Professional Grade ($$$) OTA Antennas: Wade, Blonder Tongue, Kathrein Scala

[Twilight Cowboy]

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

[stampeder]

Originally Posted by Twilight Cowboy

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!

[jurassicjockey]

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.

[Twilight Cowboy]

Originally Posted by jurassicjockey

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/c...perzz-uhf.html

[HDTV101]

Originally Posted by Twilight Cowboy

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

http://www.lindsayelec.com/antenna/c...perzz-uhf.html

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

[stampeder]

Originally Posted by tigerbangs

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.com

The Wade Delhi PB82BB looks like its two ganged parabolic dishes, and it weighs 155 pounds!!! 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...

[HDTV101]

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

[tigerbangs]

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!

[stampeder]

Originally Posted by HDTV101

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.

[HDTV101]

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)

[HDTV101]

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



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.

[Yaamon]

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

[rob50312]

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.

[ryans]

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.

[HDTV101]

Originally Posted by ryans

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