The highest gain UHF antennae were the parabolics built by Channel Master and Delhi. No longer available in the consumer market, Wade now makes a more robust version for the cable head ends

http://www.wade-antenna.com/Wade/uhfparabolic.pdf

The highest gain UHF antennae were the parabolics built by Channel Master and Delhi. No longer available in the consumer market, Wade now makes a more robust version for the cable head ends$$$ ;) so you're right about the Wade Delhi parabolic not being a consumer item! Imagine the looks from your neighbours too! :D

I gotta get me one of those pb-82-bb setups. Up to 25db gain, and it only weighs 155 lbs. The neighbours are gonna love me. ;)

I gotta get me one of those pb-82-bb setups..... The neighbours are gonna love me.

Why stop there ... might as well get 1 of these for each channel

http://www.lindsayelec.com/antenna/commercial.catv/superzz-uhf.html :cool:

Why stop there ... might as well get 1 of these for each channel

http://www.lindsayelec.com/antenna/commercial.catv/superzz-uhf.html :cool:

Did you look at the price of these CATV UHF antennas? Range in price from $3000 to $10,000 :D

For those who would, and have the means to properly mount them, Wade Antenna still makes some very good UHF parabolic antennas meant primarily for the CATV market, and I'm sure that, with a little bit of coaxing, they would sell them to a consumer.

http://www.wade-antenna.comThe Wade Delhi PB82BB looks like its two ganged parabolic dishes, and it weighs 155 pounds!!! :D I suppose you could tell your neighbours that its a top secret military installation in your back yard and they'd better quietly go home before the guys with the dark sunglasses and black suits come by for a visit...

I told them I was a cable TV company and they sent me there price list and catalog.. … that antenna was like $3000.00 :eek:

I would suggest that any individual who thinks that they need a PB82BB take a long and hard look at their life! First of all, anyone who tries to mount an antenna of that size is going to take their life in their hands unless they have a skyhook to raise it in place, and at least a 100M tower to mount it, and what could ever be so important on TV that you would need a $3000.00 UHF antenna to receive it? Frankly, if it doesn't come in with a 4228 and a preamplifier, move closer to the transmitter!

BTW Stampeder, don't even THINK of one of those antennas to mount in your trees! LMAO!

I remember this exact antenna on my parents home as a kid. Was VHF only but seemed to do the job ok with Buffalo 2, 4, and 7 in those days. Funny to see that Wade still makes this model!Long time TV antenna folks will recognize the excellent Wade VIP line as the original Jerrold VIP line from the 1970s. They were great back then and they're great now. What is old is new.

Why do they still make an antenna that goes to channel 83?

channels 70 to 83 have not be used in over 20 years!!!!!!! Since 800MHz Cellular phones came on the air (1981 I think it was)

Found some kool pages with photos and a history of the transmitters in Buffalo, NY.

http://www.fybush.com/site-010516.html

http://www.fybush.com/wtfda20032.html


http://www.fybush.com/WTFDA%202003/wivb-dtv-clint.jpg
Here Clint shows off the transmitter tube of WIVB-DT (Channel 39)'s Thales transmitter. WIVB-DT was the first DTV station on the air in western New York, and is still one of only a handful broadcasting a full HDTV signal.

Thanks interesting post. :) Whoo no wonder why we get CBS so clear are all transmitters 1000' high ?

All the south towers are on high ground Wkbw is the tallest elevation above sea level. Almost 2800 feet which gives these stations their greater range needed to reach Toronto,Rochester,Erie and southern tier area before those areas had their own stations.The Cn tower is only about 2200 feet above sea level.

I wonder what the Cable companies use at their headends to pull in the OTA stations? :) Those are some really tall towers, I betcha they could pull in WB49 OTA digital :).

Of course, if you have $50k to spare...I don't think TV should be that big a priority lol.

I wonder what the Cable companies use at their headends to pull in the OTA stations? :) Those are some really tall towers, I betcha they could pull in WB49 OTA digital :).

Of course, if you have $50k to spare...I don't think TV should be that big a priority lol.

No Canadian cable company offers WB49 digital :(

I wonder what the Cable companies use at their headends to pull in the OTA stations? :)

I've installed head ends for cable and satelite companies. Generally, they use a dedicated, channel specific antenna, and a dedicated channel specific RF filter, then a dedicated receiver for each channel. Then they'll use a digital processor/noise filter/converter. Then they'll encode it to Mpeg2, then multiplex it with other channels to microvave or fiber it to their distribution points. $50k for each channel should do it.

I've installed head ends for cable and satelite companies. Generally, they use a dedicated, channel specific antenna, and a dedicated channel specific RF filter, then a dedicated receiver for each channel. Then they'll use a digital processor/noise filter/converter. Then they'll encode it to Mpeg2, then multiplex it with other channels to microvave or fiber it to their distribution points. $50k for each channel should do it.
They make channel specific Antennas? :) I guess if they want the signal to be good and no interference or dropouts they'd have to do that :).

It doesn't look too different from the WINEGARD HD9095 at USD $70.

The forward directors look like they are stacked, but the gain figure is almost identical to the HD9095. The F/B ratio is better, but not worth double the price.

Hi guys,

We've finally gotten around to messing around with our search antenna on our 200' tower in Utica (near Port Perry). We've hooked it up to an HDTV Wonder, and here's more or less what we picked up from an HD point of view:

29-1 WUTV (91%)
5-1 CBC (94%)
25-1 SRC (82%)
23-1 CBS (85%)
33-1 NBC? (88%)
7-1 ABC (94%)
4-3 UPN? (91%)
9-1 CTV (85%)
43-1 PBS (91%)
53-1 City (48%)
66-1 Sun TV (48%)

Questions - at what % signal does a picture usually drop out? Are there any other channels you might expect we'd be able to pick up? How much difference in signal could we expect to see during inclement weather/sun activity/whatever?

Any assistance is appreciated!

travisc during the summer when you have good skip reception due the the warmer and humid weather if you point your antenna 35 to 45' more east you might be able to get the Rochester channels.

They carry the same programming on prime time as Buffalo so its not a big deal if you dont get it. Off prime time Fox is a little different.

If you can get a stable signal from City and Sun at 48% then I would think some where around 40% might be the threshold for a stable signal with the Ati tuner.

I also have a Ati tuner my signal is a steady 78 to 88% on all stations.

The signal strength all depends on how the tuner process the signal.

I have seen a LG 3510 tuner/dvd signal strength be 1/4" on the screen and the picture was stable. But not sure how it would be with heavy rain and by temp changes.

On my Samsung it seems a steady 4 bars out of 10 is the threshold.

By the way those are very good signals that you are receiving except for City and Sun both the two weakest stations in power output.