Antenna mount
- Thread starter RxDx
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Only problem I could foresee would be the mast not clearing the crossed-over feedlines.
RxDx
Speaker collector
Duh! I left it alone and just mounted it.
Now I have a different problem. As big as this thing is, and it's supposed to be Channel Masters big dog on VHF and FM, it's signal strength is way down from what it replaced. I'll give it a day or two, to see if the capacitors burn in, or something. But that's a shocker.
The old antenna is a Magnavox/cut rate thing. I got it for ~$50 5 years ago. But it looks like it really hauls in the signals. The ad says 200 miles on VHF and 150 of FM. Philips now says 140 and 120. I can't match that on VHF, but I can on FM (and not on the Channel Master, a foot longer and with 10 more elements).
The Channel Master advertises only 100 miles. Guess I'll believe them!
Also the new one may be more directional, if you're not using a rotor. I used to use a 12 foot boom FM antenna and it was out doors also with a rotor. Stations came in great.
my .02
PS: The AD says "This is a Large Directional antenna and yields a beam width of about 30 degrees. "
John M
http://www.solidsignal.com/pview.as...paign=google_adwords_03_Channel_Master_CM3671
my .02
PS: The AD says "This is a Large Directional antenna and yields a beam width of about 30 degrees. "
John M
http://www.solidsignal.com/pview.as...paign=google_adwords_03_Channel_Master_CM3671
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RxDx
Speaker collector
Here's the link to Channel Master. It does specify FM reception. I took it down and put up the 'old' one.
Yes, I have a rotor, but no preamp. Even w/o one, a station at 80 miles (7.7kw) shows about 40 dbu under normal conditions; same day, same tower, same wire, the Channel Master shows about 15-20 dbu on the same tuner. So ima take this one back
Don't understand what a preamp would have to do with it? Don't you feed the signal directly to the tuner antenna input? Am wondering if something in your installation resulted in a poor electrical connection somewhere. That's a serious 'looking' antenna (as is the Philips). Am using a pair of 6-element yagi antennae and having good reception in the very flat south of NJ.
RxDx
Speaker collector
Channel Master recommends a mast-mounted signal preamp for fringe receiving conditions. Being the dx maniac I am, it would probably help
Yes, I send the signal straight to a switch box, actually, since I have several tuners in the a/v cabinet.
I used the same wire, mount, and everything (except the 300>75 ohm transformers, and I tried two different new ones) that I used for the original antenna. No joy. Put the original back in the same place, and it's receiving like it always did.
Yes, I wanted a serious antenna. I thought the Channel Master might be something additional, since Magnavox/Philips is the lower end of the spectrum. But I can almost always get 120 mile reception with it (central Virginia).
Yes, I send the signal straight to a switch box, actually, since I have several tuners in the a/v cabinet.
I used the same wire, mount, and everything (except the 300>75 ohm transformers, and I tried two different new ones) that I used for the original antenna. No joy. Put the original back in the same place, and it's receiving like it always did.
Yes, I wanted a serious antenna. I thought the Channel Master might be something additional, since Magnavox/Philips is the lower end of the spectrum. But I can almost always get 120 mile reception with it (central Virginia).
Interesting. Too bad the big Winegard and his competitor from New England no longer offer their 18' FM specific antennae. Kept holding off purchasing one due to price ($175+) until they stopped offering them. "he who heistates"........... and all that. Have you had your little Sony tweaked? Many do not do that well from the factory. Or, tried an updated Yamaha T-85 or TX-1000, which are considered top DX machines. 120 miles isn't all that far for DXing. Like you, I use a 6-position antenna switch. Wish it had optical switching as the electro-mechanical switching is very noisy.
RxDx
Speaker collector
The one I regret missing is the APS-13. They are apparently out of business now.
The Sony is stock. I use the t-4711 the most (then might follow up with the Sony or the t-9090II). It is by far the easiest tuner to use. Also, the Sony is actually the least sensitive of the three, though it's not a huge difference.
I've owned a couple each of the TX-1000s and T-85s. They don't measure up to the Onkyos in ultimate sensitivity. Selectivity is a little less, too, in my experience. And I'd love to have 6 or 8 tuners in the stack, but I just can't justify it
I live 90 miles south of DC, which means there are few or no channels with stations further than about 100 miles. So the only way I can bag any that are further is under unusual conditions- I can sometimes get Philly or New York stations on top/over DC stations, for instance. My best is about 1100 miles.
I'd love a remotable antenna switch. I'd actually like to build one, but I think it's above my pay grade
The Sony is stock. I use the t-4711 the most (then might follow up with the Sony or the t-9090II). It is by far the easiest tuner to use. Also, the Sony is actually the least sensitive of the three, though it's not a huge difference.
