Opinions on Antenna/Setup for my goals

Mrbowtie26 · 21-Jan-2014, 2:01 AM

Hello,
Here is my current location/signal:
http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...5b943d3758f393

I have decided to cut the cord and only get internet along with Netflix and Amazon Prime for entertainment. I am trying to get reception from the empire state building which is @236 degrees. I have a DB8e antenna that I have tried along with an Antennas Direct PA18 Antenna Kit (18.6 VHF db, and 15.4db UHF gain.) Mounting it on a pole approx. 25 feet high. I get about 14 channels. What I am trying to do is get WCBS-DT. I can't even pick it up at all. Strange thing is that I can get WXTV-DT which I believe is broadcast from the same tower. I have considered an antenna such as the Antennas Direct 91XG but I am not sure if it would be better for this or not. I have decided that before I order more antenna's that I would use a larger pre-amp so I ordered the AntennaCraft 30dB High Gain TV/FM Mast-Mounted Amplifier 10G212 thinking maybe it would help getting WCBS-DT. Please note I have no issues with purchasing another antenna and using it along with the DB8e. If I could get the signals coming out of Hartford around 13 degrees also that would be a huge plus. The reason I need WSBS-DT is unfortunately I am a New York Jets fan and they normally are broadcast on CBS out of New York but the CBS out of Hartford just broadcasts the Patriots games. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Ron H.

GroundUrMast · 21-Jan-2014, 3:45 AM

I suspect the problem is that WCBS (azimuth 250Â°) and WFSB (azimuth 26Â°) are operating on the same frequency, real CH-33. If you are handy with metal fabrication and feel up to a challenge, consider stagger stacking a pair of identical UHF antennas.

http://forum.tvfool.com/showthread.php?t=1024
http://www.anarc.org/wtfda/stagger.pdf

The idea is to minimize the amount of interfering signal received from the rear of an antenna so that the desired signal can be received.

I would consider using a pair of 91XG antennas if I decided to attempt this project.

Mrbowtie26 · 21-Jan-2014, 4:57 AM

[QUOTE=GroundUrMast;41453]I suspect the problem is that WCBS (azimuth 250Â°) and WFSB (azimuth 26Â°) are operating on the same frequency, real CH-33. If you are handy with metal fabrication and feel up to a challenge, consider stagger stacking a pair of identical UHF antennas.

Thanks for the info I appreciate it. Any idea if there is a single antenna that you would recommend for UHF and VHF Keeping in mind the towers are 65 Miles from my house ? I wouldn't mind just getting one that had VHF also. Size isn't really a huge issue for me.
Thanks
Ron H.

21-Jan-2014, 6:27 AM

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WCBS is also transmitted from a repeater transmitter , UHF channel 22 , at 189 degree magnetic compass direction.

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Also.

Digital Tv Tuners can develop -Digital Glitches- that are not cleared out with simple channel scans.

To clear tuner do Double Rescan.

www.wchstv.com/DoubleReScanAlert.pdf

StephanieS · 21-Jan-2014, 8:10 AM

Teleview's suggestion is a excellent workaround.

MrBowtie26, a test I might do is go change your DB8e to magnetic heading 189 and do a TV tuner rescan. Test on real channel 22 to see if WCBS shows up.

If reception is successful, you know WCBS is doable on RF 22. This then leads to more questions about your goals.

Are there other critical signals from NYC other than WCBS? Hartford is blessedly easier with line of sight conditions (except for CBS) and being mostly UHF (real channels 14 and up) with ABC being on High-VHF channel 10. Another DB8e ought to receive these signals well at magnetic 21, and if you are lucky including ABC since you have a very good signal on it. With VHF if you have very good signal in the air, it's not unheard of to have reliable reception of it on a UHF antenna. The great deal of signal in the air carries the day.

I'm glad your recognize that a second antenna system might be in order for Hartford. Sometimes, a second totally separate system is the way to go tied by an A/B switch indoors.

The scope of the system and how you build it is dependent on what you want to do with NYC signals. If WCBS at magnetic 22 is all you need, then you're good if reception is reliable. If you want other NYC stations, that requires even more planning.

Hartford is easy.

Cheers.

Mrbowtie26 · 21-Jan-2014, 12:00 PM

[QUOTE=teleview;41460]+=>
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WCBS is also transmitted from a repeater transmitter , UHF channel 22 , at 189 degree magnetic compass direction.

Thanks for that. I was aware there was a CBS feed @ 189 however I was not sure if it was actually the same broadcasts as WCBS. I know from inside my second floor with half of the DB8 (DB4 I guess technically) I was able to pick that up depending where I moved the antenna. Thats with a short 6 ft cable directly to my tv tuner along with a powered splitter I ran it through which is I think 10db gain. thing is my DB8 on the roof 3 ft East of where the DB4 was indoors could not pick it up. Strange but if I had the DB4 directly behind where my outside mast was it wouldnt get it but if I moved it West 3 feet It got good reception. Maybe I need to move the mast. Regarding the channels I would love to get CW out of new york or hartford. The only thing I really want is CBS feed out of NY and not Hartford. Not sure if I can pick and choose. I thought of an AV switch but I was not sure how I would have to rescan whenever I wanted to catch New york. ..... choices choices..... I think Hartford would give me more useable channels. I am still considerin maybe doing a stacked yagi type antenna for NY or a large UHF/VHF antenna to direct towards NY. Thanks you for the help I do appreciate it !!
Ron H.

