34613 Antenna Selection Help

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hockeyrcks9901

Active SatelliteGuys Member
Original poster
Jul 1, 2020
20
14
Weeki Wachee FL
It's been a LONG time since I've looked into an antenna, used to be 10 miles but now I'm quite a ways farther from the antennas now.

Rabbit Ears: RabbitEars.Info

The antenna will be feeding a 4 Tuner Tablo DVR. Ideally would like to get all the stations in the ~161 degree direction.

I have an existing satellite dish j mount that I may be able to repurpose, otherwise have no objection to installing my own mounts
 
hockeyrcks9901 said:
It's been a LONG time since I've looked into an antenna, used to be 10 miles but now I'm quite a ways farther from the antennas now.

Rabbit Ears: RabbitEars.Info

The antenna will be feeding a 4 Tuner Tablo DVR. Ideally would like to get all the stations in the ~161 degree direction.

I have an existing satellite dish j mount that I may be able to repurpose, otherwise have no objection to installing my own mounts
Click to expand...
Welcome to Satellite Guys! Since everything you want to get appears to be UHF in the ~161 direction I can highly recommend this directional antenna.


I use it to pick up two-edge stations at 41 and 57 miles away with no problem. You may also need a mast-mounted amp. I use this one:

RCA TVPRAMP1Z Preamplifier

There are more options and I'm sure others will chime in but just my two cents. :)
 
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FTA4PA said:
Welcome to Satellite Guys! Since everything you want to get appears to be UHF
Click to expand...

Perhaps I missed something, but aren't most of the major networks on VHF? It would be just like me to overlook a statement about not wanting those stations, but I'm not seeing it, and if CBS, FOX, NBC, and PBS are desired, then a UHF-only antenna will not cut it.

- Trip
 
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Trip said:
Perhaps I missed something, but aren't most of the major networks on VHF? It would be just like me to overlook a statement about not wanting those stations, but I'm not seeing it, and if CBS, FOX, NBC, and PBS are desired, then a UHF-only antenna will not cut it.

- Trip
Click to expand...

PBS is not required but the other ones would be. Thanks
 
A VHF antenna is definitely needed. Stellar Lab also makes a very highly rated and practically only moderately priced high VHF antenna. They would need to be combined with a UHF/VHF combiner (not just a backwards splitter).

72Y2542
48Y8153
 
Trip said:
Perhaps I missed something, but aren't most of the major networks on VHF? It would be just like me to overlook a statement about not wanting those stations, but I'm not seeing it, and if CBS, FOX, NBC, and PBS are desired, then a UHF-only antenna will not cut it.

- Trip
Click to expand...
hockeyrcks9901 said:
PBS is not required but the other ones would be. Thanks
Click to expand...
Trip, using the Rabbit Ears report posted I made the assumption that the OP was trying for the stations marked for fair reception and not the ones listed as poor since there is a great likelihood that they will not be reliably received. Since they would like to try for those as well I would add a recommendation for this antenna, a deep fringe reception VHF-HI, which I also use in my setup with great success. Sorry for the confusion. :redface

https://www.newark.com/stellar-labs/30-2476/deep-fringe-directional-antenna/dp/71Y5462?st=VHF hi antenna
 
Mister B said:
A VHF antenna is definitely needed. Stellar Lab also makes a very highly rated and practically only moderately priced high VHF antenna. They would need to be combined with a UHF/VHF combiner (not just a backwards splitter).

72Y2542
48Y8153
Click to expand...

What about something like Winegard HD7694P or HD7698P? Avoids the combiner and might fit better on the existing mounts.

Also, it looks like an 8 bay bowtie from Stellar Labs has better gain on UHF than the Yagi. If I go with separate UHF/VHF anntennas, would the bowtie for UHF and the Yagi style for VHF be better?
 
Last edited:
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Mister B said:
Those are good options as well. I would want to add some height rather than use the old satellite mount. I am a bit partial to separate antennas and have always felt that combo units are a compromise.
Click to expand...

I should say that with the satellite mount, it's a tripod style that I plan to add a 10' pipe to. If that doesn't work then I'll look into taller mast.

It does look like the separate antennas have slightly higher gain than the combined. Not sure if that is real or marketing.

If I need a preamp, with separate antennas would I place it after the combiner or do two preamps before the combiner?

Looking at the Winegard LNA-200
 
hockeyrcks9901 said:
What about something like Winegard HD7694P or HD7698P? Avoids the combiner and might fit better on the existing mounts.

