tigerbangs prescription for deep fringe reception

Steff3 · 06-18-2006, 10:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick0725

Zipcode please.

Sorry, I should have included. 94534

Petiboy · 08-07-2006, 01:57 PM

Hi Tigerbands,

Where can I purchase your antenna prescription in the Mass, north shore area or surrounding comunities.
Thanks,

tigerbangs · 08-07-2006, 04:25 PM

Your best bet is to get hold of Stark Electronics in Worcester, http://www/starkelectronic.com
as they are dealers for everything in the deep-fringe package. One question, however: How can you be so far from Boston on the North Shore that you need that extreme an antenna system? Unless you live behind a hill in Newburyport, chances are good that you can use less antenna and still get a good signal. Let me know...

Petiboy · 08-08-2006, 09:33 AM

Actually I live in Amesbury up on a hill, I checked out Stark Electronics, should I just call them for a recommendation "maybe one of the CM Crossfire models". I do have a 12 year old radio shack 8" antenna with amp on my chimney now and can pull in most all local stations. I was just looking to update and maybe pull in more stations.

Thanks again.

tigerbangs · 08-08-2006, 12:43 PM

Based on the latest Stark website, I think your best value would be to pick up a Channel Master Crossfire 3671 now that they are down to $109.00. Add a rotator to it, like the Channel Master 9521a and a Chanel Master Titan 7777 preamplifier, or, as an alternative, the Winegard AP 8275 preamp, new RG-6u coax cable and you will find that you will see a TON of stations that you haven't seen before: Providence and Manchester should be no problem for you, and I would also expect that you'll see the Portland stations, as well.

http://www.channelmaster.com/
Channel Master

http://www.winegard.com/
Winegard

http://www.channelmaster.com/pdf/AntInstallGuide.pdf
Antenna Installation Guide

G_Money · 08-16-2006, 09:02 AM

Hi -
I'm in the bay area (zip 94597) and I checked on antennaweb and found that the stations that I want to pick up are rated red and blue.
I'm looking to pick up the major networks - don't really care about everything else.

Currently, I pick up just the first channel on this channel list - nothing else.

The directv installer put up my off-air antenna and just "pointed it towards San Francisco - Mt. Sutro". He didn't use a compass or anything specific.

My questions:
Is this a good enough antenna for my needs? Do I need the deep fringe prescription? Should I just point in the right direction (224 deg) and get a pre-amp?

Any help would be appreciated (especially with Football season starting!).

