Port Franks, ON: Home Brew or off the Shelf? - Canadian TV, Computing and Home Theatre Forums

mogwai · 2010-04-13, 03:23 AM

Here's the fool: http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...9c6b506adc931f

It's not purdy, that's for sure. I've been eying up the m8/cent8 and dbgh designs for this application. Obviously a rotor is necessary (have one ready to go.) Thoughts about this or should I go for an XG91? I dont mind building, and can construct most anything, but I want something that will take the punishing winds of lake Huron. All while being 40ft above the lake

Thanks for the dialog in advance!
Mogwai

PanaMark · 2010-04-13, 08:27 AM

hi mogwai,
I would recommend a corner reflector yagi UHF such as an Antennas Direct XG1. With the smaller footprint I would gather it would hold up to winds off the lake much better than a bowtie type antenna. With that being said I recommend a decent preamp to assist with keeping some of those fringe Detroit signals making to the tuner.
I noticed however when I go to Grand Bend for visits most are of the combo type antenna's, that have been installed for years.
Sounds like it is a cottage you have there.
As for as for building one I cannot help there.

Mark

mogwai · 2010-04-13, 10:50 AM

PanaMark, thanks for the suggestion. I was also going to try the Kitztech Preamp or go with a CM 7777 like I have at home. I think in that Detroit might be a pipe dream to receive with any antenna here - But I'm willing to experiment!

Yes, the family cottage that we built about 20 years ago.. I just never rigged up a TV decent antenna. I was playing with some GH's last year on the back deck but wasn't really satisfied with the performance. The standard youtube bowtie was slightly beating the GH for analog performance (channel 40)

300ohm · 2010-04-13, 01:16 PM

Your TVFool image isnt showing up. (edit, now it does)

Quote:

I was playing with some GH's last year on the back deck but wasn't really satisfied with the performance. The standard youtube bowtie was slightly beating the GH for analog performance (channel 40)

Near the ground, high gain antennas dont generally do as well as lower gain ones, Ive found. The GHs need to be up a good 10 ft before they kick in.

stampeder · 2010-04-13, 02:28 PM

Port Franks is in the Ipperwash area so I you'll probably need the strongest Deepest Fringe gear for any U.S. signals.

http://maps.google.ca/m?q=port+frank...-81.88236&z=10

Jase88 · 2010-04-13, 10:06 PM

Any possibility of getting your antenna up higher than 40'? If so, can you calculate your TVFOOL based on the new height? Perhaps 68'?

mogwai · 2010-04-14, 12:19 AM

300 ohm: the deck is 10 feet off the ground. Kind of an engineering marvel

I was running the GH and the you tube one on a 8' pole as well.. Tried most of the tricks I could..

I'd need about a 40ft tower to pull off the results around 68 feet.. We're about 25 feet up on a bank. $900 bucks is a lot of cash.. I might try the eaves mount on the roof before that..

Another plus maybe? Galvanized steel roof on our cottage so it might help/hurt some of the signals.

Here's the fool @ 68 feet:

http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...9c6be3976f5754

mogwai · 2010-04-17, 01:07 PM

Ordered the XG91 yesterday, will let everyone know how this works out.. thanks for the input!

rob50312 · 2010-04-17, 05:29 PM

Mogmai hows your reception of Detroits FM stations at Pork Franks in your car.104.3 is strongest and is weak at Port Franks..I go to Pinery every year and see many UHF yagis pointed across lake Huron.That said if your behind a sand hill your done.

mogwai · 2010-04-18, 12:16 AM

A ctually, i haven't tried it in the car but in the cottage get it no problem with a 300 ohm "Y" wall antenna. Luckily, the cottage is on top of a dune and I have a clear shot at Detroit's direction over the lake. It's still 82 miles to the closest station, but we'll see what shakes loose.

mogwai · 2010-05-05, 02:04 AM

Well, I cant say that it was a 100% success, but I was getting some of the Detroit stations in on Saturday night during a heavy rainstorm. WDIV, WFUM, WXYZ all came in but then disappeared for the most part on Sunday. I was still getting whiffs of them which gives me some hope. Of course CKXT was no problem.

I haven't rigged the preamp up yet, but that I may save for the may 24. Fingers crossed!

