Antenna Replacement in Monticello Mississippi

[JWR]

Thanks in advance to those who provide assistance. I had lots of experience installing antennas, but that was back in the 1970s, so I thought it best to seek some current advice. ;-)

I’m replacing a storm damaged antenna at my mother’s house in Mississippi. We need to pick up six stations 50 miles away in Jackson on RF 12, 20, 21, 30, 40, and 41 which are nicely grouped within ten degrees of each other. RF 34 might be good to have, but it is 60 degrees off from the others and is definitely optional (CW). Based on the frequencies, we need high band VHS and strong gain on the low end of the UHF band for RF 20 and 21 (since RF 30, 40, and 41 are substantially stronger).

The existing system is a large VHF/UHF antenna about 20-25 feet AGL with pole mounted preamp and a distribution amp feeding four TVs through a drop-tap system (with inactive drops bypassed). I believe the antenna is from the Channel Master Crossfire line. After jury-rigging a long pole to push the VHS elements back out into place, I’m actually getting good UHF reception despite the UHF section of the antenna being bent down at a 40 degree angle, but I get no reception on RF 12. The house is on level ground at 200 feet elevation with tall trees to the north in the direction of the transmitters.

I’ve linked results based on 30 feet AGL since that seems to be the most likely approach. Trying different elevations showed that 30 feet AGL gives LOS for five of the six stations; getting LOS on RF 21 requires going to 56+ feet which I don’t think is feasible.

For comparison, I’ve also included results at 20 feet AGL, which has LOS for three of the six and 2Edge paths for two. Going to 25 feet gives stronger signals but the same paths.

Questions:

Does having the “1Edge” path versus LOS have any impact on reception beyond strength? I see that going from 25 feet to 30 feet gives a 9 dB jump for RF 20 and 4.2 dB for RF 12 when they gain LOS while only increasing the three channels that were already LOS by about 1 dB.

What is our “target” NM level? I've read the Signal Analysis FAQ, but I'm not sure I've got it. A baseline radar plot with no elevation entered shows the six target stations with NM levels ranging from 17.7 to 24.2. It sounds like I should be able to get all six with just an attic antenna, so I'm confused.

Am I overestimating how much antenna I need based on what we used in the analog days? I was surprised by the UHF reception; only RF 21 was relatively weak (about 70 percent on a simple strength meter on a conversion box IRRC), though we do have substantial amplification.

SolidSignal.com recommended their HDB8X, but would that provide sufficient gain on RF 12?

Is it better to go with a combination high VHF/UHF antenna or separate antennas, such as a Y10-7-13 for VHF ($38) paired with a Winegard HD9032 for UHF ($32)? That looks like 9.6 gain for VHF and 14.9+ for UHF.

Thanks for letting me draw on your experience! I definitely need help.


30 feet AGL: http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...46aee0ab95fe6a
20 feet AGL: http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...46ae4f212840e8
Baseline: http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...46ae8505f27f97

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0 NM(dB) is the target figure for reliable reception , 30 feet antenna height above level open ground , no obstructions , with a dipole 'tuned' for the channel of reception.

'Tuned' means the length of the metal reception elements resonate at the , channel/frequency , of transmission and reception.

It is better to have some elbow room for signal strength flucuations and non perfect signal paths , of +10 NM(dB) , and stronger signal strengths are better.

However Many locations have reliable reception with , 0 NM(dB) and on down to Minus-10 NM(dB) and a few locations , a little lower -12 to -15 however those low numbers are the exception reception situation.
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Antenna Gain helps bring all numbers up.

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For reception at your location the NM(dB) numbers will be above +10.

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WMPN-DT , WMAU-DT , W45AA-D , are all the same PBS , http://wn.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mississ...c_Broadcasting , so no requirement to receive , WMAU-DT channel 15 or W45AA-D channel 45.

WRBJ channel 34 is now TBN Trinity Broadcasting.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WRBJ-TV.

