Deciding on the best Antenna

mdoverstreet · 30-Nov-2020, 5:31 PM

Hey y'all. I've got a friend that lives in Leslie, AR and this is his report at 30ft.
http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...90380b32be2982

This is his is report at 150ft.
http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...9038b623f6b13f

Any hope for him? I don't much think there is. He was hoping to get some stuff from Little Rock, but that's pretty much not happening I don't think. Springfield, MO is not looking too good either.

Thanks for helping!

rabbit73 · 1-Dec-2020, 1:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mdoverstreet

Hey y'all. I've got a friend that lives in Leslie, AR and this is his report at 10ft. http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=90

This is his is report at 150ft. http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=90

Any hope for him?

Thanks y'all.

Hello, mdoverstreet

The Interactive Browser doesn't work anymore. Use this link to enter the info:
https://www.tvfool.com/index.php?opt...pper&Itemid=29

The TVFool reports aren't as accurate as they used to be. Here is a generic Zip code report for Leslie, AK 72645 from rabbitears.info:
https://www.rabbitears.info/searchma...tudy_id=181234

I used coordinates for the rabbitears.info report, from Google maps....intersection of Walnut St (66) and High St, 35.830354, -92.557940

It doesn't look too promising. KEMV PBS is possible, and maybe K26GS for MeTV, Charge, and Comet.

Please go here and enter the coordinates for his antenna:
https://www.rabbitears.info/searchmap.php

mdoverstreet · 1-Dec-2020, 4:41 AM

Sorry, I finally got my links right. I was in a hurry to get to work. Lol.

Is something wrong with Rabbitears.info? I get to the "what if" thing, type in the height and hit go, but it just hangs there. Was going to try to get you the report.

rabbit73 · 1-Dec-2020, 7:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mdoverstreet

Is something wrong with Rabbitears.info? I get to the "what if" thing, type in the height and hit go, but it just hangs there. Was going to try to get you the report.

Sometimes it's slow if their server is busy. Here is a video of me doing a report for the same Zip code location. You can enter the Lat and Long in the same box separated by a comma, or enter each in its own box:

To view:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/i2ajw2qq1h...eport.mp4?dl=0

Sometimes the video takes a long time to download from Dropbox. Wait until the screen looks like this before you click on the Play triangle:

To download and view later:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/i2ajw2qq1h...eport.mp4?dl=1

I use VLC Media Player

mdoverstreet · 2-Dec-2020, 12:40 AM

I got the TV Fool links corrected in the original post. Could y'all tell me what you think? Thanks.

rabbit73 · 2-Dec-2020, 2:44 AM

I will study your reports and come back tomorrow. I need some sleep.

Your friend can put up a 150 ft tower?

rabbit73 · 2-Dec-2020, 6:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mdoverstreet

I got the TV Fool links corrected in the original post. Could y'all tell me what you think? Thanks.

Thank you for the new reports.

This is your report for 30 ft:
http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...90380b32be2982

This is a rabbitears.info report that I did for 30 ft:
https://www.rabbitears.info/searchma...tudy_id=181766

I don't have the exact coordinates for the location, so the report that I did could be a little off. If you give me the exact coordinates in a PM for privacy, I can redo my report. In hilly areas, a small change in location can make a big difference in a report.

Both reports agree on KEMV. That should be the easiest to receive. It will require a VHF-High antenna like the Stellar Labs 30-2476 and a preamp.

This is the terrain profile for KEMV. VHF signals can make it over rough terrin better than UHF signals.

The other possible channel will be more difficult to receive. The two reports don't agree. It will be either K26GS on UHF real channel 26 or K07XL on VHF-High real channel 7. They both have the same subchannels.

K26GS will require a high gain UHF antenna like the HDB91X and a preamp to even have a half a chance.

K07XL will require a second 30-2476 antenna and a preamp.

I don't see any other possible channels at 30 ft, but reports with weak 2Edge signals are known to be less accurate.

If your friend doesn't have cable TV in his area, he should consider satellite or FTA for TV reception.

I am willing to do an analysis at 150 ft, but only if I have the exact coordinates of the antenna and if he really will be able to get the antennas 150 ft above ground level.
https://www.rabbitears.info/searchma...tudy_id=181770

The terrain in that area is very hilly, so the actual location can make a big difference in the signals.

Quote:

Any hope for him? I don't much think there is. He was hoping to get some stuff from Little Rock, but that's pretty much not happening I don't think. Springfield, MO is not looking too good either.

I agree; doesn't look good.

mdoverstreet · 4-Dec-2020, 8:41 AM

Those coordinates are his exact location.

Asking about cable in his area just kind of made me LOL. He's out in the middle of complete BFE.

I'm not sure just how high he's willing to go, but I just threw that 150ft in there for giggles.

He really answered his own question without knowing though. He was asking what I thought about trying for OTA. Then he told me that back in the analog days, he could receive Little Rock and Springfield but they were snowy. That right there pretty much told me what I needed to know. I told him that digital signals don't play that game.

I sure appreciate all the help. If I think of another question, I'll holler.

Tower Guy · 4-Dec-2020, 6:41 PM

Hey Rabbit. If you extend to 100 miles on the rabbitears prediction, what does KOLR look like?

rabbit73 · 4-Dec-2020, 11:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tower Guy

Hey Rabbit. If you extend to 100 miles on the rabbitears prediction, what does KOLR look like?