yellow - uhf KTFK 64 SAH STOCKTON CA 94° 8.8 64
* yellow - uhf KTFK-DT 64.1 SAH STOCKTON CA 102° 8.2 62
yellow - uhf KTNC 42 AZA CONCORD CA 94° 8.9 42
lt green - uhf KFTY 50 IND SANTA ROSA CA 312° 59.5 50
red - vhf KTVU 2 FOX OAKLAND CA 224° 25.2 2
red - vhf KNTV 11 NBC SAN JOSE CA 215° 27.2 11
* red - vhf KNTV-DT 11.1 NBC SAN JOSE CA 215° 27.2 12
blue - vhf KRON 4 IND SAN FRANCISCO CA 224° 25.2 4
blue - vhf KQED 9 PBS SAN FRANCISCO CA 224° 25.2 9
blue - uhf KICU 36 IND SAN JOSE CA 146° 32.6 36
blue - vhf KGO 7 ABC SAN FRANCISCO CA 224° 25.2 7
blue - vhf KPIX 5 CBS SAN FRANCISCO CA 224° 25.2 5
blue - uhf KDTV 14 UNI SAN FRANCISCO CA 146° 31.8 14
blue - uhf KDTV-CA 28 UNI SANTA ROSA CA 313° 58.3 28
blue - uhf KQCA 58 WB STOCKTON CA 39° 36.5 58
blue - vhf KXTV 10 ABC SACRAMENTO CA 39° 36.5 10
blue - vhf KVIE 6 PBS SACRAMENTO CA 36° 37.6 6
blue - uhf KTXL 40 FOX SACRAMENTO CA 36° 37.6 40
blue - vhf KOVR 13 CBS STOCKTON CA 39° 36.5 13
blue - uhf KMAX 31 UPN SACRAMENTO CA 37° 38.0 31
blue - vhf KCRA 3 NBC SACRAMENTO CA 38° 38.0 3
blue - uhf KSTS 48 TEL SAN JOSE CA 146° 31.8 48
violet - uhf KTEH 54 PBS SAN JOSE CA 146° 32.6 54
violet - uhf KUVS 19 UNI MODESTO CA 64° 73.3 19
violet - uhf KSPX 29 i SACRAMENTO CA 37° 80.6 29
* violet - uhf KOVR-DT 13.1 CBS STOCKTON CA 39° 36.5 25
violet - uhf KTLN 68 IND NOVATO CA 281° 32.9 68
violet - uhf KRCB 22 PBS COTATI CA 299° 40.1 22
* violet - uhf KDTV-DT 14.1 UNI SAN FRANCISCO CA 146° 31.8 51
violet - uhf KCNS 38 SAH SAN FRANCISCO CA 224° 25.2 38
violet - uhf KKPX 65 i SAN JOSE CA 153° 58.2 65
violet - uhf KMTP 32 IND SAN FRANCISCO CA 224° 25.2 32
violet - uhf KBWB 20 IND SAN FRANCISCO CA 224° 25.3 20
violet - uhf KFSF 66 TFA VALLEJO CA 224° 25.2 66
violet - uhf KTSF 26 IND SAN FRANCISCO CA 215° 27.2 26
violet - uhf KBCW 44 UPN SAN FRANCISCO CA 224° 25.2 44

G_Money · 08-16-2006, 09:03 AM

[IMG]

[/IMG]

rackerby · 08-16-2006, 01:28 PM

I'm in the Sacramento Valley in CA. My zip is 95616.

I recently discovered my tuner picking up KQED-DT in the San Francisco Bay Area, and what amazes me is that I can get KQED-DT at all considering I have a low quality VHF/UHF combo antenna (Radio Shack VU-75XR), mounted in my attic under concrete tile, pointed at Walnut Grove (where the main Sacramento towers are located). The Bay Area tower is 65 degrees off, and 65-70 miles away, with some hills in bwtween. I am aware of the effect of atmospheric conditions on signal propagation, but I wonder what would happen if I mounted a CM 4228 outdoors (UHF digitals are all I'm interested in) and pointed it at the Bay Area tower. Would that likely be a waste of time and money?

tigerbangs · 08-16-2006, 05:15 PM

At a distance of 65 miles, there is a reasonable chance of picking up the SF stations with the right conditions. The 4228 will be much more directional that the Radio Shack antenna, so a rotator is probably a good idea, as is a preamp, like a Winegard HDP-269

rackerby · 08-16-2006, 06:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tigerbangs

At a distance of 65 miles, there is a reasonable chance of picking up the SF stations with the right conditions.

Does that mean there's little chance of picking them up reliably?

Quote:

The 4228 will be much more directional that the Radio Shack antenna, so a rotator is probably a good idea...

Hmm. If I can pick up the SF stations reliably, I figured I use another antenna for the Sacramento stations. That would be a separate challenge.

rackerby · 08-20-2006, 10:24 AM

Well, I bought a Channel Master 4228 antenna at Fry's on Thursday. I put it up low on the north-east-facing slope of my single story house (which is away from the street), pointed at the compass heading for Sutro Tower (which is basically south), along with a Channel Master Spartan 3 amplifier.

KQED-DT is the Bay Area station I am really interested in. Thus far, I am maintaining a signal strength between 77 an 87 percent for KQED-DT throughout the day (My receiver exhibits no dropouts with anything above 60 percent).

I also get KTVU, KRON, KGO, and KBCW (44) but I haven't surveyed them closely. I still get all the Sac channels with the exception of Pax/i.

