Hi Boston,
Yes, with the panels both pointing at your Boston transmitters a DB8e would be absolute overkill.
However, the neat thing about the DB8e is that you can orientate each panel to in effect become two different antennas that are co-phased. This turns it into the DB8e into almost two clearstream 2Vs (minus the VHF element) facing two directions but acting as and working as one antenna. This situation is ideal for needs such as yours which has two signal paths off axis of one another. Many other people use the DB8e to focus on two different headings for their needs.
Also, the 70 mile reception number you hear is for both panels working the same direction in unison. In this proposed application, the 70 mile number and the gain cited for the panels orientated in the same direction don't apply. ADTech can give you more specifics about the gain and figures about the DB8e when it is working two different headings.
I wouldn't worry about the grey signals. Those are in the "extremely weak" category. It can take extreme luck, acts of God or a combo of the two to receive grey signals. People here have received signals in that color, I have not though. My weakest signal I receive reliably is a 7db (red shaded) signal that is 1-edge and 56 miles. It can have occasional drop outs if the atmosphere is feisty on any given day due to being right near the digital cliff (the point where you receive a signal or not).
Realistic expectations with the system I mentioned in my prior post is that you'll see all signals from magnetic 324 (Boston) except for W40BO, which is just a retransmission of ION from WPBX. For Providence, with one panel of the DB8e at magnetic 231 along with the Y5713 pointed to magnetic 216 expect to see: WJAR, WWDP, WNAC, WPRI, WLNE and WSBE. You might also see WLWC, however that one isn't certain.
Don't worry about red shaded signals. WPQX has the possibility of being doable and might come in. Past that, focus on Boston and Providence. Once you get past WPQX in signal weakness you are getting into the real aggressive antenna systems and even if you did that, those signals are likely to drop in and out and fluctuate.
Good luck!
SS
Quote:
Originally Posted by BostonButterfly
StephanieS: I understand what you are saying. By looking at the specs of the DB8E against my Tvfool report, it looks like the 8E would be overkill. No? If I look at the UHF stations in the providence direction, either green/yellow/red on the report, it looks like there is only one station over 30 miles away. I'm wondering if two separate DB2e's would work just as well (pointed in the directions you mentioned)?
In thinking this all through, I've been ignoring any stations in the grey section of the report. If you're saying that the DB8E will pick up those stations as well, then I understand your recommendation of the 8E. Although, almost all of those stations are beyond the 70 miles range that the 8E specs show.
thanks!
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