TV Fool  

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

Notices

Reply
 
Thread Tools
Old 26-Jan-2015, 1:25 AM   #21
JGoodwin
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 24
Something is just not right- Is the DB4e just not working properly?

Okay, I have the antenna craft Y10713 on a 8' mast on the roof with a DB4e located on the top of the mast. I'm getting every channel the Y10713 is supposed to get and I'm getting 3 channels with the DB4e 38.1, 38.2, and 38.3. What am I doing wrong? The antennas are pointed 80 degrees with a compass.

I removed the Y10713 from the mast, ran the cable straight into the DB4e and I get the same three channels.

http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...2c15ac32485aba

Last edited by JGoodwin; 26-Jan-2015 at 4:34 AM.
JGoodwin is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 26-Jan-2015, 1:59 AM   #22
Tim
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Acworth, GA
Posts: 291
Quote:
Originally Posted by JGoodwin View Post
I'm getting 3 channels with the DB4e 38.1, 38.2, and 38.3. What am I doing wrong? The antennas are pointed 80 degrees with a compass.
I do not see a virtual channel 38 on your report...can you tell us what the real channel number is? Or the call letters of the station?
Tim is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 26-Jan-2015, 2:10 AM   #23
JGoodwin
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 24
It's the Spanish channels KMEX.
JGoodwin is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 26-Jan-2015, 2:36 AM   #24
Tim
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Acworth, GA
Posts: 291
I am not sure that I follow you. KMEX is on channel 34 with virtual channels 34.1 & 34.2. You said earlier virtual channels 38.1, 38.2 & 38.3. Could it be that you are picking up KPMR on real channel 21? I think you have the back of the antenna pointing pointing at 80 degrees. Turn it around. The little bow tie shaped pieces are the front of the antenna. The wire mesh part is the rear. Does that help?
Tim is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 26-Jan-2015, 2:42 AM   #25
JGoodwin
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 24
Tim,
I agree with you but the little bow ties are pointed to the right position. My fault 34.1, 34.2, 34.3 are the current channels I'm getting. Must have been my fat fingers. It wont pick up any other channels.



KMEX-DT 34 (34.1)
Univision (SI)
Max ERP: 500.000 kW
Eff. pwr: 311.690 kW
Dist: 38.8 mi Path: 2Edge
Rx: -95.3 dBm NM: -4.3 dB
Az: 93.0° (true)

Last edited by JGoodwin; 26-Jan-2015 at 4:31 AM.
JGoodwin is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 26-Jan-2015, 7:29 AM   #26
GroundUrMast
Moderator
 
GroundUrMast's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Greater Seattle Area
Posts: 4,773
The DB4E is smaller than the antenna(s) suggested in the first five or six reply to your original post. If you are aiming through a tree or other obstruction, even the larger antennas that were suggested are likely to have a great deal of trouble providing reliable reception. Still, if I was in your situation, I'd certainly try a DB8E or 91XG + a Y10713 combination.

Before you drill any holes in your roof, I strongly recommend that you prove reliable reception can occur at a proposed antenna location. If testing fails, you need to try an alternate location and/or height.

If you can't find any location/height that produces acceptable reception, you'll need to review your test results to determine if you have seen enough evidence to suggest that a larger antenna could reasonably hope to produce acceptable results. We'll be glad to help you make that assessment if that proves to be the case.

To answer your question, "...Is the DB4e just not working properly?" No, I don't think the DB4E is at fault... I think it's simply not the best antenna for your specific situation. (Please don't interpret this to be a negative comment re. the DB4E... I own one that I willingly paid full retail price for and have been very satisfied with. But my signal conditions are vastly different than those shown in your TVFR.)
__________________
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 26-Jan-2015, 11:12 AM   #27
ADTech
Antennas Direct Tech Supp
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 2,942
Where is the preamplifier that was prescribed? Without one, you don't have much of a chance.

I worked your plot backwards and came up with a location in the near vicinity of the intersection of Appleton and Lembert. That location is directly behind the peak of that 1400' hill less than a mile away (that intersection is at 900' ASL). Being 500' below a hill less than a mile away will pretty much remove any chance of predicting reliability of UHF reception, the UHF signals simply won't diffract soon enough to reach your elevation within that short of a distance with enough strength and quality to provide reception. VHF diffracts more readily and that's why you're getting those stations.

There's only so much that one can glean from the TVFool plot in making a reception assessment, sometimes it takes looking at the actual topographic map combined with experience to "read" the terrain from a computer screen and apply ones experience in previous situations to come up with a best estimate of one's chances. If I'd looked at the terrain first, I'd have assigned a near zero chance of reliable UHF reception for your immediate area.

