(meteorobs) Newbie - Antenna and transmitter selection

[stange34 at sbcglobal.net]

Try this..... might work better. :-)

http://users.tns.net/~bb/rsfmyagi.htm

Larry
YC Sentinel

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Siddhartha Jain" <siddhartha at siddharthajain.net>
To: "Global Meteor Observing Forum" <meteorobs at meteorobs.org>
Sent: 2007/05/08 12:11
Subject: Re: (meteorobs) Newbie - Antenna and transmitter selection


> Thanks, Larry, Tom and George for your valuable inputs. I finally went
> with a Radioshack 6-element antenna (part#15-2163) because it was just
> $25 and I wouldn't have to wait for the UPS guy :) The antenna is
> mounted on a tripod about four feet off the ground and is pointing
> south (north is blocked by my apartment itself) at a small elevation
> of maybe 25 degrees. The setup has done wonders to my signal
> reception. Almost all FM frequencies come in at full signal strength
> now as indicated by the TX-480's signal strength meter. And that's
> also my problem now that almost all frequencies seem to be used.
>
> Will keep the list updated once I find something interesting.
>
> Thanks again,
>
> - Siddhartha
>
>
> On 5/3/07, stange34 at sbcglobal.net <stange34 at sbcglobal.net> wrote:
>> I would suggest the Wingard SPR6000 of the two you have selected.
>>
>> The reason:
>>
>> 1) The Philips antenna is designed for multi-band operation covering the 
>> TV
>> UHF & VHF frequencies plus FM. This means you are paying mostly for 
>> antenna
>> elements (the TV stuff) you will not be using.
>>
>> 2) Very little of the Philips antenna is for FM.
>>
>> 3) You should concentrate.... on dedicated high gain FM antennas ONLY
>> without any TV features.
>>
>> You will probably find that given your antenna location and restricted
>> height.... the best aiming point will probably not be in the exact 
>> direction
>> of the Redding station due to reflections from the apt. buildings. Test 
>> this
>> with a folded dipole (on the FM stations frequency) to see what direction 
>> &
>> angular elevation results in the strongest carrier signal from that 
>> Redding
>> station with your radios' S-meter. Do this for any other distant FM 
>> station
>> you might decide to use later.
>>
>> You should also know that the characteristics of a Yagi are influenced by
>> their surroundings and height. They operate at optimum only when not
>> physically confined and subject to re-reflected signals from other nearby
>> surfaces on that frequency.
>>
>> Larry
>> YC Sentinel
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "Siddhartha Jain" <siddhartha at siddharthajain.net>
>> To: <meteorobs at meteorobs.org>
>> Sent: 2007/05/03 17:44
>> Subject: (meteorobs) Newbie - Antenna and transmitter selection
>>
>>
>> > Hi,
>> >
>> > I am a newbie to the world of radio expertise and FM meteor
>> > observation. To pursue this interest, I recently acquired a Yamaha
>> > TX-480 FM receiver that is currently hooked to a cheap radioshack
>> > indoor TV/FM rabbit ears antenna. The FM reception with this setup is
>> > rather weak (generally all radio reception including cellular is
>> > pretty weak in my apartment). So I was wondering about enhancing this
>> > setup with an outdoor Yagi antenna. But the apartment complex rules
>> > restrict any antenna sticking above the patio fence which is approx 7
>> > feet high. Does it make sense to install a yagi antenna this low? If
>> > yes, can someone please help me choose between the following two?
>> >
>> > Philips MANT900 20 element antenna
>> > http://www.buy.com/prod/magnavox-mant-900-20-element-vhf-uhf-fm-outdoor-antenna/q/loc/111/90116815.html
>> >
>> > Winegard PR 6000 PROSTAR 1000 FM Antenna - 4 element yagi
>> > http://www.solidsignal.com/prod_display.asp?PROD=SPR6000
>> >
>> > I understand that the former will have better gain/reception etc but
>> > if the latter can do the job just fine then I would like to avoid the
>> > bulk of the former. From Santa Clara, CA (95051), I am trying to
>> > listen to a 100kW transmitter in Redding CA at 104.3Mhz  that is 230
>> > miles to the north. Is this a good selection monitor?
>> >
>> > Any pointers or help will be greatly appreciated.
>> >
>> > Thanks,
>> >
>> > - Siddhartha
>> > ---
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>>
>>
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