what is the best antenna for this location

[FOX TV]

TV FOOL Suggestion

3) TV fool shows the same stations and strengths regardless of putting 10 or 30 feet as the height. This does not sound right, as there must be higher houses between me and the transmitters. Would a couple of additional feet make a difference, regardless the tv fool report?

"Would a couple of additional feet make a difference, regardless the tv fool report", In most cases it would not normally make a lot of difference, but there are situations where just a few feet can make a BIG difference at UHF frequencies, but you really need some type of accurate signal strength meter to know for sure.

Try using your longitude and latitude on TV Fool, it sometimes gives what seem to be more accurate numbers using this method based on real world signal tests in my area of the predicted signal against the actual measured levels. Some of the places we tested did not have an actual street address to use, so long/lat data from a hand held GPS unit was used instead.

Just change your TV fool input options as follows "Select input method: Address _ or Coordinates _ ", to use the long/lat input method and see if it gives you different predicted numbers. You can normally get these numbers from the internet or your closest airport.

 

[Don_M]

Just change your input options as follows "Select input method: Address _ or Coordinates _ ", to use the long/lat input method and see if it gives you different predicted numbers. You can normally get these numbers from the internet or your closest airport.

I like to use this site's tool because of its pin marker: Zoom the map and move the pin until it's right over your house, and it will give you the coordinates under "Get the Lat. and Lon. of a point" on the bottom left of the page.

 

[ProjectSHO89]

Keep in mind that the underlying calculation engine for TVfool's projection averages terrain in 100 meter blocks on the LOS from the transmitter to the receiving point. It does not have the resolution to handle the last several hundred yards with precision, especially if you happen to be in mountain-goat terrain and and have significant terrain gradients close to the receiving location.

Compare this with the 1 kM resolution of the signal forecast tool on the FCC's website.

 

[ProjectSHO89]

I like to use this site's tool because of its pin marker: Zoom the map and move the pin until it's right over your house, and it will give you the coordinates under "Get the Lat. and Lon. of a point" on the bottom left of the page.

TVfool's "Online TV Maps" has the same feature. You can move the marker around and it automatically re-runs the calculations for the new location. It also displays the lat/lon in decimal format as you move the marker around.

TV Fool

 

[Fringe Reception]

re: difference antenna height makes

FOX TV replied to: "Would a couple of additional feet make a difference, regardless the tv fool report"?

In most cases it would not normally make a lot of difference, but there are situations where just a few feet can make a BIG difference at UHF frequencies, but you really need some type of accurate signal strength meter to know for sure.
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I definately agree, Fox. I have a'cut-to-48' Yagi in the air and it captures the station at about 12 feet above my roofline within about a 20 INCH height range. If my antenna is any higher or lower, the signal is either not there or it cannot be deciphered do to noise / multipath/ or whatever.
Jim

 

[EscapeVelocity]

John, please let us know what you decide to do, and your results, even if they arent satisfactory and you need to get a rotor or try some other location or something.

Always good to hear results!

 

[johnlvs2run]

EV, I will do that. Thanks very much.

 

[johnlvs2run]

antenna vs reflector

The yagi antenna is falling apart so I'm getting ready for the change and still have a few questions.
As review, the main channels are in almost opposite directions, at 333 (31mi) and 139 degrees (39mi).
The yagi has worked pointed either way, pre and post dtv, but now 139 is not coming in anymore.

ROTOR
I've decided to not use a rotor, due to preferring a passive design.
I have been able to pick up in both directions, including after the transition with no rotor.

AMPLIFIER
I'll be replacing the amplifier with a much better one.

REFLECTOR
Please clarify this. Wouldn't a reflector block signal from one of the two opposing directions? For example, if it doubled the signal from one direction, wouldn't it half the signal from the other, or worse? What would be the overall effect of not using a reflector vs using one?

ANTENNA
I got the impression from previous postings that people think another yagi would be as good or better than a 4 bay antenna. Is this still the case?

There's a 4224 listed on ebay that has a 14-69 channel range. I didn't find EV's antenna listed. Is it still available and would it be better for this location? Or would a yagi be better? I would rather use a 4 bay as it's lighter, would be easier to install and looks better.

Thanks for all the great feedback.

 

[dkreichen1968]

My best guess is that a 4 bay pointed toward your weakest stations (333 degrees) will work for you. Yes, the reflector will decrease the signal from the opposite direction. And, the other question will be if you will have multi-path problems with the reflector side stations. Also, do you watch channels 7 & 8? If so, you will need to make sure the antenna you get has adequate hi-VHF gain.