Fellow member Pete Higgins is behind a similar hill down in the San Marino area complicated by transmitters on the hill that he's behind (at least you don't have that concern). I gave him a "near zero" chance of reliable reception, but through extraordinary means, he's managed to pull out a level of reception that keeps him busy. You might want to review his posts from when he was working on his system for insight into what it took.
__________________
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.

Last edited by ADTech; 26-Jan-2015 at 11:33 AM.
ADTech is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 26-Jan-2015, 2:28 PM   #28
JGoodwin
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 24
Yes the DB4e is a smaller antenna that was suggested in this form. The reason being when I called Antennas Direct and they looked at my signal analysis they recommended the DB4e and not the DB8e, because I'm only looking to get the channels in one direction. He also recommended the AM4262C Distribution amplifier which I have not hooked up yet. From my understanding the AM4262C is to carry the signal to another TV over 50' away.

There is a house, a street away that has a 4 bay cat whiskey antenna that is picking up 25+ channels with no amp and I'm higher on a hill than he is.

Sorry for all the questions, I'm new to the OTA community.
JGoodwin is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 26-Jan-2015, 3:25 PM   #29
ADTech
Antennas Direct Tech Supp
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 2,942
I hate to say this, but you must have gotten one of the new guys when you called in...

Forget the little distribution amp, it's not going to do you any good. You need a mast-mounted preamp and a more directional UHF antenna.

I do not have your precise location, I'm basing my assessment on a deconstruction of your posted plot so there is certainly margin for error. If you can send me the exact GPS coordinates for your rooftop by PM, I'll look closer at it. You can get those by using the interactive maps feature. Relocate the balloon in the satellite view as needed, your coordinates will be below the lower left of the map or aerial view.
__________________
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 26-Jan-2015, 3:52 PM   #30
JGoodwin
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 24
I have no problem exchanging the DB4e for the DB8e and getting an amp if that's what is needed.

Before I make any changes I'll wait to hear back from ADTech.
JGoodwin is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 26-Jan-2015, 11:50 PM   #31
ADTech
Antennas Direct Tech Supp
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 2,942
Okay, got your coordinates and your location. My estimate of your location was fairly good, eh?

My suggestion for the moment is as follows:

Run down to Woodland Hills to Frys (call first and verify stock) and see if you can pick up an RCA preamp. It's the best you're going to do in any retail store and the Frys website indicates they have that SKU in their system. I don't know of any other retail chains in the SoCal area that might carry it. You can always order it from Amazon or Walmart.com or wherever if time isn't important.

Mount the DB4e on the northern gable of your roof. From what I can see in the available aerial photos, that spot appears to put that tree across the street just out of your line of sight towards Mt Wilson. Aim antenna just to the left side of that tree as you're looking at it.

Pop the plugs out of the RCA's case and make sure that the SEPARATE/COMBINED switch is in the "SEPARATE" position and that the FM Trap is IN or ON.

Install the preamp as close as possible to the DB4e using the shortest possible cable and connect the DB4e to the UHF input of the amp.

Connect the VHF antenna to the VHF input of the amp or you can leave it out of the initial testing and ignore VHF for the moment, your choice, whichever is easier.

Run a temporary coax from the output of the amp indoors to a location near your test TV set. Connect the power inserter between the coax and the TV set following the directions included with the RCA. Plug it in and turn it on.

On your TV set, re-run your channel scan with the mode set to ANTENNA.

Let's see what you get from that experiment before doing anything else. If you get no UHF at all from Mt Wilson, there's probably none to be had at your location due to terrain shadowing, upgrading to a slightly stronger antenna won't make any significant difference.

Let us know how it goes.

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
Old 27-Jan-2015, 3:32 PM   #32
JGoodwin
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 24
ADTech- Before I got your response I called antennas direct and spoke to the tech department. I thought it would be easier to talk to you directly not knowing there are multiply people in the tech department.

They also looked at me signal analysis and they came up with: taking down the DB4e and putting up a 91XG Uni-Directional Ultra Long Range.

Which antenna should work better? The 91XG has more gain than the DB4e.

Any suggestion on preamp antenna combos out of those two?

In the mean time I also ordered a RCA preamp and will move the antenna to the North gable of the roof.
JGoodwin is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 2-Feb-2015, 1:59 AM   #33
JGoodwin
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 24
Quote:
Originally Posted by ADTech View Post
Okay, got your coordinates and your location. My estimate of your location was fairly good, eh?

My suggestion for the moment is as follows:

Run down to Woodland Hills to Frys (call first and verify stock) and see if you can pick up an RCA preamp. It's the best you're going to do in any retail store and the Frys website indicates they have that SKU in their system. I don't know of any other retail chains in the SoCal area that might carry it. You can always order it from Amazon or Walmart.com or wherever if time isn't important.

