Thread: Need help getting PBS

I am getting a second Dish receiver and need help with a few things. First, I use to get PBS but they changed to VHF last year sometime and I no longer pick it up. Second, I need to split the feed from my antenna in order to run it to 2 separate receivers. I know that I will need a separate VHF antenna to go along with my CM 4228 but which one should I get? I think I will need this
antenna joiner

and this
Signal Splitter


to accomplish this but I am not sure. I was thinking about getting this
VHF Antenna


but would like some input since I don't know for sure. Here is a link to
My TV Fool Map


to help with your selections. Let me know if I'm on the right track and any suggestions you may have.

Thanks guys.

Originally Posted by Dishpointer

I am getting a second Dish receiver and need help with a few things. First, I use to get PBS but they changed to VHF last year sometime and I no longer pick it up.
Thanks guys.

The cheapest antenna that will get channel 6 is an Antennacraft CS600, which is what you guessed.

The antenna coupler that you suggested is not the best choice, try a HLSJ instead.

Any off the shelf splitter is fine to connect two TV sets.

Thanks TG. I wasn't sure and didn't want to get the wrong stuff. I really appreciate the help.

Search on solid signal for a UVSJ Combiner it is only #1.79 and will combine your UHF and VHF with minimal signal loss.

Thanks boba. Just finished getting everything ordered. I hope everything works after this. Wish me luck.

Originally Posted by boba

Search on solid signal for a UVSJ Combiner it is only #1.79 and will combine your UHF and VHF with minimal signal loss.

That is not the best advice.

With a UVSJ, the CS600 would attempt to receive both channels 6 and 12, but they are arriving from two different directions.

With a HLSJ, the CS600 would receive channel 6 when aimed at 247 degrees and the 4228 would continue to receive channel 12 aimed at 69 degrees.

Originally Posted by Tower Guy

That is not the best advice.

With a UVSJ, the CS600 would attempt to receive both channels 6 and 12, but they are arriving from two different directions.

With a HLSJ, the CS600 would receive channel 6 when aimed at 247 degrees and the 4228 would continue to receive channel 12 aimed at 69 degrees.

Well, actually...What needs to be done is to use BOTH a UVSJ and a HLSJ AND a 2 way splitter. If only a HLSJ is used, he will lose his UHF channels.

Sooooo...What Dishpointer should do, is connect the CS600 to the 'Low' side of the HLSJ, and run the output to the 'VHF' side of a UVSJ. Then he needs to split the output of the 4228 and connect one output to the 'High' side of the HLVJ, andt the other output to the 'UHF' side of the UVSJ. Then the output of the UVSJ to either a low noise pre-amp (highly suggested) input, and run the output to a splitter and then from the splitter outputs to each location, or split that signal and run each side to the seperate TV locations. With all the splits, and seperator/joiners, and the cables/baluns, a pre-amp is recommended to make up for all the loses.

So, to recap, what is really needed is:

3 - 2way splitters
1 - HLSJ
1 - UVSJ
1 - pre-amp (15dB gain preferable) like the one linked to below:

Motorola Signal Booster BDA100 - improves cable, Internet - Motorola USA

Shop around for best price. The same amp with the same specs are made, but use different brand names. They are one in the same so don't sweat it. The NexxTech in my signature was $7, but that was a one time deal. Still, look around.

Hope this helps.

A UVSJ won't pass VHF signals picked up from the 4228 and it won't pass the UHF picked up from the VHF antenna. I am using a 4228 with a UVSJ and a CH7-13 VHF antenna. I know it works without any other plumbing added.

Originally Posted by boba

A UVSJ won't pass VHF signals picked up from the 4228 and it won't pass the UHF picked up from the VHF antenna. I am using a 4228 with a UVSJ and a CH7-13 VHF antenna. I know it works without any other plumbing added.

You're missing the point boba. In order to get both VHF 6 from the CS600, and VHF 12 from the 4228, he MUST do as I said. It will not work using just one type of SJ. BOTH types as listed are needed to maximize the amount of OTA channels.

Look at my signature. I only use a UVSJ also and all 3 antennas work great, but I am not trying to get the same kind of reception as Dishpointer is. Just because something works for you, does not mean thats the only way to do something boba.