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Introduction
Ben Stallions,
Stallions Satellite and Antenna
UHF Reception
UHF signals, due to the physics of radio frequency transmission, are inherently less
efficient in the conversion of radio waves to the electrical signals used by the television
receiver, and are subject to more losses from some environmental conditions than VHF
signals. Good UHF TV reception therefore requires more attention to antenna
installation and tuning (on older TV's and VCR's) compared to VHF TV reception. On
the other hand, some VHF channels are subject to certain types of interference to
which UHF channels are generally immune.
Perfect reception for television signals can't be guaranteed simply because there are
too many variables involved. However, by following the recommendations in this guide,
the chances for clear reception will be greatly improved.
Improving UHF reception can be a do-it-yourself job. Even if the work is given to a
professional, the information in this guide will provide a better understanding of what is
needed and what can be expected.
I f UHF reception in general is bad, how it's bad can help determine the problem.
"Snow" is visual noise caused by a weak signal, poor antenna system, the set itself, or
a combination of these. "Ghosts" or multiple images are caused by a signal arriving
from two or more directions simultaneously reflected off buildings, trees and hills. A
good antenna system often solves these reception problems. An outdoor antenna is
better than an indoor antenna, and an indoor antenna is better than no antenna at all. If
an outdoor antenna is needed for good VHF reception, you'll almost certainly need an
outdoor antenna for good UHF reception. But if good VHF reception can be obtained
with an indoor antenna, a bowtie or other UHF antenna on the TV may also work.
Indoor antennas:
All indoor antennas can be adversely affected by the walls of a house, inadequate
height, and by movement of people in the room-as may be noticed with VHF "rabbit
ears". Loop or single bow tie UHF antennas are usually not satisfactory. They are
difficult to adjust for maximum signal pick up or for elimination of ghosts. Most indoor
combination VHF/UHF antennas have a multi-position switch that can be adjusted to
help get the best picture quality and some even have a built-in
amplifier. As a rule, these antennas are not good for UHF.
Most portable TV's have a VHF/UHF telescoping rod antenna,
or "monopole", and normally UHF reception is poor with it, but
can be enhanced when the antenna is shortened to a length of
7 to 12 inches.
The best indoor antenna
If an indoor UHF antenna must be used, the Zenith ZHDTV1Z (pictured) is the best
choice. But, keep in mind that nearly all outdoor antennas are always better than even
the best indoor antennas. Make sure the antenna wires are connected to the UHF
terminals on the back of the TV and/or VCR.
Outdoor Antennas
T here are many different types of outdoor antennas available in a wide price range.
The type selected is determined primarily by the geographic location of the receiving
TV.
Gain can also vary from channel to channel on the same antenna and it can also vary
between different antennas. For example, an antenna's gain at Channel 14 may be
8dB, but the gain at channel 69 may be 13dB. These are just a few reasons why it is
very important to compare antenna specifications and get the right antenna for the area
that you live in.
Where buildings or other obstructions cause "ghosts", an antenna with good directivity
is recommended. Directivity is the ability to receive only those signals at which an
antenna is pointed. Highly directive antennas have narrow receiving angles (measured
in degrees) and high "front to back ratios". These ratios represent the antennas ability
to receive signals from the front of the antenna compared to receiving the same signals
from the back of the antenna. The higher the front-to-back ratio is on an antenna, the
more it will try to reject any unwanted signals from the rear of the antenna. This is
especially helpful in areas where adjacent channel interference is a problem or where
there are two channels on the same frequency and only one channel is desired. This is
called "co-channel interference".
If already have good TV reception on the VHF channels, it will probably be less
expensive to add a good quality UHF antenna on the same mounting mast. The
separate UHF antenna also will permit pointing to VHF and UHF TV stations which may
have their broadcast antennas in different directions from your location.
Channel" TV Antenna
Antenna Rotators
Rotators are used to turn the TV antenna toward the desired TV station's broadcast
antenna.
Once the rotator motor has been mounted below the antenna and the rotor wire has
been run and connected to the rotator control inside, all you have to do is program each
station's position into the rotor control using the remote. Then it's just a matter of
entering the desired TV station's two digit channel number (such as "07" for channel 7)
into the rotor's remote control and the antenna turns to the proper position for that
channel.
