Best digital amplifier for existing antenna

MNtundraRet wrote:
You all seem to forgetting something here.

My normal everyday range is still double yours. 100 to 125 miles.

No, no one is "forgetting", we just don't believe it. :W Even Winegard doesn't make such fantastical claims. ;)

You all seem to forgetting something here.

My normal everyday range is still double yours. 100 to 125 miles.

MNtundraRet wrote:
By the way; I picked up 63 channels with one search last week in Lac Qui Parle State Park near Montevideo MN. Just the right condition with rain clouds, and just after sun-set. Of course most channels dissapear after clouds move out.

Dutch_12078 wrote:
How many channels are received reliably is what I suspect most of us care about in a given area. Not the odd atmospheric bounces that serve no real purpose beyond bragging rights...

Exactly ... I only care about dead solid reception, anything less is useless and counts for nothing.

MNtundraRet wrote:

By the way; I picked up 63 channels with one search last week in Lac Qui Parle State Park near Montevideo MN. Just the right condition with rain clouds, and just after sun-set. Of course most channels dissapear after clouds move out.

How many channels are received reliably is what I suspect most of us care about in a given area. Not the odd atmospheric bounces that serve no real purpose beyond bragging rights...

For those questioning my range, evidently none of you have ever read the manuals for passing the HAM license.

You would understand how cloud cover and other conditions can allow for signal bounce. The Sun is your worst culprit. Best time to search for signals is night time or mid-day. Rising and setting Sun cause the most interference.

Also: LED lights, fluoresent lights, exhaust fans, microwave use, all mess with the signal.


I have logged all channels picked up from different locations in the past. Just like the old days for shortwave on my Hammerlund HQ180 receiver.


Rather than argue on the forum I prefer to help those who always show up to ask how I am getting chennels when they can't. Those not willing to think "out of the box" are the only real losers. You can read my old posts if you care.


By the way; I picked up 63 channels with one search last week in Lac Qui Parle State Park near Montevideo MN. Just the right condition with rain clouds, and just after sun-set. Of course most channels dissapear after clouds move out.

THe Band Plan for what used to be channels 2 to 69 or even 83.. Well the 2007 plan did not work out so they keep re-drawing and re-drawing and re-drawing and I dont knwo what it will end up beind.

They keep trying to steal frequencies from me as well.

If you want to know which channels are going where, not going anywhere, or going off the air, here's an excellent resource:

Repack channel chart

MNtundraRet wrote:
My typical range is 125 miles (clear day) to 150 to 200 miles at night or cloudy conditions.

LarryJM wrote:
As the above post mentioned that must be some unusual trasmission towers since the line of sight for an antenna 5000 feet high is only 86miles and then you have to consider just the signal attenuation for the mandated extra low power transmission limits over those extreme distances. In fact the LOS for an antenna 10,000 ft (almost 2 miles high) is only just over 122mi less than you stated typical 125 mi range you quoted.

Since the tallest television transmitting antennas in the world rarely even exceed 2000' any antenna 5000' or 10000' high would have to gain it's elevation by being located on a mountain. According to TV Fool I'm a mere 28 miles from the 1815' tall CN Tower in Toronto and as would be expected signal strength is quite good but I likewise have pretty good success receiving Buffalo transmitters which range from 50 to 75 miles from here, no doubt only because much of that pathway from there to here is over Lake Ontario, along with the fact I'm running a Winegard Sensar IV plus a Winegard SignalPro. 125 to 200 mile reception is pure fantasy. :R

MNtundraRet wrote:
I hate to bust your bubble here, but I have been using a Radio Shack adjustable in-line RF amplifier (2 to 10 dBs of additional gain) since 2007.

It connects to output side of Winegard amplifier and straight to the television on RG6u coaxial cable. It gives me up to 20 dBs gain (adjustable from 12 to 20).

I used to have the Winegard III with Wingman, but converted head to Winegard Razar after headwinds bent the old head.

My typical range is 125 miles (clear day) to 150 to 200 miles at night or cloudy conditions. Over-power is rare since you can either cut gain, or move antenna off direct aim on strong transmitters.

You can check my old posts here for more information, if the archives have been straightened out since last year. ;)

Well I guess you can put me into the Doubting Thomas group and from all I know your results are sure not typical nor do they conform to the physics concerning amplifiers, noise, typical UHF ranges as I understand them. As the above post mentioned that must be some unusual trasmission towers since the line of sight for an antenna 5000 feet high is only 86miles and then you have to consider just the signal attenuation for the mandated extra low power transmission limits over those extreme distances. In fact the LOS for an antenna 10,000 ft (almost 2 miles high) is only just over 122mi less than you stated typical 125 mi range you quoted.

IMO your post definitely needs the footnote that "RESULTS NOT TYPICAL NOR SHOULD BE EXPECTED"

Larry

Those must be impressive towers you're aiming at 200 miles away.