Does it matter if the tv antenna points one way, or 180^ the other?

[mm]

Does it matter if the tv antenna points one way, or 180^ the other?

You guys, especially Dave, have convinced me that I need a better (and
thus bigger) antenna more than I need an amplified antenna. Does it
matter if I point an antenna with several elements of different
lengths to the station, or if I point it the exact opposite direction?
In my attic, it would be more convenient to do the latter. (I'm too
old and at least now, too fat to go on the roof.)


Also, I thought 50 miles was the longest range on level ground for a
transmitting tower of typical height and an antenna on the roof of a
two-story house.

So what about a claim that a Wineguard antenna has a range of 75 to 80
miles????
http://estore.websitepros.com/1129733/-strse-159/Winegard-HD-8200U/Detail.bok
This antenna is rated for low-band VHF and I don't need that, I've
learned, but it's the mileage claim I am asking about.

Even this one says: Up to 60 mile VHF range; 45 mile UHF range Don't
they get that by mounting it on a 100 foot tower or something?
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3739594
And isn't the info obsolete because digital transmitters are working
at lower power than analog did?

Thanks a lot.

 

[Mark Zacharias]

MM

Depends on the Front to Back ratio. FWIW the antenna should probably
point to the origin of the signal with the shorter elements being the
pointing end. And if you are looking at great distances from the
source you will probably have to tune the antenna by rotating it while
someone observes the picture/TV set.

Bob AZ

Many if not most late model digital format TV receivers have a signal
strength indicator available via the menus. This would be very useful, I
would think.

Mark Z.

 

[[email protected]]

Does it matter if the tv antenna points one way, or 180^ the other?

You guys, especially Dave, have convinced me that I need a better (and
thus bigger) antenna more than I need an amplified antenna. Does it
matter if I point an antenna with several elements of different
lengths to the station, or if I point it the exact opposite direction?
In my attic, it would be more convenient to do the latter. (I'm too
old and at least now, too fat to go on the roof.)


Also, I thought 50 miles was the longest range on level ground for a
transmitting tower of typical height and an antenna on the roof of a
two-story house.

So what about a claim that a Wineguard antenna has a range of 75 to 80
miles????
http://estore.websitepros.com/1129733/-strse-159/Winegard-HD-8200U/Detail.bok
This antenna is rated for low-band VHF and I don't need that, I've
learned, but it's the mileage claim I am asking about.

Even this one says: Up to 60 mile VHF range; 45 mile UHF range Don't
they get that by mounting it on a 100 foot tower or something?
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3739594
And isn't the info obsolete because digital transmitters are working
at lower power than analog did?

Thanks a lot.

I have to say you are going about this the wrong way. You are
choosing to mount the antenna in the attic because it's easier. An
indoor mount also has the advantage of reducing exposure to the
weather. While this is easier, it has several major disadvantages.
You have already mentioned one - difficulty in orienting it properly.
There is another - signal attenuation, particularly at higher
frequencies.

Have you considered the possibility you are focusing on convenience
and ignoring performance?

As far as antenna range, my parents lived over 60 miles from the
transmitter and received good signal levels with an antenna that was
mounted less than 15 feet above ground level.

PlainBill

 

[baron]

[email protected] Inscribed thus:

I have to say you are going about this the wrong way. You are
choosing to mount the antenna in the attic because it's easier. An
indoor mount also has the advantage of reducing exposure to the
weather. While this is easier, it has several major disadvantages.
You have already mentioned one - difficulty in orienting it properly.
There is another - signal attenuation, particularly at higher
frequencies.

Have you considered the possibility you are focusing on convenience
and ignoring performance?

As far as antenna range, my parents lived over 60 miles from the
transmitter and received good signal levels with an antenna that was
mounted less than 15 feet above ground level.

PlainBill

With all due respect to Bill, what works in one place doesn't always
work in another.

An example, Rhonda Valley. Two identical Tv's antenna and cables but a
common chimney stack. Really good signal reception on one side of the
stack and next to none on the other. Antenna less than 6 ot 7 feet
apart at the same hight.

Solution split the feed from the high signal antenna and feed both sets
from the single antenna. Which also had the effect of reducing the
signal improving the picture on both Tv's.

 

[GregS]

Does it matter if the tv antenna points one way, or 180^ the other?

You guys, especially Dave, have convinced me that I need a better (and
thus bigger) antenna more than I need an amplified antenna. Does it
matter if I point an antenna with several elements of different
lengths to the station, or if I point it the exact opposite direction?
In my attic, it would be more convenient to do the latter. (I'm too
old and at least now, too fat to go on the roof.)


Also, I thought 50 miles was the longest range on level ground for a
transmitting tower of typical height and an antenna on the roof of a
two-story house.

So what about a claim that a Wineguard antenna has a range of 75 to 80
miles????
http://estore.websitepros.com/1129733/-strse-159/Winegard-HD-8200U/Detail.bok
This antenna is rated for low-band VHF and I don't need that, I've
learned, but it's the mileage claim I am asking about.

Even this one says: Up to 60 mile VHF range; 45 mile UHF range Don't
they get that by mounting it on a 100 foot tower or something?
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3739594
And isn't the info obsolete because digital transmitters are working
at lower power than analog did?

You certainly don't need VHF low, but do you really need VHF high ?
I only have one station here on ch 13.

You could also use two separate antennas with a combiner.
Concentrate on the UHF.

Milages is highly dependant on height and terrain.
Height means nothing if there is a mountain in between.
Its surprsing though, there are some big hills around here, and people
got by from 30 mi away with hilly terrain on the old TV's.
Getting rid of shadows on the old TV was the main problem.
Digital has no shadows but must have a minimum signal to decode.

greg