New from Orangeville Ontario Canada

[stew]

Hi,
I am relatively new to the hobby (1-2 years)...
Have never tried FM Dx'ing...just analog/digital TV
Equipment: cm crossfire / DB-8 / radio shack yagi combo (The Source in Canada)
plus a couple of cm rotators and a HAM rotator I have yet to install permanently.
Spartan preamp + very old CM (titan?)

Results:
Had Cleveland DTV (can't recall channel...I was very new!) last summer.
Lots of Buffalo on good days and always get Toronto DTV / analog quite well.
Crossfire is demolished as are the two CM rotators (2 wind storms last season)
BTW: Crossfire was flimsy in my opinion I guess they are not made like they used to be)

Currently I have DB-8 stationary on the roof tripod with spartan. I can't wait until spring to rebuild system with a new antenna and HAM rotator!!!

Radio Shack antenna is paired with old CM pre amp in the attic strictly for weather radio with alert readout.

I am also interested in Ku and C-band satellite free to air experimenting (Not decoding Nagra!!!) (previous hobby until I was bit by the OTA bug!)

Need more money, time and knowledge for my dream sat/antenna farm.

Cheers,
Stew

[Mike-CT]

Stew just joined the WTFDA a few days ago. Welcome aboard!
I'm just wondering what will replace that DB8 on your roof ?

[stew]

I removed a giant yagi from a work site that was to be trashed. Its a combo VHF/UHF with a reflector (very similar to the crossfire but less elements and longer). About 20-30 years old but in good shape. So likely it will go up.
I am hoping to add another UHF antenna and combine it in the same direction. (maybe a four bay bow tie)
Now this is where my membership should help!
I will have many questions when I design and build this new rig.
For now, I am beginning a custom tripod system so I can keep the rotator low to the roof and maybe inside the tripod for stability. For some reason it is extremely windy at times on my roof.
Issues I for-see:
1. building tripod with torque bearing for rotation at top.
2. mast height ( I am afraid of the wind load)
3. Combining antennas properly
5. Rotators like to break on my roof.
6. Neighbours already think I am a bit strange so would like to minimize trips to the roof.

[Saul]

Unless you're in a localized valley, you should be well placed on high ground for TV-FM DX. I am in downtown Toronto (when not at my permanent Burnt River ON DX site) but DX mobile just south of Highway 9 west of Dufferin St and east of Hwy 400. I specialize in FM. Have had tropo from as far away as Hope AR and York NE.

Feel free to be in touch off list at: schernos AT sympatico.ca

Saul Chernos

[stew]

Thanks Saul, I am actually right at the top of a hill locally so that is a plus. This weekend I plan to finally revisit the antenna (got bogged down with reno's and painting in the house lately)
Just had some winds in the last couple of days to remind me of the perils of my rooftop.
Stew

[Jim Thomas]

6. Neighbours already think I am a bit strange so would like to minimize trips to the roof.


Welcome Stew!

Regarding the neighbors, here is one thing you can do, IF, you're on good speaking terms with them.

When you have some interesting DX brewing, invite the neighbors over for a few minutes to show them what your antennas are all about. Their normal response should be something like, "oh, that's what you're doing. hmm....that's interesting.....why do you want to do that? Okay....interesting." Most people dismiss the idea that you're a 'spy' after you familiarize them with the hobby. Sometimes you might even find some new recruits. I've been dxing for 40 years and most of my neighbors have found the hobby interesting and unusual, after I showed them how it works. I haven't really recruited any of my neighbors, but it seems most of them end up grouping you with the ham radio guys.

[Boško Igić]

I have smilar case with my parents. These doesn't know that DX hobby is interesting. They are removed VHF/UHF antenna from roof only because it subscribed for local cable operator? I only have indoor antenna for emergency use (when cable operator is down) but it catches only RTS1 and 2 (screenshot (http://www.vakantieweblog.eu/prive/tvdx/20jaartvdx/ptc_serbia_kanaal3_16062007.jpg)) and small local TV. :-(