New antenna missing wanted channels

upks · 23-Jun-2018, 2:34 AM

Hello, I talked to an assistant at Solid Signal and they sold me a HDB91X. I told them I wanted the channels 50 miles to the south, and they said this was the perfect setup.

Now I was able to intermittently pick up one of the channels. The antenna is above my roof line, but it does aim right at a maple tree and about 100 feet away in the same direction is my machine shed.

I am picking up about 25 other channels with no problem.

Any Ideas?

Thanks!

http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...9038acdfbc354b

rabbit73 · 23-Jun-2018, 4:31 AM

Hello, upks

Which channels that you want are missing?

upks · 23-Jun-2018, 1:19 PM

KHQA-DT and WGEM-DT.

ADTech · 23-Jun-2018, 2:55 PM

Both of the stations cited are VHF. You were sold a UHF-only antenna which would certainly not be expected to get them.

rabbit73 · 23-Jun-2018, 3:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by upks

KHQA-DT and WGEM-DT.

KHQA CBS is on real channel 7, and WGEM NBC is on real channel 10; they are VHF-High channels.

It is the real channel number (also called physical channel or RF channel) that determines what antenna is needed.

VHF-Low, real channels 2-6
VHF-High, real channels 7-13
UHF, real channels 14-51

The virtual channel number (like 5.1 or 5-1) is a holdover from the analog TV days to maintain the identity of the station, and is what the TV displays. By convention, the virtual channel number is given in the decimal form to keep it from being confused with the real channel number.

The Solid Signal HDB91X is a good antenna for UHF channels, but it is a poor antenna for VHF-High channels. They gave you bad advice.

https://www.solidsignal.com/pview.asp?p=hdb91x

Their title says:

Quote:

Xtreme Signal Yagi Outdoor HDTV Antenna 70 Mile VHF/UHF (HDB91X)

but the description says:

Quote:

It receives UHF from more than 70 miles away, and up to 25 miles for high-band VHF.

which means that it is only good for very strong VHF-High signals.

The description says:

Quote:

Xtreme Gain
With a maximum gain of 16dB, it doesn't get much stronger than this. If you have weak channels, a high gain antenna like this is your best bet.

but their gain chart shows a higher maximum gain. Note that it only shows UHF gain; no VHF-High gain shown.

Maximum gain 23 dB? I doubt it.

It's hard to believe what they say, because it comes from the marketing department, not from an engineer.

You need to add a VHF-High antenna and combine it with your HDB91X using a UVSJ UHF/VHF combiner (AKA Diplexer}, or replace your HDB91X with an antenna that will get UHF and VHF-High.

VHF-High antenna, Stellar Labs 30-2475:
http://www.newark.com/stellar-labs/3...vhf/dp/48Y8141

a little more gain, but bigger, Stellar Labs 30-2476:
http://www.newark.com/stellar-labs/3...vhf/dp/71Y5462

UVSJ combiner:
https://www.antennasdirect.com/store...Combiners.html

or a UHF/VHF combo antenna to replace your HDB91X:
Winegard HD7698P

smaller version with less gain; might not be big enough:
Winegard HD7694P

The least expensive option is to add a VHF-High antenna to your present antenna, but you would have two antennas to mount.

Nascarken · 23-Jun-2018, 5:21 PM

Yes so true Rabbit so call solid signal and tell them that
And they will switch the 91 for the uhf/vhf winegard,Hd7698p
And if nice about everything you might get free shipping
Well good luck and be safe on the roof. and don't forget about
Them power lines when installing an outdoor tv antenna!!

Tower Guy · 23-Jun-2018, 7:54 PM

To add an inexpensive VHF antenna to your existing UHF antenna see if you can find a Stellar Labs 30-2475. I found it listed at neobits.com. Add them together with an rca preamp-1r preamp.

upks · 23-Jun-2018, 8:25 PM

Thanks a million for all the advice!!! Guess I should have got on here and asked first instead of trying something then trying to fix the problem.

upks · 23-Jun-2018, 8:28 PM

Gonna show my knowledge and ask a dumb question. Is the higher gain on the stellar 2476 better in my situation?

upks · 23-Jun-2018, 8:32 PM

One more while I'm at it. Rabbit and Nascarken both said the Winegard 7698. Would that be a better antenna by itself than the other two together?

Tower Guy · 24-Jun-2018, 2:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by upks

One more while I'm at it. Rabbit and Nascarken both said the Winegard 7698. Would that be a better antenna by itself than the other two together?

The 7698 would receive everything fine, but the two antenna combo allows you to aim the antennas in two directions simultaneously. Your VHF and UHF stations are coming from different directions. The use of two antennas avoids the need for a rotator.

Yes, the larger Stellar labs VHF antenna would be good.

upks · 24-Jun-2018, 6:52 AM

Thanks Tower Guy! Gonna give it a shot with the two antenna setup. What direction would you suggest aiming the HDB91X?

