OTA Antenna Question

[Marv B]

Anyone out there familiar with this OTA outdoor antenna? This was installed on my roof in 2010, and was briefly removed when a new roof was put on a few months ago, then pointed in the opposite direction. My landlord came over and moved it back somewhat, but I'm still not getting all the channels I need. I used to be unable to pick up my local ABC station in Tulsa (Ch 8), but have now discovered something changed a couple of years ago that made it easier to pick up. Now the local Fox station has moved to Ch 8.2, so it's critical to get a strong signal from there. I'm not having much luck as far as bringing in a strong signal. I'm trying to take care of this myself since I can't afford a service call. I don't see any outdoor antennas that look like this when I look online. I'm still hoping this one will eventually bring in all the channels I need when I get this figured out. (This was apparently moved out of Dish Network forum, but I do have this hooked up to a Hopper Duo, and check my signal strength through that).

 

[comfortably_numb]

If it was something installed by Dish, HipKat probably knows what it is

 

[osu1991]

Are you getting any channels at all? All the main stations transmitters (2,6,8,23,41) are out near the turnpike north of Coweta and all are UHF now except for KJRH (2). KTUL (8) changed frequencies a few years ago moving from VHF to UHF that's why it's easier to get now. It does suck that Sinclair got their minions to buy KOKI and then sell the Fox affiliation to Sinclair to put on the KTUL subchannel.

They now get another wrongful termination lawsuit from Sunny Leigh for firing her at KOKI after the move due to her and Mark Bradshaw's lawsuits over their terminations at KTUL when Sinclair fired everyone and moved the broadcast operations to their station in OKC.

If it's a directional type antenna then the flat top should probably be pointed towards the Muskogee Turnpike and the north side of Coweta. Having the flat top lends to perhaps being some sort of Omni directional antenna.

Do you have pics of how it was pointed before it was removed. Was there an amp connected anywhere that's perhaps missing.

 

[comfortably_numb]

Other thoughts/questions: is it amplified? Is there a power inserter somewhere?

 

[navychop]

I think the name of that antenna is "needs replacement."

 

[pamajestic]

Under that plastic shell is either a basic loop or single bow tie antenna. That should face the stations you are trying to receive. So the biggest part of the plastic is what you would consider the front. You are essentially pointing towards the sky right now. If it worked before the new roof there's no reason it should not work now.

You need to rotate the front down so that it is 90° to the Earth then go back and forth to pinpoint your best signal.

If this part of the house is visible from the street maybe go to Google Street view to remind yourself which way it was pointed.

 

[Marv B]

Under that plastic shell is either a basic loop or single bow tie antenna. That should face the stations you are trying to receive. So the biggest part of the plastic is what you would consider the front. You are essentially pointing towards the sky right now. If it worked before the new roof there's no reason it should not work now.

You need to rotate the front down so that it is 90° to the Earth then go back and forth to pinpoint your best signal.

If this part of the house is visible from the street maybe go to Google Street view to remind yourself which way it was pointed.

Thanks so much to those of you who replied! I did find this pic I had of how things used to look. This is looking north from my back yard, with the antenna pointed slightly ESE. The only concern I would have is trees that have gotten a little higher each year, but were still not interfering with anything as of the recent roof replacement in October. Right now, I have moved this to where KTUL-8 and Fox 8.2 are coming in, but KJRH-2 isn't even showing up on the scan. KOTV-6 is a bit weaker at this point, and it's usually 100%. I've got to get back up there and figure out how to get this looking like it did, and hope the trees aren't in the way. Thanks again, and I'll let you know if I can get this adjusted.

 

[dishdude]

I don't know why roofers always install the J mount backwards.

 

[Marv B]

Thanks so much to those of you who replied! I did find this pic I had of how things used to look. This is looking north from my back yard, with the antenna pointed slightly SE. The only concern I would have is trees that have gotten a little higher each year, but were still not interfering with anything as of the recent roof replacement in October. Right now, I have moved this to where KTUL-8 and Fox 8.2 are coming in, but KJRH isn't even showing up on the scan. KOTV is a bit weaker at this point, and it's usually 100%. I've got to get back up there and figure out how to get this looking like it did, and hope the trees aren't in the way. Thanks again, and I'll let you know if I can get this adjusted.

