quote:
So my question is, is there an antenna that would be better at picking up the VHF low band.
A Yagi antenna made with aluminum tubing in your attic would be best if you can't go outside. Second best made with wire might work, but you still have the potential problem of electrical interference on VHF-Low as GroundUrMast mentioned. The indoor noise level for channel 3 at my location is very high. A signal must be at least 15 dB stronger than the noise to be received.



This is a 3 element channel 4 wire Yagi for the attic. If it doesn't have enough gain, you will have to build one with more directors using aluminum tubing.



If a bigger channel 4 Yagi doesn't work, hunt for sources of electrical noise interference using a battery operated portable radio tuned to a clear channel in the AM broadcast band. My experiments with indoor antennas show that an antenna with more gain doesn't always help because it makes the signal AND the noise stronger. This is the portable radio I use to hunt for noise sources:



FCC interference advice
https://www.fcc.gov/consumers/guides...ephone-signals
Quote:
A simple method of determining the location of electrical interference is by using a portable AM radio tuned to a quiet frequency at the lower end of the dial. You should hear static or a buzzing sound as you get close to the source of the interference. The closer you get, the more intense the static will be.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg custom1TVFcovWQEDcuL-R.JPG (148.5 KB, 2221 views)
File Type: jpg Channel 4 Yagi.jpg (88.5 KB, 2332 views)
File Type: jpg custom1TVFp2WQED.JPG (115.2 KB, 2170 views)
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Last edited by rabbit73; 11-Aug-2019 at 12:42 AM.
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