Help with WHO/KWKB reception

[navagator]

Hello,

I'm a huge classic sitcom fan and really interested in receiving the new "AntennaTV" channel. The closest stations to me that carry AntennaTV are WHO and KWKB, both stations are in the 75 to 80 mile range.

I currently have a Radio Shack VU-160 antenna approximately 35 to 40 foot in the air with a Radio Shack amplifier. We haven't used that antenna for a number of years but it used to work well.

My question is, would it be possible to receive either of these channels with my current antenna setup???

Link to tvfool Report: Report

Thank you.

[GroundUrMast]

WHO will be on the edge at best. According to an old spec. sheet, the VU-160 was supposed to have 7.8 dB gain in the H-VHF band. You are starting with a predicted noise margin of -8.8 which leaves you a dB short before you factor in the noise figure of your amplifier. But hey, you own the antenna, so aim it at 311° and see what you get. A stacked pair of Antennacraft Y-10713's and a good low noise preamp would probably be marginal.

WKBW is going to need more antenna than what you have. But that's no reason not to try with what you have anyway. An Antennas Direct XG91 and a CPA19 preamp would be a possible solution for WKBW - but co-channel and adjacent channel interference could kill your chances. (K25DE, K24IM and WEEK will all be potential problems.)

[navagator]

Thanks for your reply.

I think I'll pick up a digital converter box and give it a try. I was hoping though that KWKB would be the stronger signal of the 2 because my neighbor has a fairly large tree that might block my view of WHO. I'll have to go out tomorrow and take another look.


Thanks again.

[John Candle]

Here are digital converter boxes , http://forum.tvfool.com/showthread.php?t=380

[John Candle]

If the radio shack stuff does not do the job then you can bring out the Maximum Reach Antenna. Winegard HD8200U all channel antenna and Winegard AP8275 preamp. Point the HD8200U in the direction of 311 degree magnetic compass. The Tv channels you will be reaching out for are , WOI-DT 5 ABC , KCCI-DT 8 CBS , WHO-DT 13 NBC , KDIN-DT 11 PBS. The other stations at 311 and 312 degree magnetic compass will likley be too weak with too much adjacent channel and co-channel interference to receive. . I recommend using a Strong and Sturdy antenna mount such as a , tripod mount , chimney mount , peak of the roof eave mount. Here are places to buy antennas and etc.. , http://www.solidsignal.com , http://www.3starinc.com , http://www.starkelectronic.com , http://www.amazon.com

[John Candle]

If you have cable Tv or satellite Tv , DO NOT connect a Tv antenna to a active cable system coax line or a active satellite system coax line. . When connecting the Tv antenna , check ALL coax connections from the antenna to the Tv.

[John Candle]

The reference point for reliable digital Tv reception is 0 NM (dB) , and this is with very good to excellent reception conditions. Your location for digital channel 13 is Not very good to excellent reception conditions. . The HD8200U has 12 NM(dB) gain at channel 13 and that makes the signal 3.2 NM(dB) positive. The preamp will keep the signal strong on the way to the Tv. . The reception will be marginal but I think it will work Ok.

[Tower Guy]

Originally Posted by navagator

Thanks for your reply.

I think I'll pick up a digital converter box and give it a try. I was hoping though that KWKB would be the stronger signal of the 2 because my neighbor has a fairly large tree that might block my view of WHO. I'll have to go out tomorrow and take another look.


Thanks again.

KWKB is on the same channel as K25DE and more than 50 db weaker. There's no chance at all of receiving KWKB.

I re-ran your TV fool report on an 80' tower.

http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...8d17ce48e181b8

An HD7698P with an AP-8700 preamp at 80' aimed at 313° should get:
WOI
KCCI
KDMI
WHO
KDSM
KDIN
KCWI

The other antenna option is a 91XG and a Y10-7-13 with an AP-2870 preamp.

[John Candle]

K25DE is a Analog channel at 150 degree magnetic compass. IF K25DE is transmitting it will be easyer to receive because the signal is stronger, you can point the radio shack antenna at K25DE and see what happens. . Here is information about , Real Digital Tv Channels , Virtual Digital Tv Channel and Analog Tv channels , http://forum.tvfool.com/showthread.php?t=695

[navagator]

Hi,

Thanks eveyone for all the information. I checked to see if I could pull in K25DE or K23CI and couldn't receive either. The only channel I could pull in was K42AM and there's no picture it's just a black screen.

I went out and took a better look at my antenna and found that the top part of the UHF (the top section of the arrow shape) antenna has came unlatched and is resting on the top of the boom. I was aware that one of the VHF elements had came unlatched and was resting against the side of the boom but hadn't noticed the UHF section before. I dought that helps my reception.

Our local translator broadcasts K23CI, K25DE, and K27CV but if I understand correctly from their facebook page http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ottumw...r/170007992869 they're broadcasting on a 100' temporary tower while they're trying to find a way to errect the original tower due to a move 4 years ago. Also they aren't even rebroadcasting WHO because they don't have the correct digital tuner. Perhaps their shorter antenna height is a partial factor also in my reception of 23 and 25.

In any case I'll probably have to take down my antenna one of these days and lock the elements back in place that have came loose and reinstall it, or maybe purchase a new antenna that would do a better job.

Thanks

[navagator]

I just received my converter box today and I'm happy to say that AntennaTv is coming in great. I'm able to receive feeds from both WHO and KWKB. Both feeds provide relatively strong signals with KWKB slightly stronger. The WHO feed pixelates occasionally.

I purchased my Zenith DDT900 converter box from Goodwills auction site (great source for converter boxes) and it seem like a great box, I'm very pleased with it so far.

Fortunately I don't think I'll have to do any work to the antenna. I'll probably take it down someday and snap the elements back into position that have came loose and out of position.



Thanks.

[John Candle]

Here is how to point Tv antennas , http://www.kyes.com/antenna/pointing/pointing.html . What magnetic compass direction is the antenna pointed??

[navagator]

Originally Posted by John Candle

What magnetic compass direction is the antenna pointed??

I have WHO at about NorthWest and KWKB at about NorthEast.

Just curious, are the old Alliance rotor boxes interchangeable with any of the newer digital control boxes? My control box has the long bar shaped button across the top, I believe it's the T10 model. I would like to replace it with one of the newer control boxes with programmable memory if possible.

Thanks.

[John Candle]

http://www.rotor-doc.com , http://www.rotorservice.com