Nascarken · 24-Jun-2018, 2:26 PM

Hello there Rabbit and I think it's easier for you to get the Winegrud yes the slellar labs.
30-2475 are a hi vhf ANTENNA and I have two of them stagger stacked with 2 of
The same 91,that you have of one know I will explain my hole antenna set-up and
Experience,which was quite fun!I have 2 91 stacked side by side 3ft apart,with my
30-2475,hi vhf,stagger stacked when you put the two ANTENNAs meaning they
Should be 3ft apart forum one another when a uhf,vhf!antennas are put together
My ANTENNAS are on a 150ft tower receive of 1500miles away and the higth of the antenna makes a big improvement of your receive of channel's to and I almost forgot
A good mast mount amp is better too help pull in the distance channels and too STOP
Over load keep you ANTENNAs away frum your strong signals tower's well good luck with your antennas and be safe on the roof and look out for power lines with tv antennas!!!

Tower Guy · 24-Jun-2018, 7:03 PM

You could pick your favorite PBS or aim it at KYOU for a second NBC and FOX.

upks · 25-Jun-2018, 2:18 AM

Tower Guy mentioned putting the two antenna's together with a rca preamp-1r preamp. Would this be a substitute for the UVSJ UHF/VHF combiner (AKA Diplexer) rabbit mentioned?

Just wanting to make sure I am going to order the correct things the second time.

Thanks!!!

rabbit73 · 25-Jun-2018, 2:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by upks

Tower Guy mentioned putting the two antenna's together with a rca preamp-1r preamp. Would this be a substitute for the UVSJ UHF/VHF combiner (AKA Diplexer) rabbit mentioned?

Just wanting to make sure I am going to order the correct things the second time.

Thanks!!!

Yes, if you use the RCA TVPRAMP1R preamp, you do not need the UVSJ. Set the antenna switch to separate.

JoeAZ · 25-Jun-2018, 1:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nascarken

Hello there Rabbit and I think it's easier for you to get the Winegrud yes the slellar labs.
30-2475 are a hi vhf ANTENNA and I have two of them stagger stacked with 2 of
The same 91,that you have of one know I will explain my hole antenna set-up and
Experience,which was quite fun!I have 2 91 stacked side by side 3ft apart,with my
30-2475,hi vhf,stagger stacked when you put the two ANTENNAs meaning they
Should be 3ft apart forum one another when a uhf,vhf!antennas are put together
My ANTENNAS are on a 150ft tower receive of 1500miles away and the higth of the antenna makes a big improvement of your receive of channel's to and I almost forgot
A good mast mount amp is better too help pull in the distance channels and too STOP
Over load keep you ANTENNAs away frum your strong signals tower's well good luck with your antennas and be safe on the roof and look out for power lines with tv antennas!!!

Thank goodness we have NASCARKEN to keep everything straight!

Tower Guy · 25-Jun-2018, 2:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoeAZ

Thank goodness we have NASCARKEN to keep everything straight!

I like everything straight too. Too bad that NASCAR keeps going in circles.

If I lived between Quincy and Otummua, I’d put the UHF antenna on a rotator but leave the VHF antenna below the rotator aimed at Quincy.

Nascarken · 26-Jun-2018, 6:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tower Guy

I like everything straight too. Too bad that NASCAR keeps going in circles.

If I lived between Quincy and Otummua, I’d put the UHF antenna on a rotator but leave the VHF antenna below the rotator aimed at Quincy.

NO CIRCLES in RF use a ten foot pole +A 3 feet long pole put the rotator mounted to the ten foot pole and tack the ANTENNA's and put the vhf On
Top of the uhf becuse of noise with vhf,and power lines, becuse of hum.s
And so on what are you looking too do and what kind of ANTENNAs are you
Using? And for best results one feed line for vhf&one,for vhf,and one for UHF!!
With & A,And,B,swich?and a good thick ground.!!!!!lol

Nascarken · 26-Jun-2018, 7:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by upks

Tower Guy mentioned putting the two antenna's together with a rca preamp-1r preamp. Would this be a substitute for the UVSJ UHF/VHF combiner (AKA Diplexer) rabbit mentioned?

Just wanting to make sure I am going to order the correct things the second time.

Thanks!!!

If you are looking for the best go with the Winegrud you will be happy
With it and buy a channel master 7777,and use the backside of the antenna
When reviewing your nearby tower's BUT!! I'm not B'S ing,you
I have two the 30-2475&2,of the 30-2476 all stagger stacked pushing
Like 65dbg,or db I each set hi band vhf,with a mast mount vhf,AMP
And yes my HDB91,stacked side by side each antenna pushing 65dbg,orDBI
UHF only AMP,and IT'S only one feed line power up the amps on their o power supply of 24,VOLTS,a piece,on a 150ft tower receive of 1500miles away
Cost of $4000dollars + my low,VHF,of a $1000dollars,AND I LOVE IT.RF,no c in
R,F.lol