Help with channel

rfox20 · 27-Nov-2013, 11:59 PM

I have a Solid Signal Xtreme Signal HDB8X with a Antennacraft by RadioShack 10G201 Premium Grade VHF/UHF TV Antenna Pre-Amplifier. Its sitting on about 25 feet above ground and 50 foot of rg6 cable. Here is my Analysis Results http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...46aee167e62015. I get the channels 4.1-4.2-17.1-17.2-17.3-21.1-21.2-62-1-62.2. The antenna is pointed at 200 degrees. I would like 13.1-13.2-13.2. Is this antenna good for the 13 channels or is it too weak? Or is the another antenna I could add to the this channel?

StephanieS · 28-Nov-2013, 2:13 AM

Greetings rfox,

The first issue that jumps out at me is the use of the HDB8X. While claiming H-VHF support, it's a little more flimsy on that than what is touted by the literature and marketing. The HDB8X is not a VHF antenna, it is a UHF design. Thus, channels 7-13 aren't going to be it's strength. WLOS (ABC) is in the weak category, so the HDB8X is not your antenna for that signal. You ought to be able to receive WLOS, but I'll address that further down.

In looking at your TVfool plot, I see you have many directions that signals arrive at you from. The good thing is the nearby translators at magnetic 136 I see you can receive PBS, CBS and NBC via them. Are you currently receiving those networks via the translators?

Second issue is you have L-VHF (channels 2-6) in your area. Of interest special interest is W02AT-D, which reports rebroadcast of WSPA CBS.

Also, NBC WCYB I don't account for as it should be easier received via translator W09AS's rebroadcast of NBC WYFF.

Ironically, ABC WLOS does have a translator near you via W12AU at magnetic 136. However, it appears that translator is highly directional and pointing it's power away from you. Thus, RF 13 of WLOS is likely have a higher chance of successful reception.

If I were to re-evaluate your set up, I would change antennas. First I would at magnetic 136 point an AntennaCraft C290. This antenna will give you complete receiving coverage of your translators over channels 2 - 50. PBS, NBC, CBS would be received on this antenna.

For WLOS at magnetic 220 I would dedicate a Antennacraft Y10-7-13 H-VHF antenna exclusively for it. The Y10-7-13 is favored by many here for it's ability to focus on weak VHF signals.

This would provide you NBC, CBS and PBS on the first antenna. The second antenna would be ABC (WLOS).

FOX broadcast network is in extreme weak category. At -4.5db there is a possibility, however remote of reception. I would point your HDB8X at magnetic 27 to test reception with current set up. This will give you an idea if reception is feasible. The HDB8X is a good antenna to test WEMT due to 2-edge conditions and the large surface area of the antenna. Make sure both panels are orientated the same direction when conducting WEMT testing.

Lastly, I would run these as two separate antennas systems. Each one would have it's own dedicated coax line. In the house, they'd connect to an A/B switch to switch between antennas then you can split them off multiple feeds or just one TV. The Y10-7-13 I would suggest a RCA Preamp TVPRAMP1R or repurposing your current pre-amplifier. If running a RCA preamp, insert power supply on the coax right before the A/B switch. The Antennacraft C290 I would not run a preamp unless needed.

Sorry to blow your system up, but the above description should yield you reliable reception of most major networks. Fox is going to be a wildcard. You will just have to do some tests with your system. Negative db signals, some have gotten them with ease, some like me, have never locked on one.

Best of luck!

SS

Quote:

Originally Posted by rfox20

I have a Solid Signal Xtreme Signal HDB8X with a Antennacraft by RadioShack 10G201 Premium Grade VHF/UHF TV Antenna Pre-Amplifier. Its sitting on about 25 feet above ground and 50 foot of rg6 cable. Here is my Analysis Results http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...46aee167e62015. I get the channels 4.1-4.2-17.1-17.2-17.3-21.1-21.2-62-1-62.2. The antenna is pointed at 200 degrees. I would like 13.1-13.2-13.2. Is this antenna good for the 13 channels or is it too weak? Or is the another antenna I could add to the this channel?

rfox20 · 28-Nov-2013, 12:29 PM

I have tried to point my current setup a mag 136 and was only able to get pbs. So how about doing the separate Antennacraft Y10-7-13 H-VHF antenna with the RCA Preamp TVPRAMP1R to get wlos which gives my the networks ? Following up with the a/b switch as a setup.

