DX Question to Mike or CW or someone who might know

[jras20]

I'm thinking next weekend about cranking my antenna towards the south to Victoria in Lavaca county. I should still be able to pull in Houston stations fine with it over to Victoria shouldnt I? I would kind of like to get Corpus maybe also. I get them some at night a lot of the time. I'd like to try a diffrent direction for a while.

 

[CW]

I dont recall where you are. If you are SW of Houston, as long as you are within 30-45 miles of Sr Road Tower in Missouri City, should not be a problem; you should have adequate signal to get those stations...you MAY lose 106.9 and 97.1 as they are the north end rimshots (as well as KSBJ since its close to KHPT's tower) but the main Houston stations should still come in UNLESS you have a station on the adjacent or co channel. If you are West of Houston or closer toward Austin, you may kiss Houston goodbye depending on the beamwidth of the antenna, the strength of the other signals and how good your tuner is.

 

[Mike O]

I'm thinking next weekend about cranking my antenna towards the south to Victoria in Lavaca county. I should still be able to pull in Houston stations fine with it over to Victoria shouldnt I? I would kind of like to get Corpus maybe also. I get them some at night a lot of the time. I'd like to try a diffrent direction for a while.

jras, as CW said a lot will depend on how directonal your antenna is. If it only picks up stations in the direction it is pointed you will lose the Houston stations. If the antenna is "wide" and picks up signals off the side also it could be interesting.

Victoria has 93.3, 106.9 and 107.9 that could wipe out the Houston stations or you will have a mix of both signals.

Corpus Christi has 88.1, 88.7, 91.7, 96.5, 97.5, 99.1, 99.9, 102.9, 103.7, 104.9, and 106.9 that could do the same thing. You might have just the CC signal if the antenna is very directional or you will have the Houston area stations mixing with the Corpus Christi signals.

If it is not too difficult to change the direction of your antenna, go for it. It should be interesting to hear how your results turn out.

There seems to be some good ducting starting up in the Houston area, it could be an interesting night. The strongest signals are coming in from Louisiana late this afternoon. May spend some time on the FM band tonight.

Mike O

 

[jras20]

Thanks it is a very directonal antenna, I am about 84 miles west//southwest of Houston. I havnt tried it before, the way I have my antenna setup is that its easy for me to turn it diffrent directons (same going with Houston) That antenna has a pretty wide area. For example, where I am, KIXS is in the local area of me, with that antenna, I hear KQQK over the top of KIXS most all the time. Its a pretty decent size antenna. I gues even if I dont like the way thats going I can always turn it back over to Houston.

 

[-juan-]

jras, where did you get this antenna and what kind of receiver do you have? I have been interested in looking for one.

 

[jras20]

jras, where did you get this antenna and what kind of receiver do you have? I have been interested in looking for one.

My tuner is Technics ST-S98A
My antenna is 12 element Radioshack's 15-2163 High gain FM Antenna its about 20' up in the air. It works very well.

 

[-juan-]

thanks! Now the question is, how to install an antenna without my neighbors complaining about me not following the regulations

 

[jras20]

thanks! Now the question is, how to install an antenna without my neighbors complaining about me not following the regulations

If you live in apartments they probably wont let you put one up. Thats why I never would want to live in one, You might could put one in the acttic, but then it would really take down the power of the antenna. Just put up a pole and put up christmas lights on it ;D

 

[CW]

thanks! Now the question is, how to install an antenna without my neighbors complaining about me not following the regulations

If you can put up a TV antenna, you can get away with it...Federal Law/FCC OTARD rules allow it (but dont for FM only; how nice huh?)....BUT if you have a Channel 6 nearby (or whatever , a TV6 or FM antenna can be snuck in..If you have to lose gain in the FM band over a FM only yagi, a wideband VHF TV antenna can be used (make sure you wire it where it can be used on the TV at ANY time in an apt setting;been there, did it). Are you in an apt or HOA area? HOAs cannot prevent outside TV antennas....Apts cannot IF you have control over the area (patio, etc)...they CANNOT be installed in a common area (roof, courtyard, etc)..you just have to be careful in what you do and how to answer any questions.

 

[-juan-]

Just a sucky subdivision with strict rules!

Well, thanks for the info, but on the second thoughts, it will be very wasteful to buy an antenna inside the City of Houston. I don't think I have a great variety of selections. The only staions I might pick up are from Baumont-Port Author, Bryan/CS, and Victoria (maybe). I think I rather not do it. I was hoping to get some Austin/ San Antonio Stations but that does not look possible.

Maybe XM radio has a great selection............ :-\, but then again, why pay for Radio?

 

[jras20]

Just a sucky subdivision with strict rules!

Well, thanks for the info, but on the second thoughts, it will be very wasteful to buy an antenna inside the City of Houston. I don't think I have a great variety of selections. The only staions I might pick up are from Baumont-Port Author, Bryan/CS, and Victoria (maybe). I think I rather not do it. I was hoping to get some Austin/ San Antonio Stations but that does not look possible.

Maybe XM radio has a great selection............ :-\, but then again, why pay for Radio?

I had XM for about 3 months and got rid of it, the sound quallity sux.

 

[CW]

Just a sucky subdivision with strict rules!

Well, thanks for the info, but on the second thoughts, it will be very wasteful to buy an antenna inside the City of Houston. I don't think I have a great variety of selections. The only staions I might pick up are from Baumont-Port Author, Bryan/CS, and Victoria (maybe). I think I rather not do it. I was hoping to get some Austin/ San Antonio Stations but that does not look possible.

Maybe XM radio has a great selection............ :-\, but then again, why pay for Radio?

Well remember, TV6 and multichannel antennas also pick up FM and strict rules are overridden by the FCC OTARD rules. http://www.fcc.gov/mb/facts/otard.html is the web site...just make sure that the antenna is TV capable...only problem is the 12ft height limit the rules state (above that, they can get you on safety considerations but to receive say digital TV 5 (close enough), you may need to be above the 12ft limit
You might get some Austin/SA depending on your location and how good your rcvr is...When I lived in the sub on the west side (Bear Creek area), I had several outside antennas on top of my chimney and noone complained (luckily the front tree hid it somewhat)
Hey I pay for TV (Dish)....would I pay for radio? I already do since I have Sirius on DISH as well.....

 

[DJboutit3]

Get a GE Superadio problem solved it has better reception than most tuners http://www.shop.com/op/~GE_7_2887_Superadio_III_Portable_AM_FM_Radio-prod-33447054-43742321?sourceid=298

You could also get a 70s tuner or reciver that has been modified for better reception for about $100 to $300 Pioneer Kenwood Technics & Marantz are the best of the 70s check here only look for ones that have been modified http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-1751-2978-71/1?AID=5463217&PID=1242484&mpre=http%3A//listings.ebay.com/pool2/plistings/list/all/category3282/index.html

Get the APS-13 antenna is it $$ but worth it from what I am hearing it is about 10ft long http://www.starkelectronic.com/aps13.htm

 

[DJboutit3]

Check out these site for more info on 70s tuner & recivers

http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/fmtuners/
http://www.classicaudio.com/
http://www.fmtunerinfo.com/index.html
http://www.high-endaudio.com/RC-Vintage.html

 

[jras20]

Did radioshack stop selling the 15-2163? I cant believe they did, I cant find it on the web site any more. I really have no reason to shop at radioshack any more looks like they got rid of almost everything there was to know on radio.