Here's what my situation looks like on the FCC DTV Reception Maps page. From my location near 4th & Yale in Tulsa. I'm 16 miles from KOTV-6 CBS (125 degrees), 21 miles from KTUL-8 ABC (128 degrees).

 

[Marv B]

Are you getting any channels at all? All the main stations transmitters (2,6,8,23,41) are out near the turnpike north of Coweta and all are UHF now except for KJRH (2). KTUL (8) changed frequencies a few years ago moving from VHF to UHF that's why it's easier to get now. It does suck that Sinclair got their minions to buy KOKI and then sell the Fox affiliation to Sinclair to put on the KTUL subchannel.

They now get another wrongful termination lawsuit from Sunny Leigh for firing her at KOKI after the move due to her and Mark Bradshaw's lawsuits over their terminations at KTUL when Sinclair fired everyone and moved the broadcast operations to their station in OKC.

If it's a directional type antenna then the flat top should probably be pointed towards the Muskogee Turnpike and the north side of Coweta. Having the flat top lends to perhaps being some sort of Omni directional antenna.

Do you have pics of how it was pointed before it was removed. Was there an amp connected anywhere that's perhaps missing.

Found the pic and posted. No amp connected anywhere. I seem to either get 2 & 6 real well, but weak to no signal on 8 and 8.2 (now Fox). Moved it around to bring in 8 & 8.2, but then 2 didn't scan in.

 

[osu1991]

Found the pic and posted. No amp connected anywhere. I seem to either get 2 & 6 real well, but weak to no signal on 8 and 8.2 (now Fox). Moved it around to bring in 8 & 8.2, but then 2 didn't scan in.

I would worry about the tree coverage. Lots of big old trees in those older neighborhoods around TU.

KJRH 2 is broadcast on VHF channel 8. That antenna probably has little to no VHF reception capabilities.

Can you receive channel 44 the Ion networks? Channel 2 is also broadcast in 720p on 2-11 from the transmitter in Okmulgee for the Ion networks. If you can get 44 then 2-11 will scan in and probably be a more reliable signal for you with that antenna than the primary feed on 2-1.

If you can move it to point more towards the middle of Coweta and Okmulgee you may be able to scan in the channels for 6,8 and 44 which will also scan in 2-11.

An antenna that can do both VHF and UHF frequencies would be better. Something inexpensive like this

Amazon.com: UltraPro Outdoor HD Digital, Long Range Smart TV Antenna, Supports 4K 1080P HD VHF UHF, J Mount Included for Attic or Outdoor, Weather Resistant, 65000 : Electronics

Amazon.com: UltraPro Outdoor HD Digital, Long Range Smart TV Antenna, Supports 4K 1080P HD VHF UHF, J Mount Included for Attic or Outdoor, Weather Resistant, 65000 : Electronics

www.amazon.com

I use a slightly larger version in my attic in Broken Arrow to receive all the primary networks (2,5,8,11,19,23,41,44,47,53)

Amazon.com

 

[Foxbat]

On the style of antenna showed in your pictures, usually the flat square plate is vertical, not angled, and certainly not pointed to the sky. The ones that are saucer-shaped are usually omni-directional and the flat surface would be horizontal. But RCA/Terk have a square or rectangular omni antenna that is mounted horizontally so I guess the best way to know is to read a label or markings on the antenna itself to be sure.

The other question would be if it is actually a TV antenna, as there are Wireless Internet Providers that use an antenna that looks like the picture in the original post.

 

[comfortably_numb]

there are Wireless Internet Providers that use an antenna that looks like the picture in the original post.

I was going to suggest the same thing

 

[Marv B]

On the style of antenna showed in your pictures, usually the flat square plate is vertical, not angled, and certainly not pointed to the sky. The ones that are saucer-shaped are usually omni-directional and the flat surface would be horizontal. But RCA/Terk have a square or rectangular omni antenna that is mounted horizontally so I guess the best way to know is to read a label or markings on the antenna itself to be sure.

The other question would be if it is actually a TV antenna, as there are Wireless Internet Providers that use an antenna that looks like the picture in the original post.