Mount the DB4e on the northern gable of your roof. From what I can see in the available aerial photos, that spot appears to put that tree across the street just out of your line of sight towards Mt Wilson. Aim antenna just to the left side of that tree as you're looking at it.

Pop the plugs out of the RCA's case and make sure that the SEPARATE/COMBINED switch is in the "SEPARATE" position and that the FM Trap is IN or ON.

Install the preamp as close as possible to the DB4e using the shortest possible cable and connect the DB4e to the UHF input of the amp.

Connect the VHF antenna to the VHF input of the amp or you can leave it out of the initial testing and ignore VHF for the moment, your choice, whichever is easier.

Run a temporary coax from the output of the amp indoors to a location near your test TV set. Connect the power inserter between the coax and the TV set following the directions included with the RCA. Plug it in and turn it on.

On your TV set, re-run your channel scan with the mode set to ANTENNA.

Let's see what you get from that experiment before doing anything else. If you get no UHF at all from Mt Wilson, there's probably none to be had at your location due to terrain shadowing, upgrading to a slightly stronger antenna won't make any significant difference.

Let us know how it goes.

Best of luck!
Okay- I put the DB4e on the Northern gable of the roof, on the very top of a 10' mast with the RCA preamp. Pointed it towards MT Wilson and received channels KWHY 22.1, 22.2, 22.3, 22.4, 22.5, 22.6, 22.7, 22.8, 22.9, 22.10, KMEX (yes) channels 38.1, Univisi 38.2, units 38.32, KDOC 56.1, KBEH 63.1, KAZA 54.1, KILM 64.1 and KRCA 62.1

Not bad the only problem is 99% of those are in Spanish and that doesn't help me.

I than spun the DB4e around to 273 degrees and I can pick up channels KEYT-HD 3.1, KEYT-SD 3.2, KVMD-DT 31.1, UDG 31.2, FILAM 31.3, GDTV 31.4, Creatio 31.5, CRTV 31.6, TBWTV 31.7, WCETV 31.8, CCTV 31.9, TSTV 31.10, KSSE-FM (radio) 31.107, Univisi 38.1, Unimas 38.2, and LATV 38.3

5 of those channels are English. I should be able to pick up more English channels.

Any feed back would help out.

I didn't hook up the VHF antenna because on my VHF test I received all channels I need.


Any feed back would help out.

http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...2c154a453a29fe
JGoodwin is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 2-Feb-2015, 11:46 AM   #34
ADTech
Antennas Direct Tech Supp
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 2,942
The 91XG should be there soon. Boresite it on the visual horizon in the signal path. Experiment with its height in 1' increments and see if you can find a spot where it works best.

Good 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
Old 2-Feb-2015, 3:14 PM   #35
JGoodwin
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 24
What would make the 91XG pick up different channels than the DB4e? Is it a gain issue or is it because the antenna is 8' long?
JGoodwin is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 3-Feb-2015, 11:57 AM   #36
BigDaveyL
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 15
Quote:
Originally Posted by JGoodwin View Post
What would make the 91XG pick up different channels than the DB4e? Is it a gain issue or is it because the antenna is 8' long?
From my limited understanding, the 91XG is one of the highest gain antenna's one can currently buy (without buying something secondhand, importing one, etc.). It is also very directional so it can deal with multipath interference better.

See here for some technical specs:
https://www.antennasdirect.com/cmss_...s/DB4E-TDS.pdf
https://www.antennasdirect.com/cmss_...s/DB8E-TDS.pdf
https://www.antennasdirect.com/cmss_...y/91XG-TDS.pdf
BigDaveyL is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 6-Feb-2015, 8:22 PM   #37
Pete Higgins
Member
 
Pete Higgins's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: California, 58 miles @112 degrees from Mt. Wilson
Posts: 83
Hello Pete, My name is XXXX. I started the thread Antenna advise- Simi Valley. I was told by ADtech to follow some of your forms because my reception situation is similar to yours other than the transponders on the hillside you have to deal with.

What is your antenna setup for VHF and UHF and how many channels are you getting?
I live in Moreno Valley, just east of Riverside & north of March ARB. Currently I am running a Y10 7-13 (@ ~43’) for high VHF & two Solid Signal HDB8-X’s (~8” below it) for UHF. Like you, all my signals are 1 & 2-edge but my house is ~3.5 miles from Box Springs Mtn. so I’m not in nearly as deep of a shadow as you are. For UHF I have tried a single & dual 91XG’s, and a single & dual HDB8-X’s. At my location, the 91XG yagi (single or dual) does a better job of receiving channel 43 (CBS 2.1) than channel 36 (NBC 4.1). On the other hand, the 8-Bay’s do a better job with channel 36 @ the expense of channel 43.
See this thread, post 85
http://forum.tvfool.com/showthread.php?t=13236

I have a y10713 with a DB4e. The DB4e is only pulling none English channels (about 20) and 5 English channels.
For a long time I thought the translator transistors must be bad in all these antennas because I have the same problem.


