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Old 8-Apr-2011, 10:15 PM   #1
heartbeccca
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quality of antennas?

i put a unit on the roof, its about 5' wide 4' long i get 17 channels. i think i should get more judging by the search results. is the antenna quality bad to small? what about the ones sold at Menards for example?
(made by rca) what make the DB8 so good? or a winguard?

http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...8d176084142140
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Old 9-Apr-2011, 12:33 AM   #2
John Candle
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Tv Antennas and Reception

It is Ok to continue with the other post , no need to start a new one each time. Here is heartbeccas other post , http://forum.tvfool.com/showthread.php?t=1528

Last edited by John Candle; 9-Apr-2011 at 12:39 AM.
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Old 9-Apr-2011, 12:49 AM   #3
John Candle
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Tv Antennas and Reception

What is the make and model number of the antenna you have installed ??
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Old 9-Apr-2011, 1:48 AM   #4
heartbeccca
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no model #

i looked for a # on the unit and cant find one, there is no identifying marks on it at all. it is something i got from a friend, who was pitching it. i am new at this thread and forum thing, first time. its nice to know people still help each other. i have the antenna just laying on the roof for now, think im going for a tripod mount on the peak. any thoughts on the cable i am using it is the flat two conductor, into a coaxial adt. at the tv?????

the db8 is only uhf what about vhf,

Last edited by heartbeccca; 9-Apr-2011 at 2:42 AM.
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Old 9-Apr-2011, 5:44 AM   #5
GroundUrMast
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Quote:
i put a unit on the roof, its about 5' wide 4' long i get 17 channels. i think i should get more judging by the search results. is the antenna quality bad to small? what about the ones sold at Menards for example?
(made by rca) what make the DB8 so good? or a winguard?

http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...8d176084142140
What makes an antenna a good antenna?

1. It must be designed to receive the frequencies of interest.

2. For each channel of interest, it must have sufficient gain to recover enough signal power to provide an acceptable signal to noise ratio.

3. It must be able to reject signals that would interfere with reception of signals of interest.

4. It's design and construction should be such that it provides long service life.

5. It's cost should be appropriate given the previously stated requirements.

No two receiving locations are identical. No one antenna design is ideal in all applications.

Among the regular contributors, there is a bias toward those manufactures that provide sound technical information about their products, information that has proven reliable and can be verified independently. There is a consistent effort to offer antenna suggestions which match the predicted signal conditions. Mistakes can be made, we are humans, volunteering our knowledge. Often there can be more than one good choice. There can be unknown factors that lead to good intentions failing to provide all that was hoped for.

As I stated in your first thread, my recommendation of the DB8 was in error. John Candle caught the rather obvious need for an antenna that would receive WBBM, real CH-12. The Winegard HD7697P was recommended, it offers reception of channels 7 through 13 (high-VHF) and channels 14 through 69 (UHF).

However, it sounds as if the price for the antenna you have laying on your roof is hard to beat. Let's try to get the most from it. It, like all other antennas will perform better if it is mounted correctly. You will need to invest in some type of mounting, the tripod you mention is a durable, time tested option. The logical next step is to get your existing antenna a few feet above the roofing materials. Even if the existing antenna proves to be inadequate, a tripod and mast sound like a logical mounting option in your situation.

I recommend you replace the flat twin-lead with RG-6 coaxial cable, which can be placed near metal such as the mast, flashings or gutters without it's electrical properties changing. Flat twin-lead requires that it be installed using the correct parts and techniques. Failure to do so often causes reduction in signal quality.
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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.)

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Last edited by GroundUrMast; 9-Apr-2011 at 6:14 AM.
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Old 9-Apr-2011, 5:50 AM   #6
John Candle
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Tv Antennas and Reception

Does the antenna look like any of these ? If so which one ? Does the antenna have broken and missing parts. http://www.kyes.com/antenna/pointing/pointing.html

Last edited by John Candle; 9-Apr-2011 at 6:10 AM.
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Old 9-Apr-2011, 6:13 AM   #7
John Candle
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Tv Antennas and Reception

This is what happens when question askers make separate posts , questions on one answers on the other or answers on one and questions on the other. Or questions on one and questions on the other or answers on one and answers on the other. Confusion , confusion and more confusion.

Last edited by John Candle; 9-Apr-2011 at 6:21 AM.
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