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Old 24-Apr-2015, 5:43 PM   #1
davidlukewilcox
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Hilly In Utah

Hi,

I'm thinking about moving to this address in Utah. http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...f1f0eb262e0359.

I live here now: http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...f1f0708a774a2c

I have a 91xg with an RCA preamp with it mounted up on a 10' poll on top of my roof. My TV reception is pretty great right now. Every few months or so, I notice it cutting out and in, but overall, I love my reception.

Do you guys think this is doable?

BTW, my new HOA seems to not like antennae. I might have to fight for it.
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Old 24-Apr-2015, 5:46 PM   #2
ADTech
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Send them a copy of this: http://www.fcc.gov/guides/over-air-r...n-devices-rule Tell them to have their attorney review it and advise them.

Unless they're particularly obstinate, that usually does the trick.
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Old 24-Apr-2015, 5:48 PM   #3
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I'd go with the same setup. Aim the 91XG at the visible horizon in the direction of the broadcast towers.
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Old 24-Apr-2015, 6:38 PM   #4
davidlukewilcox
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I'm going to have about 4-6dB less after the move than I had before. Do you think that this is even doable since the signal is so weak?
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Old 24-Apr-2015, 6:46 PM   #5
davidlukewilcox
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The new place has something in their covenants where they say they want people to paint antennae. Does that degrade signal? Does any spray paint I would pick out at the hardware store work? Is that an unlawful requirement per the FCC ruling above?
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Old 25-Apr-2015, 11:25 AM   #6
Stereocraig
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Quote:
Originally Posted by davidlukewilcox View Post
The new place has something in their covenants where they say they want people to paint antennae. Does that degrade signal? Does any spray paint I would pick out at the hardware store work? Is that an unlawful requirement per the FCC ruling above?
Paint, shouldn't have any effect, except for possibly some of the metallic finishes and it would seem like latex may cause corrosion.

Additionally, if the surfaces aren't properly prepped, the paint may flake off and end up looking worse that just leaving it alone.

Make sure to get approval for whichever color you choose and make sure the label on the paint states HOA certified =D
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Old 25-Apr-2015, 12:12 PM   #7
StephanieS
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Using your 91XG to test the new location is the way to go. Sometimes TVfool reports are stingy, other times are optimistic. You just have to try. At your new location, things look pretty difficult. That said, you might be in a sweet spot.

Working in 2-edge situations, be prepared to play around with various locations for testing. From ground level to roof height. I have a 2-edge condition real channel 12, its sweet spot for me is 4' above ground.

Cheers.

Quote:
Originally Posted by davidlukewilcox View Post
I'm going to have about 4-6dB less after the move than I had before. Do you think that this is even doable since the signal is so weak?
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Old 28-Apr-2015, 5:19 PM   #8
davidlukewilcox
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I just talked to the president of the HOA. One of the main concerns he brought up is that the 91xg is rated for low wind on antennasdirect. He said that we routinely get 80 mph winds in the area. He said that he has a safety concern about mounting an antenna rated for low wind in a high wind area.

Is there any good antenna rated for high wind that I should be looking at instead?
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Old 28-Apr-2015, 5:57 PM   #9
ADTech
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That means it doesn't produce much of a wind loading effect. He interpreted the text wrong.

The 91XG is still your best bet from a performance perspective because of certain of its unique attributes, especially the adjustable base. You could try the DB8e if wind is truly a valid concern. We produced this video a while back: www.youtube.com/watch?v=h30udVLNfSs Note: 55 m/s = 123 MPH.
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Last edited by ADTech; 28-Apr-2015 at 6:02 PM.
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Old 28-Apr-2015, 5:58 PM   #10
davidlukewilcox
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He was looking at http://www.solidsignal.com/pview.asp?p=91xg.