I've owned a couple each of the TX-1000s and T-85s. They don't measure up to the Onkyos in ultimate sensitivity. Selectivity is a little less, too, in my experience. And I'd love to have 6 or 8 tuners in the stack, but I just can't justify it
I live 90 miles south of DC, which means there are few or no channels with stations further than about 100 miles. So the only way I can bag any that are further is under unusual conditions- I can sometimes get Philly or New York stations on top/over DC stations, for instance. My best is about 1100 miles.
I'd love a remotable antenna switch. I'd actually like to build one, but I think it's above my pay grade
FauxHall
Super Member
Yes, APS was the name I was thinking of. He also did tuner mods and had a few other bits and pieces. Simply disappeared with no forwarding address.The one I regret missing is the APS-13. They are apparently out of business now.
The Sony is stock. I use the t-4711 the most (then might follow up with the Sony or the t-9090II). It is by far the easiest tuner to use. Also, the Sony is actually the least sensitive of the three, though it's not a huge difference.
I've owned a couple each of the TX-1000s and T-85s. They don't measure up to the Onkyos in ultimate sensitivity. Selectivity is a little less, too, in my experience. And I'd love to have 6 or 8 tuners in the stack, but I just can't justify it
I'd love a remotable antenna switch. I'd actually like to build one, but I think it's above my pay grade
If you are judging the sensitivity/selectivity of tuners, new or old, based on 'as is', then you will not be seeing what any are really capable. Factory alignments, as well as age, are well known to be less than optimum and do not reveal the tuners true capabilities.
Here is a manual coax switch. http://www.hamradio.com/detail.cfm?pid=H0-001004
I use a remote, hardwired, coax switch that is electro-mechanincal from the same folks, but do not recommend it as is so noisy in use that I'm always afraid it will wipe-out the front end of my tuners.
RxDx
Speaker collector
The Radio Shack unit? Looks good, I just need about four of them
Here's the back of the one I built. It's got AM and FM outputs for six tuners/receivers, and audio connections for 10. That usually handles my needs.Attachments
RxDx
Speaker collector
Yep, I think he (Bill Ammons?) just let the business go.
I'd like to be able to align my own units.
I'm liking that switch. I'd need two, for AM and FM. I'd really like capability for more than one input, though.
Decware offers this manual switchbox that looks good. With six (6) tuners, it is perfect for my needs.
http://www.decware.com/newsite/rotary.htm
http://www.decware.com/newsite/rotary.htm
As to the first part, takes specialized gear and great patience. Is an iterative process....... back and forth. If you are serious, join the FM Tuner Yahoo group http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/fmtuners/ and start reading and asking questions. Great group of tuner geeks who are amazingly knowledgeable and helpful. Bob, whose group it is, also posts here occasionally.
Am guessing there is enough room in that Decware switch case to punch another set of holes and put in a 2-way switch and second set of output RCAs.
Hi Mike - so Bill Ammons is still around doing tuner work? Have not heard any mention of him being active for quite some time. What is the state of filters? From what I've read, they have become quite difficult to source, with many no longer being made.
This post on the FM Tuner yahoo group this morning: Thank you TIC. :thmbsp: There are a couple of additional posts in response that you might also find interesting.
"I commented that I wasn't aware of an FM Yagi with 30 dB F/B ratio. I did a little digging and I found a few. None are commercial antennas. They are DIY and they are big.
19 elements on a 201" boom
http://www.ham-radio.com/k6sti/korn193.htm
15 elements on a 147" boom
http://www.ham-radio.com/k6sti/korn1512.htm
9 elements on a 100" boom
http://www.ham-radio.com/k6sti/100.htm
A design exists if you're motivated.
It's a bit disappointing how almost all the large and top performing commercial FM and TV antennas have disappeared from the market with the exception of a few UHF antennas. And unlike tuners, they don't show up much on the used market.
Chuck"
"I commented that I wasn't aware of an FM Yagi with 30 dB F/B ratio. I did a little digging and I found a few. None are commercial antennas. They are DIY and they are big.
19 elements on a 201" boom
http://www.ham-radio.com/k6sti/korn193.htm
15 elements on a 147" boom
http://www.ham-radio.com/k6sti/korn1512.htm
9 elements on a 100" boom
http://www.ham-radio.com/k6sti/100.htm
A design exists if you're motivated.
It's a bit disappointing how almost all the large and top performing commercial FM and TV antennas have disappeared from the market with the exception of a few UHF antennas. And unlike tuners, they don't show up much on the used market.
Chuck"
