lifedimension
10-28-2009, 11:20 AM
Advice?
I posted this under cabling, but thought my antenna/reception issues belonged here. Pardon my capital letters.
My TVFOOL radar report is attached.
------------------------------------------
GEOGRAPHICAL COORDINATES: 40.307699,-80.041827 antenna height: 32 ft (above ground level)
MY ARCHITECTURE: 10/28/9
GENERAL DESCRIPTION:
Am upgrading the existing cable wiring from RG59 to RG6 quadshield and adding more outlets. Also adding an OffTheAir (OTA) roof mounted antenna and related wiring to the same outlets. I want to leave the option to switch from cable to satellite service or diplex satellite service with OTA. The building is a 2 story brick and aluminum siding residence. There is a basement below the main house, an unfinished attic above the 2nd floor in the main house, and an unfinished attic above the 1st floor TV room (no basement) and attached 2 car garage. The front door faces east. The house sits on the south side of a 2 block hill. On the downhill side of the main house, the basement wall is brick and above ground, making the peak of the roof 4 stories from the ground (basement, 1st floor, 2nd floor, attic).
I have the most difficulty with the use of a preamp, amp, & splitters; in calculating dbs through the cabling versus optimal, max, & min; considering cable modem; power passing, optional satellite, etc.
PROPOSED HARDWARE:
ANTENNA: (QTY 1) DB8 -100 DEGREE MULTIDIRECTIONAL BEAM WIDTH, 70 MILES, HIGH GAIN UHF AND ENHANCED VHF, MAX GAIN 15.8 DB, 29”HX42”WX4”D. SOURCE: AFFORDABLEHDTV OR SOLIDSIGNAL.
PREAMPLIFIER: (QTY 0-1) ANTENNACRAFT 10G201 HIGH INPUT VHF/UHF PREAMP. SOURCE SUMMITSOURCE.
AMPLIFIER: (QTY 0-1) (DEPENDING ON CABLING PERFORMANCE) Channel Master 3410 Ultra Mini Distribution Multi-Media Drop Amplifier CM3410 Signal Distribution Amplifier TV RF Output Booster Amp Multimedia 5-42 / 54-1002 MHz Passive Return, Part # PCT-MA2-M (SOURCE: SUMMITSOURCE) WILL BE USED WITH THE BELOW SLAVER SPLITTER. ALTERNATIVELY, THE ELECTROLINE EDA-2800 8 PORT CABLE TV HDTV AMPLIFIER (SOURCE: AMAZON) WILL REPLACE THE SLAVE SPLITTER.
SPLITTERS: (QTY 2) EAGLE ASPEN’S 8-Way Splitter 2 GHz 2600 MHz DC Passing All Port Digital Satellite Eagle Aspen P7008AP 5 - 2600 MHz Cable CATV Off-Air Splitter Coaxial Cable UHF VHF Commercial Grade HDTV Antenna Signal, Part # P7008AP. SOURCE: SUMMITSOURCE.
CABLE: (QTY 1000 FT+) SKYLINE CABLE’S SINGLE RG6 SWEPT TESTED 3GHZ QUAD SHIELD SOLID COPPER. SOURCE: THECOAXCABLESTORE.
