YA-1713 Stacked

[cheap]

Here's my TV fool report link:

12 ft - http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...5ed631543b6649

15.5 ft - http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...5ed6a553cfcd9a

Have two YA1713 stacked, connected with 2 - 42" leads, connected to splitter with 10 ft lead to CM-7777 VHF. UHF antenna is connected to the CM-7777 UHF. UHF and VHF antennae are mounted on separate poles spaced about 6 ft apart. All antennas are aimed at 198 deg magnetic.

Reception on UHF channels is good. Reception on channels 11 & 13 is tolerable. Reception on channel 8 is not acceptable with more pixels and dropouts. Sometimes all channels are good.

Tried single antennas, moving antennas around the yard, removing splitter to second TV, and adding FM trap. Changes in reception were hard to notice.

How can I improve reliability of channel 8???

Thanks for any help.

[No static at all]

I would first install an HLSJ in front of the pre-amp to attenuate all FM frequencies. You've got 2 FM stations near the 2nd harmonic of channel 8. Most conventional FM traps are not very effective on those particular frequencies. (88-91 MHZ)

As always , trees and tree leaves do a real fine job of reducing or blocking Tv reception and so do buildings and other obstructions.

It is best to install antennas at a location that has the least amount to no amount of trees and tree leaves , buildings and other obstructions.

The Winegard YA1713 are stacked according to Winegard stacking directions??

[GroundUrMast]

The YA1713's are stacked one above the other? or side by side?

How much separation between the two?

[cheap]

I will order a HLSJ. I've tried a RS 15-577 without noticeable improvement.

The antennas are installed on the edge of the tree line, on the shore of a lake, with two miles of open water on the line to the transmitter. No trees or obstructions.

They are stacked vertically at 12' and 15.5'. Separation is 42" and about 2/3 the wavelength of chan 9. This agrees with Winegard stacking recommendations, except I'm using a RS 15-1141 splitter rather than a Winegard cc7870.

I use a Sansonic converter box connected to a VCR. The signal strength meter reads quality and strength. VHF quality reads 0 to 100, is variable but often stable at about 30.
Strength is stable at about 80, even when the screen is blank and the quality is 0. Can this information help you?

Thanks, everyone!!!

[Tower Guy]

Originally Posted by cheap

How can I improve reliability of channel 8???

I assume that there are no trees or houses between your antenna and the water. If so, find a location that's clear.

Next I'd be considering a taller mast. The goal is to match the antenna height to the slightly sloping terrain toward the water to make the lowest lobe at zero degrees.

http://www.qsl.net/oz1rh/gndgain/gnd_gain_eme_2002.htm

If a taller mast is not feasible for you, consider a box of 4 VHF antennas.

[cheap]

Tower Guy

Thanks for the link and suggestion for ground gain, but it's way over my head. I didn't finish the first chapter of "ARR Antenna Handbook".

The base of the antenna pole is 10' above the lake level and the distance to shore is 90'.
The existing pole is about as high as I can handle.

Please send me a link to a box of 4 VHF antennas if you think it's within my ability.

Thanks!

Here are some ways to get antenna higher in the air ,

http://www.ronard.com/tree_adjust.html ,

http://www.3starinc.com/telescopic_masts_and_more.html ,

http://www.ronard.com/Tripods%200703/4712.html

[cheap]

Installed HLSJ without noticeable improvement in channel 8 reliability.

It galls me that of the 18 DTV stations available, only one is intolerable and it's the only one that I regularly watch.

Thanks everyone for your comments.

I'll live with the antenna arrangement I have.

The following reception situations are tests of reception.

Some more reception situations to try , using one YA1713 antenna , connect a Kitz Tech KT-200 or KT-200-COAX TV Antenna Booster Remote Power -Coax Fed. http://www.kitztech.com.

The YA-1713 antenna and KT-200 amplifier will be connected direct to 1 Tv , no couplers , no splitters , no combiners , no joiners , no other antennas , no nothing.

Aim the YA-1713 at about 198 degree magnetic compass.

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

Try for reception with the antenna about 10 feet or less above ground.

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This next suggestion is a long shot reception method.

Known as Ground Wave , The strength of the signal is stronger at 1 foot above ground.

You can check this at tvfool radar plot , enter in 1 foot antenna height , then 2 foot antenna height , 3 foot and so forth , and see what happens to the NM(dB) signal strength.

Like I say it is a long shot , but can work.

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Also if the antenna is mounted at 60 feet and higher the signal strength will improve.

Here are ways to get the antenna 60 feet and higher , http://www.palcoelectronics.com/pe300.aspx

[cheap]

These are interesting websites and suggestions. I enjoy trying and appreciate your
(collectively) help. But I am old (81) and slow. Right now home maintenance has priority and playing with antennas will have to wait.

Thanks everyone.