2010-04-13, 03:23 AM	#1
mogwai Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: St. Catharines Posts: 39	Port Franks, ON: Home Brew or off the Shelf? Here's the fool: http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...9c6b506adc931f It's not purdy, that's for sure. I've been eying up the m8/cent8 and dbgh designs for this application. Obviously a rotor is necessary (have one ready to go.) Thoughts about this or should I go for an XG91? I dont mind building, and can construct most anything, but I want something that will take the punishing winds of lake Huron. All while being 40ft above the lake Thanks for the dialog in advance! Mogwai

2010-04-13, 08:27 AM	#2
PanaMark Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: London, Ontario Posts: 818	hi mogwai, I would recommend a corner reflector yagi UHF such as an Antennas Direct XG1. With the smaller footprint I would gather it would hold up to winds off the lake much better than a bowtie type antenna. With that being said I recommend a decent preamp to assist with keeping some of those fringe Detroit signals making to the tuner. I noticed however when I go to Grand Bend for visits most are of the combo type antenna's, that have been installed for years. Sounds like it is a cottage you have there. As for as for building one I cannot help there. Mark __________________ roof mounted 35ft UHF Antennas Direct XG91, VHF Delhi VIP 302SR, RC 6292, Tii Coaxial Lightning Surge Protection

2010-04-13, 10:06 PM	#6
Jase88 Moderator Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Kitchener, ON Posts: 4,108	Any possibility of getting your antenna up higher than 40'? If so, can you calculate your TVFOOL based on the new height? Perhaps 68'? __________________ DMX 68' tower, HyGain HAM 5 rotator, Antennas Direct 91-XG & C5, Channel Master 7777 preamp, Siemens surge protection

2010-04-17, 05:29 PM	#9
rob50312 Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: derry + winston Mississauga Posts: 1,300	Mogmai hows your reception of Detroits FM stations at Pork Franks in your car.104.3 is strongest and is weak at Port Franks..I go to Pinery every year and see many UHF yagis pointed across lake Huron.That said if your behind a sand hill your done. __________________ CM 4248 at Buffalo,XG43 at Toronto,M4 at Buffalo,CH 11 yagi at Ham.

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2010-04-13, 10:50 AM	#3
mogwai Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: St. Catharines Posts: 39	PanaMark, thanks for the suggestion. I was also going to try the Kitztech Preamp or go with a CM 7777 like I have at home. I think in that Detroit might be a pipe dream to receive with any antenna here - But I'm willing to experiment! Yes, the family cottage that we built about 20 years ago.. I just never rigged up a TV decent antenna. I was playing with some GH's last year on the back deck but wasn't really satisfied with the performance. The standard youtube bowtie was slightly beating the GH for analog performance (channel 40)

2010-04-13, 02:28 PM	#5
stampeder OTA Forum Moderator Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: North Delta, BC (96Av x 116St) Posts: 23,338	Port Franks is in the Ipperwash area so I you'll probably need the strongest Deepest Fringe gear for any U.S. signals. http://maps.google.ca/m?q=port+frank...-81.88236&z=10

2010-04-14, 12:19 AM	#7
mogwai Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: St. Catharines Posts: 39	300 ohm: the deck is 10 feet off the ground. Kind of an engineering marvel I was running the GH and the you tube one on a 8' pole as well.. Tried most of the tricks I could.. I'd need about a 40ft tower to pull off the results around 68 feet.. We're about 25 feet up on a bank. $900 bucks is a lot of cash.. I might try the eaves mount on the roof before that.. Another plus maybe? Galvanized steel roof on our cottage so it might help/hurt some of the signals. Here's the fool @ 68 feet: http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...9c6be3976f5754

2010-04-17, 01:07 PM	#8
mogwai Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: St. Catharines Posts: 39	Ordered the XG91 yesterday, will let everyone know how this works out.. thanks for the input!

2010-04-18, 12:16 AM	#10
mogwai Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: St. Catharines Posts: 39	A ctually, i haven't tried it in the car but in the cottage get it no problem with a 300 ohm "Y" wall antenna. Luckily, the cottage is on top of a dune and I have a clear shot at Detroit's direction over the lake. It's still 82 miles to the closest station, but we'll see what shakes loose.

2010-05-05, 02:04 AM	#11
mogwai Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: St. Catharines Posts: 39	Well, I cant say that it was a 100% success, but I was getting some of the Detroit stations in on Saturday night during a heavy rainstorm. WDIV, WFUM, WXYZ all came in but then disappeared for the most part on Sunday. I was still getting whiffs of them which gives me some hope. Of course CKXT was no problem. I haven't rigged the preamp up yet, but that I may save for the may 24. Fingers crossed!