FASTENERS. (QTY 100) WHITE QUADSHIELD RG6 FASTENERS. (QTY 1+) ENTRY WALL GROMMETS. SOURCE: SUMMITSOURCE
TV OUTLETS: (QTY 9+) DUAL PORT: SHARED BY OTA AND CABLE OR FUTURE SATELLITE SERVICE. SOURCE: SUMMITSOURCE
A/B SWITCHES: (QTY 2+) AT EACH TV THAT NEEDS ONE. NOT NEEDED WITH DIGITAL CONVERTERS ON SOME TVS . E.G., Perfect PVAB95 A/B Switch Push Button Style High Isolation 90 dB 2-Way RF AB Switch 75 Ohm Video Selector Switch A B Switch Component Signal Coax Cable Dual Input, Part # PV-AB95. SOURCE: SUMMITSOURCE
GROUNDING: (QTY 30’) 10 GAUGE GREEN JACKET SOLID COPPER GROUND WIRE TO (QTY 1) 4.5’ COPPER CLAD HIGH CARBON STEEL GROUND ROD WITH (QTY 1) 4 RG6 PORT GROUND BLOCK. (QTY 100) WHITE 1/8” SCREW GROUND WIRE FASTENERS. SOURCE: SUMMITSOURCE
ANSWERS TO THE WEBSITE'S SUGGESTED QUESTIONS:
* The approximate length of your cable run(s)
DEPENDS ON USE OF STAR VS LOOP WIRING, WHICH I AM STILL DESIGNING, BUT WILL PROBABLY BE STAR FROM EACH SPLITTER. ONE SPLITTER (MASTER) WILL BE IN 3RD FLOOR ATTIC. ONE (SLAVE) WILL BE IN BASEMENT. AN AMPLIFIER MAY BE NEEDED FOR THE SLAVE SPLITTER, BUT IS NOT PLANNED. ADDITIONAL 2 TO 4-WAY SPLITTERS MAY BE USED FOR MULTIPLE OUTLETS ON SHARED WALLS OR IN THE SAME ROOMS, DEPENDING ON CABLE LENGTHS AND UNUSED SPLITTER PORTS. FURTHEST SET MAY BE UP TO 80 FEET (OR MORE) FROM ANTENNA. I ORDERED 1000 FT OF SKYLINE CABLE’S SINGLE RG6 SWEPT TESTED 3GHZ QUAD SHIELD SOLID COPPER. I MAY USE 2 EAGLE ASPEN’S 8-Way Splitter 2 GHz 2600 MHz DC Passing All Port Digital Satellite Eagle Aspen P7008AP 5 - 2600 MHz Cable CATV Off-Air Splitter Coaxial Cable UHF VHF Commercial Grade HDTV Antenna Signal, Part # P7008AP. THESE SPLITTERS WILL ALSO SUPPORT CABLE MODEMS, THOUGH THAT IS UNLIKELY FOR OTA OR SATELLITE. I WILL ADD TERMINATORS TO UNUSED SPLITTER PORTS. POWER IS AVAILABLE IN BASEMENT AND CAN ALSO BE ADDED IN 3RD FLOOR ATTIC FOR THE PREAMP, BUT WITH DC PASSING ON ALL PORTS, THE POWER INSERTION CAN BE DONE AT ANY OUTLET. CABLE SERVICE WILL BE REWIRED SIMILAR TO OTA TO THE SAME WALL OUTLETS. I SEE NO WAY TO MAKE CABLE AND OTA SHARE THE SAME CABLE AND DUAL RG6 WAS TOO EXPENSIVE, SO I WILL USE SEPARATE CABLES. THE WALL OUTLETS WILL HAVE AN RG6 PORT F TERMINAL FOR OverTheAir (OTA) AND ONE FOR CABLE.
* How many sets you are/intend on serving:
AT LEAST 9: 2ND FLOOR – 4, BASEMENT – 1, 1ST FLOOR – 4. (WIRING: 2ND FLOOR ACCESSIBLE FROM ATTIC, 1ST FLOOR ACCESSIBLE FROM BASEMENT AND TV ROOM IS ACCESSIBLE FROM ATTIC ABOVE GARAGE.) MAY ADD ADDITIONAL OUTLETS IN A FEW ROOMS TO ALLOW MOVING TVS. EXISTING CABLE SERVICE ENTERS BASEMENT. OTA WILL ENTER ATTIC ABOVE 2ND FLOOR.
