I have a broken element(one of the rears, long one) that is halfway holding on. My question is should I go ahead and take it off, or just leave it alone like it is? How much of a role does one element play? Its in the attic, and my reception already isnt that great.

Wbwell,

That part of the antenna picks up the VHF signal. If you are watching analog TV it may impact your reception. If you are watching Digital TV it has virtually no impact as most Digital TV is on the high side of VHF or UHF.

I think that if you want to take it off, remove the other element from the same row. That would help keep the signal balanced and in phase.

If your reception is an issue, it may be the time to get a new antenna and put it on the roof.

thanks miner. Yeah, unfortunately Im not "allowed" to have an antenna outside my house....its a convenance rule :( So Im left tweaking my signal from the attic....and its not going to well

quick question. All my channels are on the UHF side except for one. So techncically, I could fold up all my elements that use VHF and still be able to get my UHF channels? Reason I ask is because the antenna is in the attic and space is a real issue. Especially when your using the Winegard HD7084 which has elements 110" wide.

if space is an issue, you really need to consider a UHF only antenna. They are much smaller than a VHF or combi UHF/VHF and easier to mount and point. Anything from a $25 Radio Shack U-75R yagi to a $100 AntennasDirect XG91 - depending on how much signal strength you need.

its a good thing you did not purchase the cm3020 as you had originally planned. the cm3020 is 21" longer and about as wide.

try to use and aim the antenna minus the matching element elements or fold the both back alittle. you can tape the element if it did not break off already.

take a deep breath step away and try to find a spot where to can adjust easier.

enter your exact address at antennaweb, print the antenna aiming map, line it up with your street, get your bearings in the attic and find a spot where the antenna fits and you can aim easier. that will get you in the ball park.

wbwell, this was in the forum user Scooper's sig:
http://www.fcc.gov/mb/facts/otard.html

"The rule (47 C.F.R. Section 1.4000) has been in effect since October 1996, and it prohibits restrictions that impair the installation, maintenance or use of antennas used to receive video programming. The rule applies to video antennas including direct-to-home satellite dishes that are less than one meter (39.37") in diameter (or of any size in Alaska), TV antennas, and wireless cable antennas. The rule prohibits most restrictions that: (1) unreasonably delay or prevent installation, maintenance or use; (2) unreasonably increase the cost of installation, maintenance or use; or (3) preclude reception of an acceptable quality signal."

Right now, in the attic I know I have the antenna pointing right into a wall less than 2 ft away. Im gonna see If I can back it off a bit and go from there. You guys think being that close to the wall may be killing my signal?

wbwell, this was in the forum user Scooper's sig:
http://www.fcc.gov/mb/facts/otard.html

"The rule (47 C.F.R. Section 1.4000) has been in effect since October 1996, and it prohibits restrictions that impair the installation, maintenance or use of antennas used to receive video programming. The rule applies to video antennas including direct-to-home satellite dishes that are less than one meter (39.37") in diameter (or of any size in Alaska), TV antennas, and wireless cable antennas. The rule prohibits most restrictions that: (1) unreasonably delay or prevent installation, maintenance or use; (2) unreasonably increase the cost of installation, maintenance or use; or (3) preclude reception of an acceptable quality signal."

I live in the country and have nothing to do with home owner associations or whatever, but I am curious about this...

First, I think I would contact an attorney before installing an outoor antenna...you might as well since you will probably need him/her later.

If a person signs a contract/agreement/etc., that states within it that they will not install an antenna, well, they've signed an agreement to that effect. If they then proceed to install an antenna then they are breaking their agreement/contract. Of course, if the "restriction" is written elsewhere or at a later time then that is a whole different story.

Oh, I try not to have anything to do with lawyers, either! ;)
Ed

vbwell,

I took an old Rat Shack combo antenna and cut off the VHF section, turning it into a UHF only antenna. This antenna was one huge antenna; it was the VU-190 I think. It was built in 2 sections and when assembled is something like 10 feet long and 8 feet wide. When I cut it apart, I had to fabricate the clamp section to mount it, but it is much more compact. All my DTV stations are UHF, so I could completely sacrifice the VHF part.

As mentioned, Rat Shack sells a UHF only yagi for $25 (plus a balun) and if it doesn't work you can always return it.

From my own experienc, having the end of the antenna close to the roof (or gable) helped my signal, but inside the attic there are lots of reflected signals. At one point when the attic was empty I could pick up pretty much all the stations, but after filling it with storage boxes, I could never find the sweet spot again, no matter how much aiming I tried. Again, the smaller UHF only antenna is much easier to aim than a big combo.


Goog Luck.
Miner

Right now, in the attic I know I have the antenna pointing right into a wall less than 2 ft away. Im gonna see If I can back it off a bit and go from there. You guys think being that close to the wall may be killing my signal?

One of the "hot spots" in my attic is less than two foot away from the gable end of the house. This is for UHF at 60 miles.

Getting reception out of the attic will test your patience :D

I feel your pain b/c I live on a historic site and the deed restrictions are crazy (actual word used by an attorney that reviewed them with me prior to signing). According to the FCC site listed above "Restrictions necessary for historic preservation also may be permitted even if they impair installation, maintenance or use of the antenna". But I knew this beforehand, but I didn't know the cable company wasn't coming. So it's either satellite or OTA (all stations are 55 ~ 76 miles except for 2).

