TV Fool  

Go Back   TV Fool > Over The Air Services > Help With Reception

Notices

Reply
 
Thread Tools
Old 22-Mar-2015, 7:32 PM   #1
monkeedu
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 6
Help Building New Infrastructure

Hello,

I could use some assistance in making suggestions on appropriate hardware/setup to power an HDTV antenna system for basic channels (ABC, NBC, CBS, etc) at this location:

http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...f1f0f3c2146f44

The house is down in a valley so I'm concerned about signal strength, whether to use a pre-amp, and if I can still use a distribution amp. I'd like to link up at least 3, possibly up to 5 TVs. There is a current DirectTV mast available for grounding and getting coax back into the house that I would like to make use of, but it is only 6' above the ground. If absolutely necessary, a roof mount may be possible (it would be 30+ feet above the ground).

Any suggestions or help would be most appreciated!

-monkeedu
monkeedu is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 22-Mar-2015, 9:58 PM   #2
GroundUrMast
Moderator
 
GroundUrMast's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Greater Seattle Area
Posts: 4,773
It would be good to see a TV Fool reception report for 30' AGL, thanks.
__________________
If the well is dry and you don't see rain on the horizon, you'll need to dig the hole deeper. (If the antenna can't get the job done, an amp won't fix it.)

(Please direct account activation inquiries to 'admin')
GroundUrMast is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 22-Mar-2015, 10:09 PM   #3
monkeedu
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 6
http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...f1f04527854d0b
monkeedu is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 22-Mar-2015, 10:24 PM   #4
monkeedu
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 6
Here is a report at 30 feet using this method(which happens to be your method, GUM):

http://forum.tvfool.com/showthread.php?t=14508

http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...f1f02f43f2ff42
monkeedu is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 23-Mar-2015, 7:28 AM   #5
GroundUrMast
Moderator
 
GroundUrMast's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Greater Seattle Area
Posts: 4,773
Thanks for the added info.

Signal conditions improve significantly between 6 & 30'. Besides signal strength, the path profiles appears to to improve somewhat which can be just as significant.

Still, it looks as if an Antennas Direct DB8E is your best option given the combination of signal levels and path profiles. If you have a mounting location that avoids obstructions such as structures and trees, the DB8E gives you a shot at seeing signals with NM values as low as the -4.3 value predicted for KPTN.

Test reception before drilling any holes. Be open to trying alternate locations and heights if you don't find reliable reception at your preferred location. I'd start with both panels of the DB8E facing 123° magnetic. Be prepared to adjust the aim of the panels in small steps, so that one panel moves toward 115° and the other toward 150°, adjust in equal but opposite amounts, rescanning and checking reception. Use the aim that produce the best overall reception results. While testing the initial antenna aim, use no preamp and only one TV, no splitters and a single coax cable, not longer than 50'.

http://forum.tvfool.com/showthread.php?t=13646

Presuming you will have more than 50' of coax between the antenna and any single TV, I'd start with an Antennas Direct 'Juice' preamp at the antenna, and a passive splitter located at a convenient distribution point. To drive five tuners, you may find that a 4-way splitter with a 2-way splitter in tandem will provide better results than an 8-way splitter. http://forum.tvfool.com/showthread.php?t=13090 If you find that you need a distribution amplifier, because you loose signals after adding all the loss of cabling and splitters, a distribution amplifier can be added, but I'd resist the temptation to do so because the gain of the antenna plus the gain of the preamp should be enough. Over-amplification leads to signal distortion which equals less reliable reception due to the poor quality of the signal delivered to the TV(s).
__________________
If the well is dry and you don't see rain on the horizon, you'll need to dig the hole deeper. (If the antenna can't get the job done, an amp won't fix it.)

(Please direct account activation inquiries to 'admin')
GroundUrMast is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 23-Mar-2015, 2:23 PM   #6
ADTech
Antennas Direct Tech Supp
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 2,942
If you send me your precise GPS coordinates via PM, I'll look closely at your situation. I can easily resolve your location within a 1-200 yard circle from the provided plot, but it helps if I can look at the aerial photos of your rooftop and of the signal path so that i can do a more exact analysis.
__________________
Antennas Direct Tech Support

For support and recommendations regarding our products, please contact us directly at https://www.antennasdirect.com/customer-service.html

Sorry, I'm not a mod and cannot assist with your site registration.
ADTech is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 25-Mar-2015, 6:43 PM   #7
monkeedu
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 6
Thank you gentlemen (and/or ladies). You have been most helpful.
monkeedu is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 25-Mar-2015, 7:17 PM   #8
ADTech
Antennas Direct Tech Supp
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 2,942
I received your coordinates and can offer the following assessment:

I'd use either the 91Xg or the DB8e roof-mounted on the main peak of your roof on the west side, over the garage. This location maximizes both antenna elevation and the distance to the trees along the creek. I'd prefer the 91XG over the DB8e by a slight margin as it includes a tiltable mast bracket that will allow you to bore site the antenna on the visible horizon (the tops of those trees).

A pre-amplifier is required. I'd suggest one with 25-30 dB of gain plus a built-in FM filter such as a CM7777. You won't need a distribution amp with that pre-amp.

Your location and requirements are fairly similar to mine although I live about 20 minutes southwest of Six Flags. Uphill, trees, lots of topography. I have the 91XG/CM7777 combo up on my roof and it works perfectly on all the main channels throughout the winter, but usually lose channels 9, 11, & 30 intermittently throughout the summer, especially when its wet and windy outside. I've reached the limit of what I can (willingly) do to improve it, so we just accept it for what it is. You've got more distance to the trees than do I and a little more distance before the rise in elevation, so I'd expect your results will be better than mine.

Best of luck!
__________________
Antennas Direct Tech Support

For support and recommendations regarding our products, please contact us directly at https://www.antennasdirect.com/customer-service.html

Sorry, I'm not a mod and cannot assist with your site registration.
ADTech is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Go Back   TV Fool > Over The Air Services > Help With Reception


Thread Tools

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off




All times are GMT. The time now is 9:43 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Copyright © TV Fool, LLC