Antenna Downlead
Twinlead: (Pictured)
Costs more initially, but less frequent replacement makes it less costly in time.
May need a balun transformer at the antenna and a band separator at the TV
and VCR
Requires the use of coax "F" connectors to connect to equipment.
Lasts much longer than twinlead (more than 15 years).
Signal strength loss (attenuation) doesn't increase when wet or with age.
Is much better at rejecting interference.
Looks better.
RG-6 type doesn't lose as much signal as RG-59 type.
As with most products, not all coax cable is made equally. Poor quality coax cable and
connectors are one of the leading contributors to poor TV reception. Belden and
Comm/Scope are good brands of coax cable to look for, while Thomas & Betts
(formerly Augat/LRC) and Gilbert are good brands of coax cable connectors. If you plan
on making a lot of coax connections, invest in a coax cable stripper and coax cable
connector crimper. These tools that cost around $15.00 each will help you make better
connections and could possibly save you time and money later on.
Most combination or "all channel" VHF/UHF antennas have a connection for a single
downlead, and in most locations a single high quality coax cable will deliver good VHF
and UHF signals. However, a single downlead cannot be connected to both the VHF
and UHF 300 ohm terminals on older TV's and VCR's. Instead, a VHF/UHF band
separator with an input for coax is required. Connect the downlead coax cable to the
input, and the two pairs of wires at the other end to the appropriate VHF and UHF
terminals on the TV and/or VCR.
Signal splitters can also reduce signal strength. If you have more than 4 TV outlets
connected to your antenna system, there is a good chance that you will need to use a
distribution amplifier to improve the picture quality that has been degraded due to the
added TV outlets.
Preamplifiers
Installation
Most houses either have a roof with eaves or have a hipped roof. On homes
with an eave, use an eave mount. On homes that have a hipped roof, use a
wall bracket.
Higher is usually better, but not always. In weak signal areas, probe for the
best signal. The antenna should not be mounted more than six feet above the
mounting bracket. Mounting an antenna higher than this requires the use of a
TV tower or mast with guy wires.
Don't install the antenna in a place where tree limbs can damage it, now, or in
the future.
The shorter the downlead, the less signal loss (attenuation) you will have in the
cable run, resulting in a stronger signal at the TV.
Avoid attaching the antenna to any chimney, whether it is currently being used
or not. The surface area of an antenna under high winds can impose a lot of
force against a chimney and possibly damage it. Also, fumes and smoke suit
are harmful to the surface of the aluminum antenna and will eventually lead to
loss of performance from the antenna.
Tips on installation
Check the area to be sure there are no power lines nearby that could touch the
antenna, even if the antenna fell after a storm. A minimum of twice the height of
the antenna off of the ground should be kept between the antenna and the
power lines.
More than one television (or FM radio) may be connected to one antenna by using a
signal splitter. Most splitters weaken signals. Usually if a 2, 3, or 4-way signal splitter is
added it will not weaken the signals enough to justify adding a distribution amplifier to
the system. If however there are more than four outlets in the house, a distribution
amplifier will more than likely be needed.
Life Expectancy
Regardless of initial quality, antennas and downlead gradually deteriorate with age.
Pollutants and salt ocean air are particularly destructive. If some or all of the channels
gradually become weaker over time, then it is a good possibility that the antenna
system needs to be looked at, and possibly replaced. Inexpensive antennas will usually
last anywhere from 7-10 years, while high quality antennas such as Winegard and
Channel Master antennas can last more than 15 years. This is about how long most of
the components of a high quality antenna system will last.
Cable systems rarely carry a UHF station on its own UHF channel. UHF stations are
usually transmitted either on an unused VHF channel or on one of the special cable
channels available on a cable-ready TV, VCR, or through a set-top converter furnished
to the subscriber by the cable company. The cable company will provide a listing of
channels to which the UHF channels have been converted.
Occasionally a converted UHF signal will show interference from a strong adjacent
channel. If a neighbor of yours who has cable TV has the same problem on their TV,
ask the cable company to correct the problem.
If you have questions about TV reception problems and solutions not covered on this
page, please contact us.