* The model #'s of any existing antenna(s)
PLANNING ON USING A MULTIDIRECTIONAL (100 DEGREES) DB8 (UP TO 70 MILES) TO GET SEVERAL DIGITAL STATIONS THAT ARE 60+ MILES AWAY. DUE TO ANTENNA'S SIZE WIND IS A CONCERN. I AM GETTING MOST OF THE “GREEN” STATIONS WITH RABBIT EARS AND SEVERAL HOMEMADE INDOOR DIRECTIONAL BOWTIE ANTENNAS, BUT RECEPTION ON MANY CHANNELS IS OFF AND ON AT EACH TV AND FROM TV TO TV. CAN’T GET 2 LOCAL HIGH VHF STATIONS (8 AND 9). HAD CONSIDERED A DB4 ANTENNA, BUT IT MAY NOT PULL IN ENOUGH ADDITIONAL STATIONS OR IMPROVE RECEPTION ENOUGH TO MAKE THE INVESTMENT WORTHWHILE. CONSIDERED THE CHANNELMASTER CM4228, BUT IT HAS BEEN REPLACED BY THE 4228HD, WHICH HAS A DIFFERENT DESIGN FROM THE CM4228. THOUGH THE 4228HD IS SLIGHTLY LOWER PRICED THAN THE DB8, I HAVE READ ABOUT SERIOUS QUALITY CONTROL ISSUES DUE TO CHANNELMASTER OUTSOURCING MANUFACTURING TO CHINA. ALSO THE 4228’S RANGE IS 60 MILES, WHILE THE DB8 IS 70 MILES AND THE 4228 IS REPUTED TO BE DIRECTIONAL. WILL USE APPROXIMATELY 30 FEET OF 10 GAUGE GREEN COVERED SOLID COPPER GROUND WIRE TO A 4.5’ COPPER CLAD HIGH CARBON STEEL GROUND ROD WITH A 4 RG6 PORT GROUND BLOCK. AM UNSURE YET WHERE TO WHERE TO ROUTE GROUND WIRE. I REALIZE IT SHOULD TAKE THE MOST DIRECT ROUTE BETWEEN ANTENNA AND GROUND ROD. MY HOUSE IS BRICK ON BASEMENT AND 1ST FLOORS AND ALUMINUM SIDING, WHICH WON'T HOLD NAILS, ON 2ND FLOOR AND ATTIC. I MAY RUN THE GROUND WIRE DOWN THE FASCIA BOARD TO THE CORNER OF THE HOUSE AND THEN TO THE GROUND ROD. I DON’T KNOW HOW MANY FASTENERS TO USE, E.G., PER 10 FEET.
* The model #'s of any amplifiers you are using.
DUE TO NUMBER OF TV SETS, SPLITTER PORTS, AND CABLE RUNS, AM CONSIDERING AN ANTENNACRAFT 10G201 HIGH INPUT VHF/UHF PREAMP ON THE ANTENNA MAST DUE TO ITS LOW NOISE (3.0 VHF, 2.56 DB UHF), HIGH INPUT CAPACITY, AND 22DB UHF GAIN. WHILE THERE ARE MANY DISTANT AND MARGINAL STATIONS REQUIRING LOW NOISE AND SOLID AMPLIFICATION, THERE ARE SEVERAL STRONG STATIONS THAT MAY OVERLOAD A LOWER CAPACITY PREAMP? SIGNAL STRENGTH IN GENERAL VARIES CONSIDERABLY, REAL-TIME. GOING BY THE REAL CHANNEL NUMBERS, THERE MAY BE NO STATIONS OF INTEREST IN THE LOW VHF RANGE. NONE OF THE LOCAL REMAINING ANALOG STATIONS SHOW NETWORK AFFILIATIONS AND MAY BE SPECIAL PURPOSE STATIONS.
* Your specific geographic/environmental conditions. For instance:
Does your antenna aim point into a stand of Sequoia's, high voltage power lines, or a hill?
MY ATTENNA WILL BE AT THE SOURTHERNMOST PEAK OF THE ROOF OVER THE 3RD FLOOR ATTIC AND POINT AT A HILL (2/3RDS WAY UP FAR SIDE) BUT IT MAY BE HIGHEST HILL TOWARDS MOST TRANSMITTERS. THE INSIDE OF THE ATTIC ROOF MAY EVENTUALLY GET COVERED WITH FOIL TO REFLECT RADIANT SUMMER HEAT, SO AN ATTIC ANTENNA WAS NOT CONSIDERED.
Or are you on top of a hill?
2/3RDS OF THE WAY UP THE FAR SIDE FROM MOST OF THE USEFUL STATIONS.
Do you have close buildings taller than your antenna height between you and the transmitters?
SOME UPHILL HOUSES MAY INTERFERE WITH SOME STATIONS AND CAUSE ECHOS.
