Rick,
Be careful who you call ignorant. HDTV is NOT UHF only. After the
digital transition most stations went to UHF. However, there are still a
lot digital stations in the high VHF range (channels 7-13). I can
receive 4 high VHF stations in my area (Fort Collins, north of Denver
CO). There are also still a handful of digital TV (full power) stations
in the US in the low VHF range (channels 2-6). On Channel 2 there are 8
left in the US (nearest to me is KREX-TV in Grand Junction, CO) and 2 in
Canada.
There are also more low power TV (LPTV) stations on Channel 2 (on the
order of 50 in the US). Since LPTV stations haven't been required to
transition to digital yet there is a mix of analog and digital LPTV
stations.
So, if anyone asks, tell them you are trying to get DX reception of
KSNV-DT in Las Vegas (nearest full power RF channel 2 to you) or KFTY-LD
in Santa Rosa, CA (nearest low power digital TV station to you).
John
AC0ZG
On 2/26/2014 1:43 PM, Rick WA6NHC wrote:
I live in an HOA infested area, my mistake.
Six meters is a LOT of fun now that the concerns over channel two
interference are gone. When it is open, it's 'magic' to the point
that almost anything works well.
I intend to put up a 'TV' beam antenna (not allowed by the HOA but
others are around so that practice is ignored). At least to the
uninformed, it 'looks' like a TV antenna in size and shape. I will
take advantage of the common ignorance that HDTV is UHF, not VHF (need
a smaller antenna now). It will 'just happen' to resonate REALLY well
on six meters. ;o) It's not my fault the HOA is ignorant and I don't
intend to inform them of this matter. ;-) The only real trick is that
I don't own the roof or the outer 'skin' but since I'll be getting a
new roof, I figure a case of beer or a bottle of Scotch to the actual
roofer will be helpful in making connections to the roof. I'll have
them install a weatherhead for feedline, then have THEM attach the
anchor to the roof and supporting mast (it will already be >40' above
dirt, can't be taller because of a nearby airport). Then I'll um,
simply take advantage of what they left behind (and do the install
when folks are at school/work). I may even try it on a TV. ;o)
In the meantime, I made a J pole tuned for the upper end of the band
(back deck, completely HOA legal). I can work the club repeater and
others, while listening for band openings (KRX3). It isn't ideal (too
many of my computers, too close to the house), but I'm still building
the station up while keeping most of it stealth. Six meters has
better coverage in hilly country than two meters, so wide area
coverage is pretty easy here (Sierra foothills). [The club repeaters
are 6M-900Mhz with interties possible so we saturate our target area.]
So yes, a beam would be an excellent idea. The cost for building a J
pole varies with the cost of copper (don't use thin wall and don't use
half inch on the lower halves, it flops too much, ask me how I know).
73,
Rick wa6nhc
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