I'm in a similar situation with weak stations to the north northwest, and strong stations to the south. I have an attic install, with an 8 bay AntennaCraft antenna pointed north northwest. I had to install a south facing 2 bay to overcome multi-path from the south.

 

[MrPogi]

If you want the VHF hi channels, I would go with the Yagi. The bowties may or may not get all of them, being deficient in the VHF spectrum. If you had good results with your old antenna, look for one like it, except of course you don't need VHF lo.

The amp, yea... replace that pronto.

(PS, If you buy one locally, you may be able to return it if it doesn't work as you'd like.)

 

[Fringe Reception]

johnlvs2run,

I have to go with Mr Pogi on his call, using a seperate VHF antenna for channels 7 and 8. A UHF and as VHF antenna can be combined on the same (single) coaxial cable using a UVSJ which is not the same as a standard splitter. Good luck and keep us posted!

Jim

 

[johnlvs2run]

type of antenna

Thank you for the quick replies!

Channels 7 and 8 are not important to me.
Channel 7 is duplicated in 33 and others. I've never seen 8 and don't know what it is.
So I think vhf capability is not necessary.

 

[dkreichen1968]

I'd say the 4 bay would be a good choice then. Anyone else have any input?

 

[johnlvs2run]

2x 4 bays back to back

Thanks very much.

Would it work to get an 8 bay and put the 4 bays back to back?

This way each 4 bay would double the other (and/or be a reflector), and also pick up signals in both directions.

Or would this not work very well?

 

[dkreichen1968]

I wouldn't get an 8 bay and try to rewire it. But, in theory getting two identical 4 bays and mounting them back to back could work. Then again you may lose signal strength on the weak stations. (When two unfiltered antennas that aren't facing the same station are connected the received signal is rebroadcast off the opposite antenna.) When I added the 2 bay to my system I lost signal strength for my weak north northwest stations, but gained strength for the south stations and eliminated my multi-path problems. See my TVfool below.

TV Fool

In my situation the antennas aren't identical, and aren't mounted back to back. That could make a big difference.

 

[MrPogi]

Yes, it will work. I would start with one, If its good, fine. If you loose too much gain on the back side, buy another one for the other direction.

 

[johnlvs2run]

best antenna for this location

Ed from 3starinc on Ebay sent several very helpful emails and stated the best solution for this location is a high gain corner reflector with rotor and no amp, 2nd best several mid gain reflectors with no amp, and 3rd best a bowtie aimed at 104 and 170 degrees with a 10-15 dB gain distribution amplifier would net a moderate mix of all channels, including those to the rear, providing that some reasonable Line of Sight is achieved in the rearward facing stations at 333 degrees.

tv fool
current antenna facing 333 degrees

I'd rather go with two antennas than a rotor, and the cost for a second antenna will be less than a rotor. Is there a chance that one new antenna at 333 might pick up 139?

AMPLIFIER
I'm going to try this with no amp, as I got a new tv a week ago and it picked up most of the stations before using the amp. A new antenna tuned to UHF should do better.

ANTENNA
Please let me know your evaluation of the following two antennas and any other suggestions. I am tending towards getting one ANI-700, seeing how it picks up, then getting a second one. Or will I absolutely need two of them? If so, does the second antenna need to be a certain distance below the first, and does the RG6 need to be the same length for each?

The ANI-700 has 70 elements, the Winegard 9032 has 35 and is 114.5" long.

 

[Fringe Reception]

John,

I read several user reviews online about the ANI-700 and similar 'triple-boom' antennas and they were not good. If I recall correctly, the antenna is designed for the European UHF TV band which is higher in frequency than currently used in the Americas. It is currently advertised to receive all UHF channels, 14-83, however, our television spectrum has been reduced to channels 14-51.

Here is a link to a review of a similar (possibly the same) antenna.

Quoted from the website:

"The DAT-75 has become very popular because of how grossly the maker has exaggerated its gain. It is imported from Europe, where UHF channels go up to 79. Nobody else makes these triple-decker Yagis." ... Televes DAT-75

Jim

 

[dkreichen1968]

If your going to go with a high gain corner reflector UHF antenna, this is your best bet. Antennas Direct 91XG UHF TV Antenna

I don't know who really makes the ANI-700, or whether it is designed for US frequencies, so I'd stay away from it. I'd still like to see what 4 bays would do in your situation. Either one pointed at 333, or two back to back.

 

[johnlvs2run]

best antenna for this location

Jim, thanks, it will be good to see more reviews for the ANI-700.
Here are the Ebay feedback reviews, cntr-F 700 to flip through the ratings.
The website says Ani-AV a small company but major manufacturer of electronics, located in Frisco, Texas.

DL, thank you, I will keep this one in mind. Here are the 91XG reviews on Amazon.