Setting Up Two Antennas

[otaer]

I would like to add a pre-amp to my two antenna system. One antenna is pointed north for ota signals that are less than 35 miles away- I get all signals in this direction- no pre-amp needed. The second (top) antenna is pointed east to signals that are 45 to 50 miles away- some channels are rock solid while others are intermittent. I would like to amp this antenna to get more consistent (locked) digital signals. I was thinking of the lower powered HDP-269 pre-amp and then a coupler that has power pass on one port which this antenna would feed into; the other antenna would feed into the other port (not power pass).

What coupler/joiner would I need and is my selection of the 269 good? The coax length is about 60 feet.

Anthing else I should consider? Thank you.

[Winegard-Mobiletech]

Curious, I just want a better idea of what you have going on.

What are you using for antennas?

What zip code are you in?

[otaer]

I am using two new 4-bay antennas.

I am located in Ontario 45 miles west of Niagara Falls NY.

ZIP/PC = L8T 4Z9

[winegard]

Good morning otaer -

The coupler you need for your system is the Winegard CC-7870.

[otaer]

Where is the best place to put the power injector (of the pre-amp) in conjunction with a power pass coupler (7870)? Before the coupler (antenna side), or after the coupler (just before the TV), and why?

I know the power pass coupler allows power to pass through it, unlike a regular splitter, but I was just curious of the benefit of putting the power injector before or after the coupler; would it make any difference to gain/noise of the signal or something else?

[winegard]

There is no advantage as far a loss, noise figure etc by installing the CC-7870 before or after the power injector. The reason the CC-7870 is power passive on the side 1 side is so you can mount the power supply inside the house and the CC-7870 any where between the power supply and the antennas.

[otaer]

My attempt at combining antennas on the new install/tower needs help.

I put the 8 bay antenna on top of the tower 35 feet up and used a pre-amp (26 gain) - antenna is aimed east to Buffalo.

3 feet below I have a 4 bay antenna with no pre-amp- aimed north to Toronto.

The two coax lines go into the house and are coupled with the Winegard Coupler CC7870.

When I remove the 8 bay Buffalo antenna coax from the coupler- the Toronto stations are better.

Vice versa happens when the 4 bay Toronto antenna coax is removed.

Should I add the HDP-269 Preamp to the 4 bay?

Should the antennas be separated more?

Maybe there should be no amps?

Your advice is greatly appreciated.

[KNP 2516]

My attempt at combining antennas on the new install/tower needs help.

I put the 8 bay antenna on top of the tower 35 feet up and used a pre-amp (26 gain) - antenna is aimed east to Buffalo.

3 feet below I have a 4 bay antenna with no pre-amp- aimed north to Toronto.

The two coax lines go into the house and are coupled with the Winegard Coupler CC7870.

When I remove the 8 bay Buffalo antenna coax from the coupler- the Toronto stations are better.

Vice versa happens when the 4 bay Toronto antenna coax is removed.

Should I add the HDP-269 Preamp to the 4 bay?

Should the antennas be separated more?
Your advice is greatly appreciated.

You need to post your address and the stations that you are talking about.

I suspect that you would do better to use one combo antenna and a rotor as opposed to two antennas.

There is no way to accurately point a antenna in any one direction and get all the channels with no problems.

My channels receive differently from day to day and I have to move the rotor in 10 degree increments from time to time to improve signal, due to weather and atmospheric conditions.

I would suspect that you would want to add a pre amp to the 4 bay. The Winegard AP 8275 is the best pre amp on the market when it comes to the maximum amount of gain and the lowest noise figure. But you might not need something that powerful.

How long is your run from the antenna to the television and how many splitters do you have on the line?

[winegard]

Good morning otaer -

The problem you are having is that each antenna picks up some of the other directions signals but they are not strong enough to watch. Now when you combine the 2 antennas you are actually creating multiple signals of the different channels and the tuner does not know which channel to lock onto. That is why when you disconnect one antenna or the other those channels improve. It may be that the HDP-269 on the 4 bay may help.



Your only other option may be to split each antennas signal and run a separate cable to each TV from each antenna and the use an infra red A/B switch to select which antenna signal you wish to watch. By using the A/B switch you isolate the 2 antenna signal and prevent this multiple signal problem.

[otaer]

Does Winegard make an infrared A/B switch?

Would it be the TV 0051?

How could this work for two TVs?