Would a DB8e be a good choice?

[Corey]

Just moved, cut the cord in the process... With football season coming up I'm getting anxious without NBC, CBS and FOX. I have a smaller AD CS1 that gets me the green and yellow (minus NBC, can't get it to come in reliably). I'm looking to upgrade and hopefully get NBC and FOX.

The current antenna is indoors sitting near a window, would be looking to attic mount the DB8e, rooftop isn't really an option.

Thanks!

Here's my report: http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...8e03a6e2d18e35

[rabbit73]

Welcome to the forum, Corey:

The signal loss in the attic is difficult to predict, but the DB8E, with both panels aimed at 268 degrees magnetic, gives you your best chance for the channels you want. A metal roof, aluminum thermal barrier, aluminum siding, and stucco will block signals, as will trees and other buildings in the signal path.

Try different locations in the attic. If your TV has a signal strength indicator, that would help.

NBC on real channel 48 and Fox on 22 are your weakest channels. Fox on real channel 13 would require a different antenna. Fox on 22 has co-channel interference from CHAN on the same channel, but CHAN is 24 dB weaker and in a different direction.

If you click on a callsign in your report you will see the terrain profile which shows the interference from the terrain. You will also see that out of the Maximum ERP of 960.000 kW for NBC, only 163.653 kW reaches you. The transmitter is at the left end of the profile, your location is at the right.

You have some strong local FM signals that might interfere with TV reception. Insert an FM filter/trap in the coax line. See attachment.
http://www.mcmelectronics.com/produc...804247%2Cd.cGU

You can also use a HLSJ instead of an FM trap. It blocks everything below TV CH 7 including the FM band. Use high and common ports.
http://www.solidsignal.com/pview.asp?p=zhlsj

[Corey]

Thank you!

All wood construction (including siding), I'll report back with results!

[Corey]

Is there an antenna you'd recommend to combine with the DB8e to get fox on real channel 13? Assuming it needs a VHF-Hi to get?

[rabbit73]

There aren't many VHF-High antennas being made now. Antennacraft folded with the Radio Shack problem, and Winegard stopped making them.

Antennas Direct makes a VHF dipole kit that could attached to the DB8E, but I don't think it has enough gain for Fox on 13. They also make the C5 which comes with a UHF/VHF diplexer. The C5 has more gain than the dipole, which might be enough for Fox. It would also give you 9 and 11.

AbilityHDTV sells the Fracarro BLV6F VHF-HI (CH7-13) High Gain Wideband YAGI Antenna, but I have no experience with it.
http://www.abilityhdtv.com/product-i...nna-pid65.html

You could use a VHF/UHF combo antenna, like the Winegard HD7697P (in the 7694-7698 series) and the UVSJ would pass only the VHF signals from it.

It might be possible to amplify just the VHF signals to help Fox, because your strongest VHF signals are about 30 dB weaker than your strongest UHF signals.

[rickbb]

I've had good results getting VHF-Hi with my DIY DB4 using Mclapp's 10 x 9.5 design. It pulls in a VHF 11, 2edge signal from 52 miles for me. Sometimes the weather can interfere but 95% time it's a clear and strong signal.