GH with NARODs for VHF-HI & UHF

[majortom]

@louarnold, you might wanna consider a combination of OTA for your local channels and FTA Satellite for some US networks, like PBS.

http://digitalhome.ca/forum/showthre...=30630&page=24

[ota_canuck]

louarnold,

That UHF only AntennaCraft 8 Bay antenna is probably not even close to matching the performance of these DYI- DBGH antennas being discussed here.

And to add: I don't think that discounted price is for CDN orders, so it's most likely $80+ taxes/handling and there are shipping/brokerage fees to consider. You could end up with something much less useable than a DIY-DBGH and the cost to return that AntennaCraft 8 Bay item would likely make that AntennaCraft 8 Bay purchase a total write-off.

[louarnold]

@majortom:
I tried to look at FTA satellite systems some two years ago. A local fellow said he would contact me when the changes in encryption systems settled down. I met him several times over the years and got that response each time. Now, I don't know this gentleman well at all, and so he may not trust me, but I see many throw - away receivers at the thrift stores, and more are likely sent to the recycling stores. The FTA thread will therefore be of great help.

@ota_canuk:
I agree, those cheap antennas may well be poor, and their cost may rise with shipping. It was simply an observation. Its hard to know what to do.

[ota_canuck]

louarnold,

As far as local OTA reception for your area [according to your tvfool report] you may be successful using just a simple DYI build Stealth Hawk #289 to get all those stations that are all within 20 miles,... those are the stations that are shown in the green area and having above Zero NM values. The ones that are below zero NM are too distant and would most likely be out of reach no matter what antenna you use. Just a basic GH reflectorless element would also likely work for those local stations within 20miles if the beamwidth was wide enough, but the multi-lobe Stealth Hawk would be a simple low cost starter antenna and a quick-fire sure thing to test the waters, and then you could work on building a basic reflectorless GH with narods if you think it will provide better local reception. If you go with a simple GH build, then simply sweeping the GH elements backward a little might be all you'd need to get enough beamwidth coverage your reception spread.

Have you read the results in Ottawa reception threads to see what others in your area are using?

[majortom]

louarnold,
I was referring to Free to Air Satellite. Meaning the reception of unencrypted broadcasts sent via satellite.
You were apparently in contact with the wrong guy, cause it sounds like he was referring to theft of service, and not FTA.

Have a look around the Free to Air satellite forum here, visit the FTA forum sponsor's website to see what's available, and educate yourself on the difference between FTA satellite and theft of service.

I only brought it up because IMO, you are too far away from the border to receive US networks OTA reliably. But with a decent satellite dish you could easily and legally receive a solid PBS signal 24/7 365 from where you are via satellite. Which could supplement what ya can receive reliably OTA.

[stampeder]

That Summitsource antenna is covered in the following thread, and it is most definitely not a GH. It is an original Hoverman design and thus underperforms the GH: http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=95834

Lots of people in the Bell's Corners area get great OTA reception so as mentioned earlier, please read through the Reception thread for your area to see how neighbours are doing.

[louarnold]

@ majortom
OK. I will look at the FTA thread more closely. It does sound like the right idea. And yes, that fellow was talking about illegal reception. I had no idea that anything over satellite was free.

@ ota_canuck
I will look at the antenna you suggested. Its worth a try anyway.

@ stampeder
Haha, that's a long thread. I will have to look at it closely

Thank you all. I will need time to do the research.
Lou.

[BlakDog]

A question about building a GH10n3.
I'd like to try to bring in RF13, if I understand correctly, the NAROD reflectors should be 28" with a backspace of 10". Is this correct? I have no other channels below that.

[nikiml]

Originally Posted by BlakDog

A question about building a GH10n3. I'd like to try to bring in RF13, if I understand correctly, the NAROD reflectors should be 28" with a backspace of 10".

Make sure you are not confusing models.

If you are talking about this GH10n3 then I don't think any body has investigated if and how it can be optimized for ch 13.

On the other hand if you are thinking about the gen1 GH6 mods with straight narods then I am still not sure if they perform as good as the GH10n3 on ch 13.

May be you should post your tvfool and see what people will recommend.

Do you have an existing GH that you want to modify?

[BlakDog]

Thanks for getting back to me, nikiml.
Yes, it is your design that i am referring to. Looking back at this thread, page 16, I do see that I am confusing your design with a SBGH with NARODs added.
I do have a DBGH built that 300ohm designed and that has the NARODs.
From my misreading, I assumed the mod to the NAROD reflectors on a GH10n3 would make the same difference in the gain for the high end of VHF-hi.

http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...1349b185e0a91e

[stampeder]

Instead of page numbers (which are not always seen the same by everyone) it is always best to use the post number(s) in question...

[300ohm]

do have a DBGH built that 300ohm designed and that has the NARODs.
From my misreading, I assumed the mod to the NAROD reflectors on a GH10n3 would make the same difference in the gain for the high end of VHF-hi.

Nah, it doesnt work that way. Nikiml's models are quite optimized. You cant deviate as much as you can with plain SBGH/DBGH gen1 models. He optimized his models over the the whole 174 to 216 mhz range, and for some reason I cant explain they seem to provide the peak gain around channel 7 and taper off towards the channel 13 end.

But what I dont quite understand now, is why dont you modify the DBGH you have for channel 13 per the specs in the first pages of this thread? Maybe add the reflectors or shorten the NARODS ? That will give you a bit more gain for channel 13 than the GH10n3 SBGH with less effort.

Also, provide us with some more info on your channel 13, like whether or not you have channel 13 pre-amped or not, and if not, the coax length. And how strong is the signal based on you meter and whats your meters lock on strength ?
Also, have you tried tilting the antenna at that mountain top ? Getting channel 13 will be difficult no matter which high gain antenna you have.http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...1349b185e0a91e

[nikiml]

Originally Posted by 300ohm

I cant explain they seem to provide the peak gain around channel 7 and taper off towards the channel 13 end.

Kind of, but the GH6n3, which is probably the best candidate for doubling, actually peaks at ch 13 and has very flat vhf curve overall.

I have started an optimizer job for DB-GH6n3 gen1 with straight narods.
I am curious where it will go.

[BlakDog]

But what I dont quite understand now, is why dont you modify the DBGH you have for channel 13 per the specs in the first pages of this thread? Maybe add the reflectors or shorten the NARODS ? That will give you a bit more gain for channel 13 than the GH10n3 SBGH with less effort.

Also, provide us with some more info on your channel 13, like whether or not you have channel 13 pre-amped or not, and if not, the coax length. And how strong is the signal based on you meter and whats your meters lock on strength ?
Also, have you tried tilting the antenna at that mountain top ?

I do have a DBGH built to the ch 13 specs, 28" NARODs w/ 10 backspace.
I tried tilting when I first set up the antenna, no joy there.

I built a GH10n3 designed by nikiml since my first post the other day, and I seem to have more stability in signal lock than with the DBGH. Still no ch 13.
I guess it's best to face the fact that ch 13 is not in my future.

I have a P.O.S. Rat Shack preamp about 10 ft from the antenna that pushes through another 60 ft of cable. The signal varies from 47-63 on ch 22(CBS) to 97 solid on ch 32(PBS).

Thanks for helping out.

nikiml, I am looking forward to seeing the results from that DBGH6n3 run.

[300ohm]

I have a P.O.S. Rat Shack preamp about 10 ft from the antenna that pushes through another 60 ft of cable.

That definitely can be a source of your problems, they are generally high noise. Invest in a quality low noise preamp from CM or Winegard or Kitz Tech and see if some problems don't disappear.