StephanieS · 28-Nov-2013, 7:34 PM

Yes. You can do that if you are satisfied with the HD8BX.

When mounting the Y10-7-13 and aiming at magnetic 220 for WLOS, make sure it is at least 3' below (or above) your other antenna. Three to five feet separation is the goal.

How long are your coax run(s)? I would test Y10-7-13 after mounting by running coax unamplified into one TV to test reception. Then I would I add the amplifier in line and see if your results improve. Then finally, test with the chain fully set up. That is: antenna, coax, (preamp), (coax), (preamp power supply), A/B Switch, coax, (splitter), (coax), TV. Parenthesis indicate items in your chain with the use of the preamp. Being able to compare and contrast is good so you know your antenna performance in baseline scenarios and with your chain fully operational as well if there are problems at what stage issues are occuring.

Edit: Regarding only receiving PBS at magnetic 136. That makes sense. Two of the other translators are VHF (RF 2 and RF 9). This is likely the same issue you have with WLOS and the HD8BX. The antenna's VHF receiving ability is pretty much reserved for those in the excellent to good range. Those mentioned translators are in the moderate category. Thus, for reception of CBS and NBC's translators you need an antenna with stronger 2-13 VHF support in conjunction with UHF support..

Regards,
SS

Quote:

Originally Posted by rfox20

I have tried to point my current setup a mag 136 and was only able to get pbs. So how about doing the separate Antennacraft Y10-7-13 H-VHF antenna with the RCA Preamp TVPRAMP1R to get wlos which gives my the networks ? Following up with the a/b switch as a setup.

StephanieS · 29-Nov-2013, 8:58 AM

Rfox20,

I was thinking about your post again tonight. I missed that FOX/WHNS at magnetic 200 you DO receive. That is an excellent catch due to WHNS' signal being -8.0 db according to your plot. Your antenna gain and preamp are working well together. Pulling out WYCW is even more impressive.

This is a wild approach, but if I were in your shoes I may go for a three antenna option. Sounds extreme, but keeping the HD8BX at magnetic 200 keeps FOX, PBS and NBC.

Then at magnetic 136 point an AntennaCraft C290 to grab CBS and likely NBC via W09AS again. PBS will also be available here as well.

Lastly, Antennacraft Y10-7-13 pointed at magnetic 220 for ABC WLOS.

I would run preamps on the HD8BX and Y10-7-13. The C290, might call for it, but I would try without first.

Each antenna would drop it's own dedicated coax run to A/B/C switch. A usable one might be this:

http://www.mcmelectronics.com/produc...-1490-/33-1490

In this arrangement you'd add CBS high definition (as opposed to SD on 62.2), Keep FOX, Keep PBS, strengthen reception of NBC and add ABC.

It's kind of nutty, but when you have a variety of signals in several directions and special needs for each set of signals, you can see how it gets intense pretty quickly.

It would actually be fun though, doing a 3 antenna set up, just for the challenge of pulling out all the signals you want.

Of course though at the end of the day, just adding the Y10-7-13 may be the easiest.

heh

Regards,
SS

rfox20 · 13-Dec-2013, 1:59 AM

Having a hard time with adding a 2 or 3 antennas setup due to space and lack of mast. Since I get the UHF channels I want and really don't need L-VHF just H-VHF (7-13) what if I went with just one antenna like the AntennaCraft 33 Element UHF HBU33 ? Do you think I would get the same UHF performance as the Solid Signal Xtreme Signal HDB8X ? And the added gain in the H-VHF field to pull in 13.1 that the Solid Signal Xtreme Signal HDB8X lacks performance in? If not I am gonna just try adding the Y10-7-13.

13-Dec-2013, 4:48 AM

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Ok here is a way to do it , and receive All the Networks that are receivable.

