No Waivers/Multiswitch/OTA rooftop

[mattmill]

Having been denied waivers for the second time I am thinking of buying a rooftop antenna for the OTA networks.

Currently I have a round dish with dual running into a 3x4 multiswitch and distributed to a regular receiver and a DirecTiVo (2 in and 3 out). On the in side there is also a in for OTA antenna connection. Will the multiswitch act as a diplexer and then only need one on the other end of the runs to split back out and how do you do this with a Tivo (HDVR2) Just pick on of the leads?

Thanks, my last attempt is to physically walk into the network offices and ask very politely for a waiver but kind of doubt they will give one since they will be broadcasting at the end of the year through D*. I just have no line of sight for 119.

thanks for any help.

matt

[scooper]

Yes - your multiswitch also acts like a diplexor, so yes, getting a diplexor for each TV at the other end should set you up fine. Just make sure to get an antenna adequate for reception in your location.

[mattmill]

Thanks Scooper,
What about the HDVR2? Do I just pick one of the leads to use the diplexor on?

matt

[boba]

Both lines going to your Tivo will have the OTA signal on it so choose 1 and put a diplexer on it. You will also have signal loss in the OTA signal at least equivalent to a 4 way splitter so put up a larger antenna if possible.

[mattmill]

Both lines going to your Tivo will have the OTA signal on it so choose 1 and put a diplexer on it. You will also have signal loss in the OTA signal at least equivalent to a 4 way splitter so put up a larger antenna if possible.

Starting to really research an antenna and Radio Shack wants me to buy their 190 (160") antenna and will not allow returns on a smaller setup. This is really frustrating since nobody stocks antennas here but RS. On antenna web I fall in the Blue (medium directional w/amp) here they say no amp just bigger antenna. How do you decipher all this? My original D* installer is useless and only sells "stealth" antennas that in his words are a great outside version of a rabbit ears for only the low, low price of $280.

Is the multiswich=4 way splitter the need for a larger antenna or just an amp?

matt

[boba]

If you increase the size of the antenna you will increase the amount of signal captured. This is generally the better way to increase signal strength, if you amplify the signal you add electronic noise into the signal. In some cases a combination of a larger antenna and an amplifier are needed to produce a good signal.

A 3dB change in signal strength halves or doubles the signal. Most 2 way splitters are rated as 3.5dB loss or slightly less than half the signal is lost on each leg. A 4way splitter has 7dB of loss or 1/4th of the signal is available at each output. there is also loss in the cable itself so a shorter cable run will deliver more signal. The normally available amplifiers are 15dB or 25dB you would run the TV antenna into the amplifier then into the multiswitch. Too much amplification can be as bad as too little you can overdrive the tuner and cause a grainy picture. Enough, quick lesson on TV antennas is over, except for one other fact the narrow end of the antenna is the front and needs to be pointed at the broadcast tower.

[mattmill]

Enough, quick lesson on TV antennas is over, except for one other fact the narrow end of the antenna is the front and needs to be pointed at the broadcast tower.

Kind of like a backward funnel.

I talked to the local independent installer that worked for the company that I got the receivers from and he dropped off a Terk clip on for me to try this week to see what I could get from that before buying big. We'll see :shrug:

matt

[boba]

Lots of luck with the amplified rabbit ears.

[mattmill]

That's why he is just loaning them to me to try. He said they will be good. I said no way. I go through this exercise of futility before I drill holes in my roof on Saturday. 3 out of 5 networks are pretty good with unamplified rabbit ears on top of the sets. Of course the 2 we don't get are the ones we want.

matt


chainsaw at midnight on the neighbor's trees is the next option :angel:

[mattmill]

Lots of luck with the amplified rabbit ears.

What a waste. Spent 30 minutes hooking it up so that I could spend 30 minutes boxing it up again. Not even close to the regular UNamplified rabbit ears. only could receive 1 of the channels and worse than before.

Tomorrow I'm off to pick up a giant lighting rod for the house ;)

matt

[scooper]

Remember that the large "lightening attractor" works best OUTSIDE and not in your attic - also to properly ground it to minimize "lightening attraction".