TV Fool  

Go Back   TV Fool > Over The Air Services > Help With Reception

Notices

Reply
 
Thread Tools
Old 16-Jun-2014, 2:52 PM   #1
jojocat
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 8
Broken HD7697P uhf reception?

I finally put up my HD7697P this weekend at our cabin using a gable mount, and I'm suspicious that there's something wrong with the uhf section.

http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...e1c6130cd88638

I'm pointed at 315 and only interested in channels from that direction. Channel 8 tunes showing 100% signal on the tv, and channel 10 is reliable showing 75-100% signal. But that's it. The TV did include channel 17 once or twice in the auto-scan, but there's never been enough signal to get more than a few broken frames of picture.

The complete failure on low uhf when there's such excellent signal on hi vhf seemed suspicious to me, so I followed the troubleshooting procedure on the phasing lines from winegard: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TlQke5QYbng

That test produced no improvement on low uhf using the clipped-on 75ohm connector, so I'm at a loss. Tuning in that state included a very weak channel 10, but that's it. I checked the uhf lines for grounding per the video, but they look just fine.

This installation is going through a few feet of light tree foliage in the immediate vicinity, and then a few evergreens at about 150' feet and then a lake for the next 1/2 mile or so. I'm not using an amplifier anywhere, but the tuning test was completed with a direct connection to the antenna using only 35' of RG6. I don't know if it could be a factor, but this installation is above metal roof on this cabin.

Anyone think this is suspiciously dropping out on the UHF end? I realize the trees become more of a concern as the frequency increases, but the difference from just 10 to 17 seems extreme. I could try adding a HD-9032, but from the specs it seems that the uhf section of the 7697 should be pretty close in performance.

Thanks for any insights if you're reading. -Jim

Last edited by jojocat; 16-Jun-2014 at 3:16 PM.
jojocat is offline  
Reply With Quote
Old 16-Jun-2014, 3:47 PM   #2
teleview
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
+=>

The tvfool report says , With Red Letters at the top of the page , tvfool report Only Resolved to Block Level.

To make a more accurate tvfool report.

Go to the tvfool home page.

Click on >>Start MAPS<< and enter zip code.

click on (Map this) button.

enter the antenna height of 25 feet.

Move the Pointer to the Exact Reception Location.

click on (Make Radar Plot) button.

Post the Tvfool report.

-------------------------------

The Current Tv stations channels that are being Transmitted and Received in the , USA , Canada , Mexico , are.

VHF low band channels 2 thru 6.

VHF high band channels 7 thru 13.

The Current UHF band channels 14 thru 51.

-------------

The channels in the Real channel column of the tvfool Channel List and tvfool Radar Report are what is Transmitted and Received.

The (virt) virtual numbers of the (virt) column of the the channel list are Not Real Channels.

-------------

--->You have made references to , uhf low channels <---??
 
Reply With Quote
Old 17-Jun-2014, 3:15 PM   #3
jojocat
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 8
Quote:
Originally Posted by teleview View Post
+=>
To make a more accurate tvfool report.
...
Post the Tvfool report.
-------------------------------
--->You have made references to , uhf low channels <---??
Sure, here's the coordinate resolved report: http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...e1c60d7e3c790a

I had run it both block and coordinate resolved reports before and remembered the direction was identical, but this one will reflect somewhat lower signal from the contour being down by the lake.

Sorry, when I say "low UHF" I'm just making a casual reference to the lower frequency channels in that band...I know it's not a technical designation like vhf low-band and vhf high-band.

As I research, I discover my assumption that the highest VHF high-band broadcast channel frequency and the lowest UHF band broadcast channel frequency are near contiguous is just wrong. It's basically a doubling of frequency in difference, and I'm guessing that is making the ground clutter at my location a big issue for the UHF band.

Thanks for any insights and thoughts on my chances of getting some UHF reception.
jojocat is offline  
Reply With Quote
Old 17-Jun-2014, 5:59 PM   #4
teleview
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
+=>

Use the HD7697P antenna as a VHF channels 7 thru 13 high band antenna.

-------------------------

Install a

http://www.antennacraft.net

10G221 preamp.

-------------------------

Connect the HD7697P antenna to the VHF connection of the 10G221 preamp.

-------------------------

Install a , Antennas Direct , DB8e UHF channels 14 thru 51 antenna.

