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-   -   Can anyone help me choose an antenna? (http://forum.tvfool.com/showthread.php?t=14289)

OTA_newb 6-Mar-2014 7:45 PM

Can anyone help me choose an antenna?
 
I'm trying to get my antenna reception working again. I used to have a decently large Winegard antenna mounted and it received most of the stations on my TVFool report, but it fell and busted. Wondering if there are any smaller, more convenient options for me. I'm at pretty high elevation and can avoid most trees. No buildings.

Here's my report: http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...5b9435f07da64e

I can mount it anywhere up to about 30'. I'm pretty handy and can build my own if it'd be able to work for me. I'm really only interested in the channels that are within reasonable reach (ABC,NBC, PBS, CBS). I currently have a really old, really big Winegard mounted that I got from my neighbor. It must be outdated because I can't find the model, or anything similar, anywhere on the internet and it only picks up channel 12.1 (ABC). I currently have it split to 2 TVs, but I haven't seen any change in signal strength from when it's ran directly to one TV.

Any help on my situation would be appreciated, I really don't want to give in and start paying an arm and a leg for satellite TV. :confused:

Cheers!

StephanieS 6-Mar-2014 9:53 PM

Hello OTA_newb,

The short answer to your question is no, a small antenna is not a viable option for you. There are two factors for this. First, you have low-VHF (real channels 2-6) and high-VHF(real channels 7-13) to contend with. UHF isn't really a concern as you don't have any with strong enough signals to be reliable. Second, your signals are weak to very weak.

If I were in your situation I would go with with one of the largest all band antennas on the market, the Antennacraft HD1850. You can find it here: http://www.antennacraft.net/Antennas...llChannel.html or here http://www.solidsignal.com/pview.asp...-%28hd-1800%29. Orientate antenna to magnetic heading 289.

How long is your coax run? A preamp in this situation could be appropriate. I've had great success with the RCA TVPRAMP1R. http://www.amazon.com/RCA-TVPRAMP1R-.../dp/B003P92D9Y. Make sure when installing put antenna from coax into the "VHF" input. There is also a switch below the coax input under a rubber gasket. Make sure it is in VHF as well.

I would expect at the heading of 289 you should see ABC, NBC and PBS. KTVL CBS may not be received. From data I've been able to find, K04JQ is a translator of KTVL. I would be prepared that your CBS service will be via that analog standard definition translator rather than KTVL's digital primary high definition signal.

The bottom line in this situation is that since you have both bands of VHF that are very weak you need a big aerial that is designed for both VHF bands. A small one like a HBU11 or RCA ANT751 will not yield you the results you are desiring.

Cheers.

OTA_newb 6-Mar-2014 10:11 PM

Thanks for the response!

The model you suggested looks very similar to the one I use to have mounted. Not sure if the channels have changed since I had that (a couple years ago) but I was very happy with the channels I was able to receive. And I didn't have a preamp since my run is only about 15-20 feet longer than the mount height. But I might get one this time to help with the split. I was just hoping there was a somewhat cheaper option. Guess I'll just have to go all out. Still cheaper than cable in the long run!

Thanks again!

OTA_newb 6-Mar-2014 10:21 PM

I just thought it might be worth mentioning that the antenna I'm currently using is very similar to the model suggested. The only difference being that the end with the long skinny poles is split into 2 masts that are angled apart from each other. I'm assuming this is an outdated model because I can't find anything like it online. But I'm wondering if there's anything I can do to make it work a little better? Maybe take one of the masts off and make the other parallel to the ground like the HD1850? Or maybe put them as close together as possible rather than the ~45 degree angle they're currently at? Like I said, I get 12.1 clearly with it, and got 5.1 for a while, so I'm sure it's not far from picking up a few of the channels on the list.

teleview 6-Mar-2014 11:41 PM

+=>
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I called the engineering department at KTVL , Yes the VHF channel low band channel 4 , K04JQ repeater transmitter for KTVL channel 10 , is on the air.

http://en.wikipedia.org wiki/KTVL.

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The Tvfool radar report and channel list shows only Real VHF channels , 4 , 5 , 8 , 12 , 10.

No UHF channel 14 thru 51 , at your reception location.

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So a VHF channels 2 thru 13 antenna will receive the Digital Tv Station/Channels.

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I say give this Smaller Antenna a Test , the price is Low Dollars.

http://www.antennacraft.net.

CS600 VHF channels 2 thru 13 antenna.


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Also install a , 10G221 preamplifier.

Connect the CS600 to the VHF connection of the preamplifier and operate the preamplifier in the , Separate VHF/UHF antennas mode or the combined antenna mode.

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Tvfool shows no current UHF Tv stations/Channels.

So when UHF channels begin transmitting the 10G221 preamplifier has the separate connection for a UHF antenna.

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Here are some above the roof antenna mounts.

http://www.ronard.com/9809911.html.
Use the , ronard(911) , 5 foot tripod antenna mount.

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

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

Buy the ronard antenna mounts at , http://www.ronard.com , or , http://www.amazon.com.

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Home Depot has 10 foot 6 inch lengths of , TOP RAIL , chain link fence , PIPE , that make excellent antenna mast pipe , the price is about 10 dollars.

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For 1 Tv connected use No splitter.

For 2 Tv's connected use a , Holland Electronics , HFS-2D , 2 way splitter.

For 3 Tv's connected use a , Holland Electronics , HFS-3D , 3 way splitter.

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

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Here are some places to buy antennas and etc. .

http://www.antennacraft.net.

http://www.amazon.com.

http://www.hollandelectronics.com

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Here are the Tv stations.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KTVL.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KOBI.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Souther...lic_Television .

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KDRV.

StephanieS 7-Mar-2014 12:50 AM

If it's easy and safe, why don't take a picture of the existing model, post it for us then we can talk about it.

SS


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