Best Antenna?

[brendang2000]

Hello,

I am having trouble receiving TV channels 18.x (LA) from zip code 92657. Prior to the Digital switch over I had no issues receiving these stations and I already did the “channel scan”. I spoke with the stations engineering department, and the only change they made was reverting back to their old frequency, 18, from frequency 61.

The only channels I am interested in receiving is the 18.x channels as I am able to receive the others via Satellite/Cable. Correct me if I’m wrong, but I believe this station broadcasts between 494-500 MHz and if that’s the case, which antenna will give me the most gain in that range? I was looking at the HD-9032 or HD-9095P. Will a preamp help, or being so close to San Diego will I just start picking up noise? Will shielding the rear of the antenna help block signals from San Diego allowing me to use some type of shielding?

Last week I spoke to your Technical dept and they transferred me to Hans’ voicemail, but I have not received a call back yet. Thanks in advance for your help. Regards, Brendan

[KNP 2516]

I'm not in any way affiliated with Winegard, but maybe I can be of some help to you.

92657 - New Port Beach CA

You have to excuse me - because I am not from California and just using station virtual channel numbers does not do a lot of good when writing a report.

I take it the Channel 18 that you are talking about is KSCI - Channel 18 - Long Beach CA - 45 or so miles away. It's power is 111 Kw.

The answer is that as you climb the digital spectrum from one channel to another, it becomes harder for a television to receive it's signal. So the FCC allows them to transmit with more power to over come the limitations of that frequency.

When the station moved from channel 61 back to channel 18, they cut their signal power to compensate for the frequency..

Basically to receive that signal - where you live - in the mountains, you are going to need to have your antenna 100 feet above average terrain. There is too many mountains between your house and the transmitter to get a good line of sight transmission to come to your house. Sorry!

Construction Permit is for 494 - 500 MHZ. Channel 18

Licensee: KSLS, INC.
Service Designation: DT Digital television station

Channel: 18 494 - 500 MHz Construction Permit
File No.: BPCDT-20080311ADB Facility ID number: 35608
CDBS Application ID No.: 1234009

34° 12' 47.80" N Latitude Site in Mexican Border Zone
118° 03' 41.00" W Longitude (NAD 27)

Polarization: Horizontal (H)
Effective Radiated Power (ERP): 110.9 kW E
Antenna Height Above Average Terrain: 885.8 meters
Antenna Height Above Mean Sea Level: 1691.8 meters
Antenna Height Above Ground Level: 36.8 meters AGL



Licensee: KSLS, INC.
Service Designation: DT Digital television station

Channel: 61 752 - 758 MHz Licensed
File No.: BMLCDT-20040930BWO Facility ID number: 35608
CDBS Application ID No.: 1015664

34° 12' 47.80" N Latitude Site in Mexican Border Zone
118° 03' 41.00" W Longitude (NAD 27)

Polarization: Horizontal (H)
Effective Radiated Power (ERP): 256. kW
Antenna Height Above Average Terrain: 889.4 meters
Antenna Height Above Mean Sea Level: 1839. meters
Antenna Height Above Ground Level: 40.3 meters

I would be happy to put a antenna up for you , if you wished to spend the money.

[KNP 2516]

If you read the report, you will also see that the old Channel 61's transmitter antenna was mounted 14 1/2 feet higher on the tower than the newer antenna for channel 18 at 885 meters above average terrain.

Height equals gain.

In theory, if your antenna was 1000 feet above average terrain and their antenna was 1000 feet above average terrain ( not height in feet above ground at your location or height above sea level) , you would be able to receive their signal with no problems up to 40 miles - with a direct line of sight.

[brendang2000]

KNP,
Thanks for the help. If you don't mind me asking, where did you get all this info?
I'm going to try the best Winegard antenna for that frequency next, then if that doesn't work construct my own antenna made specifically for that MHz. regards

[winegard]

Good afternoon Brendon -

I believe you spoke with Hans on the 26th. Here is in general his response again.


The gain of the HD-9032 and the HD9095P are the same. Since you are approximately 45 miles from LA you will need to install the antenna at least 40-50 feet high in order to hopefully receive a strong signal. The use of an AP-4700 preamplifier is also recommended. According the zip code 92657 you are 60 plus miles from San Diego so shielding the back of the antenna should not be necessary.