Is the note about low wind on that page wrong?
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Old 28-Apr-2015, 6:00 PM   #11
davidlukewilcox
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It also could be that we misunderstand what "low wind load" means. Could you confirm what that means?
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Old 28-Apr-2015, 6:43 PM   #12
Stereocraig
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Originally Posted by davidlukewilcox View Post
It also could be that we misunderstand what "low wind load" means. Could you confirm what that means?
Sails on a ship, have high wind load. Chain link fence, has a low wind load.
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Old 13-Oct-2015, 7:31 PM   #13
davidlukewilcox
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Hey guys,

Here's my TVFool Report: http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...8e038e57cfa3cf

I just moved in. Bad news. I plugged in my antenna and pointed it about 300 degrees magnetic north. I only get channel 24. I have a 91xg and an RCA pre-amp. My test was all on ground level, and I have a two-story house. Should I take my antenna up to the roof and see how it goes on top of the house with a little bit more elevation? Here's my report with 30 feet of elevation. http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...8e033a51d90605

Thoughts? Thanks!
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Old 13-Oct-2015, 9:33 PM   #14
ADTech
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What is in front of the antenna where you tested it? A photo would help.
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Old 25-Nov-2015, 6:49 PM   #15
davidlukewilcox
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So,

I point south-west, and I get lots more channels than when I point north-west. When I point north-west, I get barely anything. When I point south-west, I get lots more. Not everything comes in super clear, but it's much better.

Would someone mind helping me interpret these results given my tvfool report?
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Old 25-Nov-2015, 7:33 PM   #16
StephanieS
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RE: wind load.

David, if your HOA big cheese is saying the 91XG doesn't seem robust enough for winds, I can vouch that it indeed is tough. Here just outside of Spokane, WA where we had a major windstorm last week (gusts 70mph +) that toppled trees and knocked 40% of the metro area without power (and 25,000 still out a week later), my 91XG took no damage. Only in a thunderstorm last year did one element get slightly bent.

My Antennacraft C490's low-VHF elements though, didn't take it so well. That is off topic though. The 91XG will not snap at the first 45mph gust. Rest assured.

Cheers.



Quote:
Originally Posted by ADTech View Post

Note: 55 m/s = 123 MPH.

Last edited by StephanieS; 25-Nov-2015 at 7:36 PM.
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Old 26-Nov-2015, 3:11 PM   #17
rabbit73
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Quote:
Originally Posted by davidlukewilcox View Post
So,

I point south-west, and I get lots more channels than when I point north-west. When I point north-west, I get barely anything. When I point south-west, I get lots more. Not everything comes in super clear, but it's much better.

Would someone mind helping me interpret these results given my tvfool report?
http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...8e038e57cfa3cf

Hi, David:
Your strongest station is K43JV (in blue type), which is on real channel 16, a UHF channel. It is the real channel that determines the antenna needed.

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

K43JV is a religious station in the 3ABN network:
http://www.rabbitears.info/market.ph...callsign=k43jv
http://3abn.org/networks/3abn-tv/

Your 91XG is a high gain antenna designed for UHF channels, and must be aimed directly at the transmitter; 185 degrees magnetic for K43JV.

K22IT and K43JV in purple are analog channels, that I think are off the air.

K07ZE and K13OG are on VHF-High channels 7 and 13. You would need a VHF-High antenna aimed at 167 degrees magnetic for them. They would give you ION and Fox:
http://www.rabbitears.info/market.ph...callsign=k07ze
http://www.rabbitears.info/market.ph...callsign=k13og

Your weakest channels are coming from the NW at 299 degrees magnetic and need all the help they can get: a high gain UHF antenna like your 91XG, antenna mounted high and in the clear with no obstructions like trees and other buildings, and a good preamp.

You have a strong FM transmitter KENZ 11.3 miles away, but the FM filter in the preamp should take care of it.
http://www.fmfool.com/modeling/tmp/b...3/Radar-FM.png
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Last edited by rabbit73; 26-Nov-2015 at 5:45 PM.
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Old 26-Nov-2015, 6:58 PM   #18
rabbit73
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Using KTVX ABC as an example, here is its coverage for your estimated location:



you are on the fringe



If you had moved here the signals could have passed between the LDS Church and Fox Hollow Elementary School and would have been a lot stronger
http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...b97dc9aa040054



It's the terrain that makes the difference.



The 91XG has a tilt feature. It might help to tilt the front end up a little.
Attached Images
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File Type: png davidlukewilcoxTVFprofilesp.png (58.1 KB, 1074 views)
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Last edited by rabbit73; 26-Nov-2015 at 7:59 PM.
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