Or does your aim point you across a large body of water? NO
I posted this under cabling, but thought my antenna/reception issues belonged here. Pardon my capital letters.
My TVFOOL radar report is attached.
------------------------------------------
GEOGRAPHICAL COORDINATES: 40.307699,-80.041827 antenna height: 32 ft (above ground level)
MY ARCHITECTURE: 10/28/9
GENERAL DESCRIPTION:
Am upgrading the existing cable wiring from RG59 to RG6 quadshield and adding more outlets. Also adding an OffTheAir (OTA) roof mounted antenna and related wiring to the same outlets. I want to leave the option to switch from cable to satellite service or diplex satellite service with OTA. The building is a 2 story brick and aluminum siding residence. There is a basement below the main house, an unfinished attic above the 2nd floor in the main house, and an unfinished attic above the 1st floor TV room (no basement) and attached 2 car garage. The front door faces east. The house sits on the south side of a 2 block hill. On the downhill side of the main house, the basement wall is brick and above ground, making the peak of the roof 4 stories from the ground (basement, 1st floor, 2nd floor, attic).
I have the most difficulty with the use of a preamp, amp, & splitters; in calculating dbs through the cabling versus optimal, max, & min; considering cable modem; power passing, optional satellite, etc.
PROPOSED HARDWARE:
ANTENNA: (QTY 1) DB8 -100 DEGREE MULTIDIRECTIONAL BEAM WIDTH, 70 MILES, HIGH GAIN UHF AND ENHANCED VHF, MAX GAIN 15.8 DB, 29”HX42”WX4”D. SOURCE: AFFORDABLEHDTV OR SOLIDSIGNAL.
PREAMPLIFIER: (QTY 0-1) ANTENNACRAFT 10G201 HIGH INPUT VHF/UHF PREAMP. SOURCE SUMMITSOURCE.
AMPLIFIER: (QTY 0-1) (DEPENDING ON CABLING PERFORMANCE) Channel Master 3410 Ultra Mini Distribution Multi-Media Drop Amplifier CM3410 Signal Distribution Amplifier TV RF Output Booster Amp Multimedia 5-42 / 54-1002 MHz Passive Return, Part # PCT-MA2-M (SOURCE: SUMMITSOURCE) WILL BE USED WITH THE BELOW SLAVER SPLITTER. ALTERNATIVELY, THE ELECTROLINE EDA-2800 8 PORT CABLE TV HDTV AMPLIFIER (SOURCE: AMAZON) WILL REPLACE THE SLAVE SPLITTER.
SPLITTERS: (QTY 2) EAGLE ASPEN’S 8-Way Splitter 2 GHz 2600 MHz DC Passing All Port Digital Satellite Eagle Aspen P7008AP 5 - 2600 MHz Cable CATV Off-Air Splitter Coaxial Cable UHF VHF Commercial Grade HDTV Antenna Signal, Part # P7008AP. SOURCE: SUMMITSOURCE.
CABLE: (QTY 1000 FT+) SKYLINE CABLE’S SINGLE RG6 SWEPT TESTED 3GHZ QUAD SHIELD SOLID COPPER. SOURCE: THECOAXCABLESTORE.
