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Originally Posted by rackit7
I am trying understand the VHF retrofit kit. So when I see WCBS which I know as channel 2; in fact is a UHF frequency at either 22 or 33? And, there are two because there are 2 different transmitters for the same station, one in NYC and one on Long Island?
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Looks to be the case.
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Analog-to-digital conversion[edit]
WCBS-TV discontinued regular programming on its analog signal, over VHF channel 2, at 2 p.m. on June 12, 2009, as part of the federally mandated transition from analog to digital television.[7] The station's digital signal relocated from its pre-transition UHF channel 56, which was among the high band UHF channels (52-69) that were removed from broadcasting use as a result of the transition, to UHF channel 33,[8] using PSIP to display WCBS-TV's virtual channel as 2 on digital television receivers. Since the station qualified for the nightlight clause in the DTV Delay Act,[9] WCBS kept its analog signal on for one month to provide public service announcements, permanently shutting it down during the early morning hours of July 13, 2009; this possibly made it the last full power NTSC broadcast television station in the United States to discontinue analog transmissions.[9]
WCBS-TV currently has a construction permit for a digital fill-in translator on channel 22 in Plainview, Long Island, which will serve portions of eastern and central Long Island where WCBS-TV's signal is affected by the presence of WFSB, a CBS affiliate in Hartford, Connecticut which also broadcasts on channel 33.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rackit7
The VHF retrofit seems like a real small piece of gear, sorry to sound silly, but should it pull NYC stations from 45 miles away like WABC, WNET, or WPIX? On another note if it did not pick them up, I could receive ABC programming from WNTH and PBS from WLIW (Long Island) and/or WEDW from Bridgeport?
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Its trial and error for sure. I have 2 channels that are 45ish miles away I'm getting with that dipole. There is a couple other options that have been recommended in a few other threads from Stellar Labs. These are larger antennas.
MCM Part #30-2475
and
MCM Part #30-2476
One last option is the Clearstream 5 which has the gain in between the Stellar Labs antennas and the Dipoles but it is the most expensive.
Clearstream 5
They definately have more gain but you only have 3 VHF(hi) stations and CW is the only one that you can't get on UHF.
WABC (ABC) which is close
WPIX (CW) and WNET (PBS) .... those are out there and I'm sure you would have the best shot with the larger antennas. I pickup two channels that are about the same distance as yours but a weaker signal with 10 less NM(db)s. Again.... this is something that can always be returned if it doesn't work. Its the unfortunately thing about this. What works for one doesn't always work for the other.
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Originally Posted by rackit7
Is this why a long range UHF antenna like the DB8e would be better in my situation than a VHF/UHF combo like the Winegard HD 7698?
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I recommended the DB8e for pure GAIN and its quality. You could always try the Winegard and if it works.... great and if not it could be returned. It was just my opinion as I'm no expert.
Quote:
Originally Posted by rackit7
One last question, thoughts about the DB4e as I believe it has wider beam width - 60 degrees? Would it give a better a shot at getting both the stations from NYC and Long Island? Thanks for the input.
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That beam is not wide enough since the other stations are almost in the opposite direction so I think getting the most gain on one direction and based on the wanted channels you listed is a better choice. The DB8e will probably pick up some stations from the back side of the antenna.