Convert VHF-LO Elements To VHF-HI

[TheTechGuru]

Since VHF-LO is not used anymore I would like to trim down the VHF-LO elements on my antenna to convert them to VHF-HI.

How do I calculate the correct length they need to be trimmed to?

 

[navychop]

VHF LO is still used in many areas.

 

[Mr Tony]

and why chop up a good antenna?

 

[Mr Tony]

VHF LO is still used in many areas.

not as many as you think...its way less

 

[boba]

Your antenna already has elements for VHF HI so you probably wouldn't gain anything except aluminum scrap.

 

[TheTechGuru]

I also want to do it to cut down on the wind resistance.

 

[boba]

Then cut off the back six elements 3 from each side. The long elements are your low VHF.

 

[Jim5506]

The antenna was designed with all elements intact, cutting some off or removing them might make the performance of the overall antenna worse.

 

[boba]

The antenna was designed with all elements intact, cutting some off or removing them might make the performance of the overall antenna worse.

But he wants to remove wind resistance, that seems to have more importance than performance.

 

[pamajestic]

For a quick test without permanent damage you can unbolt and completely remove the back 4 reflectors. The crossover wires on top are attached to the front with wing nuts. Completely remove the lower boom and move the mast forward for better balance. If you get the desired results I would shorten and reinstall the lower boom for permanent mounting. I did this with the front of an old vu-190 and it works great.

 

[Bob2011]

It looks like a Radio Shack VU-120 which probably has 6 or 7 db gain on VHF-Hi. The problem is that it is a log periodic design and was designed a certain way to cover both bands. Trimming or removing elements could really screw up the gain profile.

I would just replace it with this : http://www.solidsignal.com/pview.as...ls-713-(Y5713)&c=TV Antennas&sku=716079000987

If you need more gain there is a larger model for around $40.

For both VHF-Hi and UHF similar to yours : http://www.solidsignal.com/pview.as...F-Outdoor-HDTV-Antenna-(HBU33)&sku=1607900500

 

[coinmaster32]

Get a UHF only antenna. About $40. This one has 59 elements.

 

[TheTechGuru]

It looks like a Radio Shack VU-120 which probably has 6 or 7 db gain on VHF-Hi. The problem is that it is a log periodic design and was designed a certain way to cover both bands. Trimming or removing elements could really screw up the gain profile.

I would just replace it with this : http://www.solidsignal.com/pview.as...ls-713-(Y5713)&c=TV Antennas&sku=716079000987

If you need more gain there is a larger model for around $40.

For both VHF-Hi and UHF similar to yours : http://www.solidsignal.com/pview.as...F-Outdoor-HDTV-Antenna-(HBU33)&sku=1607900500

Get a UHF only antenna. About $40. This one has 59 elements.

I need access to BOTH VHF-HI and UHF. I am in the Dallas market and CBS is on VHF 11 and ABC is on VHF 8. CBS does have a UHF clone feed but ABC is VHF only.

The ideal replacement ain't cheap.

http://www.solidsignal.com/pview.as...tion-VHFUHF-HD769-Series-TV-Antenna-(HD7698P)

Well, if it ain't broke, don't fix it. Not going to mess with it for now.