Lost all VHF stations

[blackstone]

We are all waiting to hear your results.

None as anxious as me.
LOL.

Thanks for your help

[blackstone]

I have the DB 8E at the recommendation of Antennas Direct, nascarken.
I suppose they looked at my location and what stations I wanted to get.

It receives a wide range.
I get signals from Pittsburgh and a Johnstown station, which is, I think, 50 degrees off from the Pittsburgh stations.

It seems the reception issue is solved, for now.
If the UVSJ solves the conflict between the signals.

I appreciate all your input throughout this thread.

If I ever wanted to get another antenna, I would look at the 91xg.
But, at 69, I hope what I have outlasts me.

[rabbit73]

Originally Posted by blackstone

One last question, please?
(Until the next last question)

Rabbit73's post just made me wonder something.

I have an Antennas Direct Combiner. Also located my second PA 18 preamp.

Would the Antennas Direct combiner work and not need the UVSJ?
I would put the Pa 18 pre amp on my VHF and eliminate the Winegard.

Originally Posted by bobsgarage

If the name of the Antennas Direct component is a combiner it is probably not a UVSJ so do not use it unless it says it to UVSJ

Originally Posted by blackstone

Thanks for the fast reply, Bob.

Here's what it says on the site:
This all-weather antenna combiner merges the signals from a UHF antenna with a VHF antenna on the same cable. Coaxial cable sold separately.
•DC Power Pass on UHF Port
•Insertion loss: VHF-IN/OUT 54-88 NHz 0.5dB; 174-216 Mhz 0.5dB; UHF-IN/OUT 470-698 0.8dB
•Return loss: IN/OUT 54-88 Mhz 18db; 174-216 18dB; 470-698 MHz 12dB
•Return loss: VHF 54-88 18dB; 174-216 18dB
•Return loss: UHF 470-698 12dB
•Isolation: VHF-UHF 54-88 30dB; 174-216dB, 470-698 30dB

Helpful Tips:

The DC power pass on the UHF port allows for UHF-only amplification in special circumstances. For example, when UHF signals require amplification, but the VHF signals may not. Or your household has an existing amplified antenna, but also needs to add a separate VHF antenna that doesn't need amplification.

It says diplexer on the picture

That is a UVSJ (UHF/VHF Separator-Joiner), which is also called a diplexer or UHF/VHF combiner. You can use it after the power inserter for the UHF PA18 or after the two power inserters for two PA18s.

[blackstone]

Thanks for that, Rabbit 73.
As soon as I get some help this evening to drop the mast to retrieve mine, I'll try it out.

Won't have to wait for my UVSJs to get here.

If anyone has a need for one, I have 5 UVSJs coming.

I'll give them away

[rabbit73]

Don't give them all away, keep a few as spares.

Good luck.

[blackstone]

At least one.

They had a $10 minimum order and they were only $2.49

[Tim]

Originally Posted by rabbit73

That is a UVSJ (UHF/VHF Separator-Joiner), which is also called a diplexer or UHF/VHF combiner. You can use it after the power inserter for the UHF PA18 or after the two power inserters for two PA18s.

So is the the inserter/combiner that Blackstone indicates he had in his antenna system???
-----
Edit: Never mind, I reread a few times and I understand now. He had the Antennas Direct version of a UVSJ on hand all along, just not installed in his system. Great! Hopefully he can install that and get things working properly.

[blackstone]

When I installed the CM, originally I planned to combine it with the DB but my cables were too short so it's just hanging on the mast.

Unless there is a good reason not to do it, I'm thinking of putting the second PA 18 preamp up to replace the Winegard while I have it on the ground.

[Tim]

Originally Posted by blackstone

When I installed the CM, originally I planned to combine it with the DB but my cables were too short so it's just hanging on the mast.

Unless there is a good reason not to do it, I'm thinking of putting the second PA 18 preamp up to replace the Winegard while I have it on the ground.

No reason not to do so. Just double check after you install the PA18 and make sure you are still getting all your VHF stations. If so, then install your Antennas Direct UVSJ combiner.

[blackstone]

Sounds good.
Thanks

[blackstone]

Preliminary results.

It appears we have success.

I am cautiously optimistic, anyhow.

Dropped my mast so I could retrieve my combiner, installed the other Pa 18 preamp on the VHF.
Put the combiner on the TV side of the power inserters.

Left the distribution amp connected.

Scanned 42 stations.
Several aren't watchable and shouldn't even show up due to distance and direction.
Have all my VHF and UHF stations that are available.

Once again, I really appreciate all the generous, patient help so many of you gave.
Thank you.

I'll follow up in a day or two to verify it stuck

[Tim]

Originally Posted by blackstone

Preliminary results.

It appears we have success.

I am cautiously optimistic, anyhow.

...

I'll follow up in a day or two to verify it stuck

Great! Once you get your 4 port splitter, you might want to try it in place of the distribution amp just to see what the results are and report back.

[blackstone]

I have it and will give it a try today.
I was so excited that everything worked that I stopped.

It may be my imagination, but several stations that came in when one or the other antennas was disconnected seem weak.
It shouldn't be related to installing the PA 18 preamp on the vhf because these are uhf stations.

It could be atmospheric, too

[Tim]

Originally Posted by blackstone

I have it and will give it a try today.

It may be my imagination, but several stations that came in when one or the other antennas was disconnected seem weak.

What do you mean by "seem weak"? Was the video pixelated? Or were you looking at some type of signal strength or signal quality test on a TV set?

[blackstone]

Couple stations took a while to load or show.
When I went to the channel menu those stations were "weak"

The signal strength is either "good", "normal" or "weak"

Right now, everything is watchable

[Tim]

Originally Posted by Nascarken

Wow that's a lot of insert loss!!!

Insertion loss of 0.5 to 0.8 dB is negligible.

[bobsgarage]

Originally Posted by Nascarken

Wow that's a lot of insert loss!!!
I would love to see ADTECK' b.nis card!!
Like antenna Direct marketing
said to ask for.

Nascarken, you need to stop trolling everybody's threads. You trolled my thread to the point that everybody complained and Admin had to eliminate your posts about not believing AD Tech is an employee of Antennas Direct. It's already been proven to you. I already told you I talked to Ben at Antennas Direct, and got a personal e-mail from AD Tech. (not "AD teck")

And, you called Rabbit a liar. You didn't believe the photo he posted from the newspaper article was actually AD Tech. It takes a lot to get under his skin and you did it! I never saw where you apologized to him.

I'm going to submit a complaint about your trolling. (Again)

Everybody's tired of hearing about your set up. Everybody has a different need for different antennas and preamps. Just because your's works great for your situation doesn't mean everybody needs a Johanssen amp and 2 "Winegrud" 8200U's 2 91XGs on a 150 foot Tower.

Get it? Not everybody needs your setup.!

Now, go away. Stop trolling.

[Tim]

BobsGarage,

If there are group members whose posts you don't want to see, you can click on their Username, click on User Lists, click on Add to Ignore List.

From then on you will see that they posted something, but you won't see what they posted. It cleans up the threads nicely.

[rabbit73]

Thank you, Bob, Tim, and jrgagne99.

[Tim]

Blackstone, now that you've had a few days to observe, how are things working out for you?