Mrbowtie26 · 21-Jan-2014, 12:34 PM

To be precise my address is 53 fern st west haven ct 06516. Where the map has my antenna is in the middle of my yard. The mast is currently on the south peak near the driveway. As you can see to the north directly inbetween me and hartford is a 3 story house that may be blocking the transmissions. I do have a location on the back of my garage that I could mount too and that would make the hartford feed possibly easier... Not sure how much pointing my antenna directly at a house taller than my mast is going to hurt. Opinions are appreciated !!!
Thanks
Ron H.

http://www.antennaweb.org/Stations.a...&Lon=-72.95863

21-Jan-2014, 6:23 PM

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--->As Always<--->Antennas receive the Best with least amount to No Amount obstructions in the directions of reception.

Aim 1 panel of the DB8e antenna at about 26 degree magnetic compass direction.

Aim the other panel of the DB8e antenna at about 189 degree magnetic compass direction.

Here is how to aim antennas , www.kyes.com/antenna/pointing/pointing.html

Use a Real and Actual magnetic compass to a antenna/s.

As always , the starting antenna aim direction is the --->starting antenna aim direction.

The antenna aim direction and Also the antenna location can adjusted for best reception.

Most Digital Tv's have a , Signal Strength Meter , and some Digital Tv's also have a , Signal Quality Meter.

Signal Quality is Important.

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Digital Tuners can develop -Digital Glitches - that are not cleared out with simple channel scans.

To clear tuner , do Double Rescan.

www.wchstv.com/DoubleReScanAlert.pdf

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The PA-19 preamplifier is most likely overloading from the Strong Tv signals.
This overloading from the strong signals will make reception worse on some channels.

Remove All parts of the preamplifier , Remove the preamp unit , Remove the power injector , Remove the power supply, and Remove any other amplifiers.

For this Testing of reception have only 1 Tv connected.

No splitters.

Mrbowtie26 · 22-Jan-2014, 1:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by teleview

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--->As Always<--->Antennas receive the Best with least amount to No Amount obstructions in the directions of reception.

Aim 1 panel of the DB8e antenna at about 26 degree magnetic compass direction.

Aim the other panel of the DB8e antenna at about 189 degree magnetic compass direction.

------

The PA-18 preamplifier is most likely overloading from the Strong Tv signals.
This overloading from the strong signals will make reception worse on some channels.

Remove All parts of the preamplifier , Remove the preamp unit , Remove the power injector , Remove the power supply, and Remove any other amplifiers.

For this Testing of reception have only 1 Tv connected.

No splitters.

Sounds like a good idea I was considering that the pre amp could be causing issues. I will try this within a few days whenever it stops snowing :-)
Thanks for the info
Ron H.

Mrbowtie26 · 27-Jan-2014, 11:18 AM

Ok so aiming each DB8 side @ the appropriate heading (189, and 26 degrees) got me about 32 channels which I am pretty happy with. I was wondering if I wanted to get a bit more flexibility in how many I pull in how would I go about installing another DB4 or another DB8 to basically get full coverage ? I wasn't sure if you can install another DB8 and run both DB8 lines into a combiner before the pre amp. And if so I would assume the lines need to be the same length, and do I need to mount it a certain distance below or above the original DB8 on the mast ?
Thanks for the help !!
Ron H.

27-Jan-2014, 7:53 PM

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Looking at the , Digital Current Plus Pending Applications Included Tv Stations , the channel list and radar report.

Are all the Tv stations in the Green and Yellow reception zones being received??

If not , what ones are not??

Are any of the Tv stations in the Red reception zone being received??

What Red reception zone Tv stations are being received??

GroundUrMast · 27-Jan-2014, 8:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mrbowtie26

Ok so aiming each DB8 side @ the appropriate heading (189, and 26 degrees) got me about 32 channels which I am pretty happy with. I was wondering if I wanted to get a bit more flexibility in how many I pull in how would I go about installing another DB4 or another DB8 to basically get full coverage ? I wasn't sure if you can install another DB8 and run both DB8 lines into a combiner before the pre amp. And if so I would assume the lines need to be the same length, and do I need to mount it a certain distance below or above the original DB8 on the mast ?
Thanks for the help !!
Ron H.

Combining 'same-band' signals, for example UHF combined with UHF is possible... Success usually requires the use of high performance filters. (Translation: High performance = More money than the typical consumer grade parts and accessories.)

Check with tinlee.com. Adding a few UHF channels to an existing system may be fairly easy and cost effective. Combining many with many may leave you with the feeling that you are engineering and paying for a new cable TV head-end.

A more affordable option may be an auxiliary tuner. http://forum.tvfool.com/showthread.php?t=2882