FASTENERS. (QTY 100) WHITE QUADSHIELD RG6 FASTENERS. (QTY 1+) ENTRY WALL GROMMETS. SOURCE: SUMMITSOURCE
TV OUTLETS: (QTY 9+) DUAL PORT: SHARED BY OTA AND CABLE OR FUTURE SATELLITE SERVICE. SOURCE: SUMMITSOURCE
A/B SWITCHES: (QTY 2+) AT EACH TV THAT NEEDS ONE. NOT NEEDED WITH DIGITAL CONVERTERS ON SOME TVS . E.G., Perfect PVAB95 A/B Switch Push Button Style High Isolation 90 dB 2-Way RF AB Switch 75 Ohm Video Selector Switch A B Switch Component Signal Coax Cable Dual Input, Part # PV-AB95. SOURCE: SUMMITSOURCE
GROUNDING: (QTY 30’) 10 GAUGE GREEN JACKET SOLID COPPER GROUND WIRE TO (QTY 1) 4.5’ COPPER CLAD HIGH CARBON STEEL GROUND ROD WITH (QTY 1) 4 RG6 PORT GROUND BLOCK. (QTY 100) WHITE 1/8” SCREW GROUND WIRE FASTENERS. SOURCE: SUMMITSOURCE
ANSWERS TO THE WEBSITE'S SUGGESTED QUESTIONS:
* The approximate length of your cable run(s)
DEPENDS ON USE OF STAR VS LOOP WIRING, WHICH I AM STILL DESIGNING, BUT WILL PROBABLY BE STAR FROM EACH SPLITTER. ONE SPLITTER (MASTER) WILL BE IN 3RD FLOOR ATTIC. ONE (SLAVE) WILL BE IN BASEMENT. AN AMPLIFIER MAY BE NEEDED FOR THE SLAVE SPLITTER, BUT IS NOT PLANNED. ADDITIONAL 2 TO 4-WAY SPLITTERS MAY BE USED FOR MULTIPLE OUTLETS ON SHARED WALLS OR IN THE SAME ROOMS, DEPENDING ON CABLE LENGTHS AND UNUSED SPLITTER PORTS. FURTHEST SET MAY BE UP TO 80 FEET (OR MORE) FROM ANTENNA. I ORDERED 1000 FT OF SKYLINE CABLE’S SINGLE RG6 SWEPT TESTED 3GHZ QUAD SHIELD SOLID COPPER. I MAY USE 2 EAGLE ASPEN’S 8-Way Splitter 2 GHz 2600 MHz DC Passing All Port Digital Satellite Eagle Aspen P7008AP 5 - 2600 MHz Cable CATV Off-Air Splitter Coaxial Cable UHF VHF Commercial Grade HDTV Antenna Signal, Part # P7008AP. THESE SPLITTERS WILL ALSO SUPPORT CABLE MODEMS, THOUGH THAT IS UNLIKELY FOR OTA OR SATELLITE. I WILL ADD TERMINATORS TO UNUSED SPLITTER PORTS. POWER IS AVAILABLE IN BASEMENT AND CAN ALSO BE ADDED IN 3RD FLOOR ATTIC FOR THE PREAMP, BUT WITH DC PASSING ON ALL PORTS, THE POWER INSERTION CAN BE DONE AT ANY OUTLET. CABLE SERVICE WILL BE REWIRED SIMILAR TO OTA TO THE SAME WALL OUTLETS. I SEE NO WAY TO MAKE CABLE AND OTA SHARE THE SAME CABLE AND DUAL RG6 WAS TOO EXPENSIVE, SO I WILL USE SEPARATE CABLES. THE WALL OUTLETS WILL HAVE AN RG6 PORT F TERMINAL FOR OverTheAir (OTA) AND ONE FOR CABLE.
* How many sets you are/intend on serving:
AT LEAST 9: 2ND FLOOR – 4, BASEMENT – 1, 1ST FLOOR – 4. (WIRING: 2ND FLOOR ACCESSIBLE FROM ATTIC, 1ST FLOOR ACCESSIBLE FROM BASEMENT AND TV ROOM IS ACCESSIBLE FROM ATTIC ABOVE GARAGE.) MAY ADD ADDITIONAL OUTLETS IN A FEW ROOMS TO ALLOW MOVING TVS. EXISTING CABLE SERVICE ENTERS BASEMENT. OTA WILL ENTER ATTIC ABOVE 2ND FLOOR.
