Bay Area Special Antenna - not the total solution!

[chupacabra]

Hello,
Thought some of you might find this interesting:

I've been experimenting with a 'tampa bay special' antenna which is composed of 2 antennas, the top is a ladder looking yagi and is supposed to be pointed at channel 10

The bottom is a combo vhf/uhf antenna pointed at the rest of the channels.

I live in wesley chapel so channel 10 is aprox 90 degrees apart from the rest of the channesl

As I began to position both antennas using a compass , I began to realize that I could not get channel 10 at all unless I position the bottom antenna half way between both coordinates. What I concluded then was that the top yagi wasn't even getting channel 10 that I was only getting channel 10 via reflection from the bottom antenna!

My suspicions were somewhat confirmed when I spoke to an antenna specialist at Lutz TV, he said that top Yagi is good for only analog 10 and not digitial 10 (which is 24). He recommended a 3rd antenna be mounted below the other 2, a channel master 4308 pass thru with a 300 ohm cable.

I will try this in a few days and let you know.

Has anyone had any experience with this?

Thanks!

[bbubelis]

Chupacabra,

I live in New Port Richey and I'm experiencing a similar situation with the "Tampa Bay Special" as well. I'm not pleased with the signal quality of the antenna from a digital perspective on any channel. In fact, I replaced a "much maligned" Terk 35 that produced better overall signal quality with this unit.

Please keep us advised on your proposed modifications.

[OccamMD]

Neither one of you guys should need more than 2 antenna's. I wouldn't suggest adding a third, when you combine them you are going to get a good bit of loss. You could try each antenna one at a time to see if you are getting anything. I use a single CM uhf/vhf w/rotator that works great, but I know the rotator is not for everyone, but it eliminates loss due to combining.

[JBtampa]

there is one advantage to buying a bay area special package. You can replace with channel 10 antenna with a uhf and take advantage of the feed through feature on the u/v antenna. the u/v antenna in the bay area specials are designed so that another can be hooked up to it without requiring a combiner. that's a nice advantage. but, yes it does require a simple sacrifice of the channel ten antenna that it is purchased with.

[BrianSteeves]

I must be one of the lucky ones using a TBS. I'm in N. Clearwater and I get all the available digital channels without any trouble.

[OccamMD]

JB,

I don;t have one of these, but my question would be, if you replace the channel 10 analog antenna w/the channel 10 UHF digital (24) then you need a balun to go from 300 ohm to 75 before the combiner, wouldn't you. Or do they have separate inputs?

Brian,
You are probably only using the single antenna for HD. your combined UHF/VHF is picking up 10 (24 digital) beacause you are so close.

[chupacabra]

Ok, here is my update:

I just added a channelmaster 4308 FEED-THRU antenna.

The fact that it is FEED-THRU apparently is the key.

If you use a Tampa Bay special like me, the top antenna for channel 10 is analog only and CANNOT be removed because it is phased to the VHF/UHF antenna.

I bolted the CM 4308 23" below the VHF/UHF and connected to it via the 300 ohm wire, then moved the matching transformer to the 4308.

I then pointed the 4308 due west and the VHF/UHF (now the middle antenna) due south east (aprox 165 - 170 deg) and WHAM BAM THANK YOU MA'AM!!!!

Now I feel I have the total free HDTV solution! (even though it's 3 antennas) Hope this helps!!!

seeya,
Chupacabra

[JBtampa]

Occam, the set-up is to use regular old twin-lead from the channel 10 antenna to the combo antenna and then to use the balun from the output of the combo antenna to the tv. It's a short piece of twinlead and inserting baluns there would probably create extra loss. Interestingly, UHF signals are actually lost more through coax than twinlead. Of course, the standard precautions when using twinlead apply. Keep is away from metal, twist it gently, etc.

[mgd2win]

I am new to the site and think it is great...Now on to the question

What is the Tampa Special Antenna and where do I buy it or find the specs on the unit ?

I live in Westchase which is a pretty decent location as I am in the direct Line-Of-Site path between the majority of the DT transmitters to the south east (119 deg) and the WTSP (303 deg) and approx equal distance to both locations. I have to mount the antenna in my attic as we can not have external antennas in Westchase so I am trying to figure out my best solution. This special sounds just like the thing I need and I will cross my fingers that I can get CBS from the backside with out any ghosting.

** I know the FCC law states that a community HOA can not stop you from putting up ant. but the wife is stronger than the FCC and she will not allow it on the outside of the house

FYI...I talked with Channel Master Engineer and he recommended CM3016 for most of the Tampa area and then use some simple UHF with a "Join Tenna" to pass only Ch 24.

[chupacabra]

Call Dow Electronics on Adamo DR. They will refer you to a vendor in your area. 885-7074.

[jaymer]

mgd2win:
do a forum search on Westchase... several others live in that area and there's some info out there for you.
welcome to the site
jaymer...

[OccamMD]

Ithink the channel master solution is a good one.

[mgd2win]

Well spent a few fun hours in the attic yesterday rewiring for my new triple LNB sat antenna and installing a CM3016 ant.. Just let me say Florida attics are no fun to get around in if you have not had the pleasure.

Anyways, the CM 3016 is working great for all of the channels including WTSP that I am picking up the back side of the antenna. The Analog signal has ghosting but who cares I only want the digital signal.

Could not have gotten any bigger antenna in the attic so good thing I went with this unit. So any other Westchase people out there you should be fine with this unit, if you do not care about the analog signal ghosting on WTSP.

[passedpawn]

Well spent a few fun hours in the attic yesterday rewiring for my new triple LNB sat antenna and installing a CM3016 ant.. Just let me say Florida attics are no fun to get around in if you have not had the pleasure.

It's a lot more fun in August. Good way to lose a few pounds.

[MrLou]

How many channels will I be able to get with this OTA solution.


Lou

[Floyd]

It depends on your location and antenna.
I'm in N. Tampa with an antenna in the attic, and I get:

3-1 3-2 3-5
8-1 8-2 8-3
10-1
13-1
28-1
38-1
44-1
47-1
66-1