Low Band VHF WYCB
 

Hello All and thanks in advance for your time, patience and expertise
First; my signal analysis;

http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...5134dc112a763e

I am about to cut the cord and have done some prep and homework beforehand. I've looked at most of the prior posts for my area and low band VHF problems.

I'm setting up for three TV's. I subscribe to Netflix and Amazon Prime and will probably add Sling. I want to be able to view all the locals for zip 37659, Jonesborough, Tn.

With the exception of WETP-DT (real 41), every other network channel broadcasts from the Holston Mountain antenna farm approx. 25 miles away.

I have an RCA ANT751 and a DB4E left over from a previous home. I also have a Winegard LNA-200. I've not had much luck with the DB4E.

Here in Eastern TN, I installed the DB4E on my rooftop at 64 degrees compass (approx. 30' elev) and was able to receive CBS, ABC, FOX and Independent 49. I was not able to receive NBC (5 is pixelated, cannot receive 28 or 29 at all) either with or without the LNA-200 installed. I repeated the same with the ANT751 with basically the same results.

I then turned the ANT751 to 270 degrees compass and was able to receive WETP (PBS 41) at nearly 100% signal strength.

My plan is to keep the ANT751 pointed to WETP PBS and use a combiner for a combination low band VHF/UHF antenna set-up pointed at 64 degrees compass (Holston Mtn).

Please advise if this plan is reasonable. A recommendation for a low band VHF/UHF antenna would be greatly appreciated. I've looked at the CM3016 and the CM3018. I've also looked at the Winegard 7084. I've been known to subscribe to the "go big or stay home" theory but would like to stay reasonably small here (everyone else on the block are satellite subscribers). Again, thanks for all you do. RJR

If you cannot receive WCYB's UHF 29 signal with a DB4e (or an ANT751R) with that report, something is very seriously amiss, whether it be the report is inaccurate or you've made some as-yet undiscovered mistake or have some system fault. A low band antenna shouldn't be needed based on your plot.

Verify your plot's accuracy by using the interactive tool and manually placing the marker on the antenna mounting location. Generate a new report at the correct height. Compare it to the first one for serious discrepancies. Post the new one if markedly different.

My first question when a reception location should be a slam dunk is always "what's in front of the antenna?" A forest, maybe?

Verification
 

I have verified the accuracy of the first plot by using the interactive tool. The antenna height and location are correct. I cannot see what is between my location and Holston Mtn, but my line of sight appears clear, so something else must be going on. Because I am in the beginning stages of installation, I have yet to ground the new RG6 cable to a grounding block. Also, the new RG-6 passes within 6" of the house's electric service feed. Could either cause the pixilation? Thanks..RJR

Verified plot;

http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...51346ed0a32eaf

Okay, the new plot is not different enough to make any difference.

Shouldn't, unless the coax in use is defective.

It probably would be prudent to check with the station's engineering staff to see if their UHF translator is on the air.

WCBY-1 and WCBY-2
 

The online coverage maps for the WCYB-1 and WCYB-2 digital channels (UHF) for my location show them to be weak to very weak, where the WCYB Low band VHF shows it to be very strong. Probably why the DB4e doesn't do well for this station at this location.

Which leads me back to my original request for a read on my proposed set-up and recommendation for a combination antenna

After doing a little more research, I'm also inclined to go along with using real channel 5 for NBC.

rabbitears.info seems to be more accurate than tvfool about NBC. CH28 isn't listed and CH29 at 15 kW is a construction permit that expires 4-26-2016. That leaves CH29 at low power.

http://www.rabbitears.info/market.ph...&callsign=wcyb

http://www.rabbitears.info/tvq.php?r...ems&facid=2455

The coverage for CH29 is very spotty in your area; you happen to be in a hot spot. For your protection, I have deleted all but two digits after the decimal point the way tvfool does it with coordinates in a report.

http://forum.tvfool.com/attachment.p...5&d=1452632588

Here is the coverage map for a location near Bacon Branch Rd and Sliger Rd

http://forum.tvfool.com/attachment.p...6&d=1452632654

at that location CH29 NBC has a NM of 0.4 dB
http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...51348a5f561bac

You could use an antenna that covers VHF-Low, VHF-High, and UHF. Your desire to combine it with a UHF antenna for WETP PBS is not easily done; you would need a special custom AC7 combiner from Tin Lee Electronics. There are some new less expensive combiners coming in from eastern Europe, but their performance is yet to be tested.

http://www.tinlee.com/PDF/AC7-custom...kup%20Info.pdf

http://www.avsforum.com/forum/25-hdt...xchange-5.html

http://www.avsforum.com/forum/25-hdt...l#post39234754

Thank You Rabbit73 for your research and reply. It does look like the way to get NBC is WCYB-5 low band VHF. I have an FM trap coming in the mail and hope to get back on my roof to re-aim the AN751 from 270 degrees back to 64degrees compass. I'm giving up on PBS WETP (2.1) and will watch that channel's programming on ROKU. I've noted through FM Fool that there are several FM radio stations that share the antenna farm on Holston Mountain (Rye Patch Knob); Three Class C's, One Class C1, One Class C2, and one Class D plus the feds, state and tri-city county government agencies have transmitters, utility microwave relay stations and last but not least the FAA has a nav beacon on the summit. Even though my signal strengths are high, my signal qualities in the VHF station bands are low, and it could very well be all the noise. I'll post some numbers before and after I install the FM trap. I hope that will give me an idea of what size combination antenna to buy. Thanks again...RJR

Your FM signal report
http://www.fmfool.com/modeling/tmp/9...6/Radar-FM.png