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Channel Master Stealthtenna question

S

StanGL

I would like to try out the small, but medium directional antenna called Stealthtenna made by Channel Master. The model number is 3010 and its features are that I can pick up VHF/FM signals with a maximum range of 45 miles, plus UHF and digital UHF with up to 30 mile range. It and some Channel Master products should be available at my local Lowe's store.

The question I am asking is that since it is a directional antenna, I am trying to pick up a translator from 95.3 which is relaying the oldies station broadcasting from 107.7, which its transmitter is 20 miles due north of my home. The 95.3 translator is located three miles NE of here, on the other side of the mountain. Due to heavy interference by two nearby signals, I couldn't pick up that signal, as well as the parent signal(on 107.7). In the car, I can pick up two stations fairly easy without signal loss. So to try to pick up the nearest translator three miles northeast from my location, I regularly used the long, Y-shaped dipole antenna which is included with the stereo system I brought almost 20 years ago.

I am listening in Wilkes-Barre, with an elevation of around 600ft, and surrounded with two mountains, the one on the south side sits several TV and FM transmitters, and the one on the north with the one I am trying to pick up being three miles away from where I am.

So far there were good reviews on the antenna, which is primarily used for receiving HDTV and analog TV signals, but before I decide to purchase one as a X-Mas gift, I want your opinion on this and other Channel Master antenna you currently use for DXing.
 
Wow - a lot of specific questions there. Here are some generalities that might help. First of all - those milage estimates are worthless. I used a Radio Shack yagi for 230 mile DX (Austin to Dallas) and it worked just find, in spite of their milage estimates. But - DX is all the antenna. Since Radio Shack is selling out their stock, you might want to hurry while there might still be some - it undoubtedly will work better than a TV /FM combo and only costs about $30.

It sounds like you could benefit from the narrow ceramic filter trick in your radio as much as from an antenna. There are a lot of web sites giving details of how to do it - it is one of those times that you get a win-win scenario - more selectivity and more sensitivity at the same time. Cheap "sparrow feed" tuners get incredible DX with the modification and a decent antenna.

Another remote possibility - if you have access to the mountain top - install two antennas back to back - one pointed at the towers, the other pointed into your valley. Connect them together, and you make a passive reflector that will benefit your entire area.
 
Passive Reflector? By this, I assume you mean an unpowered installation--no amplification. Would this really work? If it would, I'm surprised it has not been widely used, by both stations and individuals. If it would work for FM, seems like it could also be used for TV, at least VHF. The whole idea seems unlikely to me.
 
Yes, it works. It is not used as widely as it once was, but you have gain on both sides of the reflector, enough to make a very low powered "transmitter" at the top of the mountain. Cost is very low for the benefits you get.
 
And you can point the "sweet spot" directly at your house.
 
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