I'm holding off on major celebrations though. This may be due to atmospheric conditions. Time will tell.

jizzo · 08-21-2006, 12:44 PM

I live in Nashport OH which is nestled in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. My zip is 43830. I am trying to pick up my "local" channels out of Columbus OH which are 50-55 miles away. What will be the best antenna set up for me. I live in a single story house, in a slight valley, with some 50 foot trees near my house in all directions. I know it sounds bleak, but do I have any chance getting these HD signals?

tigerbangs · 08-21-2006, 03:59 PM

Yes, probably: according to antennaweb, you are about 48 miles from Columbus, which is due east of you. Are you looking for analog or digital stations? Both should be available to you with the right antenna system: Have a look at the sticky note : Tigerbangs deep-fringe prescription, and get back to us with whatever questons you have.

jizzo · 08-21-2006, 05:30 PM

Im wanting digital. Actually, I only really care about picking up WSYX-ABC and WTTE-FOX out of Columbus in HD. For whatever reason, time warner cable doesnt offer those 2 stations in HD. So thats what I want. I read your prescription, but I dont have a local Channel Master dealer in my area that Im aware of. Do you think the Radio Shack vu-190 would give me a chance?

Thanks for all your help.

Joe

tigerbangs · 08-21-2006, 06:41 PM

I doubt that the Radio Shack will do the job for you, even when you use a preamplifier. It is worth ordering the pieces mail order if you don't have a local dealer. Remember that WSYX-DT is on VHF channel 13, so you will need a VHF as well as a UHF antenna if you want to pick it up: I don't believe that the 4228 by itself will do an adaquate job on chanel 13 for you.

http://www.warrenelectronics.com/
Warren Electronic

http://www.solidsignal.com/
Solid Signal

http://www.starkelectronic.com/
STARK ELECTRONIC HOME PAGE

08-07-2006, 01:57 PM	#17
Petiboy How can anyone watch standard def? Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 17	Where to buy Antenna in Boston North shore Hi Tigerbands, Where can I purchase your antenna prescription in the Mass, north shore area or surrounding comunities. Thanks,

08-07-2006, 04:25 PM	#18
tigerbangs Antenna Maven Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Springfield, MA Age: 54 Posts: 2,101	Your best bet is to get hold of Stark Electronics in Worcester, http://www/starkelectronic.com as they are dealers for everything in the deep-fringe package. One question, however: How can you be so far from Boston on the North Shore that you need that extreme an antenna system? Unless you live behind a hill in Newburyport, chances are good that you can use less antenna and still get a good signal. Let me know... __________________ Real men don't use indoor antennas; neither do real women!

08-08-2006, 12:43 PM	#20
tigerbangs Antenna Maven Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Springfield, MA Age: 54 Posts: 2,101	Based on the latest Stark website, I think your best value would be to pick up a Channel Master Crossfire 3671 now that they are down to $109.00. Add a rotator to it, like the Channel Master 9521a and a Chanel Master Titan 7777 preamplifier, or, as an alternative, the Winegard AP 8275 preamp, new RG-6u coax cable and you will find that you will see a TON of stations that you haven't seen before: Providence and Manchester should be no problem for you, and I would also expect that you'll see the Portland stations, as well. http://www.channelmaster.com/ Channel Master http://www.winegard.com/ Winegard http://www.channelmaster.com/pdf/AntInstallGuide.pdf Antenna Installation Guide __________________ Real men don't use indoor antennas; neither do real women!

