Need help getting PBS

[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. 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.

 

[Tower Guy]

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.

 

[Dishpointer]

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

 

[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.

 

[Dishpointer]

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

 

[Tower Guy]

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.

 

[Splicer]

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.:up

 

[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.

 

[Splicer]

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.

 

[boba]

Splicer no I don't have exactly the same setup as OP but I do have broadcast channels on 8,9,11 at 189* and 61 miles distance. I also have a channel 12 broadcast at 351* 40 mi. away coming in on the same high VHF antenna. These signals are 162 degrees apart. Op is looking at signals 178* apart and no I haven't gone looking for his antenna web or TV fool to compare distances and outputs but I do believe in "KISS" and for me it works.

 

[Splicer]

But you are still missing the point boba. The OP is not getting the desired channel(s) using solely the 4228 that he already has, so he ordered the CS600. Now, were he to use the advice you give, he would be denying himself of a minimum of one station and all sub channels associated with that channel which could be 5 total channels.

In HIS case, the KISS principle is what I said needs to be done. Towerguy even agrees and said the HLSJ is what is needed. I just went into more detail because BOTH a HLSJ & UVSJ are needed. And it is still very simple and very inexpensive to do it correctly the first time around. And that way is what I wrote.

That is cool you get what you want from the backside of your antenna, but I did look at the antennafool plot and this is what he needs to do to maximize (with consistent & stable reception) his OTA channel lineup.

 

[Dishpointer]

Thanks again guys for the help. I received my order yesterday and only ordered the antenna and the UVSJ. I didn't see Splicers post until after I ordered everything so I guess the best thing for me to do is hook up the new antenna and UVSJ and see if it works. If it doesn't then I can always order the HLSJ and a couple more splitters. I think I might have a signal booster that Comcast gave me when I had cable. I don't know what the brand is but it looks similar to the Motorola but is white. Do you think it will work?

 

[boba]

It may work cable didn't use the same frequencies that OTA did but the amplifier may cover all the UHF frequencies even if made for a cable company.

 

[harshness]

It may work cable didn't use the same frequencies that OTA...

Huh?

Comcast uses the same range of frequencies as OTA and more.

OTA is currently in the range of 54-88MHz (VHF low), 174-216MHz (VHF high) and 470-698MHz (UHF).

Cable may use from 7MHz to 1002MHz.

 

[Splicer]

I think I might have a signal booster that Comcast gave me when I had cable. I don't know what the brand is but it looks similar to the Motorola but is white. Do you think it will work?

Absolutely, it will work for OTA.

 

[Tower Guy]

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.

How sure are you that an HLSJ won't pass UHF on the H port?

 

[Splicer]

As sure as I am that the VHF port on a UVSJ won't pass UHF.

 

[No Static At All]

As sure as I am that the VHF port on a UVSJ won't pass UHF.

I'm not sure about all HLSJ's, but the Pico Macom HLSJ does not attenuate any of the UHF frequencies used for TV. I tried this on analog RF-68 (83 miles) with no noticable attenuation. I also tried this on digital RF 26 & 44 (69 miles) & see no difference on the signal strength meter.

 

[Splicer]

Well in that case, maybe the OP should experiment with the HLSJ. I know the UVSJ won't pass anything it isn't supposed to on the UHF/VHF ports as I've tried. The single HLSJ I ever used (don't recall the make) wouldn't pass UHF anything, but that was 2-3 years ago, and I never attempted it again. You know what they say, lesson learned.

 

[Tower Guy]

As sure as I am that the VHF port on a UVSJ won't pass UHF.

The spec sheet says that the Holland HLSJ passes up to 600 mhz on the H port. That's channel 36.

http://www.hollandelectronics.com/catalog/upload_file/Filters-Diplexers.pdf

Other brands may differ.