TV Antenna in remote area

BB_TX · Dec 16, 2009

At our cabin where we deer hunt (south of Fredericksburg) we can barely get TV signal. Located in a valley with a fairly high hill between us and Austin and San Antonio direction. Not sure exactly where the transmitters are located. Using a standard fairly large antenna. An amplifier helps a little. Can pick up Temple sometimes.
My question. I have a second large antenna. Is it possible to mount the second antenna on the same pole as the other, connect the two together and increase the signal?

kennyd · Dec 16, 2009

BB_TX said:
At our cabin where we deer hunt (south of Fredericksburg) we can barely get TV signal. Located in a valley with a fairly high hill between us and Austin and San Antonio direction. Not sure exactly where the transmitters are located. Using a standard fairly large antenna. An amplifier helps a little. Can pick up Temple sometimes.
My question. I have a second large antenna. Is it possible to mount the second antenna on the same pole as the other, connect the two together and increase the signal?

Go to this site: AntennaWeb then click "choose an antenna". Put in your zip code and will tell you what you need, and what you can expect to receive. It's a truly remarkable site.

mrennie · Dec 16, 2009

Hi:

I doubt that would work, as you would effectively cut the antenna impedance in 1/2 causing a mismatch, and the signals from the 2 antennas would not likely be in phase which would further drop the levels.

The only way to get a stronger signal is:

1) Raise the antenna to get a better line of sight

2) Install an antenna with a higher gain (more elements or rods provide a higher gain)

3) Use an amplifier with more gain (which is a compromise with a weak signal as you will amplify both the signal and the noise.)

Antenna design greatly affects gain so if you have a standard TV antenna you may be able to buy a different model with several dB more gain. Note that for every 3dB of gain over your current antenna, the signal power doubles.

Michael

tommu56 · Dec 16, 2009

Yes you can do it just put a splitter on backwards to combine the antennas.

A rotor might help too the new digital stations you have to be aimed right at them.

My cabin went from 6 fuzzy analog before digital to one good digital pbs channel with nothing on.
The switch ticked me off no abc cbs or nbc just pbs.

tom

CinderSchnauzer · Dec 16, 2009

If you have DISH or DirecTV at home have you considered taking a receiver with you and setting up another dish? If you are down in Texas the angle of elevation might be enough to get over any surrounding hills.

BobRip · Dec 16, 2009

The rule of thumb is that for every 10 feet you raise an antenna, the signal will double. Probably even more when you are in a low place. Can you put the antenna on the hill and run wire down to the cabin. Put the amplifier at the antenna. Amplifying it at the TV just adds noise. The reversed splitter with 2 antennas will help.

BB_TX · Dec 16, 2009

We could also get several,sometimes fuzzy, Austin/San Antonio network channels before digital. Now we can't get those.
The odd thing is, we can get 2 channels (2 & 3 I think) great, but neither are network channels. NBC out of Temple comes and goes. Mostly goes.
I may try the reverse splitter thing. If that does not work, may have to try getting a taller pole.
The hill is a couple hundred yards away on the ajoining property.
Have thought of getting an extra dish and receiver for our camper which I could also take to the cabin. But not sure I want to mess with that.
We really only use the TV to keep up with the news and (especially) the weather. Although a football game is certainly not out of the question.

ToadHill · Dec 16, 2009

I had the same problem you describe. I tried all kind of fix's and nothing helped. Well at home I have Direct TV and have 2 receivers one on each floor of the house.

When I go to the farm, I take one of the receivers with me and I paid to have an extra dish installed on the farm house. It was the only way I could get reliable service.

Kfbeal · Dec 16, 2009

Not quite the same problem, but down at our place at the bay we have a directv dish mounted and just take one of our receivers down there with us when we go.