08-16-2006, 09:02 AM	#21
G_Money What is HD? Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 4	Do I need the deep fringe reception prescription? Hi - I'm in the bay area (zip 94597) and I checked on antennaweb and found that the stations that I want to pick up are rated red and blue. I'm looking to pick up the major networks - don't really care about everything else. Currently, I pick up just the first channel on this channel list - nothing else. The directv installer put up my off-air antenna and just "pointed it towards San Francisco - Mt. Sutro". He didn't use a compass or anything specific. My questions: Is this a good enough antenna for my needs? Do I need the deep fringe prescription? Should I just point in the right direction (224 deg) and get a pre-amp? Any help would be appreciated (especially with Football season starting!). yellow - uhf KTFK 64 SAH STOCKTON CA 94° 8.8 64 * yellow - uhf KTFK-DT 64.1 SAH STOCKTON CA 102° 8.2 62 yellow - uhf KTNC 42 AZA CONCORD CA 94° 8.9 42 lt green - uhf KFTY 50 IND SANTA ROSA CA 312° 59.5 50 red - vhf KTVU 2 FOX OAKLAND CA 224° 25.2 2 red - vhf KNTV 11 NBC SAN JOSE CA 215° 27.2 11 * red - vhf KNTV-DT 11.1 NBC SAN JOSE CA 215° 27.2 12 blue - vhf KRON 4 IND SAN FRANCISCO CA 224° 25.2 4 blue - vhf KQED 9 PBS SAN FRANCISCO CA 224° 25.2 9 blue - uhf KICU 36 IND SAN JOSE CA 146° 32.6 36 blue - vhf KGO 7 ABC SAN FRANCISCO CA 224° 25.2 7 blue - vhf KPIX 5 CBS SAN FRANCISCO CA 224° 25.2 5 blue - uhf KDTV 14 UNI SAN FRANCISCO CA 146° 31.8 14 blue - uhf KDTV-CA 28 UNI SANTA ROSA CA 313° 58.3 28 blue - uhf KQCA 58 WB STOCKTON CA 39° 36.5 58 blue - vhf KXTV 10 ABC SACRAMENTO CA 39° 36.5 10 blue - vhf KVIE 6 PBS SACRAMENTO CA 36° 37.6 6 blue - uhf KTXL 40 FOX SACRAMENTO CA 36° 37.6 40 blue - vhf KOVR 13 CBS STOCKTON CA 39° 36.5 13 blue - uhf KMAX 31 UPN SACRAMENTO CA 37° 38.0 31 blue - vhf KCRA 3 NBC SACRAMENTO CA 38° 38.0 3 blue - uhf KSTS 48 TEL SAN JOSE CA 146° 31.8 48 violet - uhf KTEH 54 PBS SAN JOSE CA 146° 32.6 54 violet - uhf KUVS 19 UNI MODESTO CA 64° 73.3 19 violet - uhf KSPX 29 i SACRAMENTO CA 37° 80.6 29 * violet - uhf KOVR-DT 13.1 CBS STOCKTON CA 39° 36.5 25 violet - uhf KTLN 68 IND NOVATO CA 281° 32.9 68 violet - uhf KRCB 22 PBS COTATI CA 299° 40.1 22 * violet - uhf KDTV-DT 14.1 UNI SAN FRANCISCO CA 146° 31.8 51 violet - uhf KCNS 38 SAH SAN FRANCISCO CA 224° 25.2 38 violet - uhf KKPX 65 i SAN JOSE CA 153° 58.2 65 violet - uhf KMTP 32 IND SAN FRANCISCO CA 224° 25.2 32 violet - uhf KBWB 20 IND SAN FRANCISCO CA 224° 25.3 20 violet - uhf KFSF 66 TFA VALLEJO CA 224° 25.2 66 violet - uhf KTSF 26 IND SAN FRANCISCO CA 215° 27.2 26 violet - uhf KBCW 44 UPN SAN FRANCISCO CA 224° 25.2 44

08-16-2006, 01:28 PM	#23
rackerby High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 32	65-70 miles with hills I'm in the Sacramento Valley in CA. My zip is 95616. I recently discovered my tuner picking up KQED-DT in the San Francisco Bay Area, and what amazes me is that I can get KQED-DT at all considering I have a low quality VHF/UHF combo antenna (Radio Shack VU-75XR), mounted in my attic under concrete tile, pointed at Walnut Grove (where the main Sacramento towers are located). The Bay Area tower is 65 degrees off, and 65-70 miles away, with some hills in bwtween. I am aware of the effect of atmospheric conditions on signal propagation, but I wonder what would happen if I mounted a CM 4228 outdoors (UHF digitals are all I'm interested in) and pointed it at the Bay Area tower. Would that likely be a waste of time and money?