This is what I ended up with after messing with things today. This position did seem to be the one with the most channels found in a scan (60), even though I only watch 4 of them. I'm now getting KJRH-2 again, along with KOTV-6, and KTUL-8.1/KOKI-8.2. KOTV-6 is the only strong 100% reception, with the others showing around 80%. Also, here's a shot of the trees I'll be dealing with.

 

[Marv B]

I would worry about the tree coverage. Lots of big old trees in those older neighborhoods around TU.

KJRH 2 is broadcast on VHF channel 8. That antenna probably has little to no VHF reception capabilities.

Can you receive channel 44 the Ion networks? Channel 2 is also broadcast in 720p on 2-11 from the transmitter in Okmulgee for the Ion networks. If you can get 44 then 2-11 will scan in and probably be a more reliable signal for you with that antenna than the primary feed on 2-1.

If you can move it to point more towards the middle of Coweta and Okmulgee you may be able to scan in the channels for 6,8 and 44 which will also scan in 2-11.

An antenna that can do both VHF and UHF frequencies would be better. Something inexpensive like this

Amazon.com: UltraPro Outdoor HD Digital, Long Range Smart TV Antenna, Supports 4K 1080P HD VHF UHF, J Mount Included for Attic or Outdoor, Weather Resistant, 65000 : Electronics

Amazon.com: UltraPro Outdoor HD Digital, Long Range Smart TV Antenna, Supports 4K 1080P HD VHF UHF, J Mount Included for Attic or Outdoor, Weather Resistant, 65000 : Electronics

www.amazon.com

I use a slightly larger version in my attic in Broken Arrow to receive all the primary networks (2,5,8,11,19,23,41,44,47,53)

Amazon.com

Thanks very much for these suggestions! I may have to go this route if things don't work out. Picking up all 4 networks again with today's adjustment, but still concerned about how long I'll get a decent signal on some of them.

 

[tornado]

Thanks very much for these suggestions! I may have to go this route if things don't work out. Picking up all 4 networks again with today's adjustment, but still concerned about how long I'll get a decent signal on some of them.

Enjoyed seeing your picture of Lee Woodward and Lionel that I had forgotten.
What happened to those days?
You are a greater distance from the towers than I.
I really hope that you are able to keep your OTA going !
Thanks for posting !!

 

[KAB]

Thanks very much for these suggestions! I may have to go this route if things don't work out. Picking up all 4 networks again with today's adjustment, but still concerned about how long I'll get a decent signal on some of them.

Remember we're talking OTA, not Sat. Trees should not affect you much, if at all.

 

[Marv B]

Remember we're talking OTA, not Sat. Trees should not affect you much, if at all.

That's good to hear, I sure hope that's the case. However, my reception of ABC - 8.1 and Fox - 8.2 has not been too great during some of these windy days. CBS - 6 is still 100%, so I'm hoping those problems with the other two might just stem from not having the antenna aimed just right.

 

[comfortably_numb]

The more I think about this the more I agree with Foxbat - that isn't an OTA antenna. It's a wireless internet receiver/antenna. I think you're just getting lucky that it has some capability receiving signals in the OTA frequency range. If you want a small form antenna that looks like that one, there are several options.

Dish used to use these in their installs:

Televes Dinova Boss Mix UHF/VHF Outdoor HD TV Antenna (144286)

Televes Dinova Boss Mix UHF/VHF Outdoor HD TV Antenna (144286)Experience the future of television reception with the Televes Dinova Boss Mix UHF/VHF Outdoor HD TV Antenna. This state-of-the-art antenna is designed to optimize the reception of television signals, ensuring the optimum level of...

www.solidsignal.com

 

[osu1991]

Wish I still had an extra outdoor antenna. I would give it to the OP, but I gave most of that stuff away with some old channel master Ku dishes a year or so ago. I started to take the one at the lake house with me when I sold it 2 years ago, but figured it had been in the elements for a decade and my knees would appreciate me just getting a new one should I ever need another one. De-cluttering has been my motto the last 3 years since my dad passed. Everyone else in my family would just as soon pay for streaming services than use OTA or Tivo's now.