I removed my post on how to use the Sun's azimuth to determine an antenna heading. All the follow-on comments seemed to want to change the topic. I leave this thread to the follow-on posters to introduce their new topics.
For readers interested in the original topic, I have moved that article to
Antenna Alignment Using Sun Azimuth
https://continuouswave.com/radio/antenn ... imuth.html
Acceptable registrations in the queue through March 30 at 9:00a ET have now been activated. Enjoy! -M.W.
Terms of Use have been amended effective October 6, 2019. Make sure you are aware of the new rules! Please visit this thread for details: https://www.mibuzzboard.com/phpBB3/view ... 16&t=48619
Terms of Use have been amended effective October 6, 2019. Make sure you are aware of the new rules! Please visit this thread for details: https://www.mibuzzboard.com/phpBB3/view ... 16&t=48619
Using Sun's Azimuth for Aiming Antenna
Using Sun's Azimuth for Aiming Antenna
Last edited by jimh on Thu Feb 24, 2022 8:06 am, edited 5 times in total.
Re: Using Sun's Azimuth for Aiming Antenna
That's got to be a pretty high gain antenna for that narrow a beamwidth! What kind of antenna is it?
Re: Using Sun's Azimuth for Aiming Antenna
I have removed my comments about using the Sun's azimuth to determine antenna heading since no one wanted to discuss that topic.
Last edited by jimh on Wed Feb 23, 2022 4:09 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Re: Using Sun's Azimuth for Aiming Antenna
The Idea of aiming directions within ONE DEGREE, is overthinking./ overkill.
Usually you can aim a TV antenna within 30 degrees of the signal source with no terrible degrading of signal , often in a city area you may want to aim to REDUCE multipath effects. (at least you could with old Analog signals).
Gain of Antennas determine how close you have to aim.
Have fun on the roof or on the tower in this snowy season !
Usually you can aim a TV antenna within 30 degrees of the signal source with no terrible degrading of signal , often in a city area you may want to aim to REDUCE multipath effects. (at least you could with old Analog signals).
Gain of Antennas determine how close you have to aim.
Have fun on the roof or on the tower in this snowy season !
Re: Using Sun's Azimuth for Aiming Antenna
I have removed my comments because they were no longer on the original topic of using the Sun to determine antenna heading.
Last edited by jimh on Wed Feb 23, 2022 4:11 pm, edited 2 times in total.
Re: Using Sun's Azimuth for Aiming Antenna
If you have a good computer and program, you can compute azi to whatever fine degree you want.
Re: Using Sun's Azimuth for Aiming Antenna
Some of the old Alliance Tenna Rotor Control Boxes (and some other North American Philips licensed brands) had 10 degree detents in the control knob. You had to throw it out of synch, forget how that was done, to aim it more accurately. With 10 degree detents, you could be off as much as 5 degrees maximum.
How critical aiming is necessary also depends on putting cochannel stations in a deep null when possible to reduce cochannel interference on Amplitude Modulated Analog Video signals, and Capture Ratio on FM signals. Before my antennas fell down, or were removed by roofers, I used to get plenty of cochannels without much interference. The best for that was the continuous rotation Alliance Control Boxes. The Channel Master and Archer Radio Shack knock offs were difficult to do that with. But the best direction could be a few degrees wither side to get the best D/U ratio. With parabolic type dish antennas, you may indeed need more accurate pointing.
How critical aiming is necessary also depends on putting cochannel stations in a deep null when possible to reduce cochannel interference on Amplitude Modulated Analog Video signals, and Capture Ratio on FM signals. Before my antennas fell down, or were removed by roofers, I used to get plenty of cochannels without much interference. The best for that was the continuous rotation Alliance Control Boxes. The Channel Master and Archer Radio Shack knock offs were difficult to do that with. But the best direction could be a few degrees wither side to get the best D/U ratio. With parabolic type dish antennas, you may indeed need more accurate pointing.
"I had a job for a while as an announcer at WWV but I finally quit, because I couldn't stand the hours."
-Author Unknown
-Author Unknown