Zero Knievel Posted June 26, 2023 Share Posted June 26, 2023 I want just the booster, not an antenna or antenna with booster. We can’t get certain channels because they are in a higher UHF band (although still identified in the VHF channel scheme). Our existing booster (from Radio Shack) doesn’t work in that range which is why we do well with some but not other DTV channels. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zero Knievel Posted June 26, 2023 Author Share Posted June 26, 2023 Thoughts on this one? https://www.amazon.com/dp/B084YQX5Q6/ref=as_li_ss_tl?SubscriptionId=AKIAJO7E5OLQ67NVPFZA&ascsubtag=894910262-2-528113852.1687804541&tag=shopperz_origin1-20 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SwampNut Posted June 26, 2023 Share Posted June 26, 2023 17 minutes ago, Zero Knievel said: I want just the booster, not an antenna or antenna with booster. Garbage in, garbage out. It all starts with maximizing the antenna FIRST, then boost. I've told my neighbors this, they ignored me, went the easy/cheap way, and then went ahead and got the correct antenna which actually worked. Just boosting a shit antenna did not. We are just over a mountain and probably 60 miles from the transmitters. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SwampNut Posted June 26, 2023 Share Posted June 26, 2023 Oh, also, cap off all open coax connections or remove any you don't need, minimize splitters, etc. The less "stuff" in the signal paths or connected as an off-shoot, the better. Or realize it's 2023 and stream. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zero Knievel Posted June 26, 2023 Author Share Posted June 26, 2023 51 minutes ago, SwampNut said: Garbage in, garbage out. It all starts with maximizing the antenna FIRST, then boost. I've told my neighbors this, they ignored me, went the easy/cheap way, and then went ahead and got the correct antenna which actually worked. Just boosting a shit antenna did not. We are just over a mountain and probably 60 miles from the transmitters. The outdoor antenna we have should be adequate. The booster was always needed, and it’s simpler to upgrade the booster with a newer one and THEN replace the antenna if it still doesn’t work. We were fine until some channels went to a new antenna which transmits in the higher UHF band. Other channels don’t pose an issue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superhawk996 Posted June 27, 2023 Share Posted June 27, 2023 18 hours ago, Zero Knievel said: The outdoor antenna we have should be adequate. The booster was always needed Think about that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SwampNut Posted June 27, 2023 Share Posted June 27, 2023 1 hour ago, superhawk996 said: Think about that. I'm still waiting for it to land. But hey, it's not like I know anything about radio signals. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zero Knievel Posted June 27, 2023 Author Share Posted June 27, 2023 6 hours ago, superhawk996 said: Think about that. When you’re far enough away, an antenna can only do so much. It’s a fairly large aerial, and if I have to replace it, I have to hire someone to install it. I’d rather buy a >$40 booster and call it a day if it works. I don’t even watch fucking TV, but mom won’t shut up about it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SwampNut Posted June 27, 2023 Share Posted June 27, 2023 I'm speechless. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zero Knievel Posted June 28, 2023 Author Share Posted June 28, 2023 11 hours ago, SwampNut said: I'm speechless. Why? Because I don’t want to spend a dime more than is necessary for something I don’t need or want? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superhawk996 Posted June 28, 2023 Share Posted June 28, 2023 On 6/26/2023 at 11:40 AM, Zero Knievel said: Thoughts on this one? https://www.amazon.com/dp/B084YQX5Q6/ref=as_li_ss_tl?SubscriptionId=AKIAJO7E5OLQ67NVPFZA&ascsubtag=894910262-2-528113852.1687804541&tag=shopperz_origin1-20 It supposedly does VHF and UHF, and many more, so it should cover your needs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zero Knievel Posted June 30, 2023 Author Share Posted June 30, 2023 Well, booster arrived…didn’t work. Only got one channel band (all the channel 39 variants). I noticed the coax connections were loose (tension type, not screw on). Used channel locks to make them tight. No improvement. Put old 30-year-old booster back on. All the channels are back…even the ones mom was complaining about. 🤯 I’m calling it a win and quitting while I’m ahead. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SwampNut Posted June 30, 2023 Share Posted June 30, 2023 You could always upgrade the antenna, find a better position for it, or work on the direction it's pointed to. I know nobody has thought of that yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superhawk996 Posted July 1, 2023 Share Posted July 1, 2023 If only we had someone here that knew a fuckall about radio signals he mighta mentioned checking the coax connections as well. During one of my service provider changes the guy tested the old coax and said it was pretty shitty so he replaced it, internet speed went up a lot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SwampNut Posted July 1, 2023 Share Posted July 1, 2023 <Looks at wall of FCC certs...wonders who> Speaking of which, I may get to fly to the mountain again this week, I'm sure as hell hoping to. I called shotgun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zero Knievel Posted July 1, 2023 Author Share Posted July 1, 2023 4 hours ago, superhawk996 said: If only we had someone here that knew a fuckall about radio signals he mighta mentioned checking the coax connections as well. I wouldn’t expect INTERNAL wiring to become loose from just sitting there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SwampNut Posted July 1, 2023 Share Posted July 1, 2023 19 minutes ago, Zero Knievel said: I wouldn’t expect INTERNAL wiring to become loose from just sitting there. You also shouldn't assume anything. People are lazy, so it may be loose to start with. Also corrosion happens and changes fit. Removing and reconnecting is also a good move. Checking for corrosion in your environment is smart. Did you catch the bit about capping open connections and about removing what you don't need? One of my neighbors had the entire house hooked up in parallel with the antenna, that's fucked. Most people don't understand just how tiny that signal is. Which is why antennas matter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ironmike Posted July 1, 2023 Share Posted July 1, 2023 I found this site helpful when I was doing my due diligence on OTA broadcasting/reception/boosting issues and subsequent antenna selection. https://www.tvfool.com/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=75 It's an older site, but the laws of physics haven't changed. The right antenna, its placement, elevation, aiming (pursuant to design), and minimal run/connections are always the key elements. Maximize their efficiency, then consider boosting the received signal. Remember, a booster can only work with the basic signal as received by the antenna; if it's weak & crappy, a booster will only give you more of the same. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SwampNut Posted July 1, 2023 Share Posted July 1, 2023 7 minutes ago, ironmike said: if it's weak & crappy, a booster will only give you more of the same. So I walk into this medium sized server room at the center of a building, with pretty well no cell signal. The CIO is wondering if I can help figure out why the cheap-ass cell booster he bought on Ali is not doing anything. "Where is your outside antenna?" He points out the closest window. I ask him whether the signal survey showed that to be the best place, or if they just used it as the closest space. "What's a signal survey??" Ok, let's try this...what's the dB gain on the antenna, and how did you decide where to point it...? Blank look. Aha. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ironmike Posted July 1, 2023 Share Posted July 1, 2023 Hmm, yeah . . . the laws of physics don't have a codicil exception for half-assed human logic--and never will. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superhawk996 Posted July 3, 2023 Share Posted July 3, 2023 On 7/1/2023 at 11:56 AM, Zero Knievel said: I wouldn’t expect INTERNAL wiring to become loose from just sitting there. Expect every single possible fault imaginable, then a few more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SwampNut Posted July 3, 2023 Share Posted July 3, 2023 5 minutes ago, superhawk996 said: Expect every single possible fault imaginable, then a few more. This was a fun one. "Nothing else has worked, we should go up the tower and check the dish grounding cable." "Nah, it's like #4 wire, it can't be damaged." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackhawkxx Posted July 3, 2023 Share Posted July 3, 2023 Lightning strike? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SwampNut Posted July 3, 2023 Share Posted July 3, 2023 5 minutes ago, blackhawkxx said: Lightning strike? We can only assume. There are no lightning detectors up there, for reasons I don't understand (probably dollars). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zero Knievel Posted July 3, 2023 Author Share Posted July 3, 2023 Gah! Mom still isn't happy. I'm telling her to just hire someone to come out and fix the issue. Maybe we need a new antenna. Maybe the tree growth has gotten to the point where the antenna needs to be even higher or relocated on the property. I'm not doing it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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