What Kind of Antenna?

[Knack]

Hi All,
Looking for some guidance here. Below is the link to the results of the location in question. It seems I should be able to pick up at least a few channels that are broadcasted about 50 miles west of my location. I have a digital converter box and a lot of coax copper. However, I am not exactly sure what antenna I should set up in this particular situation. Large directional? Recommendations?

Thanks in advance....

http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...5b94beaa4590fe

[GroundUrMast]

Consider using an Antennas Direct DB8E + the Antennas Direct PA-18 preamplifier.

Be sure to take any and all reasonable steps to avoid obstructions such as trees or buildings.

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Above the Peak of the Roof install a , Antennas Direct DB8e antenna aimed at about 268 degree magnetic compass direction.

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

Use a Real and Actual magnetic compass to aim antenna , do not trust a cell phone compass.

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Install a , Antennas Direct , PA-18 preamplifier.

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For 1 Tv connected use No splitter.

For 2 Tv's connected use a , Holland Electronics , HFS-2D , 2 way splitter.

For 3 Tv's connected use a , Holland Electronics , HFS-3D , 3 way splitter.

Buy the , HFS-2D , HFS-3D , splitters at , http://www.hollandelectronics.com , or , http://www.amazon.com.

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Here are some places to buy antennas and etc. .

http://www.amazon.com.

http://www.hollandelectronics.com.

http://www.ronard.com.

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Here are some above the roof antenna mounts.

http://www.ronard.com/909911.html.
Use a , ronard(911) , 5 foot tripod antenna mount.

http://www.ronard.com/34424560.html.
Use a , ronard(4560) , eave antenna mount.

http://www.ronard.com/ychim.html.
Measure around the chimney and use a , ronard(2212) , ronard(2218) , ronard(2224) .

Buy the ronard antenna mounts at , http://www.ronard.com , or , http://www.amazon.com.

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Home Depot has 10 foot 6 inch lengths , 1 and 3/8 inch diameter , TOP RAIL , chain link fence , PIPE , makes good antenna mast/pipe , the price is low at about 10 dollars.


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As always , trees and tree leaves , plants and plant leaves , have a Negative Effect on Broadcast Tv Reception and so do buildings and other obstructions including your own roof and building.

Some and not all Negative Effects are.

Absorbing and Blocking Reception.

Multi-Path Reflecting Tv Signals Bouncing All Around.

The Best Practice for Reliable Reception is to install the antenna at a location that has the least amount to no amount of obstructions of any type or kind in the directions of reception including your own roof and building.

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The Tv/s Must Channel Scan for the , OTA=Over The Air , ATSC-Digital Broadcast Tv Stations/Channels often named the ~ Antenna Channels ~ ATSC Channels ~ DTV Channels ~ Air Channels ~ in the Tv Setup Menu because the Tv transmissions travel through the Air from the transmitting antenna the receiving antenna.

Some digital tuners will Automatic channel scan for cable tv channels.

DO NOT channel scan for cable tv channels.


Go into the Tv Setup Menu and select and channel scan for the ~ Antenna Channels ~ ATSC-Digital Broadcast Tv Stations/Channels ~ DTV Channels ~ Air Channels.

[Knack]

Thanks all. Your quick response is much appreciated.

[Knack]

Just to confirm. I see that this particular antenna has 4 reflector panels. Do each of these need to point 268 degrees by slightly adjusting individually? or build the array with the 4 panels straight, and then aim the entire antenna?

Also,
Does the pre-amp need to be outside? I assume no considering the need for a power outlet.

[GroundUrMast]

The antenna is assembled with the panels facing the the same way. (Co-planar to be more precise.) Then aim the entire assembly.

The preamp has two parts... The outdoor amplifier module that works best when located close to the antenna, outside. The second part is a power supply module that goes indoors. The coax cable is used to connect the amplifier and power supply. The amp and power supply can be more than 100' from each other.

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The DB8e UHF antenna has 2 moveable/aimable panles.

For initial setup both panels are aimed the same direction , about 268 degree magnetic compass direction.

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These 2 Tv stations Very Weak Signal Strength at the 25 feet antenna height above ground as shown in the tvfool report.

WJAC-TV , NBC and Me-Tv.
http://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/WJAC-TV.

WHVL-LP , MyNetwork and America One.
http://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/WHVL-LP.

To see if the signal strengths improve with higher antenna heights.

Please make and post 2 more tvfool reception reports , 40 feet and 60 feet antenna heights above ground.

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WJAC is minus-9.9NM(dB) and has 1 Edge Path obstruction=hill/mountain.

And will most likely require both panels aimed at 268 degree to make reception reliable.

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WHVL is minus-11.4NM(dB) and has 2 Edge Path obstructions=hills/mountains and will most likely not be received reliably.

And WHVL is at 308 degree magnetic compass direction.

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The signal strengths will most likely improve with higher antenna height as shown in the tvfool reports of higher antenna heights.

[Knack]

Wanted to provide update. We are now clearly receiving 4 channels. Your help was greatly appreciated.

I have another location that I may need some assistance with as well. Will post the signal results when I have them.

[Knack]

Here is the results for another location I am interested in picking up some channels. Looks like the transmitters are in multiple directions. Would you suggest using the same equipment which was recommended earlier in the post?

Antennas Direct DB8E + the Antennas Direct PA-18 preamplifier

Or would something smaller do the trick?

http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...5b949b7b0d9ca3

[ADTech]

Long odds on that location!

I'd use the DB8e on a fixed aim for the ABC station, but everything else remotely receivable is on VHF. I'd probably have to recommend a 10-element high-VHF unit on a rotor, then combine that with the DB8e.

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To see of signal strengths improve at higher antenna heights please make and post 2 more Tvfool reports with antenna heights of 40 feet and 60 feet above ground.

[Knack]

Hey All !!. So a while back we tried to get signal at the location I mentioned earlier in the thread. We were able to get the antenna about 19ft up. No luck. We tweaked and scanned, tweaked and scanned. Nothing.

So I am curious if going higher would help at this location or am I just fighting a losing battle?

Using Antennas Direct DB8E + the Antennas Direct PA-18 preamplifier.

Also,
Here is a report using 40ft.

http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...d2437383148e81

[StephanieS]

Hello Knack,

Second location offers slim pickings. Both high-VHF signals at the top of the list are rebroadcasts of WNPD PBS.

ABC WHSV is very weak and stands a good chance of being intermittent at best - if it even decodces.

If you wanted to add PBS a VHF beam like the Y10713 would be appropriate.

Can you post additional heights of 75' and 100'?

At your 19' results I'd almost encourage you not to invest in anything more unless you get substantial improvement in signal access.

Cheers.