tigerbangs prescription for deep fringe reception

tigerbangs · 08-22-2006, 01:50 PM

I know, I checked it out before I posted to you...and I stand by my suggestions: Antennaweb is notoriously conservative in rating fringe-area digital reception: if I believed them everytime I suggested an antenna system, no one would be watching DTV at a distance of more than 30 miles from the transmitters. Have a look again at the FCC primary coverage map I linked in the previous post: you are WELL within the range for WSYX-DT

http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/FMTV-serv...=DT674641.html

tigerbangs · 08-22-2006, 02:01 PM

I am going to make a suggestion that may make sense to you: sit in your car in the driveway, and tune to WOSU-FM at 89.7 FM: if it comes in clearly, without significant flickering, then you will see WSYX-DT without a problem: they come from the same transmitting tower!

jizzo · 08-22-2006, 03:27 PM

OK Ill try that.

Diogenes · 08-22-2006, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JKnPA

Tiger,
With all due respect......... your 'prescription' may not work either!
Since none of us is actually there......... We don't know! Also he may not have the $$$$$ to spend on your 'prescription'.
* Some problems have 'no solution'............. FWIW.

Respectfully,
Jk.

Remember, this is the High Definition form. The implication is that the poster has or is about to, plunk down $2000 plus for an HD set. Logic would tell us that the poster would have be willing to spend the $70- $80 necessary to make it work. Never assume a problem has no solution until you look for one.

jizzo · 08-22-2006, 03:35 PM

actually I spent ~1000 on my Hitachi 51F59, and Im willing to spend around 100 to get the OTA signals I want.

jizzo · 08-22-2006, 04:40 PM

Well, to my surprise, WOSU 89.7 FM comes in remarkably clear with only very minor static. I guess getting WSYX-DT is a lock according to Tiger.

THANKS

Rick0725 · 08-22-2006, 04:40 PM

I love my hitachi projection...purchased a 57t500 brand new in the box last february.

found one locally at a rex stores. had it isf'd last summer. great picture. enjoy!!

good luck with your decision. what is that you want Im confused

JKnPA · 08-22-2006, 05:09 PM

Diogenes,
Have you ever taken a math, or physics course higher than high school ? If you have you would know some problems( math, antenna propagation) have No Solutions.
I didn't assume' his problem had no solution !
I said 'we don't know' what the conditions are, therfore to say someone has a 'final answer' is *^%#@*.......

Two antennas, mounting equip, coax, and connectors are going to cost a lot more than $80.............

My basic suggestion was to try a rotor and a good UHF antenna and see if that works. If not, then he may need another antenna (VHF), that had a high gain at ch.13.
Jizzo,
I hope everything works out Ok. Good Luck!

* there are quite a few knowlegable posters here, don't assume 1 or 2 people have all the answers!

jizzo · 08-22-2006, 09:10 PM

Currently, I have an old dish network dish mounted on my roof. It looks like I may be able to remove the dish, add a 5 foot section of mast to the existing mast/mount and attach my new antenna right there. Anyone think of a reason why this wouldnt work?

Diogenes · 08-22-2006, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JKnPA

Diogenes,
Have you ever taken a math, or physics course higher than high school ? If you have you would know some problems( math, antenna propagation) have No Solutions.
I didn't assume' his problem had no solution !
I said 'we don't know' what the conditions are, therfore to say someone has a 'final answer' is *^%#@*.......

Two antennas, mounting equip, coax, and connectors are going to cost a lot more than $80.............

My basic suggestion was to try a rotor and a good UHF antenna and see if that works. If not, then he may need another antenna (VHF), that had a high gain at ch.13.
Jizzo,
I hope everything works out Ok. Good Luck!

* there are quite a few knowlegable posters here, don't assume 1 or 2 people have all the answers!

Actually JKNPA, I have two Mastrer's degrees, the first in Mathematics and the second in EE. I also don't think a two antenna solution is necessary, I think one CM 4228 will probably handle the job. I believe that can be done for $80.

