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#1
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TV Antenna Connections & Temperature
Apologies for posting this here - there doesnt seem to exist a newsgrp
pertaining to TV reception issues. My setup: Antennas Direct's model# DB-8(UHF) combined via uvsj combiner with a plain rabbit ears(for high VHF) and rg-6 running to my D/A converter. I live 35 miles northeast of NYC and generally get everything I need over air. Antennas are mounted on an 8ft pole in the yard. The problem: When the temp drops toward freezing my signal strength does too and I lose several channels - mainly the high vhf ones. Q: Is this an effect of temperature dropping? Thanks for any help you can lend me or any suggestions where else i can post this inquiry. -ChrisCoaster |
#2
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TV Antenna Connections & Temperature
ChrisCoaster wrote... suggestions where else i can post this inquiry. You could try uk.tech.digital-tv Many helpful people the Including Bill Wright http://www.wrightsaerials.tv/ and Jim Lesurf http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/~jcgl/Sc...MWave/Jim.html -- Ken O'Meara http://www.btinternet.com/~unsteadyken/ |
#3
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TV Antenna Connections & Temperature
ChrisCoaster wrote:
My setup: Antennas Direct's model# DB-8(UHF) combined via uvsj combiner with a plain rabbit ears(for high VHF) and rg-6 running to my D/A converter. I live 35 miles northeast of NYC and generally get everything I need over air. Antennas are mounted on an 8ft pole in the yard. We use one of the square box indoor antennas in one of my windows. We're maybe 25 miles from downtown Chicago. The problem: When the temp drops toward freezing my signal strength does too and I lose several channels - mainly the high vhf ones. Q: Is this an effect of temperature dropping? When my wife was on the phone with the folks at the antenna company ordering it they reported that temerature drops are correlated with busy times taking orders. We started losing them starting at the lower numbers. I thought it was thicker water vapor in the atmosphere because higher density goes with lower temperature. Thus an indirect effect of the temperature. We got a bigger fancier antenna. Will assemble it and start using it tonight. |
#4
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TV Antenna Connections & Temperature
On Nov 28, 2:17*pm, Doug Freyburger wrote:
ChrisCoaster wrote: My setup: *Antennas Direct's model# DB-8(UHF) combined via uvsj combiner with a plain rabbit ears(for high VHF) and rg-6 running to my D/A converter. * I live 35 miles northeast of NYC and generally get everything I need over air. Antennas are mounted on an 8ft pole in the yard. We use one of the square box indoor antennas in one of my windows. We're maybe 25 miles from downtown Chicago. The problem: When the temp drops toward freezing my signal strength does too and I lose several channels - mainly the high vhf ones. Q: Is this an effect of temperature dropping? When my wife was on the phone with the folks at the antenna company ordering it they reported that temerature drops are correlated with busy times taking orders. We started losing them starting at the lower numbers. *I thought it was thicker water vapor in the atmosphere because higher density goes with lower temperature. *Thus an indirect effect of the temperature. We got a bigger fancier antenna. *Will assemble it and start using it tonight. _________________ Great minds think alike Doug! Just installed this http://www.radioshack.com/product/in...ductId=3928468 and am already seeing steady 100s across the band on the signal strength of my existing http://www.channelmaster.com/CM_7000... 00_s/121.htm ! (I'm still using analog tube tvs with flat fronts and under 10 years old. I calibrated the settings with DVD and the color and dark detail is outstanding!) -CC |
#5
Posted to rec.audio.tech
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TV Antenna Connections & Temperature
"ChrisCoaster" wrote in message ... Apologies for posting this here - there doesnt seem to exist a newsgrp pertaining to TV reception issues. My setup: Antennas Direct's model# DB-8(UHF) combined via uvsj combiner with a plain rabbit ears(for high VHF) and rg-6 running to my D/A converter. I live 35 miles northeast of NYC and generally get everything I need over air. Antennas are mounted on an 8ft pole in the yard. The problem: When the temp drops toward freezing my signal strength does too and I lose several channels - mainly the high vhf ones. Q: Is this an effect of temperature dropping? Thanks for any help you can lend me or any suggestions where else i can post this inquiry. -ChrisCoaster Hi Chris, First thoughts are you could have a connector issue associated with your VHF antenna, or some other connection issue to the actual elements that largely disconnects when things get cold. Second thought is that 35 miles needs line of sight - your reported antenna height may be low enough to be occluded by earth curvature or obstructed by some near object.....refractive index will change with atmospheric conditions and effectively drop your received signal strength. Good Luck Dave - no where near NY --- Posted via news://freenews.netfront.net/ - Complaints to --- |