PBS
NBC
ABC
CBS
The CW
MyNetwork
Me-Tv
This Tv
FOX
MOVIES Movie Channel
Weather and News channels

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Antenna system #1.

For reception of , WCBY-TV channel 5 - NBC and The CW.

And WJHL-TV channel 11 - CBS and Me-Tv.

And WEMT channel 38 - FOX and MOVIES.

And UNC channel 42 - PBS.

Install the HDB8X UHF antenna aimed at about 27 degree magnetic compass direction.

Install a AntennaCraft CS600 antenna aimed at about 25 degree magnetic compass direction.

Connecte the HDB8X and the CS600 , together with a , UHF/VHF diplexer/combiner , EU385CF-1s , buy at , http://www.solidsignal.com

Connect a , http://www.channelmasterstore.com , CM7778 preamplifier , to the output of the UHF/VHF combiner so that both antennas are amplified.

If more then 1 Tv is connected use a , Holland Electronics , HFS-2D 2 way splitter or HFS-3D 3 way splitter.

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

________________________________________________________________________________ _____

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

Use a Real and Actual magnetic compass to aim antenna.
________________________________________________________________________________ _____

Antenna system #2.

For reception of , WLOS channel 13 - ABC and MyNetwork.

And UNC channel 35 - PBS.

And W02AT-D channel 2 = WSPA-TV - CBS and Me-Tv.

And W09AS channel 9 = WYFF-DT - NBC and This Tv.

install a , http://www.antennacraft.net , HD850 antenna aimed at 190 degree magnetic compass direction.

Most likely No antenna system amplifier required for up to 3 Tv's connected.

Use a HFS-2D 2 way splitter for 2 Tv's connected and a HFS-3D 3 way splitter for 3 Tv's connected.

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

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Antenna systems 1 and 2 are Separate Antenna Systems All The Way To Each Tv Location.

At each Tv location a , Remote Control A/B antenna switch , will select antenna systems 1 and 2.

http://www.mcmelectronics.com , #32-4425 , remote control A/B antenna switch.

______________________

If you have to , you can put the antennas close together on one antenna mast.

And you can put mast pipe sections together to make the mast higher.

You can also use these , cross clamps , to install 2 masts on 1 mast.
http://www.ronard.com/700.html.

And you can also put up 2 separate antenna mounts.

_______________________________________

Here are some places to buy antennas and etc. .

http://www.solidsignal.com.

http://www.amazon.com

http://www.antennacraft.net.

http://www.channelmasterstore.com.

http://www.hollandelectronics.com

http://www.mcmelectronics.com.

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Here are some above the roof antenna mounts.

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

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

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

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

rfox20 · 15-Aug-2014, 12:59 AM

It took six months but I finally got my antenna system setup using the advice given above. I used an eve mount home made with a 20' mast. I put the Solid Signal Xtreme Signal HDB8X on top with the Y10-7-13 3' below. Used a RCA TVPRAMP1R Preamplifier connecting the HDB8X to UFH and the Y10-7-13 to the VHF. Both antenna pointed at 200 degrees. Here is what I get.
4.1 NBC 4.2 This channel
5.1 NBC 5.2 CW 5.3 Live well bad glitching
7.1 CBS 7.2 Me tv minor glitching
13.1 Abc 13.2 my40 13.3 abc
21.1 fox 21.2 local radar
17.1 pbs 17.2 pbs 17.3 pbs kids
62.1 cw 62.2 cbs
All I have left is a Antennacraft by RadioShack 10G201 preamp with nothing to do with.
Thanks for the help and suggestions. I am getting a little glitching on 7.1. but if I move the antenna it may cause some on 13 since they are 36 degrees apart.

15-Aug-2014, 2:06 AM

+=>

See Post #7.

A , http://www.antennacraft.net.

10G201 preamplifier can be added to the HD850 antenna of antenna system #2.

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And in place of the A/B switch used to change the Separate antenna systems at each Tv location.

A Separate , Tuner/Tuner Recorder , can be used to change antenna systems.

http://www.epvision.com.

The ePvision is connected to 1 antenna system and the Tv is connected to the other antenna system.