You are right some problems have no solution, like Fermat's Last Theorem, oh wait that was solved in 1995 after 357 years of trying.

jizzo · 08-23-2006, 09:10 AM

So if I get just a 4228 to start with, do I just point the front of toward Columbus (west-south-west) for the best results?

jizzo · 08-23-2006, 09:10 AM

I meant point the front of IT toward Columbus. Sorry

Diogenes · 08-23-2006, 09:34 AM

I think your best approach may be trial and error. Move the antenna around until you get the signal you want. You may want to look at the analog channels while you do that. Sometimes it is easier to find the signal with the analog channels.

tyromark · 08-23-2006, 10:35 AM

Jizzo,
I tried doing the same thing recently and gave it up. Maybe your luck will be better (and that old satellite mount will be in the best place on your roof for reception - I'd follow Diogenes advice and walk around up there with the 4228 when you get it to see if another spot is better), but there are two things to consider:
1) the sat. mount is probably 1.66" diam. and your 4228 hardware won't fit a mast thicker than the standard 1.25" - a plumbing-type fixture might fit the transition in diameters possible in a solid enough fashion, or maybe not.
2) I could never get mine to stand up quite vertical (no jokes, pls) in the direction it already pointed, or by taking out the hardware and reversing it in its foot. It was always a bit out of plumb, and looking at a 4228 on a 5' mast just resting in the too-wide sat. mount mast, I just couldn't stomach the sloppy (and downward-sloping) aspect.

Went to a completely separate mount at the other end of the house, although the old sat. one, with its footing already installed and waterproofed, WAS tempting. Maybe it will work out better for your situation, but I'd take a close look at it and fiddle some before counting on it.

Rick0725 · 08-23-2006, 11:26 AM

the cm4228 weighs about 15 lbs and is subject to some sizeable wind loading.

at your distance and reception challenges, you would not want the antenna to flop about in the wind. It can manifest itself as dropouts in signal.

if you are not using the dish any longer, remove the dish and mount and leave just the plate on the roof.

a 3' tripod (available at radio shack) would be more sturdy with more points of attachment to the roof. If you feel the mast is too tall trim it to size to your liking. the heigth will be to your benefit.

For that antenna, prefer the 5' heavy duty higher gauge 1 1/4" mast that is available at radio shack. that mast will not give in the wind as much. any fatter mast will not fit through the u bolt supplied with the antenna.

08-22-2006, 01:50 PM	#46
tigerbangs Antenna Maven Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Springfield, MA Age: 54 Posts: 2,101	I know, I checked it out before I posted to you...and I stand by my suggestions: Antennaweb is notoriously conservative in rating fringe-area digital reception: if I believed them everytime I suggested an antenna system, no one would be watching DTV at a distance of more than 30 miles from the transmitters. Have a look again at the FCC primary coverage map I linked in the previous post: you are WELL within the range for WSYX-DT http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/FMTV-serv...=DT674641.html __________________ Real men don't use indoor antennas; neither do real women!

08-22-2006, 02:01 PM	#47
tigerbangs Antenna Maven Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Springfield, MA Age: 54 Posts: 2,101	I am going to make a suggestion that may make sense to you: sit in your car in the driveway, and tune to WOSU-FM at 89.7 FM: if it comes in clearly, without significant flickering, then you will see WSYX-DT without a problem: they come from the same transmitting tower! __________________ Real men don't use indoor antennas; neither do real women!

08-22-2006, 04:40 PM	#52
Rick0725 Antennas by Committee Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Clay, New York Posts: 1,557	I love my hitachi projection...purchased a 57t500 brand new in the box last february. found one locally at a rex stores. had it isf'd last summer. great picture. enjoy!! good luck with your decision. what is that you want Im confused Last edited by Rick0725; 08-22-2006 at 04:44 PM.

