Antenna help

dirtdobber · 7-Jan-2012, 4:49 AM

I originally posted this over at the hdtvantennalabs forum. After looking at the board, it appeared that no one had been there in a while, so I decided to post it here.

Here is the obligatory TV Fool report.

http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapp ... be0633a11d

I live in a beautiful area of Jackson, MS called Fondren. (It's where the movie The Help was filmed.) While the trees are all very beautiful and give us shade in the hot Mississippi summers, they are not good for getting good OTA TV reception. Adding to that, I live in an area I call the servants quarters. Pass all the beautiful two-story plantation-style homes, go down to the bottom of the hill, and I live in the valley of duplexes.

The house that is on the next block from me, between me and the antenna farm, that is, lying between about 230 degrees and 240 degrees, is a two-story home surrounded by beautiful, old, tall oak trees. I'd guess his elevation is about 30 feet higher than me.

Right now, I have a Winegard 4400 with a Winegard 8275 preamp. I have one TV on it, around a 2006 model 27" Toshiba tube HDTV. The cable run is about 35 feet from the antenna to the TV.

Here's what I get 3 (30), 12 (12), 16 (21), 23.1 without sound, 27 analog clear, 29 (20), 34 (34), 35 (41), and 40 (40). All of this I get with the antenna pointed around 238 degrees, right around the gazebo in boss's backyard. When I unplug the preamp, I lose 12. I know that's because of the 4400 and its lack of VHF. (They actually are trying to move to 28.)

I was thinking of getting a Winegard 7694 or pushing my antenna mounting to mount a 7695 to catch a better signal on 12 (it has periodic dropouts) and pick up some of the low powers that are around me. I was thinking a horizontal lpda and yagi would pick up more vertically than the vertical 4 bay and catch more signal coming over the trees.

I should have listened to the Tigerbangs prescription and gotten the Channel Master 7777 preamp. That would allowed me the option to maybe stack a VHF below to help the 12 problem. I also could have added a high gain yagi later. With one input on the 8275, it's either a combo antenna or lose some dB with a UVSJ.

Any suggestions?

Electron · 7-Jan-2012, 2:21 PM

The tvfool radar report is not working.

dirtdobber · 7-Jan-2012, 5:07 PM

Alrighty, let's try that again.

http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...7fb9be0633a11d

GroundUrMast · 7-Jan-2012, 11:48 PM

Without a working link to your TVFR, I can only comment on the UVSJ. You'll loose very little (a dB or less as I recall) with a good UVSJ. Unlike a splitter that divides available power over a wide range of frequencies, a UVSJ is a filter network that has dedicated input ports, one for UHF only and the other for VHF only.

I would not hesitate to use a good UVSJ ahead of a single input, broadband preamp.

dirtdobber · 8-Jan-2012, 12:51 AM

This is the second time I've tried to repost this link. Sorry about that, folks.

http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...7fb9be0633a11d

GroundUrMast · 8-Jan-2012, 2:14 AM

Which low power signals are you after? And have you verified they are actually on the air?

On paper, the HD7694P would be plenty of antenna for reliable local reception. You already have an understanding of how the large trees are working against you though. So, the larger variations of the HD769X series are not overkill.

My personal preference is to use Yagi style antennas when the potential of multipath is high. So I don't favor the second H-VHF and panel antenna combination though it could work well.

I am concerned that the AP8275 is a deep fringe, weak signal preamp. It would not be my recommendation in your situation due to the relatively strong local signals. Local reception should not need any amplifier.

If you're going after weak DX signals, I could only recommend a high-input preamp such as a CPA-19 by Antennas Direct or an HDP-269 by Winegard. I would also amend my antenna recommendation if DXing is your goal.

Electron · 9-Jan-2012, 4:17 AM

WMPN , WMAW , WMAO , are all the same PBS , http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mississ...c_Broadcasting. WABG-DT digital 32 is ABC and FOX. W68DX digital 38 is Hispanic Christian Tv. The next two digital tv stations are in the same direction as the main group of tv stations. WJKO-LP digital 14 is Trinity Broadcasting Network. . WWJX 23 is http://legacytv.wordpress.com

Electron · 9-Jan-2012, 5:18 AM

I recommend install a Winegard HD7084P antenna with a Winegard HDP269 preamp. Aimed at about 220 degree magnetic compass , here is how to aim antennas , http://www.kyes.com/antenna/pointing/pointing.html. Mount the antenna above the roof at about 25 feet above ground or higher. Here are some antenna mounts , http://www.ronard.com/Tripod%200703/4712.html , http://www.ronard.com/909911.html , http://www.ronard.com/34424560.html , http://www.ronard.com/34424560.html

Electron · 9-Jan-2012, 5:33 AM

Here are Analog Tv stations. These Analog tv stations , may or may not be transmitting. WJMF-LP 6 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WJMF-LP. WBXX-CA 8 The CW . W46CW 46 the same as WUFX MyNetwork. W23BC 23 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/W23BC . WBMS-CA 10 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WBMS-CA , http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WXMS-LP. WJKO-LP 64 Trinity Broadcasting Network.

danw5211 · 6-Apr-2012, 4:37 AM

I'm located about 90 miles southeast of Jackson and I am also in a valley. Using the Channel Master 4221HD and a Winegard AP-8275 I have no problems with my local stations overpowering the tuner. The two closest stations are at 014 and 038 degrees and I keep my antenna aimed at the Mobile/ Pensacola area. As they have a better choice of channels and programming. Antenna is aimed at 121 degrees and I am still able to receive Biloxi stations at 145 and 161 degrees.

Try connecting your antenna, Without the preamp, to your television and do a scan. Then rotate your antenna for the best reception on WJTV channel 12. I have found that the 4 bay antenna have multiple lobes and a direct line-of-sight aim toward the tower isn't always the best signal strength or quality. Once you find a sweet spot for Channel 12 then connect the preamp and recheck your headings. Your 4 Bay should have a good 60 degree window or more. I can occasionally receive Channel 12 off of the backside of my antenna when pointed at 121 degrees. WJTV is a 315 heading. Nearly 180 degrees and I believe it's using the horizontal elements for VHF reception.

Electron and GroundurMast have far more experience here than I do. Electron's 220 degree heading looks like a really good place to start.

My TV Fool is here: http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...267e3216c4a823

And my Rabbitears TV DX profile is here: http://www.rabbitears.info/dxlocation.php?id=132

All accomplished with the top of the antenna mast at 15 feet above ground level.

Electron · 6-Apr-2012, 5:09 AM

The distance from Hattiesburg to Jackson is 82 miles , the Tv stations are not in the same directions. Are you asking for help with reception?

danw5211 · 9-Apr-2012, 6:26 AM

Thanks, Electron, but I was just offering what I use here at home and backing up your heading of 220 degrees.

I'm at 82 or so received stations on my log so I think I have enough for now.