Antenna advice...

rvn · 8-Jul-2013, 6:31 PM

Hello,
I'm looking to see what my options are for improved reception.

First, a current TVFool link:
http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...0559fc4abccb69

Currently we get the green channels (sometimes spotty reception, depending on weather), with this less expensive antenna, Philips SDV5122T/27
http://www.p4c.philips.com/cgi-bin/d...tn=SDV5122T/27 It sits right next to the TV.

Even that had spottier reception until I used a beefier cable, versus the one that came with it. So, it's right on the edge and sometimes we have to fiddle with the antenna. I can see the "green" towers, although there are some tall trees, etc. In general, it's OK, but the reception does drop out enough so that it's pretty annoying, at least to my wife :-)

What I'd really like to do is pull in NBC which is 67.5 miles away, and listed as red, in addition to the others "greens" I currently get.

I was thinking I might be able to get a DB8 and mount that in my attic, pointed at the tower 67.5 miles away, and, if necessary (will it definitely be necessary?), couple it with a ClearStream 5 (or even my current antenna?) for the VHF channels, that I currently get. Both in the attic...

I do have a tripod/mast on my roof, which I could put the DB8 on, but would prefer the indoor setup, to avoid the wear/tear, lightning threat, etc... but if I have to get up it up there, I can and will...

Is my only way to know just to get the DB8 kit with a preamp, and run it right into the TV to see what kind of reception I get? My roof would make the antenna about 25-30 feet up, and there are a few trees, etc...

Any help would be greatly appreciated. This is a wonderful site! I have been reading for hours and days...

Thank you!

Jon

9-Jul-2013, 10:41 AM

WKTV-DT Real UHF Digital channel 29 is Very Weak Signal Strength , Will Not be received with a attic antenna.

Reception of ALL the USA Digital Broadcast Tv stations/channels can happen with 1 antenna.

Above the Peak Of The Roof in such a manner that the roof and house are not impeding and blocking reception to the , South East , South West , West.

Install a Winegard HD9095P UHF antenna aimed at 166 degree magnetic compass direction. WKTV NBC.

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

The HD9095P UHF antenna will do better at receiving at the front angle and back angle of the HD9095P antenna , (then the DB8) , the Strong Signal Strengths of ,

WPBS UHF channel 41 PBS.

WWTI UHF channel 21 ABC and CW.

WNYF UHF channel 35 FOX and CBS.

And even WWNY VHF channel 07 because channel 07 is ->Very strong Signal Strength.

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If you will also like to receive , CKWS-DT VHF channel 11 , CBC.

WWNY VHF channel 07 is a Very Strong Signal and CKWS VHF channel 11 is a Very Weak Signal Strength.

As a compromise of a small VHF antenna with low gain or a big VHF antenna with high gain.

Install a , Antennas Direct - C5 antenna aimed at about 300 degree magnetic compass direction.

The C5 is Also installed Above The Roof.

Put the C5 antenna above the HD9095P antenna and separate by about 2 feet on the same mast.

The C5 comes with a VHF/UHF , diplexer/combiner.

Connect the VHF connection of the combiner to the C5 antenna.

Connect the UHF connection of the combiner to the HD9095P antenna.

The remaining connection of the combiner connects via coax to the Tv.
___

Try reception Without a antenna system amplifier.

For 1 Tv connected use No splitter.

For 2 Tv's connected use a simple common 2 way splitter.

If a antenna system amplifier is required for reliable reception of the Weak Signal Strength , WKTV NBC and CKWS CBC.

Then try a Winegard LNA-100 'Boost' amplifier.

The LNA-100 has high resistance to over load from the local strong signal strength Tv stations.

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I strongly recommend New coax and connections outside.

To keep Weather/Water out of outside connections.

Use the coax that has the Compression type connectors on the ends of the coax , not the old crimp type connectors.

Strongly recommend new connections outside.

To make double sure , Weather/Water does not get into connections outside , wrap with http://www.coaxseal..

I recommend Remove and Discard , Rubber Weather Boots , rubber weather boots take in water and hold the water inside the boot , not good for connections.

__________________________

The C5 is a Very Strong And Durable antenna that will last a long time outside.

The HD9095P antenna is a Very Strong And Durable antenna that will last a long time outside.

__________________________

Here are some places to buy antennas and etc. .

http://www.solidsignal.com.

http://www.amazon.com.

http://www.antennasdirect.com.

http://www.winegardirect.com.

______________________________________

rvn · 19-Aug-2013, 9:18 PM

teleview,
Thanks for your response! Sorry I'm just getting back to you. I have been having a wonderful time, making my own connectors and playing with different things. I would love to get NBC, but my only concern is the nearly EIGHT FOOT boom of the antenna... What kind of supporting structure would I need on my house to take windload? I have a smaller mast on the roof, but not sure if it will hold it.

But, it does seem pretty certain that a high gain roof antenna (probably with a pre-amp) mounted on my roof would be the only way of my achieving NBC. My only other thought is I'd be curious to see how the DB8 performs, and whether you think that one of those mounted outside would possibly pull in NBC? The DB8 seems like it would be less stressful on any roof mounted structure in wind. I suppose the other way would be to use a 25 foot mast, bracketed to the side of my house, but again, that's rather involved for me at this point.

Any ideas whether a DB8 mounted on the roof (25-30 feet) might have any luck getting NBC?

Thanks again for all your help,

Jon

23-Aug-2013, 5:46 PM

My recommendation and the Reasons Why stands.

As always you are free to follow other peoples , advice , suggestions , recommendations , evaluations ,

and come to your own , advice , suggestions , recommendations , evaluations ,.

You are free to make your own choices.

_________________________________________

Here are some strong and sturdy antenna mounts.

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

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

http://www.ronard.com/ychim.html.

Measure the chimney and use a , ronard(2212) , ronard(2218) , ronard(2224).

Buy the ronard antenna mounts at , http://www.solidsignal.com , by typing , ronard(x) , in the solidsignal search box or buy from http://www.ronard.com

GroundUrMast · 23-Aug-2013, 9:54 PM

The DB8 and DB8e offer gain similar to that of the long Yagi type antennas (HD9095P and 91XG). If reception of WKTV is the goal, the DB8e would be worth trying.