08-22-2006, 05:09 PM	#53
JKnPA High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 204	Lost lamp.................. ??? Diogenes, Have you ever taken a math, or physics course higher than high school ? If you have you would know some problems( math, antenna propagation) have No Solutions. I didn't assume' his problem had no solution ! I said 'we don't know' what the conditions are, therfore to say someone has a 'final answer' is ^%#@....... Two antennas, mounting equip, coax, and connectors are going to cost a lot more than $80............. My basic suggestion was to try a rotor and a good UHF antenna and see if that works. If not, then he may need another antenna (VHF), that had a high gain at ch.13. Jizzo, I hope everything works out Ok. Good Luck! * there are quite a few knowlegable posters here, don't assume 1 or 2 people have all the answers! __________________ ************************************ JK Sharp LC-37D6U Denon Receiver AVR- 1906 JVC DVD player XV-SA600 Polk speakers CM 4228 / CM7777@ 9521A

08-23-2006, 09:34 AM	#58
Diogenes High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 596	I think your best approach may be trial and error. Move the antenna around until you get the signal you want. You may want to look at the analog channels while you do that. Sometimes it is easier to find the signal with the analog channels. __________________ A good definition of insanity is trying the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. Anybody seen my lamp?

08-22-2006, 03:27 PM	#48
jizzo How can anyone watch standard def? Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 16	OK Ill try that.

08-22-2006, 03:35 PM	#50
jizzo How can anyone watch standard def? Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 16	actually I spent ~1000 on my Hitachi 51F59, and Im willing to spend around 100 to get the OTA signals I want.

08-22-2006, 09:10 PM	#54
jizzo How can anyone watch standard def? Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 16	Currently, I have an old dish network dish mounted on my roof. It looks like I may be able to remove the dish, add a 5 foot section of mast to the existing mast/mount and attach my new antenna right there. Anyone think of a reason why this wouldnt work?

08-23-2006, 09:10 AM	#56
jizzo How can anyone watch standard def? Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 16	So if I get just a 4228 to start with, do I just point the front of toward Columbus (west-south-west) for the best results?

08-23-2006, 10:35 AM	#59
tyromark Not electrocuted yet. Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 45	Can you get the old sat. mount plumb? Jizzo, I tried doing the same thing recently and gave it up. Maybe your luck will be better (and that old satellite mount will be in the best place on your roof for reception - I'd follow Diogenes advice and walk around up there with the 4228 when you get it to see if another spot is better), but there are two things to consider: 1) the sat. mount is probably 1.66" diam. and your 4228 hardware won't fit a mast thicker than the standard 1.25" - a plumbing-type fixture might fit the transition in diameters possible in a solid enough fashion, or maybe not. 2) I could never get mine to stand up quite vertical (no jokes, pls) in the direction it already pointed, or by taking out the hardware and reversing it in its foot. It was always a bit out of plumb, and looking at a 4228 on a 5' mast just resting in the too-wide sat. mount mast, I just couldn't stomach the sloppy (and downward-sloping) aspect. Went to a completely separate mount at the other end of the house, although the old sat. one, with its footing already installed and waterproofed, WAS tempting. Maybe it will work out better for your situation, but I'd take a close look at it and fiddle some before counting on it.

08-23-2006, 11:26 AM	#60
Rick0725 Antennas by Committee Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Clay, New York Posts: 1,557	the cm4228 weighs about 15 lbs and is subject to some sizeable wind loading. at your distance and reception challenges, you would not want the antenna to flop about in the wind. It can manifest itself as dropouts in signal. if you are not using the dish any longer, remove the dish and mount and leave just the plate on the roof. a 3' tripod (available at radio shack) would be more sturdy with more points of attachment to the roof. If you feel the mast is too tall trim it to size to your liking. the heigth will be to your benefit. For that antenna, prefer the 5' heavy duty higher gauge 1 1/4" mast that is available at radio shack. that mast will not give in the wind as much. any fatter mast will not fit through the u bolt supplied with the antenna.