And connect the DB8e antenna to the UHF connection of the preamp.

Can buy the DB8e antenna at , http://www.amazon.com.

-------------------------

I recommend the DB8e antenna for UHF reception at your location because the antenna has a

Big Broad Flat Vertical Surface that does a better job of receiving the UHF channels.

Tv signals at distance , and weak signal strength , move up and down , side to side.

The movement has more effect on reception in the , shorter wave length and wave height , UHF channels.

The Broad Flat Vertical Surface of the DB8e will have more reception elements in the path of the UHF signal as it shifts/moves around a little.

-------------------------

Signal Strengths Improve as the Antenna/s Heights Go Up Above Ground.

Installing the HD7697P and DB8e antennas Higher Above Ground is Important.

Also install the DB8e antenna about +3 feet above the HD7697P antenna on the same antenna mast.

Here is one way and not the only way to install the antennas higher above the roof.

http://www.ronard.com/721.html.
Ronard(721-50-10) , 10 foot tripod antenna mount.

http://www.ronard.com.

-------

Home Depot has , 10 foot 6 inch , 1 and 3/8 inch dimeter , TOP RAIL , chain link fence , PIPE , that makes good antenna mast pipe , the price is low at about 10 dollars.

--------------------------

As always , trees and tree leaves , plants and plant leaves , have a Negative Effect on Broadcast Tv Reception and so do buildings and other obstructions including your own roof and building.

Some and not all Negative Effects are.

Absorbing and Blocking Reception.

Multi-Path Reflecting Tv Signals Bouncing All Around.

The Best Practice for Reliable Reception is to install the antennas at a location that has the least amount to no amount of obstructions in the direction of reception including your own roof and building.

The direction of reception at your location is North West.

Aim the HD7698P antenna and the DB8e antenna at about 316 degree magnetic compass direction.

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

Use a Real and Actual magnetic compass to aim antennas , do not trust a , cell phone , tablet and etc. compass.


-------------------------------

For 1 Tv connected use No splitter.

For 2 Tv's connected use a , Holland Electronics , HFS-2D , 2 way splitter.

For 3 Tv's connected use a , Holland Electronics , HFS-3D , 3 way splitter.

Buy the , HFS-2D , HFS-3D , splitters at , http://www.hollandelectronics.com , or , http://www.amazon.com.


-------------------------------

The Tv/s Must Channel Scan for the , Antenna , OTA=Over The Air , ATSC-Digital Broadcast Tv Stations/Channels.

DO NOT Channel Scan for Cable Tv Channels.

DO NOT Channel Scan for Only Analog Tv Channels.

Last edited by teleview; 19-Jun-2014 at 2:00 AM. Reason: Clarify information and typos.
 
Reply With Quote
Old 19-Jun-2014, 1:14 AM   #5
jojocat
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 8
Thanks much for all the detailed info. Wow, that's a monster UHF antenna but ouch, a lot more than a hd-9032 or similar. Of course 9032 seems basically the same as the UHF section of the 7697, so probably pointless. I think I'll take another look for a tree mount position by the edge of the lake that might be able to avoid the blocking trees I'm having to contend with that are about 100' away to save some money. That would solve if reflections from the metal roof were causing an issue too. I'd kind of not wanted to have the antenna in view from the lake there since it's a very natural area, but dang it, my neighbors all have nasty satellite dishes sitting around in front of their places so the world needs some balance and display of free-signal grabbing magnificence! Cheers
jojocat is offline  
Reply With Quote
Old 19-Jun-2014, 2:14 AM   #6
teleview
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
+=>

The DB8e is only 36 inches by 48 inches.

The HD7697P is 8 feet long and how wide and how tall.
 
Reply With Quote
Old 19-Jun-2014, 3:10 PM   #7
jojocat
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 8
Quote:
Originally Posted by teleview View Post
+=>

The DB8e is only 36 inches by 48 inches.

The HD7697P is 8 feet long and how wide and how tall.
Ha, yeah, I was only referring to the DB8e as a monster in terms of reception capability. I think it looks pretty cool actually...just wish it were less $$$.
jojocat is offline  
Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Go Back   TV Fool > Over The Air Services > Help With Reception



Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off




All times are GMT. The time now is 12:49 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2025, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Copyright ©2025 TV Fool, LLC