I live about 100 miles south of Vancouver BC, I need to pick up the signal from Ch.2 CBUT which is very weak

Question

In tha past, I have received the signal, which is a CBC station, by using one of Radio shacks enclosed, rotating antenna, used primarily for motor homes, but picture was mostly unacepatable! I have an antenna restriction in my neighborhood, but I am willing to disobey that if I can find an antenna, that has short di-poles! any sugestions would be greatly appreciated. John R.

Answer 1

If you have access to your attic, you could install a large antenna in it, pointed directly at CBUT. Use an RF switch to change between it and your other antenna/cable. (FYI -- the antennas come folded up, so it's not too hard to get them into the attic before you spread them out to the final shape). Much easier to place and connect to your system. To make sure you get the best signal, you might try it outside first -- but only if you know you can re-fold it for the attic.

If you don't, you could make a dipole antenna that is just the right size to pull in CBUT (sorry, but Ch 2 won't be short). Channel 2 is 55.25MHz, so it has a wavelength of 17.82 feet. Run a 17.82 ft. stranded (not solid) insulated wire perpendicular to CBUT's location. Cut it exactly in half and connect each side to a 300 ohm to 75 ohm antenna converter. Run 75 ohm coax (RG-6) cable to your TV or RF switch.

Not pretty, but it should work. You can probably play with it's location a bit to hide it in your decor (behind the curtains, under non-metallic wallpaper or posters, etc). Or, since it's relatively unobtrusive, maybe even hide it outside (under the eaves? between trees? up against the house & painted? etc).

I've seen manual RF switches that are much cheaper -- maybe Fry's or somewhere else in RadioShack?