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Two Antennae, Different Directions

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Discussion Starter · #1 ·
I conducted an experiment today.


The parts involved: DB2 antennae, a rake handle, some coax, a pre-amp and a splitter/combiner.


The Results: I was able to pickup Channels 22 and 45 from Dayton. A few other channels are missing. But, this was placed at ground level, so some loss was to be expected.


My next level of experimentation will be to take this to the roof where the antennae will be OVER my neighbor houses and hopefully pull in EVERY channel available to me.*


I conducted the test with and without the pre-amp, and the pre-amp made a huge difference in making up for the old in-house cabling and the combiner usage.


*WOTH Channel 25 is low power (15kw) with a geographic obstruction, since my DB4 cannot pick them up, I have little hope of my DB2's doing it.


THE ENTIRE EXPERIMENT



CLOSE-UP OF ONE OF THE ANTENNAE



THE PRE-AMP (approx 22db boost).



THE COMBINER (purchased at Radio Shack)



ENTRY TO THE HOUSE (this was pre-existing from the previous Cable installation)
 
N

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Discussion Starter · #2 ·
My j-pole (former direcTV dish holder) is too short for two antennae, so I am going to buy a second j-pole. This also opens up the possibility of me moving up to a pair of DB8's to enhance my current reception.


Or, save a little cash and just use a pair of DB4's? Hmmm...choices. I really want to pick up Channel 25 and I believe a DB8 is my only hope at this point. If it weren't for Channel's 9 (digital 10) and 12 (digital 12), I would just mount a pair of UHF Yagi's and get even higher gains. *shakes fist at Channels 9 and 12*


My locaton is Darrtown, just east of Oxford, Ohio, if you are curious as to the obstacles I am trying to overcome.
 
rabbit73

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#3 ·
Using Darrtown your tvfool looks like this:
http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...aead7cbcd38196


Your exact address tvfool that you previously posted looks like this:
http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...aead16a4a4222f


Wouldn't a two-way splitter/combiner give less loss than a 4-way?


I think you would need a max gain UHF antenna for WOTH, and a VHF-hi antenna for real 10 (virtual 9.1) and 12 (virtual 12.1).


You stated that you didn't want to use an A/B switch, but combining two UHF antennas aimed in different directions can be "iffy" because the signals from the two antennas might interfere with each other. All you can do is try it.
 
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Discussion Starter · #4 ·
The 4:1 combiner was what I happened to have on hand. This leaves open an interesting possibility for me...two UHF-only yagi's...and 1 VHF-hi to point at Cinci, as suggested.


I wonder if that $18 VHF AntennaCraft sold at Summit Source would be sufficient at my distance?


I do like the look of the 42XG and 91XG antennae...very geekish.
 
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Discussion Starter · #6 ·
Um...someone isn't paying attention.


I currently use ONE DB4 to receive Dayton and Cinci. I get all stations except 7,22,25 and 45. Yes, I am getting VHF 9 and 12 (digitals 10 and 12) on my DB4 without any problems. This particular experiment was meant to gain me 22 and 45, while still receiving Cinci stations...with two antennae.


And this was at ground level.


If I point a 42XG at each of Dayton and Cinci, then add in a simple VHF-Hi antenna for 9/12 in Cinci, I would getting EVERY station.


If I am connecting 14db UHF antennae (if you believe the ratings as written), then I can afford to lose a few db in the combiner if it nets me my losts stations. The pre-amp boosts the signal back to my TV.


Heck, I might even be able to receive WKET out of Northern Kentucky under conditions other than "clear night skies".
 
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Discussion Starter · #12 ·
My next order to Summit Source or Solid Signal looks to be this:


two J-pole mount

two 42XG antennae


I am not certain yet which VHF antenna to go with, but to make shipping more palatable, I should pick one out before placing my order.
 
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Discussion Starter · #16 ·
The 42XG has a higher db rating. And with multiple antennas, that U4000 may cause a problem with a VHF-only antenna in the mix. The high directionality of the 42XG is appealing, and the fact that it cannot receive VHF worth diddly-squat.
 
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Discussion Starter · #19 ·
I am leaning toward the Yagis for a few reasons: high directionality (should reduce the amount of conflicting signal when combined) and high gain (the 42XG is reported at 14).


I don't live under a rock, so I don't take the manufacturer numbers as fact, but I for the price, I am willing to give them a try. My alternate to the 32XG is a pair of DB8's.


For $4, I can see adding in the UV combiner, but I will probably try the experiment without it first.
 
N

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Discussion Starter · #20 ·
Hmmm.


In comparing the costs of option 1 (2x 42XGs, 1x VHF-hi) and option 2 (2x DB8's), my overall cost is lower with option 2.


Option 3 (buy 3 more DB4's and have 2 for each direction) is only slightly cheaper than option 2.


So, I will have to do some more research to see which way I would get the most efficient results.
 
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ngarrang
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