* The model #'s of any existing antenna(s)
PLANNING ON USING A MULTIDIRECTIONAL (100 DEGREES) DB8 (UP TO 70 MILES) TO GET SEVERAL DIGITAL STATIONS THAT ARE 60+ MILES AWAY. DUE TO ANTENNA'S SIZE WIND IS A CONCERN. I AM GETTING MOST OF THE “GREEN” STATIONS WITH RABBIT EARS AND SEVERAL HOMEMADE INDOOR DIRECTIONAL BOWTIE ANTENNAS, BUT RECEPTION ON MANY CHANNELS IS OFF AND ON AT EACH TV AND FROM TV TO TV. CAN’T GET 2 LOCAL HIGH VHF STATIONS (8 AND 9). HAD CONSIDERED A DB4 ANTENNA, BUT IT MAY NOT PULL IN ENOUGH ADDITIONAL STATIONS OR IMPROVE RECEPTION ENOUGH TO MAKE THE INVESTMENT WORTHWHILE. CONSIDERED THE CHANNELMASTER CM4228, BUT IT HAS BEEN REPLACED BY THE 4228HD, WHICH HAS A DIFFERENT DESIGN FROM THE CM4228. THOUGH THE 4228HD IS SLIGHTLY LOWER PRICED THAN THE DB8, I HAVE READ ABOUT SERIOUS QUALITY CONTROL ISSUES DUE TO CHANNELMASTER OUTSOURCING MANUFACTURING TO CHINA. ALSO THE 4228’S RANGE IS 60 MILES, WHILE THE DB8 IS 70 MILES AND THE 4228 IS REPUTED TO BE DIRECTIONAL. WILL USE APPROXIMATELY 30 FEET OF 10 GAUGE GREEN COVERED SOLID COPPER GROUND WIRE TO A 4.5’ COPPER CLAD HIGH CARBON STEEL GROUND ROD WITH A 4 RG6 PORT GROUND BLOCK. AM UNSURE YET WHERE TO WHERE TO ROUTE GROUND WIRE. I REALIZE IT SHOULD TAKE THE MOST DIRECT ROUTE BETWEEN ANTENNA AND GROUND ROD. MY HOUSE IS BRICK ON BASEMENT AND 1ST FLOORS AND ALUMINUM SIDING, WHICH WON'T HOLD NAILS, ON 2ND FLOOR AND ATTIC. I MAY RUN THE GROUND WIRE DOWN THE FASCIA BOARD TO THE CORNER OF THE HOUSE AND THEN TO THE GROUND ROD. I DON’T KNOW HOW MANY FASTENERS TO USE, E.G., PER 10 FEET.
* The model #'s of any amplifiers you are using.
DUE TO NUMBER OF TV SETS, SPLITTER PORTS, AND CABLE RUNS, AM CONSIDERING AN ANTENNACRAFT 10G201 HIGH INPUT VHF/UHF PREAMP ON THE ANTENNA MAST DUE TO ITS LOW NOISE (3.0 VHF, 2.56 DB UHF), HIGH INPUT CAPACITY, AND 22DB UHF GAIN. WHILE THERE ARE MANY DISTANT AND MARGINAL STATIONS REQUIRING LOW NOISE AND SOLID AMPLIFICATION, THERE ARE SEVERAL STRONG STATIONS THAT MAY OVERLOAD A LOWER CAPACITY PREAMP? SIGNAL STRENGTH IN GENERAL VARIES CONSIDERABLY, REAL-TIME. GOING BY THE REAL CHANNEL NUMBERS, THERE MAY BE NO STATIONS OF INTEREST IN THE LOW VHF RANGE. NONE OF THE LOCAL REMAINING ANALOG STATIONS SHOW NETWORK AFFILIATIONS AND MAY BE SPECIAL PURPOSE STATIONS.
* Your specific geographic/environmental conditions. For instance:
Does your antenna aim point into a stand of Sequoia's, high voltage power lines, or a hill?
MY ATTENNA WILL BE AT THE SOURTHERNMOST PEAK OF THE ROOF OVER THE 3RD FLOOR ATTIC AND POINT AT A HILL (2/3RDS WAY UP FAR SIDE) BUT IT MAY BE HIGHEST HILL TOWARDS MOST TRANSMITTERS. THE INSIDE OF THE ATTIC ROOF MAY EVENTUALLY GET COVERED WITH FOIL TO REFLECT RADIANT SUMMER HEAT, SO AN ATTIC ANTENNA WAS NOT CONSIDERED.
Or are you on top of a hill?
2/3RDS OF THE WAY UP THE FAR SIDE FROM MOST OF THE USEFUL STATIONS.
Do you have close buildings taller than your antenna height between you and the transmitters?
SOME UPHILL HOUSES MAY INTERFERE WITH SOME STATIONS AND CAUSE ECHOS.
Or does your aim point you across a large body of water? NO