#6
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TV Antenna Connections & Temperature
ChrisCoaster wrote:
Doug Freyburger wrote: We got a bigger fancier antenna. *Will assemble it and start using it tonight. Just installed this http://www.radioshack.com/product/in...ductId=3928468 and am already seeing steady 100s across the band on the signal We went with a "ClearStream 2 Complete" that has plastic wings that almost look like toy propellers as one of its 3 types of receiving wave guides. Right now it's just sitting on a bench indoors facing diagonally out one of our windows towards most of the transmitters in downtown Chicago. I'm not even sure I'll bother mounting it outdoors as it works as it is sitting in a corner of the living room. strength of my existing http://www.channelmaster.com/CM_7000... 00_s/121.htm ! (I'm still using analog tube tvs with flat fronts and under 10 years old. I calibrated the settings with DVD and the color and dark detail is outstanding!) One of our boxes is a Tivo Series 3 with a digital ready dual receiver. I just plugged that leg directly into it. It's receiving and recording just fine. The other of our boxes is an older Tivo Series 2 with an analog receiver and a DVD reader/writer. No way I'm giving up a box with a DVD reader/writer. We went to Best Buy and got whatever brand of converter box they happened to have. I tried a few brands on the menu list and found that Apex worked. So far I haven't even told it to scan for channels again. Among the ones that might be added is another cluster of PBS and we already have one cluster of PBS channels. No biggie having yet another PBS. |
#7
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TV Antenna Connections & Temperature
On Nov 29, 11:51*am, Doug Freyburger wrote:
ChrisCoaster wrote: Doug Freyburger wrote: We got a bigger fancier antenna. Will assemble it and start using it tonight. Just installed this *http://www.radioshack.com/product/in...ductId=3928468 and am already seeing steady 100s across the band on the signal We went with a "ClearStream 2 Complete" that has plastic wings that almost look like toy propellers as one of its 3 types of receiving wave guides. *Right now it's just sitting on a bench indoors facing diagonally out one of our windows towards most of the transmitters in downtown Chicago. *I'm not even sure I'll bother mounting it outdoors as it works as it is sitting in a corner of the living room. ==================== Ohhh Doug I wish you had informed me of that beforehand! I purchased that in late '09 when I lived in an apartment. Fine reception, but as you'll see: http://www.antennasdirect.com/store/...V-antenna.html This is only a UHF(ch. 14 & up) pickup! Check on TVFool to see if there are any high-VHF channels still in your area(from 7 up to 13) as you will probably need to combine the C2 with a rabbit ears or other VHF dipole type pickup to get them. Unfortunately in the first 6-12 months since the digital transition(late 2009-early 2010) a lot of antenna hawkers sold a lot of limited-band antennas as "HDTV antennas" or "Digital TV antenna!!" and most folks bought 'em,(like moi!) not understanding exactly what portions of the VHFUHF band broadcast TV was going to occupy after the transition. Do you live in a condo/apartment? If so keep the C2 and just purchase this: http://www.solidsignal.com/pview.asp...Antenna-(UVSJ), connect the C2 where it says UHF, the dipole to VHF, and run RG6 to your digital converter box or directly to your HDTV(whichever is your case). If you live in a house, or townhome where a small aerial is permitted, sprint for what I mentioned I purchased or a slightly smaller Winegard that looks sort of like it. One of those "jetplane shaped" aerials will handle all your TV needs in one package. ========================= strength of my existinghttp://www.channelmaster.com/CM_7000_Digital_Converter_Box_Channel_Ma... ! * (I'm still using analog tube tvs with flat fronts and under 10 years old. I calibrated the settings with DVD and the color and dark detail is outstanding!) One of our boxes is a Tivo Series 3 with a digital ready dual receiver. I just plugged that leg directly into it. It's receiving and recording just fine. The other of our boxes is an older Tivo Series 2 with an analog receiver and a DVD reader/writer. *No way I'm giving up a box with a DVD reader/writer. *We went to Best Buy and got whatever brand of converter box they happened to have. I tried a few brands on the menu list and found that Apex worked. So far I haven't even told it to scan for channels again. Among the ones that might be added is another cluster of PBS and we already have one cluster of PBS channels. No biggie having yet another PBS. ================== Good luck, -ChrisCoaster |
#8
Posted to rec.audio.tech
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TV Antenna Connections & Temperature
ChrisCoaster wrote:
Doug Freyburger wrote: We went with a "ClearStream 2 Complete" that has plastic wings that almost look like toy propellers as one of its 3 types of receiving wave guides. *Right now it's just sitting on a bench indoors facing diagonally out one of our windows towards most of the transmitters in downtown Chicago. *I'm not even sure I'll bother mounting it outdoors as it works as it is sitting in a corner of the living room. I purchased that in late '09 when I lived in an apartment. Fine reception, but as you'll see: http://www.antennasdirect.com/store/...V-antenna.html This is only a UHF(ch. 14 & up) pickup! Check on TVFool to see if there are any high-VHF channels still in your area(from 7 up to 13) as you will probably need to combine the C2 with a rabbit ears or other VHF dipole type pickup to get them. I see. We got a ClearStrem 2 Complete that adds a dipole to that. http://www.antennasdirect.com/store/...VHF-Combo.html It's supposed to work great for all channels. I had to move it around a bit to get a spot with minimum interference but now it works. I put it on a box so it points above the wrought iron railing around the deck. How much better it is than the square one in the window remains to be seen as the weather gets worse. At least we now get the channels in the 20 series that come from the other good PBS affiliate on the new antenna. One more PBS series isn't a large deal but they are the slightly better one for what shows they carry. It's already been a win. Unfortunately in the first 6-12 months since the digital transition(late 2009-early 2010) a lot of antenna hawkers sold a lot of limited-band antennas as "HDTV antennas" or "Digital TV antenna!!" and most folks bought 'em,(like moi!) not understanding exactly what portions of the VHFUHF band broadcast TV was going to occupy after the transition. Do you live in a condo/apartment? If so keep the C2 and just purchase this: http://www.solidsignal.com/pview.asp...Antenna-(UVSJ), connect the C2 where it says UHF, the dipole to VHF, and run RG6 to your digital converter box or directly to your HDTV(whichever is your case). I'll note that if I decide to add a bigger one for the low frequencies. Thanks. Our worst case is 2-1 which carries NCIS and other shows we like. It's lower power than some of the other stations downtown. I could use that to add a bigger dipole to the mix. If you live in a house, or townhome where a small aerial is permitted, sprint for what I mentioned I purchased or a slightly smaller Winegard that looks sort of like it. One of those "jetplane shaped" aerials will handle all your TV needs in one package. We selected an apartment facing downtown. Actually about 45 degrees. The previous place we faced away from downtown and that building had a reinforced steel/concrete core that shielded the signal. We picked this apartment in the building facing away from the satelites so we could face the transmitters. A hundred dollars per month difference. I think I'll hire someone from the maintenance crew to pierce the wall so I can switch it from inside to outside. Bolt it to the wrought iron railing and there will be the minimum interference. |
#9
Posted to rec.audio.tech
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TV Antenna Connections & Temperature
On Nov 30, 1:15*pm, Doug Freyburger wrote:
ChrisCoaster wrote: Doug Freyburger wrote: We went with a "ClearStream 2 Complete" that has plastic wings that almost look like toy propellers as one of its 3 types of receiving wave guides. Right now it's just sitting on a bench indoors facing diagonally out one of our windows towards most of the transmitters in downtown Chicago. I'm not even sure I'll bother mounting it outdoors as it works as it is sitting in a corner of the living room. I purchased that in late '09 when I lived in an apartment. *Fine reception, but as you'll see: http://www.antennasdirect.com/store/...V-antenna.html This is only a UHF(ch. 14 & up) pickup! Check on TVFool to see if there are any high-VHF channels still in your area(from 7 up to 13) as you will probably need to combine the C2 with a rabbit ears or other VHF dipole type pickup to get them. I see. *We got a ClearStrem 2 Complete that adds a dipole to that. http://www.antennasdirect.com/store/...VHF-Combo.html It's supposed to work great for all channels. *I had to move it around a bit to get a spot with minimum interference but now it works. *I put it on a box so it points above the wrought iron railing around the deck. How much better it is than the square one in the window remains to be seen as the weather gets worse. *At least we now get the channels in the 20 series that come from the other good PBS affiliate on the new antenna. *One more PBS series isn't a large deal but they are the slightly better one for what shows they carry. *It's already been a win.. Unfortunately in the first 6-12 months since the digital transition(late 2009-early 2010) a lot of antenna hawkers sold a lot of limited-band antennas as "HDTV antennas" or "Digital TV antenna!!" and most folks bought 'em,(like moi!) not understanding exactly what portions of the VHFUHF band broadcast TV was going to occupy after the transition. Do you live in a condo/apartment? *If so keep the C2 and just purchase this: *http://www.solidsignal.com/pview.asp...SJ-UHF-VHF...), connect the C2 where it says UHF, the dipole to VHF, and run RG6 to your digital converter box or directly to your HDTV(whichever is your case). I'll note that if I decide to add a bigger one for the low frequencies. Thanks. *Our worst case is 2-1 which carries NCIS and other shows we like. *It's lower power than some of the other stations downtown. *I could use that to add a bigger dipole to the mix. If you live in a house, or townhome where a small aerial is permitted, sprint for what I mentioned I purchased or a slightly smaller Winegard that looks sort of like it. *One of those "jetplane shaped" aerials will handle all your TV needs in one package. We selected an apartment facing downtown. *Actually about 45 degrees. The previous place we faced away from downtown and that building had a reinforced steel/concrete core that shielded the signal. *We picked this apartment in the building facing away from the satelites so we could face the transmitters. *A hundred dollars per month difference. I think I'll hire someone from the maintenance crew to pierce the wall so I can switch it from inside to outside. *Bolt it to the wrought iron railing and there will be the minimum interference.- Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text - _____________________________ You will get better results outside. As for your 2-1 issues, I tried looking up what the "real" channel is for that "virtual" designation but could not find such information. IOW here in NY channel 7's virtual and real assignment are the same - 7(Hi-VHF). WNBC 4 is "real" channel 28(UHF) For some reason I thought digital channel 2 was higher up, somehwere in the UHF band. Your environmental factors may include reflections off of the many highrises in the vicinity of where your antenna is aimed. Just a thought. You might want to aim your antenna to either side of downtown; what you pick up and what signal strength you may realize for certain channels may surprise you! Such is off-the-air life in the Digital 21st century. -CC |
#10
Posted to rec.audio.tech
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TV Antenna Connections & Temperature
Doug Freyburger wrote:
I see. We got a ClearStrem 2 Complete that adds a dipole to that. http://www.antennasdirect.com/store/...VHF-Combo.html It's supposed to work great for all channels. I had to move it around a bit to get a spot with minimum interference but now it works. I put it on a box so it points above the wrought iron railing around the deck. How much better it is than the square one in the window remains to be seen as the weather gets worse. At least we now get the channels in the 20 series that come from the other good PBS affiliate on the new antenna. One more PBS series isn't a large deal but they are the slightly better one for what shows they carry. It's already been a win. Report from my wife is that during the day the reception of channels 2, 5 and 7 suck, just not as bad as with the square antenna. Her favorite shows are on those channels during the day and several of our favorites like NCIS are on them at night. I'll look at a bigger VHF type antenna to merge with the propeller looking part of the Clear Stream. The added dipole that's the difference between a regular ClearStream 2 and a ClearStream 2 Complete did not cut it. |
#11
Posted to rec.audio.tech
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TV Antenna Connections & Temperature
On Nov 30, 8:00*pm, Doug Freyburger wrote:
Report from my wife is that during the day the reception of channels 2, 5 and 7 suck, just not as bad as with the square antenna. *Her favorite shows are on those channels during the day and several of our favorites like NCIS are on them at night. I'll look at a bigger VHF type antenna to merge with the propeller looking part of the Clear Stream. *The added dipole that's the difference between a regular ClearStream 2 and a ClearStream 2 Complete did not cut it. _______________ Report from the wife is just what I expected. That CS2 was a waste of your money(and mine before I took a sledgehammer to it and carted it out to the apartment dumpster in 47 pieces. LMFAO!!!! Wanna know what I used in conjunction with it?? A simple piece'a sh.. just like this: http://image.shutterstock.com/displa...tv-6753079.jpg If it solved my high-VHF problems from 35 miles away behind a hill it should have no problem helping you out 25-30 miles away clear shot to downtown. LOL! -CC |
#12
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TV Antenna Connections & Temperature
On Nov 30, 10:23*pm, ChrisCoaster wrote:
On Nov 30, 8:00*pm, Doug Freyburger wrote: Report from my wife is that during the day the reception of channels 2, 5 and 7 suck, just not as bad as with the square antenna. *Her favorite shows are on those channels during the day and several of our favorites like NCIS are on them at night. I'll look at a bigger VHF type antenna to merge with the propeller looking part of the Clear Stream. *The added dipole that's the difference between a regular ClearStream 2 and a ClearStream 2 Complete did not cut it. _______________ Report from the wife is just what I expected. *That CS2 was a waste of your money(and mine before I took a sledgehammer to it and carted it out to the apartment dumpster in 47 pieces. *LMFAO!!!! Wanna know what I used in conjunction with it?? *A simple piece'a sh.. just like this:http://image.shutterstock.com/displa...98/51098,11944... If it solved my high-VHF problems from 35 miles away behind a hill it should have no problem helping you out 25-30 miles away clear shot to downtown. LOL! -CC ______________________ Just MAKE SURE!! the two masts are laying flat outward, like arms on the cross, not the V-shape shown in the picture. -CC |
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