Good question. It looks difficult, but not impossible and they have an application in for a power increase. I also see KYTV and KRBK.
https://www.rabbitears.info/searchma...tudy_id=183059

Using different profile software for the same signal path:

This report is for 150 ft:
https://www.rabbitears.info/searchma...tudy_id=183084

mdoverstreet · 5-Dec-2020, 5:38 AM

Wow! That's a lot of information there. Very interesting! Just for giggles, would you mind making one of those reports for a Little Rock channel? I guess pick KARK since that was one he was wanting to receive. I'm kind of curious to find out where the Little Rock stations are being completely blocked.

I used RadarScope's distance tool to measure out 36-38 miles from KOLR's tower. Looks like it slammes into a mountain about 20 miles east of Branson.

He told me he can go 50ft.

I, for some reason, find all this very interesting.

Thank y'all!

rabbit73 · 5-Dec-2020, 2:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mdoverstreet

.....would you mind making one of those reports for Little Rock channel KARK since that was one he was wanting to receive. I'm kind of curious to find out where the Little Rock stations are being completely blocked.

I used RadarScope's distance tool to measure out 36-38 miles from KOLR's tower. Looks like it slammes into a mountain about 20 miles east of Branson.

He told me he can go 50ft.

Here is a report for 100 mi and 50 ft:
https://www.rabbitears.info/searchma...tudy_id=183261

Using different profile software for the same signal path:

Very difficult signal path; doesn't look promising.

Tower Guy · 5-Dec-2020, 6:55 PM

If I lived there I’d try for some of the Springfield stations. 19 & 22 look the most promising and would grab three major networks on two stations.

I feel that the best antenna for those channels is the DB-8e. He will also need a preamp. (The Channel Master CM-7778HD would be my choice because it has separate VHF and UHF inputs).

I’d try it first without the 50’ tower. Pick a location with no trees in front of the antenna and see what you get. Try several heights to see if you can find a hot spot without a tower.

KOLR on channel 10 would need a dedicated Stellar VHF antenna; perhaps two of them stacked!

mdoverstreet · 6-Dec-2020, 2:26 AM

Update: He received an antenna from another friend. I wanted to show a picture here, but I'm not sure how to go about it. He said he is going to get one of the antennas suggested here, but he just wanted to throw it up and see what he could grab. He messaged me a little bit ago and said he was receiving KTHV. He asked me where that was from. I told him Little Rock. He sent me a video to prove it. He was giddy. Lol. I asked if he was receiving any other LR channels since they are all, or most all, on the same mountain in Little Rock. Said he couldn't get anything else from down here and that he was receiving several from Springfield as well.

Here's what he's getting:
KYTV, KOZK, KEMV, analog KTKO, KTHV, KSPR, and KYCW

He said his antenna is at about 25ft and pointing in the general direction of Springfield. How in world is he receiving KTHV like that? Is the KTHV signal hitting the mountains and scattering and he just so happens to be able to grab hold of one?

He's very happy to be able to get something. This is very interesting!

Thanks y'all.

Tower Guy · 6-Dec-2020, 12:26 PM

Saturday was a day with conditions favorable for enhanced reception from Little Rock.

https://dxinfocentre.com/tropo.html

mdoverstreet · 6-Dec-2020, 9:27 PM

Ok. Thanks!

mdoverstreet · 8-Dec-2020, 5:30 PM

Update 2: "I took off yesterday and dug out one of my old cb poles. Put it up then the top part cranks up another 17 feet I repaired it and transferred the antenna over to this one. The other wasn’t as tall as I thought so now I have it at 36feet. I can pull in 29 channels pointed towards Springfield. Still got 11 lol and added 10, 27, and a few others I can’t think of right now!"

I told him that he was defying the odds. Lol!
What's going on here?

rabbit73 · 8-Dec-2020, 6:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mdoverstreet

Update 2: "I took off yesterday and dug out one of my old cb poles. Put it up then the top part cranks up another 17 feet I repaired it and transferred the antenna over to this one. The other wasn’t as tall as I thought so now I have it at 36feet. I can pull in 29 channels pointed towards Springfield. Still got 11 lol and added 10, 27, and a few others I can’t think of right now!"

I told him that he was defying the odds. Lol!
What's going on here?

Very interesting

This is what is going on:
1. The signal report is only a computer simulation that is often wrong with 2Edge signals
2. Seasonal Tropospheric Propagation in the Fall can enhance weak signals
3. The coordinates you gave me are on the west side of the road and down a hill. That might not be the actual location of the antenna.

Enjoy it while you got it

RMinNJ · 8-Dec-2020, 11:55 PM

What type of antenna did he use here?.. if no brand or pic can you describe it ?

mdoverstreet · 9-Dec-2020, 12:38 AM

35.922613879902364, -92.53710378167852

Those coordinates are from Rabbitears.info. I zoomed in on his house and put the marker exactly where the antenna is located. He's using a cheap-looking antenna, something like this. https://www.walmart.com/ip/Ematic-HD...ll&athena=true
The other coordinates may have been off. Not sure. Sorry if they were.

I was wanting to show a picture, but I don't know how to post here.