08-08-2006, 09:33 AM	#19
Petiboy How can anyone watch standard def? Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 17	Actually I live in Amesbury up on a hill, I checked out Stark Electronics, should I just call them for a recommendation "maybe one of the CM Crossfire models". I do have a 12 year old radio shack 8" antenna with amp on my chimney now and can pull in most all local stations. I was just looking to update and maybe pull in more stations. Thanks again.

08-16-2006, 05:15 PM	#24
tigerbangs Antenna Maven Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Springfield, MA Age: 54 Posts: 2,101	At a distance of 65 miles, there is a reasonable chance of picking up the SF stations with the right conditions. The 4228 will be much more directional that the Radio Shack antenna, so a rotator is probably a good idea, as is a preamp, like a Winegard HDP-269 __________________ Real men don't use indoor antennas; neither do real women!

08-20-2006, 10:24 AM	#26
rackerby High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 32	Well, I bought a Channel Master 4228 antenna at Fry's on Thursday. I put it up low on the north-east-facing slope of my single story house (which is away from the street), pointed at the compass heading for Sutro Tower (which is basically south), along with a Channel Master Spartan 3 amplifier. KQED-DT is the Bay Area station I am really interested in. Thus far, I am maintaining a signal strength between 77 an 87 percent for KQED-DT throughout the day (My receiver exhibits no dropouts with anything above 60 percent). I also get KTVU, KRON, KGO, and KBCW (44) but I haven't surveyed them closely. I still get all the Sac channels with the exception of Pax/i. I'm holding off on major celebrations though. This may be due to atmospheric conditions. Time will tell.

08-21-2006, 12:44 PM	#27
jizzo How can anyone watch standard def? Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 16	Need help in the hills I live in Nashport OH which is nestled in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. My zip is 43830. I am trying to pick up my "local" channels out of Columbus OH which are 50-55 miles away. What will be the best antenna set up for me. I live in a single story house, in a slight valley, with some 50 foot trees near my house in all directions. I know it sounds bleak, but do I have any chance getting these HD signals?

08-21-2006, 03:59 PM	#28
tigerbangs Antenna Maven Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Springfield, MA Age: 54 Posts: 2,101	Yes, probably: according to antennaweb, you are about 48 miles from Columbus, which is due east of you. Are you looking for analog or digital stations? Both should be available to you with the right antenna system: Have a look at the sticky note : Tigerbangs deep-fringe prescription, and get back to us with whatever questons you have. __________________ Real men don't use indoor antennas; neither do real women!

08-21-2006, 05:30 PM	#29
jizzo How can anyone watch standard def? Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 16	Im looking for digital Im wanting digital. Actually, I only really care about picking up WSYX-ABC and WTTE-FOX out of Columbus in HD. For whatever reason, time warner cable doesnt offer those 2 stations in HD. So thats what I want. I read your prescription, but I dont have a local Channel Master dealer in my area that Im aware of. Do you think the Radio Shack vu-190 would give me a chance? Thanks for all your help. Joe

08-21-2006, 06:41 PM	#30
tigerbangs Antenna Maven Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Springfield, MA Age: 54 Posts: 2,101	I doubt that the Radio Shack will do the job for you, even when you use a preamplifier. It is worth ordering the pieces mail order if you don't have a local dealer. Remember that WSYX-DT is on VHF channel 13, so you will need a VHF as well as a UHF antenna if you want to pick it up: I don't believe that the 4228 by itself will do an adaquate job on chanel 13 for you. http://www.warrenelectronics.com/ Warren Electronic http://www.solidsignal.com/ Solid Signal http://www.starkelectronic.com/ STARK ELECTRONIC HOME PAGE __________________ Real men don't use indoor antennas; neither do real women! Last edited by tigerbangs; 08-21-2006 at 06:44 PM.