Northern Neck Va

Remo · 1-Mar-2011, 4:32 PM

I recently dropped Direct TV so I'm starting from scratch. I have a 9521 rotor and the antenna will be roof mounted 25 ft. AGL, and the house is 40 ft above sea level. The closest TV stations are 65-80 miles away. I am near the edge of the Ches. Bay so 40 degrees to 180 degrees is a mostly an over water shot. From 300 degrees to about 15 degrees I have a 40 ft hill blocking my northerly shots. The Norfolk stations are at about 180 degrees and the Richmond stations are about at about 250 degrees overland. I do prefer to watch the Va. stations.
I am thinking about buying a Wineguard HD8200U antenna and a Wineguard AP8275 amplifier. Not at all set on that selection and open for suggestions.

Station plat
http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...c77afc531544cf
To get a better idea of my situation I live near Reedville Va.

No static at all · 1-Mar-2011, 5:13 PM

Remo,

Looks like you have a good shot at the Tidewater stations, but Richmond doesn't look very promising. The stations from Salisbury MD are possibly doable (a big plus if you like the Wash/Balt sports teams). If you could post an exact address TV FOOL report, we can give the best recommendations.

If the exact address report ends up being similar, I would recommend a 2 antenna system like the one in the photo to the left. The AD 91-XG for UHF & either a Winegard YA-1713 or Antennacraft Y10-7-13 for VHF. Combo antennas are't quite as effective with UHF

I would also recommend the dual input Channel Master 7777 preamp to combine & amplify the signals.

The 9521 rotator is a good choice for the recommended antenna system.

Remo · 1-Mar-2011, 5:39 PM

I tried my address several times on several tv locating sites and it only gets me to my street. Also after some reading it looks like I don't need low VHF so my orig. ant. selection was off base anyway.
I had also researched the stacker antenna but was not too sure about that one. In reading about using seperate UHF and VHF antennas as you suggested is there a specific distance for seperating between the two when mounted on the mast.
Thanks for your input.
Remo
BTW I don't care about sports TV

GroundUrMast · 1-Mar-2011, 6:21 PM

Four feet or more.

Tower Guy · 1-Mar-2011, 6:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Remo

To get a better idea of my situation I live near Reedville Va.

The suggested combo is an excellent choice. The VHF antenna can be fixed aimed at 187° and the UHF antenna about 5' above it. Rotating the VHF antenna could get WSKY some of the time.

Raising the antenna to 60' or more would be necessary to try for Richmond. http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...c77a9f205dec3b

If you'd prefer a single antenna the HD-7698P with the 7777 preamp would be almost as good.

Remo · 1-Mar-2011, 6:56 PM

I found a 100' ROHM tower for $500 but the buyer has to take it down. I had figured about 60' would about do it. I can deal with a 60' tower but not 100'.
I just ordered the two antennas, amplifier and hardware for the cost of two months of Direct TV.
Thanks again for the inputs.
Remo

No static at all · 1-Mar-2011, 7:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Remo

In reading about using seperate UHF and VHF antennas as you suggested is there a specific distance for seperating between the two when mounted on the mast.

The general recommendation is 3.5 -4 feet, but I have gone much closer (1 foot) with no noticable ill effects. I would strive for at least 2 feet to be on the safe side though if space is tight.

Tower Guy · 1-Mar-2011, 9:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Remo

I found a 100' ROHN tower for $500 but the buyer has to take it down.

I would not buy used Rohn 25 tower at that price. A brand new section is $119 plus shipping. 400' of 3/16" guy wire would cost $156.

http://www.texastowers.com/rohn_25g.htm

If the 100' tower is Rohn 45 or 55, the price is OK; but you don't need a tower that strong.

Remo · 2-Mar-2011, 1:16 AM

I had not looked at the used tower, I had seen it on C/L as part of an estate sale with some other Ham equipment. I installed a 50' Rohn tower at work just before retiring and I was thinking I only paid around a $100 a section. I remember the concrete for the base cost almost as much as the tower. We tied it to the side of a brick building at about 18 ft. and 32 ft was unsupported.
Thanks for the input, a new tower is the way to go if my roof mount is unsatisfactory.
Remo

Dave Loudin · 2-Mar-2011, 1:36 AM

I'm on the other end of the Northen Neck, and I have trouble getting mapping programs to place me at the right spot on my street. TVFool has a google map option here that lets you drag the receive location icon to exactly the right spot (zoom in as needed.) to be sure the model takes care of your hill correctly, I'd rerun your report at the exact location.

Remo · 2-Mar-2011, 2:16 AM

Dave
I ran across the google map once today and was able to drag the icon to my exact location, there was not any difference that I could see. My house is on a hill in a bend on a creek (1500 ft wide). The creek runs south for about mile the creek makes a 90 degree bend and runs west for about a mile. I have a clear shot up and down the creek to Norfolk and Richmond. The hill behind the house is just blocking D.C. and Maryland which I don't really care about.
Most neighbours are using the Radio Shack combo antenna. I did see one neighbour have a double stacked antenna so I thought I would do some research and found this site which has been very helpful.
Remo