Which end of roof tv antenna toward station

Posted by stan on May 2, 2009, 1:39 am

> Jimw wrote:

> > I bought a used rooftop tv antenna at a garage sale so there are no
> > instructions. =A0I know how to mount it and connect the coax, but I do
> > not recall which end points toward the tv station transmitter.
> > I know the UHF elements are the smaller ones and the VHF are the
> > larger ones. =A0But which end goes toward the station? =A0Here is a cru=

> > drawing (below).
> > =A0 =A0 =A0 \\

> > ->>>>>>>>>-

> > =A0 =A0 =A0 //////
> > You'd think there would be a diagram on the web, but I sure can not
> > find one. =A0They should mark it right on the antenna but they dont.
> > Jimw

> Hi,
> Basically, there are multi element on a boom. Shorter element side
> should point to the station. Short element is called director, longer
> one is called reflector. The more elements, the more gain.- Hide quoted t=

ext -

> - Show quoted text -

The more elements it has the more 'pointy' or directional the antenna
will be!
In other words, using a multi element antenna, if the antenna is
pointed directly at one station, another station, off say 30 degrees
to one side in direction, may not be received at all
If signals are weak an antenna with more elements generally has more
'gain' (From the ONE desired direction!).

Posted by HeyBub on May 2, 2009, 8:26 am

Jimw wrote:

> I bought a used rooftop tv antenna at a garage sale so there are no
> instructions. I know how to mount it and connect the coax, but I do
> not recall which end points toward the tv station transmitter.
> I know the UHF elements are the smaller ones and the VHF are the
> larger ones. But which end goes toward the station? Here is a crude
> drawing (below).
> \\

> ->>>>>>>>>-

> //////
> You'd think there would be a diagram on the web, but I sure can not
> find one. They should mark it right on the antenna but they dont.

Forget theory. Which direction gets the best reception?

Posted by hr(bob) hofmann@att.net on May 2, 2009, 9:11 am

> Jimw wrote:

> > drawing (below).
> > =A0 =A0 =A0\\

> > ->>>>>>>>>-

> > =A0 =A0 =A0//////
> > You'd think there would be a diagram on the web, but I sure can not
> > find one. =A0They should mark it right on the antenna but they dont.

> Forget theory. Which direction gets the best reception?- Hide quoted text=

> - Show quoted text -

in the illustration provided by the OP, the station should be to the
left of the antenna.

Posted by stan on May 2, 2009, 9:26 am

> Jimw wrote:

> > drawing (below).
> > =A0 =A0 =A0\\

> > ->>>>>>>>>-

> > =A0 =A0 =A0//////
> > You'd think there would be a diagram on the web, but I sure can not
> > find one. =A0They should mark it right on the antenna but they dont.

> Forget theory. Which direction gets the best reception?- Hide quoted text=

> - Show quoted text -

Definitely also true.

But you may get someone who has no technical background putting up an
antenna which does not work for the several stations (in different
directions from their particular location) that they wish to receive.

And then gets into a song and dance about how it is the same antenna
that works OK for his brother in law (who lives in a different
location of course!).

OR "The salesman 'said' this was the best one for this
area ................." and so on ....... !
All without reference to any understanding about basic technical
facts.

Also there will always be the people who achieve perfectly
satisfactory TV reception with a broken off coat hanger jammed in top
of the set in place of the uni-pole antenna that broke off ten years
off when they were moving house. Provided that is the cat does not
perch on top of the sofa; just 'there'.

"Hon: Shoo the cat off the sofa will you? I want to watch this guy
pitch .....! "

We ran into a situation once, long before the advent of cable TV here,
whereby the owner used to pour hot water over his antenna connections
to wash off the sea salt spray. It worked!

Another guy in same community got best signal if he pointed his
antenna off line, it is still my opinion that by doing so with his
particular antenna he was avoiding a strong second signal (in favour
of the direct signal) reflected from the metal cladding of the local
fish processing plant!

Ah yes; but reflected FM and TV signals was how the British discovered
radar before WWII! Ever notice how a TV picture sometimes goes 'all-
wavery' if/when a plane flies over?

As previous posters have said indicated it IS a combination of
technology and local conditions. But starting with 'pointy' end
towards the TV station is best way to start.

Posted by cshenk on May 2, 2009, 10:00 am

"HeyBub" wrote

> Jimw wrote:

>> not recall which end points toward the tv station transmitter.

> Forget theory. Which direction gets the best reception?

LOL! Ya beat me to it! Until I saw folks taking this seriously I was kinda
thinking it was a joke post. Must be a 'man thing' there ;-)

Real method, put up antenna but don't bolt tight yet. Turn antenna bit bit
by bit until the best location is determined. Tighten bolts so it stays
there.

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Which end of roof tv antenna toward station - Page 2