More locals with a BUD ?

[Budnut2]

newbie here , I have a 7 ft perf
Dish with motor , and was wondering if there is any way to utilize it to increase the poor reception and increase the few local channels that I receive, by placing some sort of rabbit ear configuration where the LNB is ?
ok ...as soon as you stop laughing , I did this stuff 20 years ago and I apologize if my terminology of antiquated . But thank you in
advance for any and all comments / advice.

 

[FTA4PA]

newbie here , I have a 7 ft perf
Dish with motor , and was wondering if there is any way to utilize it to increase the poor reception and increase the few local channels that I receive, by placing some sort of rabbit ear configuration where the LNB is ?
ok ...as soon as you stop laughing , I did this stuff 20 years ago and I apologize if my terminology of antiquated . But thank you in
advance for any and all comments / advice.

Welcome to Satellite Guys! I remember reading a thread about that here a while back but can't recall whether it was feasible or not. If I find it I will post the link. In the meantime here is a thread about the old Channel Master Parascope CM-4250 (and 4251) antennas. They appeared to work well so may be worth experimenting.

Got this today for $50

KVHF.COM

Forsale Lander

www.kvhf.com

 

[907TECH]

I would ask other questions first, such as what antenna configurations have you tried so far for OTA reception? What antenna(s), and at what height? What is your zip code? Checking your location on rabbitears.info is the first step. A better OTA system may be all you need. As to your original question, no it is a waste of time to try to convert a satellite dish into an OTA antenna. It is true that parabolic reflectors can be used on UHF frequencies, the problem is they are most efficient in the higher UHF channels that no longer exist. Parabolas do not make sense as you drop in frequency. Channel master found their bowtie UHF antenna model 4228 was a very close match to their parabolic antennas. So it could b made to work on a 6 foot or larger C band dish, but are you prepared to elevate your dish to 20 or 30 feet to get any performance out of it? That is where a conventional OTA antenna is going to win the battle.

 

[primestar31]

newbie here , I have a 7 ft perf
Dish with motor , and was wondering if there is any way to utilize it to increase the poor reception and increase the few local channels that I receive, by placing some sort of rabbit ear configuration where the LNB is ?
ok ...as soon as you stop laughing , I did this stuff 20 years ago and I apologize if my terminology of antiquated . But thank you in
advance for any and all comments / advice.

Yes, put this bowtie antenna in place of the LNBF, and haul it to the top of a 40ft tower, and you'll have a fantastic UHF antenna. Make SURE the rear rod screen of the antenna is facing OUT, and the elements with the black balun are facing TOWARDS the bowl of the dish: Xtreme Signal HDTV 2 Bay Bowtie Outdoor TV Antenna 35 Mile UHF Only (HDB2X) from Solid Signal

See this: Channel Master 4251 Tribute Page

If you can't see the two links I posted, disable your ad blocker, and hit REFRESH.

 

[Captain Midnight]

I know a guy who salvaged an old 10ft mesh dish and put in 1x2" paneling for a less wind loaded dish on his 40ft tower. He's even got it on a big HAM rotor for DXing. He uses a 2-bay bowtie at the focal point.

 

[Captain Midnight]

I recommend a Gray-Hoverman antenna for UHF now that UHF TV only goes up to ch 36.