Yep...yet another request for antenna assistance - Page 2

No static at all · 28-Aug-2011, 2:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Billiam

The following is a must read for anyone shopping for a new antenna. After you compare the antennas that were tested in a scientific manner you will be able to determine which antenna is best.

http://www.hdtvprimer.com/ANTENNAS/comparing.html

Yes, but that scientific testing can be misleading as well. The sharp falloff on channel 13 of the Winegard YA-1713 is a modeling error that is still not mentioned on the site. The 1713 works just as well on 13 as it does on 7 through 12.

Billiam · 28-Aug-2011, 3:33 AM

I tested the Y7-10-13 head to head against the YA1713 and the Antennacraft antenna rejected unwanted signals better, provided a little more gain and stability on channels 7, 8 and 13. I saw two separate models from people on the Canadian board that provided similar results. It does appear as though the weak spot on the Y7-10-13 is Ch. 13 but from channels 7 through 12 the Antennacraft was the better antenna in their tests and my own.

John Candle · 28-Aug-2011, 4:19 AM

Yes I have been aware of hdtvprimer for a long time and I am also aware of a lot more. Like beam width and antenna reception lobes and how the construction of the antenna effects reception. I know about lobe structure and multi path rejection angles. I know about computer modeling and real world reception. I know about heavy duty construction and light duty construction. I know about element diameter size and how that effects reception. And on and on and on. I do my best to keep it simple for the question askers , they need reception not controversy.

John Candle · 28-Aug-2011, 6:41 AM

I can pick out and understand misleading wording like , It does appear as though the weak spot on Y7-10-13 is Ch.13 but from channels 7 thru 12 the Antennacraft is the better antenna in there tests and my own.

Billiam · 28-Aug-2011, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Candle

I can pick out and understand misleading wording like , It does appear as though the weak spot on Y7-10-13 is Ch.13 but from channels 7 thru 12 the Antennacraft is the better antenna in there tests and my own.

What's misleading about it? What is misleading is the published gain figures by Winegard for its antennas. In a nutshell, they are not accurate.

ve2dc · 28-Aug-2011, 2:52 PM

Superb link Billiam. I'll take modelling data over advertising copy any day ;-) Thanks...

Billiam · 28-Aug-2011, 2:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ve2dc

Superb link Billiam. I'll take modelling data over advertising copy any day ;-) Thanks...

You got it. Net gain is the figure that you really want to look at.

No static at all · 28-Aug-2011, 3:26 PM

Not for the Winegard YA-1713. The net gain shown for 13 is 100% wrong compared to real world usage.

I have both the Y10-7-13 & YA-1713 & they are close performers from 7-13. No big drop-off on 13 with either model, although the Winegard is slightly better on 8, 11, 12 & 13 at this particular location.

Billiam · 28-Aug-2011, 3:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by No static at all

Not for the Winegard YA-1713. The net gain shown for 13 is 100% wrong compared to real world usage.

I have both the Y10-7-13 & YA-1713 & they are close performers from 7-13. No big drop-off on 13 with either model, although the Winegard is slightly better on 8, 11, 12 & 13 at this particular location.

Interesting. The two studies on the Canadian forum done by different people showed that the Y1713 had an edge on overall gain on Ch. 13.

It may be possible that they each had a defective antenna from the same lot. Last year I bought two Winegard HD 9032's about two weeks apart and both were from the same lot and contained the same defect. At least I was able to get a refund in each case.

At my location the Antennacraft YA 7-10-13 works quite a bit better than both of the Winegard Y1713's that I owned. Wish I had an explanation for this...

John Candle · 28-Aug-2011, 5:22 PM

As stated by another information provider on this same post the less gain at Ch 13 with the Winegard is a uncorrected 'modeling' error.

Billiam · 28-Aug-2011, 5:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Candle

As stated by another information provider on this same post the less gain at Ch 13 with the Winegard is a uncorrected 'modeling' error.

???. The two head to head models of these antennas showed the Antennacraft antenna took a steep drop in gain on Ch. 13, not the Winegard.

John Candle · 28-Aug-2011, 5:56 PM

Well there you go. And I will not debate these issues any more.

richnerd · 8-Sep-2011, 1:06 AM

OK, back from a business trip. Not trying to beat a dead horse but would like your input.

I spent a short time experimenting with a small outdoor antenna (borrowed-looks like an RCA ANT751R) while placed in the attic facing West. I picked up 16 very clear channels without no pre-amp and with >100 cable.

I have full intentions of installing an antenna mounted on a 5ft mast above roof-line.

Question - could someone please provide their best guess of what channels I'd receive if I go with one of the single recommended large antenna(s) like the HD7698P, HD7697P, HBU55...also interested in the CM2020 (60+ UFH/VHS, curious because of the wide beam the state it has).

Thanks

Billiam · 8-Sep-2011, 1:49 AM

If you use the HD7698 or HBU55 you'd get everything from the top on down to WTAE TV in the red. Everything below that is hit or miss. I used the Pending Digital signals to get an idea of what you might expect to see in the near future for channels.

Will you be using a rotor? If so, either of the antennas above will do just fine.

John Candle · 8-Sep-2011, 3:13 AM

Not Counting the digital sub channels , how many channels are received with the ANT751R. Try and identify buy station call sign. And virtual channel number.

richnerd · 8-Sep-2011, 3:26 AM

No, don't plan to use a rotor. That's part of my problem...understanding the beam spectrum if I install the antenna (currently assuming I would direct to 271 degrees).

I get (connected to one tv):

* red
uhf WPGH-DT 53.1 FOX PITTSBURGH, PA 284° 9.2 43
* red
uhf WPMY-DT 22.1 MNT PITTSBURGH, PA 284° 9.2 42
* red
vhf WPCW-DT 19.1 CW JEANNETTE, PA 283° 10.0 11
* red
uhf KDKA-DT 2.1 CBS PITTSBURGH, PA 283° 10.0 25
* red
vhf WQED-DT 13.1 PBS PITTSBURGH, PA 259° 7.5 13
* blue
uhf WPXI-DT 11.1 NBC PITTSBURGH, PA 270° 9.3 48

richnerd · 8-Sep-2011, 3:35 AM

Is it possible to get WTAE and all the others with one antenna?

richnerd · 25-Sep-2011, 11:06 PM

Ok, here's the latest question.

I still haven't purchased my final antenna and I'm still experimenting with the placement of the RCA ANT751R.

Here's the question: I moved the RCA antenna outside on a newly mounted 5' gable mast (clear shot generally fact West just in my valley) from inside the attic and I get a worst signal on the existing channels. I have now returned the antenna back inside.

Any thoughts?

Thanks.

John Candle · 26-Sep-2011, 4:43 AM

This can go on forever. My origonal recommendation is the HD7698P with a CPA-19 preamp aimed at 271 degree magnetic compass. I have no more information.

GroundUrMast · 26-Sep-2011, 6:10 AM

I'm not sure I understand how or why the ANT-751 got into this situation. I would not expect the ANT-751 to be able to provide reception of WTAE. That you see lower signal quality with the ANT-751 outside is interesting... but irrelevant, because it's not enough antenna for your situation.

If you want to see WTAE, you need a high gain (therefor quite directional) antenna. The big Winegard HD7698P qualifies... as do the DB-8 / YA1713 combination.

I doubt you will have as much success in the attic... certainly not in the wet and snowy month of the year.