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<p>[QUOTE="KrissB, post: 115581, member: 19162"]I got discouraged while I was at Home Depot... I paced their floors for about an hour! :\ I decided, I have the money to test a few antenna's and pick up the parts for my own. I looked for a 1/2" tube bender for a good bit too, that was to no avail... I ended up settling for 3/8" O.D. copper tubing, and a bender that would work with it! I bought a test antenna "Winegard FlatWave Indoor Antenna" "Razor Thin! HD Antenna". While I think this antenna would do well in it's recommended range, it however fails in my area. 45+ miles for my wishful stations. It did see one that is only 33 miles away, it did get 12 channels (4 real stations). I built my DB-4, I think the spacing is a bit much, something is really off... It also fails Horridly!!! Back to the DB-2, that is smaller tubing, pulling in channels like no other... I think my issue there is getting the sweet spot that the smaller antenna's have been in, and bigger ones just nothing due to the size? I will combine the DB-2 and the DB-4 to make an odd DB-6 lol... I got about 1-1/2" spacing between the dipoles (some call em bowties). Right now there is about 20 inches between each pair of dipoles. I also added 1" in over all length for the bending, as it is much harder to bend the 3/8" I have a few concerns I will look into before giving up though (just not happening tonight! <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite3" alt=":(" title="Frown :(" /> ). On a side note, I hooked up the silly little QuantumFX ANT5 antenna I got for a few bucks used at the Goodwill, and it out performed the Winegard. I tried placing the Winegard in the same spot, even moved it all over hoping there was another sweet spot for it. Tried with no amp, amp, 2 amps... lol That wasn't but only for a few min. I thought my TV might blow up lol...</p><p></p><p>Too late to tweak with the circular saw lol... But currently splitting the signal with a mild RCA $15 booster from Walmart between 2 TV's. This stuff is going to drive me crazy!!! lol</p><p></p><p>@ Rick, honestly, I've tried and tried the 300ohm route, and everytime it has been much worse, many occasions not picking up the station less than 20 miles away. Honestly I think that tower is literally 6 miles away. As I drive buy it (or maybe what I am seeing is a Cell Tower) everyday. I've got 3 different 300 - 75 ohm baluns. I'm not about to start making those too (at least not yet!) I think really, I'm just in hell, and I'm lucky to get what I get with my small antenna's lol. They are working amazingly, so I'm not sure what to conclude!</p><p></p><p>I'm really really confused, but really really really tired too!</p><p></p><p>So, good night folks, <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite8" alt=":D" title="Big grin :D" /></p><p>KrissB[/QUOTE]</p><p></p>
[QUOTE="KrissB, post: 115581, member: 19162"]I got discouraged while I was at Home Depot... I paced their floors for about an hour! :\ I decided, I have the money to test a few antenna's and pick up the parts for my own. I looked for a 1/2" tube bender for a good bit too, that was to no avail... I ended up settling for 3/8" O.D. copper tubing, and a bender that would work with it! I bought a test antenna "Winegard FlatWave Indoor Antenna" "Razor Thin! HD Antenna". While I think this antenna would do well in it's recommended range, it however fails in my area. 45+ miles for my wishful stations. It did see one that is only 33 miles away, it did get 12 channels (4 real stations). I built my DB-4, I think the spacing is a bit much, something is really off... It also fails Horridly!!! Back to the DB-2, that is smaller tubing, pulling in channels like no other... I think my issue there is getting the sweet spot that the smaller antenna's have been in, and bigger ones just nothing due to the size? I will combine the DB-2 and the DB-4 to make an odd DB-6 lol... I got about 1-1/2" spacing between the dipoles (some call em bowties). Right now there is about 20 inches between each pair of dipoles. I also added 1" in over all length for the bending, as it is much harder to bend the 3/8" I have a few concerns I will look into before giving up though (just not happening tonight! :( ). On a side note, I hooked up the silly little QuantumFX ANT5 antenna I got for a few bucks used at the Goodwill, and it out performed the Winegard. I tried placing the Winegard in the same spot, even moved it all over hoping there was another sweet spot for it. Tried with no amp, amp, 2 amps... lol That wasn't but only for a few min. I thought my TV might blow up lol... Too late to tweak with the circular saw lol... But currently splitting the signal with a mild RCA $15 booster from Walmart between 2 TV's. This stuff is going to drive me crazy!!! lol @ Rick, honestly, I've tried and tried the 300ohm route, and everytime it has been much worse, many occasions not picking up the station less than 20 miles away. Honestly I think that tower is literally 6 miles away. As I drive buy it (or maybe what I am seeing is a Cell Tower) everyday. I've got 3 different 300 - 75 ohm baluns. I'm not about to start making those too (at least not yet!) I think really, I'm just in hell, and I'm lucky to get what I get with my small antenna's lol. They are working amazingly, so I'm not sure what to conclude! I'm really really confused, but really really really tired too! So, good night folks, :D KrissB[/QUOTE]
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