Extreme measures defined... Deep fringe & multi-direction
 

Been basically a couple of years as I struggled with reception. Tons of help here to get me up and running.

Original TVFool
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Then my problem station 34 - WDAF went and stayed to half power.:mad:

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Original setup was Winegards headed in two directions with Winegard amps and a combiner. As we know, that did not work out so well.

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That was on a 50' Rohn 25 (bracketed about 15' - 35' free), with some wireless internet goodies as well. This did not get it done, tried a 91XG and Y10-7-13 also with improved but not perfect results. Then went 60' and it was better, never did get the VHF to work well used RCA amp with dual inputs.

From there it was off to big help custom building an antenna. (4nec program - check out the digitalhome site for assistance - this will take months). Here is a computer look at the Gray Hoverman 10 via nikiml's site.

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Paired with a Kitztech prototype KT-500 variable low noise amp got my UHF at 95%, but backside was not always perfect and sometimes WDAF would drop. Not acceptable - football games missed. Here I was doing some testing on the house before swapping it out.

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Much improved but not perfect - work with nikiml and model a new prototype Double Bay GH 20. This took months running 24hrs a day on an i7 Quad core computer. That is a commercial door that is 3' x 8'.

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My antenna and tower survived some serious winds. Here is part of my yard. There is no way my tower should have survived especially if I had the above monster up there.

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So... significant upgrades needed. next post

Ok, spend endless hours sourcing a better tower. Find one cheap a few states away from a radio station. Go get it.

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Dig a hole.

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Add rebar and custom anchor rods to mfg spec.

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Add 15 yards of concrete per mfg guidelines for the PiRod tower.

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Wait a month for it to dry. Get some help.

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Make sure to secure it.

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Then grounding into 3 rods spread out away from tower per mfg... Ground also back to incoming service, bore under driveway for conduit to house.

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Build a massive VHF antenna with 14 db+ of gain.

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RG11 everything, UVSJ's, gas discharge surge suppressors between antennas and amps (KT-500's), grounding to everything.

Wander up top, through down a line. Drag it up. Dial everything in over the next couple months.

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With over 20 db of gain on my weakest station the Aero-M shows...

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Should mention I may my internet provider using some space as well.

Pretty much ready for football, most stations have SNR over 30. Most stations will routinely hold 100's across the board on the Homerun HD's. Might have some tweaking to do on the VHF or it could be my cut balun fighting me. Rear reception is solid but holds around 25 on SNR, some dips in the upper teens.

Should mention tower is rated for half in ice and 80mph wind and 22 sq ft of antennas.

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That, is a beautiful piece of work.:)

And my wife thinks I'm a DIY nut case. Yours must be a saint. :)

The Bride said, "I actually like it".

Our rural community actually gets internet. And it is safer to climb.

Between all the time I spend messing around w/ antennas and swapping out all of the refrigerator sized speakers in the living room, My bride, is a keeper, too.

She does get a bit bent outta shape, if I do something as simple as just boil out a carb, on the stove, though.:D


15 yards3 ? and I thought 35 x 60# was a lot. WOW!
I do have hopes of something like that, some day.