Antique, Used, and/or Mystery Antennas!

[DarkNovaNick]

I received this old antenna when my parents took it off their roof. They bought their house 15 years ago, so its at least that old, but it could be much older than that for all I know. The only identifying mark I can find is that the balun is made by Winegard, but I know balun's can be replaced so I don't know for sure that's who manufactured the antenna.



This antenna is generally in poor shape as some of the elements are bent and the balun's wire is missing its insulation. The 2nd element from the front of the VHF antenna is missing on the near side. Had the antenna not been broken, the VHF part would have 10 elements, the UHF part 16 on the front part and 12 on the reflector.

Does anyone know what antenna this is? I just got it for testing and found it works in my location to get me to the edge of reception, so I'm going to need an antenna that's probably a few dB more gain to get consistent reception, but at this point I don't know what the gain of this current antenna is. Thanks.

[stampeder]

The bottom antenna is a VHF-HI model, is not a Wade-Delhi, and since it has two folded dipoles (smaller one in front of a larger one) it is cut for three channels.

For example, a person wanting channels 7 and 9 from the same location would use one of those. In the NTSC system channel 8 would not be available in that local market due to analogue ACI, so occasional DXing of 8 from other places might happen over the years.

I can't tell the dimensions of the folded dipoles from the photo so I don't know what 3-channel range it is for.

DarkNovaNick, can you please put your location into your user profile so that we can see it?

[DarkNovaNick]

Originally Posted by stampeder

The bottom antenna is a VHF-HI model, is not a Wade-Delhi, and since it has two folded dipoles (smaller one in front of a larger one) it is cut for three channels.

stampeder, thanks for the amazingly speedy response! I'm still learning about antennas, but by the folded dipoles I'm assuming you mean the loops near the back (there is one straight element behind them)? I measured the length and the back one is 31"/78.7cm and the front one is 26.5"/67.3cm. I'm trying to figure out how use that to determine which frequencies they are designed for but I'm not really sure how to do that. I would guess it would be for 7 and 9 as those are the VHF channels in the area, but its possible the antenna could have been moved, I suppose. Do you know how I can tell approx how much gain it would have in these channels? I am most interested in channel 7 and basically am trying to determine if I should build an antenna (I've been looking at the GH with NARODs) but if this current antenna would work better, after its elements are fixed, I could do that instead. Thanks...btw, I'm in Rhinelander, WI and I updated my profile.

[johnpost]

Originally Posted by DarkNovaNick

I received this old antenna when my parents took it off their roof. They bought their house 15 years ago, so its at least that old, but it could be much older than that for all I know. The only identifying mark I can find is that the balun is made by Winegard, but I know balun's can be replaced so I don't know for sure that's who manufactured the antenna.

even just for testing it is good to tape the balun and coax to the boom and maybe the coax down the mast. you could have a bad connection to the coax from just the strain and movement of the cable and think it might not be enough antenna when it was just a bad connection.

though if the antennas are old i would clean and redo the connection points to the driven element. you could also replace the balun, often with out weather protection they will take on water and may corrode or freeze damage the inside. these problems could also make you think the antenna wasn't good enough when it was just a bad connection.

[stampeder]

I took a guess at 7 and 9 just on a hunch but it seems logical given your location. The upper antenna is definitely a UHF corner reflector yagi.

Originally Posted by DarkNovaNick

by the folded dipoles I'm assuming you mean the loops near the back

Yes, that is correct.

I'd test with both of those antennas first (after cleaning & restoring them) before going the SBGH with NARODs route.

[DarkNovaNick]

OK, I'll try cleaning the antennas, replace the balun, and the rest of the wire. On the VHF antenna the 2nd element from the front is missing on one side; what is the best way to replace this? Can I cut some copper wire the same length as the other side and just solder it on or is there some other way it should be done?

[johnpost]

Originally Posted by DarkNovaNick

what is the best way to replace this? Can I cut some copper wire the same length as the other side and just solder it on or is there some other way it should be done?

you won't be able to solder a wire onto the existing broken element.

best to buy a piece of tubing near the same diameter as the broken element and cut it to the total length needed.

alternately a rod or large wire (like 6AWG) could be used, though tubing is better.

[Xauto]

With 7 director a SWAG of 11dBd (13dBi) is the gain.

[DarkNovaNick]

Originally Posted by johnpost

you won't be able to solder a wire onto the existing broken element.

best to buy a piece of tubing near the same diameter as the broken element and cut it to the total length needed.

alternately a rod or large wire (like 6AWG) could be used, though tubing is better.

Do you know where I could find some replacement tubing at a reasonable rate? Would a place like Home Depot carry something I could use? Thanks.

[DarkNovaNick]

Originally Posted by Xauto

With 7 director a SWAG of 11dBd (13dBi) is the gain.

Thanks, that seems like quite a bit of gain, I think I'll try repairing this antenna. Do you have any idea of the gain of the UHF antenna? Thanks.

[johnpost]

Originally Posted by DarkNovaNick

Would a place like Home Depot carry something I could use? Thanks.

that is a good store. any farm or building supply, diy store would be good.

[DarkNovaNick]

Originally Posted by johnpost

that is a good store. any farm or building supply, diy store would be good.

Sorry, I'm new at antenna building and all that so my question is more fundamental -- I meant if I go to a store like Home Depot, I'm assuming they don't have "antenna tubing"...what kind of tubing do I buy? I'm thinking the current tubing is aluminum but is that what I use? Would it be found in the electrical section? Thanks.

[johnpost]

Originally Posted by DarkNovaNick

I meant if I go to a store like Home Depot, I'm assuming they don't have "antenna tubing"...what kind of tubing do I buy? I'm thinking the current tubing is aluminum but is that what I use? Would it be found in the electrical section? Thanks.

those type of stores often have a tubing selection and likely have aluminum tubing. often materials like that will come in 3 ft straight lengths. often in the area of the store with hardware (hinges, latches).

[Xauto]

UHF 14dbd or 16dBi. The more directors that are add the less bang each one is.

[DarkNovaNick]

Originally Posted by Xauto

UHF 14dbd or 16dBi. The more directors that are add the less bang each one is.

OK, so based on these charts: http://www.hdtvprimer.com/ANTENNAS/comparing.html it looks like these VHF/UHF antennas I have actually are quite good so it probably wouldn't pay to buy a new or build an antenna if I can fix these up since they wouldn't be too much better?