Also, it looks like an 8 bay bowtie from Stellar Labs has better gain on UHF than the Yagi. If I go with separate UHF/VHF anntennas, would the bowtie for UHF and the Yagi style for VHF be better?
Click to expand...
Mister B said:
Those are good options as well. I would want to add some height rather than use the old satellite mount. I am a bit partial to separate antennas and have always felt that combo units are a compromise.
Click to expand...
hockeyrcks9901 said:
I should say that with the satellite mount, it's a tripod style that I plan to add a 10' pipe to. If that doesn't work then I'll look into taller mast.

It does look like the separate antennas have slightly higher gain than the combined. Not sure if that is real or marketing.

If I need a preamp, with separate antennas would I place it after the combiner or do two preamps before the combiner?

Looking at the Winegard LNA-200
Click to expand...

I agree with Mister B on both counts. Extra height is almost always your friend. There are always variables in any given situation that may change this but it is usually the case. I also went with the separate antennas because each was designed to do a specific task well with no trade-offs.

Keep an eye on how much you raise the antenna(s). You may need to guy wire the top of the mast or your setup will likely be damaged if you get strong winds at your location.

I have no experience with the Winegard LNA-200. I know the RCA that I mentioned in my other post does a good job here. It can be set up for use with either a combined VHF/UHF antenna or separate ones. Here is a link to the manual for it. :)

 
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Mister B said:
A VHF antenna is definitely needed. Stellar Lab also makes a very highly rated and practically only moderately priced high VHF antenna. They would need to be combined with a UHF/VHF combiner (not just a backwards splitter).

72Y2542
Click to expand...

Why combine this antenna with anything? I use this antenna and it does UHF quite well too. What am I missing?
 
Reception of UHF stations that are more than 50 miles away is not likely to be reliable when using only a VHF antenna.

If a single antenna is preferred, I’d suggest the HD 7694P or HD 7698P. For a dual antenna installation, I’d opt for a DB-4 with a Stellar VHF antenna.

My preference for a preamp is the TV-PRAMP1Z. This is because it combines VHF and UHF antennas properly, and also works with a single antenna.
 
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Just to update everyone, I'm going to give this a shot:
Stellar Labs 30-2370: https://www.newark.com/stellar-labs/30-2370/long-range-uhf-hdtv-91-element/dp/72Y2542
Stellar Labs 30-2476: https://www.newark.com/stellar-labs/30-2476/deep-fringe-directional-antenna/dp/71Y5462
RCA TVPRAMP1Z: Amazon product ASIN B003P92D9Y
Going to try using a 10' pole in the existing satellite tripod first. If that doesn't work I'll get a longer mast setup.

I'll update with what happens when it all gets installed.
 
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hockeyrcks9901 said:
Just to update everyone, I'm going to give this a shot:
Stellar Labs 30-2370: https://www.newark.com/stellar-labs/30-2370/long-range-uhf-hdtv-91-element/dp/72Y2542
Stellar Labs 30-2476: https://www.newark.com/stellar-labs/30-2476/deep-fringe-directional-antenna/dp/71Y5462
RCA TVPRAMP1Z: Amazon product ASIN B003P92D9Y
Going to try using a 10' pole in the existing satellite tripod first. If that doesn't work I'll get a longer mast setup.

I'll update with what happens when it all gets installed.
Click to expand...
Good luck! :) :thumbup
 
hockeyrcks9901 said:
Just to update everyone, I'm going to give this a shot:
Stellar Labs 30-2370: https://www.newark.com/stellar-labs/30-2370/long-range-uhf-hdtv-91-element/dp/72Y2542
Stellar Labs 30-2476: https://www.newark.com/stellar-labs/30-2476/deep-fringe-directional-antenna/dp/71Y5462
RCA TVPRAMP1Z: Amazon product ASIN B003P92D9Y
Going to try using a 10' pole in the existing satellite tripod first. If that doesn't work I'll get a longer mast setup.

I'll update with what happens when it all gets installed.
Click to expand...

Those are god choices. I am assuming the existing tripod is on top of the house so that does give you some height.
Sometimes this takes some experimentation and trial and error. It can turn into a lifetime hobby!!!
 
Solid Signal claims VHF reception up to 25 miles. Your VHF stations are much further than that.

Good Luck!
 
Justin Hill

One station nickname is long overdue for updating, while another station nickname is missing...

  • Justin Hill
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W

VHF Low Reception

  • Will62
  • Replies: 21

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