I than received a 91XG this week and will be installing it tomorrow. I also have an RCA preamp hooked up to UHF.
I have tried several different amplifier brands & multiple models of those brands and the RCA’s work best for me. They are also the cheapest! I currently have 4 in use.


I receive most channels 7-13 from Mt. Wilson with the Y10713.
I get channel 7 (always), 9 (usually), 11.1 (sometimes), 11.2 (usually –it’s broadcast on channel 13) and channel 13 (usually). I also get channel 8 & 10 (sometimes) from San Diego when I point my antenna 180 deg. (TRUE).


The thread Antenna advise- Simi Valley has more information about my situation.
I read the thread –start to post # 36.


Are there a lot of English channels broadcasted from Mt. Wilson?
Yes, major networks channel 43 = CBS, 36 = NBC, 7 = ABC, 9 KCAL, 11 = FOX, 13 KCOP = My, 38 = ION, several PBS channels and some of the sub-channels on the foreign language stations offer English programming.


Any advise will be greatly appreciated.
Pete Higgins is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-Feb-2015, 11:04 PM   #38
JGoodwin
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 24
Thanks for all your help.

The conclusion is- North side of house, Eve mount, mast at 10' with 91XG at the top 3' lower is a Y10713. Both are attached to a RCA PREAMP.

I scanned 55 channels in rainy weather over the weekend and Monday when everything was clear I scanned 96 channels.

My only issue is Channel 9. I don't get it and that is one channel I'd like to have. What can I do to receive that channel?

If it helps these are the channels I get-
2.1 KCBS
2.2
4.1 NBC
4.2 COZY
5.1 KTLA
5.2
5.3
7.1 RF7
11.1 KTTV
11.2 FOX
13.1 KCOP
13.2 BOUNCE
13.3 MOVIES
18.1 (BLUE SCREEN)- 18.9 (BLUE SCREEN)
22.1 TVMF
22.2 SUPER
22.3 KAYDAY
22.4 IGLJES
22.5 MAJEST
22.6 JUVENT
22.7 KWHY (BLUE SCREEN)
22.8 (BLUE SCREEN)
30.1 ION
30.2 QUBO
30.3 IONLIFE
30.4 SHOP
30.6 QVC
30.6 HSN
34.1 KMEX
34.2 UNIMAS
38.1 KMEX
38.2 UNIMAS
38.3 LATV
44.1 KXLA
44.2 H&S
44.3 SKYLINK
44.4 SKY
44.5 ARRANG
44.6 IAVC
44.7 NTPTV
44.8 ICN
44.9 GETV
44.10 AMGA
44.11 AOTV
44.12 CTRV
46.1 UNIMAS
46.2 GETTV (BLUE SCREEN)
46.3 ESCAPE (BLUE SCREE)
46.4 GRITTV (BLUE SCREEN)
50.1 PBS
50.2 PBS PLUS
50.3 DAYSTAR
50.4 PBS WORLD
54.1 KAZA
54.2 PRAISE
54.3 VIETTV
54.4 S-CHNL
56.1 KDOC
56.2 ESNE
56.3 ME-TV
56.4 WORKS
56.5 KVLA
57.1 KJLA
57.2 UFACE
57.3 UNA
57.4 SET
57.5 STV
57.6 VBS
57.7 LSTV
57.8 IBC
57.9 ZWTV
57.10 ENT
57.11 VICTSON
57.12 VGMT
62.1 KRCA
62.2 HTTV
62.3 3
62.4 IMRGRAN
62.6 STVUSA
63.1 KBEH
63.2- 63.8
JGoodwin is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-Feb-2015, 11:35 PM   #39
Tim
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Acworth, GA
Posts: 291
Quote:
Originally Posted by JGoodwin View Post
I scanned 55 channels in rainy weather over the weekend and Monday when everything was clear I scanned 96 channels.
I can't say about your channel 9 issue, but if you are getting fewer UHF stations with your 91XG when it rains, you might want to check this thread: http://forum.tvfool.com/showthread.php?t=15162
Tim is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-Feb-2015, 11:48 PM   #40
JGoodwin
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 24
Thanks Tim, I'll keep that in mind. Next time I'm on the roof I'll look for the weep holes.
JGoodwin 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 4:58 PM.


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