Different pre amp

gsellers · 9-Jul-2016, 12:29 AM

Currently using a RCA Pre-amp TVPRAMP1R

http://www.walmart.com/ip/RCA-Antenn...ifier/14554631

Have good success, yet some channels drop at odd times - crystal clear sky with no wind and work fine in a snow or rain storm...

Is there a better one to use? more power?

Thanks! Have learned so much just reading threads on here!

GroundUrMast · 9-Jul-2016, 5:30 AM

My personal experience with the RCA amp has been quite good. The amplifier tolerates strong signal levels better than many other amplifiers on the market.

The Antennas Direct 'Juice' would be on of the few alternatives I would consider...

Before spending money on another amplifier though, please consider posting a link to your TVFool reception prediction.

Also, what antenna(s) are you using and how high is the installation. Are there trees or other obstruction in the path toward the stations that you're having problems with?

rabbit73 · 9-Jul-2016, 10:00 PM

I see you have a previous thread:
Around or over the mountains in Colorado
http://forum.tvfool.com/showthread.php?t=15872

Is this report still good?
http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...b97dfcf930a984

You seem to be having the same problems as before.

I think it is going to take more than a new preamp to improve your reception.

What is your antenna setup now?

Quote:

some channels drop at odd times

Which ones?

rabbit73 · 11-Jul-2016, 2:48 PM

I am repeating this post from your previous thread for background INFO.

Quote:

Originally Posted by gsellers

In Evergreen, Colorado - have one hill between my house and the Denver Lookout Mountain towers where the channels I want are located. Channels 2, 4, 7 and 9, 31 - the major networks. Tower is 11.1 miles per the report.

TvFool report - http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...b97dfcf930a984

If I point straight at the tower, I do pickup channel 2.1 ok, PBS 12 off the back and nothing else.

Antenna RCA - http://www.walmart.com/ip/RCA-Outdoo...nd-HDTV/872034

With RCA preamp - http://www.walmart.com/ip/RCA-Antenn...ifier/14554631

50' of coax to a Viewtv box - http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00GGVPKKC?

Just wondering if I have any hope of getting Denver locals with this setup? Networks from Cheyenne are fine, but miss the local news/weather.

rabbit73 · 11-Jul-2016, 2:51 PM

And this post also; nice photos.

Quote:

Originally Posted by gsellers

Trying a different antenna, added to a new mast above the other.

Dual Quad Bay Outdoor HDTV/DTV/UHF Bowtie
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DHHMOUW

Seems to have less drop outs on the channel 2, but still no other Denver locals.
Didn't play with it too much yet, still snow on the shady side...

Should I put a combiner up there and hook them together?

Here's a pic of my view to the tower

And the antennas

Thanks!

rabbit73 · 11-Jul-2016, 3:06 PM

The terrain between the local transmitters and your location is very difficult for the signals.

If you click on a callsign in your report you can see the terrain profile. The transmitter is on the left and your location is on the right.

Quote:

the channels I want: Channels 2, 4, 7 and 9, 31 - the major networks

2, KWGN CW, virtual channel 2.1, real channel 34. NM 6.1 dB
http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...dALLTV%26n%3d7

Here is the terrain profile using different software:

The signal coverage is very spotty because of the rough terrain:

closeup:

rabbit73 · 12-Jul-2016, 12:05 AM

4, KCNC CBS, virtual channel 4.1, real channel 35, NM 5.9 dB
http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...dALLTV%26n%3d8

7, KMGH ABC, virtual channel 7.1, real channel 7, NM 21.9 dB
http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...dALLTV%26n%3d4

9, KUSA NBC, virtual channel 9.1, real channel 9, NM 19.1 dB
http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...dALLTV%26n%3d5

31, KDVR Fox, virtual channel 31.1, real channel 32, NM -6.6 dB
Notice that only 58 of 1000 kW ERP is sent in your direction because of the transmitting antenna pattern
http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...ALLTV%26n%3d12

I doubt that another preamp will improve your reception, unless the RCA preamp is defective.

You might be able to improve the reception of 7 and 9 if you replace the RCA antenna with an MCM 30-2476
http://www.mcmelectronics.com/produc...-2476-/30-2476

If your Dual Quad Bay Outdoor HDTV/DTV/UHF Bowtie isn't able to receive the local UHF channels with both panels aimed in the same direction, I doubt that any other UHF antenna will. A longshot replacement would be an Antennas Direct 91XG because it has a tilt adjustment that would allow you to tilt the front end up to better catch the signals as they come over the ridge.

An extreme solution would be a pair of 91XGs side-by-side:
http://www.aa6g.org/DTV/index.html

Nascarken · 12-Jul-2016, 4:16 AM

DON'T FORGET ABOUT 18Gage solid copper RG 6, not cc,steal when you use mast mount amplifiers like the R C A at30

B gain,

gsellers · 18-Jul-2016, 6:19 PM

Thanks for the replies! Guess I need to pay more attention to the forum...

I swapped the positions of the VHF and UHF antennas on the mast (which I replaced with a
longer 1 1/2" conduit pipe) - now I get a CBS, NBC and CW - from Cheyenne WY of all places!
5-1 KGWN-HD http://www.kgwn.tv/ CBS Cheyenne
5-2 KGWN-NC '' NBC Cheyenne
5-3 OGWN-DT '' CW Cheyenne

Silly mountains. Next up is trimming some tree tops with the 12 gauge. While checking out that other antenna, http://www.mcmelectronics.com/produc...-2476-/30-2476

This hobby can be kind of addictive!

rabbit73 · 18-Jul-2016, 6:42 PM

Thanks for the report; glad you are making some progress.

Quote:

This hobby can be kind of addictive!

Yes, it is.

Nascarken · 19-Jul-2016, 12:26 PM

We'll good day to everyone Hoo says,OTA is addicting is it because of how it works so well ,& It's free,after spending what you would pay ,for that one month of CLABLE OR satellite,Bill ,,, IF everyone else was to do the same,THINK of the money you can save,And I can't thank Rabbit73,enough for all his help to improve,my DXing hobby,LOL and I can't lie about it is,Addicting,