The CW has moved to , WJTV channel 12 CBS and CW and Antenna Tv.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WJTV.

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So I recommend install a , http://www.antennacraft.net , HBU11 , aimed at about 5 degree magnetic compass direction.

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

Use a Real and Actual magnetic compass to aim antenna.

If not interested in reception of TBN then aim the HBU11 at about 348 degree magnetic compass direction.

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Disconnect and Remove All amplifiers.

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Recommend run all New coax outside , RG6 coax with the Compression type connectors on the ends of the coax.

And replace other outside , connectors , couplers , coax ground block , and other etc. .

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Disconnect and Remove the splitter situation you have now.

Recommend test reception with 1 Tv connected , No splitters. No amplifiers.

To Prove reception run a New continues length of coax through a open door or window , direct to 1 Tv.
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(((Digital Broadcast Tv Tuners can develop - Digital Glitches - that are not cleared out with simple channel scans.

To clear tuner do Double Rescan.

http://www.wchstv.com/DoubleReScanAlert.pdf.)))

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For 2 Tv's connected use a , HFS-2D , Holland Electronics 2 way splitter. No amplifier.

For 3 Tv's connected use a , HFS-3D , Holland Electronics 3 way splitter. No amplifier.

For 4 Tv's connected use a , HFS-4D , Holland Electronics 4 way splitter. No amplifier.

Buy the , HFS-2D , HFS-3D , HFS-4D , Holland Electronics splitters at , http://www.solidsignal.com , or , http://www.hollandelectronics.com.

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If signal strength becomes a little weak in the system with a splitter , then install a

Winegard , LNA-100 'Boost' , antenna system amplifier Before the splitter.

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Here are some places to buy antennas and etc. .

http://www.antennacraft.net.

http://www.hollandelectronics.com.

http://www.winegarddirect.com.

http://www.solidsignal.com.

http://www.amazon.com.

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I see your next post and Yes a HBU22 antenna will be Ok.

[JWR]

Originally Posted by teleview

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0 NM(dB) is the target figure for reliable reception , 30 feet antenna height above level open ground , no obstructions , with a dipole tuned for the channel of reception.

<snip>

For reception at your location the NM(dB) numbers will be above +10.

<snip>

So I recommend install a , http://www.antennacraft.net , HBU11 , aimed at about 5 degree magnetic compass direction.

<snip>

If not interested in reception of TBN then aim the HBU11 at about 348 degree magnetic compass direction.

Wow.

Quite a change from 12 feet of antenna to a little over three feet!

AntennaCraft only rates it as having 40 miles range, but based on the numbers it looks like if I get the antenna up to line of sight I should have enough signal that I won't need an elaborate rig (especially considering what I'm getting with the damaged antenna).

You said "with no obstructions", but I do have trees in the way ("tall trees to the north in the direction of the transmitters"). Should I bump up to the HBU22 instead?

It looks like I'll spend most of my money on the mast. I'll have to find a local source since shipping is a killer (3 Star Inc has a five section 34 foot mast for $130 that can be shipped UPS, but shipping is almost $100!).

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Yes the HBU22 is Ok.

You can jump up to a HBU44 , for reception of the , North North West group of Tv stations , however I can not say that WRBJ channel 34 off to the North East will be received reliably , The forward beam width of the HBU44 is much more narrow and reception will be less at a front angles to the HBU44 the further the signal is off to the side of the antenna.

The reception situation using the HBU44 , is a try it and see what happens situation , the antenna aim direction will be some where in between the 2 directions of , North West and North East.

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Here are some above the roof antenna mounts.

http://www.ronard.com/909911.html.
Use the , ronard(911) , 5 foot tripod antenna mount.

http://www.ronard.com/Tripods%200703/4712.html.
Use the , ronard 712-50-10 , tripod antenna mount.

http://www.ronard.com/34424560.html.
Use the , ronard (4560) , eave antenna mount.

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

Buy the ronard antenna mounts at , http://www.solidsignal.com , or , http://www.ronard.com.