Hi All,
OK, here's my situation:
I have three antennas, on two masts, aimed at three markets. First, let's consider my "Boston, MA & Manchester, NH" mast. There is a 91XG aimed at 211 degress (magnetic) and a Y5-7-13 aimed at 264 degress (magentic), with the 91XG on top, and the Y5-7-13 below. Top antenna is about 35' above ground level. Here's my TVFool: TV Fool
...and here's a picture of my setup, with my friend adjusting things:![Click image for larger version.
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Total cable length to receiver: about 75 feet. Antennacraft preamp on mast with separtate VHF and UHF inputs. Channelmaster 300->75 balun on the VHF Yagi.
OK, ignoring the Portland, ME channels from 8-14 degrees (these are coming from another antenna on a different mast, a DB4) I get everything on the TV Fool predictions, down to the weakest predicted channel with a NM of -3.4 with only a couple of exceptions:
Channel 44 (Really 43 WGBX) is not even marginal - scans in, but isn't really watchable, some 5 second or so periods of watchable signal.
Channel 41 (WLVI and should scan as Channel 56) - does not scan in at all.
Channel 9 (Localish, "Yellow" zone, can be recieved with the DB9 if I aim it that way...) does not even scan.
I have an ATSC SNR/BER/Signal meter. Channel 9 goes from "Max" to "Zero" in strength, SNR is always trash and never locks. 44 is just plain weak, 41, doesn't even move the bars. Oddly, I've not had any better luck "tweaking" with the meter than I have by just lining up the antennas with a compass.
Question: Is the VHF too close to the UHF antenna?
Ideas or suggestions?
(Bonus points: Any ideas on how to get the three Portland ME channels onto the same wire as the antenna we're discussing?)
Thanks for your insights!
-John
OK, here's my situation:
I have three antennas, on two masts, aimed at three markets. First, let's consider my "Boston, MA & Manchester, NH" mast. There is a 91XG aimed at 211 degress (magnetic) and a Y5-7-13 aimed at 264 degress (magentic), with the 91XG on top, and the Y5-7-13 below. Top antenna is about 35' above ground level. Here's my TVFool: TV Fool
...and here's a picture of my setup, with my friend adjusting things:
Total cable length to receiver: about 75 feet. Antennacraft preamp on mast with separtate VHF and UHF inputs. Channelmaster 300->75 balun on the VHF Yagi.
OK, ignoring the Portland, ME channels from 8-14 degrees (these are coming from another antenna on a different mast, a DB4) I get everything on the TV Fool predictions, down to the weakest predicted channel with a NM of -3.4 with only a couple of exceptions:
Channel 44 (Really 43 WGBX) is not even marginal - scans in, but isn't really watchable, some 5 second or so periods of watchable signal.
Channel 41 (WLVI and should scan as Channel 56) - does not scan in at all.
Channel 9 (Localish, "Yellow" zone, can be recieved with the DB9 if I aim it that way...) does not even scan.
I have an ATSC SNR/BER/Signal meter. Channel 9 goes from "Max" to "Zero" in strength, SNR is always trash and never locks. 44 is just plain weak, 41, doesn't even move the bars. Oddly, I've not had any better luck "tweaking" with the meter than I have by just lining up the antennas with a compass.
Question: Is the VHF too close to the UHF antenna?
Ideas or suggestions?
(Bonus points: Any ideas on how to get the three Portland ME channels onto the same wire as the antenna we're discussing?)
Thanks for your insights!
-John