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OTA TV Antenna

S

Sandra44

Junior Member
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  • posts : 1
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  • Joined : Fri Sep 14, 2012
Hello,
I have erected an old Square GRID Parabolic antenna with an AIDC-3731 downconverter on it which was left at my old house by a tv company I used once. It has a coaxial cable hook-up on the downconverter and is about 16 feet off the ground, on a pole. I first checked my tv with rabbit ears to make sure I didn't need a converter box and received 16 digital channels. I then ran 50 ft of round R-6 cable directly from that tv to the outdoor grid antenna by plugging the cable into the downconverter cable hook-up but can't get a signal. I have tried turning the antenna in all directions but still no signal. I don't want to remain with the rabbit ears as my daughter said this would humiliate her, so I want to be able to use an outdoor antenna preferably this grid antenna I already have. I was hoping you could guide me on how to utilize this antenna or tell me what's wrong or what I need to do to fix the problem. I am a housewife that knows just enough about OTA signals to get me in trouble, so please help in layman's terms. Thanks!
 
Wow, thanks for the reply!! Ya see, I told ya I only knew enough to get me into trouble! Ha! Ok, so how would I hookup the round cable to the grid antenna since the grid antenna does not have a cable hookup on it, it would just be the grid without this AIDC-3731?
 
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Sandra44 said:
Wow, thanks for the reply!! Ya see, I told ya I only knew enough to get me into trouble! Ha! Ok, so how would I hookup the round cable to the grid antenna since the grid antenna does not have a cable hookup on it, it would just be the grid without this AIDC-3731?
Click to expand...

what kind of hook up does the antenna have? If it is a terminal with 2 screws you need a belun to convert between 300ohm and 75 ohm.


something like this


http://www.amazon.com/300-Ohm-UHF-Ma...s=75+ohm+belun

or this

http://www.amazon.com/Parts-Express-...d_bxgy_e_img_y

seeing how you want to run RG-6, first type is the right one to use.


But more importantly, why are you trying to use Square GRID Parabolic as an OTA antenna? That is for 2.4GHz Spread Spectrum...you probably had one of those directional wireless (cable) TV system before.

you should plug your address and zip code into antenna web and figure out what is your best choice in terms of antenna.

It really depends on where you are and your line of sight to the transmitter(s).
 
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Sandra44 said:
Wow, thanks for the reply!! Ya see, I told ya I only knew enough to get me into trouble! Ha! Ok, so how would I hookup the round cable to the grid antenna since the grid antenna does not have a cable hookup on it, it would just be the grid without this AIDC-3731?
Click to expand...

What happens when you plug RG-6 coax directly from the outdoor antenna to your television?

Being able to get signals only with rabbit ears is a very good sign. However, I have a hunch that your outdoor antenna is tuned for a different band other than VHF/UHF broadcast television.
 
I'm so excited to get your help, I was racing back to the computer to see another response from you and triped in the attic and my leg went right thru the garage roof!! UGGH! haha! Oh well, it could have been worse...my whole body could have gone thru, right! Ok, so yes the AIDC is hooked on the antenna by 2 big screws I can get a belum thingy if you think they will fit around the 2 big screws and try it. You are correct, I did have direct TV and that is were this antenna came from. I already went to antenna web, ordered the antenna I needed and is awaiting my pickup at the store, however, before I go pick up that antenna, I was trying to use what I already had, if I could, so it wouldn't cost me more money! Now that I went thru the roof...this project is slowly getting more and more expensive...but I think it will pay off in the long run! So, I will go by the belum now, but if this direct tv antenna IS tuned for a different band other than VHF/UHF, is there any way I can turn this AIDC to VHF/UHF because again without this AIDC on it...this antenna is JUST a grid antenna with the AIDC attached by the 2 big screws. Also, I'm thinking if I can catch 16 channels with rabbit ears, surely I can rig up something with this antenna I already have. Here is a picture just like mine I found on the internet. (I don't know what the blue box is in the picture, but I dont have that)
s_MLU_v_V_f_2603477577_042012.jpg
 
Sandra44 said:
I'm so excited to get your help, I was racing back to the computer to see another response from you and triped in the attic and my leg went right thru the garage roof!! UGGH! haha! Oh well, it could have been worse...my whole body could have gone thru, right! Ok, so yes the AIDC is hooked on the antenna by 2 big screws I can get a belum thingy if you think they will fit around the 2 big screws and try it. You are correct, I did have direct TV and that is were this antenna came from. I already went to antenna web, ordered the antenna I needed and is awaiting my pickup at the store, however, before I go pick up that antenna, I was trying to use what I already had, if I could, so it wouldn't cost me more money! Now that I went thru the roof...this project is slowly getting more and more expensive...but I think it will pay off in the long run! So, I will go by the belum now, but if this direct tv antenna IS tuned for a different band other than VHF/UHF, is there any way I can turn this AIDC to VHF/UHF because again without this AIDC on it...this antenna is JUST a grid antenna with the AIDC attached by the 2 big screws. Also, I'm thinking if I can catch 16 channels with rabbit ears, surely I can rig up something with this antenna I already have. Here is a picture just like mine I found on the internet. (I don't know what the blue box is in the picture, but I dont have that)
s_MLU_v_V_f_2603477577_042012.jpg
Click to expand...

don't buy the belun. It won't help your antenna which is not meant for UHF/VHF. unless your new antenna doesn't have one.


I didn't clue in to the fact that it was a sat dish til after I typed the belun thing.
 
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Actually, I did buy an indoor/outdoor belum for $6 at Radio Shack before I saw your last post and I attached it directly to the antenna and it worked! I now receive 8 channels and I am working on turning the antenna to see what other channels I might be able to catch. Thanks for all your help!
 
Sandra44 said:
Actually, I did buy an indoor/outdoor belum for $6 at Radio Shack before I saw your last post and I attached it directly to the antenna and it worked! I now receive 8 channels and I am working on turning the antenna to see what other channels I might be able to catch. Thanks for all your help!
Click to expand...

Given that people have made antennas out of tin foil... :biggrin:

http://lifehacker.com/5829379/make-your-own-hdtv-antenna-using-aluminum-foil-and-cardboard


Glad to hear you get some channels with that antenna. I imagine you will get a lot more channels with a proper one.
 
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