Learning alot in the fringe ;)

If you fold long elements forward, they can short out other elements.

When I install a flimsy, residential grade antenna on a highrise building where I am concerned about the elements holding up under strong winds, I now duct tape about a six foot piece of 1/2" plastic water pipe to it to reinforce it. If the floppy element has not broken off, you could probably restore it to its proper orientation with such a piece of plastic pipe. The likelihood that anyone would even notice that from ground level is slim.

I live in the country and have nothing to do with home owner associations or whatever, but I am curious about this...

First, I think I would contact an attorney before installing an outoor antenna...you might as well since you will probably need him/her later.

If a person signs a contract/agreement/etc., that states within it that they will not install an antenna, well, they've signed an agreement to that effect. If they then proceed to install an antenna then they are breaking their agreement/contract. Of course, if the "restriction" is written elsewhere or at a later time then that is a whole different story.

Oh, I try not to have anything to do with lawyers, either! ;)
Ed

I wonder how that would hold up in Court? If you signed something that said you would "only marry within your own race" in order to move in to a PUD, then fell in love with a Black woman, wouldn't that then invoke some Civil Rights issues? They both fall under Federal Law.

I wonder how that would hold up in Court? If you signed something that said you would "only marry within your own race" in order to move in to a PUD, then fell in love with a Black woman, wouldn't that then invoke some Civil Rights issues? They both fall under Federal Law.

kenglish, your argument *assumes* that I am white and that we are talking about a federally funded housing unit rather than a privately owned housing unit. But, I understand the intended jest of your satements.

What I wonder about is...what happened to the idea of a man sticking with what he agrees to? My father taught me that "a man is only as good as his word". And when that word is given there is a responsibility to stand by it.

Maybe that's why we have more and more federal laws pertaining to "rights"....because the word of a man is in most instances not worth anything today. I truely believe that pride in our nation by our citizens is fading because of this.

But, whatever.... If wbwell is still having problems with the size/functioning of his antenna he might want to tinker with building one of these (http://www.lumenlab.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=9613) . It's basically a copy of the DB4 or CM4221 bowtie antenna...it looks simple to build and being as wbwell is using the antenna in his attic then he won't have to worry about building it with weatherproof material...aluminum foil, coathangers, cardboard, and a little wood would work. Folks are stating that these antennas are actually performing quiet well...and the size would be more friendly in a small attic.

Ed

So I guess some HOA's believe they can skirt the law by writing rediculous "agreements" into their homeowner restrictions to get homeowners to give up rights. This type of arrangement makes the law (the 1996 Act) unenforceable if it were valid. I believe the principle here is that two parties cannot agree to NOT abide by a law. This isn't much different to other situations, such as when a homebuilder puts waivers of liablity laws in construction/purchase contracts or when a parking lot that holds your keys has a sign that says it's not responsible for damage or loss of goods stolen from your vehicle. Courts generally throw these agreements, waivers, etc. out as invalid.

Right now, in the attic I know I have the antenna pointing right into a wall less than 2 ft away. Im gonna see If I can back it off a bit and go from there. You guys think being that close to the wall may be killing my signal?



Does your home have aluminum siding or stucco with "chicken wire" underneath?


This will severly degrade signal quantity and quality.

A side note you may want to find out after the analog shutdown what channels will go back to vhf-hi, as the rest of the country will be doing this also in many locations and with a uhf only antenna you will not pickup these stations very well
if at all.

Does your home have aluminum siding or stucco with "chicken wire" underneath?


This will severly degrade signal quantity and quality.

A side note you may want to find out after the analog shutdown what channels will go back to vhf-hi, as the rest of the country will be doing this also in many locations and with a uhf only antenna you will not pickup these stations very well
if at all.No, its just wood, and vinyl siding. my reception is a little better. I moved the antenna ALL the way to the front of the house...the front of the antenna is actually touching the wall. Im now getting channels I wasnt getting before. They're only holding a signal strength of ~63 but as long as there are no drop outs or pixelations Im content with it.

When I have had a broken element I have discovered that the inside diameter on my antenna elements was about 1/4 inch. So I purchased a 1/4 inch aluminum rod (Home Depot) and put it in the center of both halves and pushed them together.

Mine wiggled out over the course of a couple of years but yours is in the attic so the wiggling should not be a problem. I am thinking of putting small pipe chinches on the two halves to prevent the wiggling off.

Rick R

I am thinking of putting small pipe chinches on the two halves to prevent the wiggling off.Rick, drill a small hole on each side of where the element is broken and insert a small self taping screw (stainless). There should be a chart (Lowe's, HD, etc.) that will tell you what size drill to use. As an alternate, drill a hole completely through the element (and insert rod) and use a screw, lock washer and nut (#4 screw).

Rick, drill a small hole on each side of where the element is broken and insert a small self taping screw (stainless). There should be a chart (Lowe's, HD, etc.) that will tell you what size drill to use. As an alternate, drill a hole completely through the element (and insert rod) and use a screw, lock washer and nut (#4 screw).
Good Idea, thanks,

Rick R