Which preamp do i need ?

[meridish]

Hi,

Here is my tvfool http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...ec12e2d3ba0045

Antenna - DB8
Height - 30 ft
Cable length - 30 ft up to 1st tuner. Later I would like to add two more tvs.
Preamp - No

Situation

Earlier i had installed this antenna on wall. I used to get CHCH but no fox. Now I installed the antenna higher but lost CHCH but did get fox SNR of 0 to 15db. It keeps on changing in between 0 and 15db when i see it with my samsung led tv signal meter. I would like to mention SNR of some of my strong and weak channels.

Strong : CBC (5.1) -33db. I see all bars on signal meter
All these channels also have 100% signal - OMNI(47),OMNI2(69.1), 19(TVO), CITYTV(57), CTV(9)

Weak : Fox (29.1) - 0 to 15db. I only see 1 bar and lots of pixelation
TSN (29.2) - 0 to 15db. I only see 1 bar and lots of pixelation

Do I need a preamp. If yes then please help me to choose which one will work for me. From the reading I already done I think that don't need a highgain preamp like CM7777. Please help

Thanks in advance.

Harjit

[Tower Guy]

Originally Posted by meridish

Antenna - DB8


Situation

Earlier i had installed this antenna on wall. I used to get CHCH but no fox. Now I installed the antenna higher but lost CHCH but did get fox SNR of 0 to 15db.

Do I need a preamp.

The first thing you need is a VHF antenna aimed at CHCH. Y5-7-13, Y10-7-13, or YA1713 are good choices.

Add the VHF antenna to the DB-8 with a channel 11 Jointenna.

The preamp with the least likelihood of overload is the HDP-269 but it's gain is marginal. The AP8700 could overload, but has sufficient gain. The 7777 will overload.

[meridish]

Originally Posted by Tower Guy

The first thing you need is a VHF antenna aimed at CHCH. Y5-7-13, Y10-7-13, or YA1713 are good choices.

Add the VHF antenna to the DB-8 with a channel 11 Jointenna.

The preamp with the least likelihood of overload is the HDP-269 but it's gain is marginal. The AP8700 could overload, but has sufficient gain. The 7777 will overload.

Thanks for the reply. When i returned home last night I re-scanned and got chch but with pixelation. Its again gone in the morning. Will preamp help in this situation. I don't want to add another antenna.

Thanks

Harjit

[GroundUrMast]

The DB-8 is a UHF antenna, it's not designed to receive VHF channels 2 through 13. That does not mean it will block all signal from VHF stations. The DB-8 is not efficient at converting VHF electromagnetic signal in the air to electrical signal in the coax cable.

You have described a problem that is best solved as TG has already suggested. Reliable reception depends on the correct antenna and it's placement.

A preamp can not remove noise or interference from a weak signal, but the correct antenna can recover a stronger signal with less interference.

If you want to spend money on a preamp, the Winegard HDP-269 and Antennas Direct CPA-19 will be least likely to overload due to the many other strong local signals. I don't expect any preamp will make your very good UHF antenna into a fair VHF antenna.

If I dug a shallow well and complained that I keep running out of clean water, would you tell me to get a high pressure pump, or dig the well deeper?

[Tower Guy]

Originally Posted by meridish

I don't want to add another antenna.

Your choices are to add another antenna or to continue with an unreliable CHCH.

[meridish]

Thanks for the help guys. I will post back the solution i followed and its results.

Thanks

[meridish]

Originally Posted by Tower Guy

Your choices are to add another antenna or to continue with an unreliable CHCH.

I have ant-3050 lying with me. Will it be ok to use it for CHCH ? I am already getting CTV without any problem with DB8.

Thanks

Harjit

[Tower Guy]

Originally Posted by meridish

I have ant-3050 lying with me. Will it be ok to use it for CHCH ? I am already getting CTV without any problem with DB8.

Thanks

Harjit

Nothing prevents you from trying it. My prediction is that it has too little gain to be reliable.

Don't confuse antenna gain with preamp gain. They are not the same thing. The ANT-3050 specs act if they are, which sells antennas to non-technical consumers.

[meridish]

Hi,

I am also interested in Channel 3(CKVR-TV) along with 11(CHCH). Do i need to add two VHF antennas or RCA ANT751 along with antenna coupler can do the trick. I am very new to OTA. Please don't mind my questions.

Thanks in advance for the great help you guys provide.

Harjit

[Tower Guy]

Originally Posted by meridish

I am also interested in Channel 3(CKVR-TV)

According to Wikpedia CKVR's digital signal is on channel 10.

"As part of Canada's transition to digital television, CKVR flash-cut to digital on August 31, 2011, broadcasting on channel 10."

TVfool does not list CKVR on channel 10. I don't know the CRTC's web site well enough to look up the transmitter data manually.

[meridish]

Hi,

I removed my DB8 antenna from my roof and purchase another antenna 53-6165-1V-L UHF/VHF (Eaglestar pro) from AA electronics on Dixie/ Methson in Mississauga. Its picture is attached. It was just for C$35 . I have Kiztech-200 preamp. Installed the antenna in attic and I am getting all these channels.

my tvfool: http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...267ee2d3ba0045

NBC(2.1), 2.2, , CTV 2(3.1), CTV(9.1), CHCH(11.1), ABC(7.1) CBC(5.1), PBS (17.1, 17.2), TVO(19.1), 25.1, 29.1a nd 29.2(Fox), 36, Global(41.1), Omni1(47.1), mytv (49.1), Citytv(57.1), Omni2(69.1) and some times i get ION on 51.1, 51.2, 51.3

I realy like the shape of the antenna. It is very light too. My DB8 will be on sale soon.

Thanks

[Electron]

http://overtheair.saveandreplay.com/ota_faqs.asp