What Type of Antenna Is this?

[5 X 5]

TV Antenna? Friend of mine just bought a house that already has a 50' tower installed. Lucky bastid! He is not into radio (as of yet) and has Dish TV so the tower is not being used at this point. He sent me this pic of the antenna and I said it is probably an old analog TV antenna of no use. He does want to install a CB in his truck and since he has the tower, a base at home. I said just to put a full wave whip up there and see what happens. He lives a couple hours from me but I may head over sometime and check it out. He would rather not climb the tower, I would climb it and do the install but would prefer not to make repeat climbs to adjust SWR. So is this an analog TV antenna? Any suggestions on decent, low budget CB antenna to look for? Tips on keeping install simple and inexpensive?
Thanks, Ron



5 X 5 = Previously known as MAGNUM Pl

 

[dave457]

tv antenna

 

[Low_Boy]

tv antenna

10-4

 

[Shadetree Mechanic]

If the rotator still works then a maco 3 element beam would do well. If you want a good low cost vertical, the Starduster can be had for about $75. I have one on my garage. Flat SWR assembled per instructions.
Chris

 

[Handy Andy]

If possible, and if it's still intact - which will require inspection - but if you can save that antenna - its still quite useable. At least for Free TV - the Analog to Digital may have occurred but much of the spectrum that antenna can pick up is still out there as Free TV - you're local On-Air stations are still there and if he can save that antenna, he can use it for local news, WX and entertainment (sub channels too) that DISH can't supply.

That antenna just needs a longer antenna post to raise your CB antenna up from the Rotor and antenna - you can install any simple A99 up there on top of above that TV antenna and watch TV or use for CB - the Digital switch may have cleared up a lot of interference issues (Go - NoGo on station capture for viewing - like FM) but your analog stuff may get a howl, squeal or the toaster can speaker unto you while you chat of the CB radio - due to their proximity - but once the antenna, its' down lead and the CB's antenna and its' coax down lead are all installed up there - once the antenna is aligned it pretty much stays put for reception - older days Analog signals from other cities could be picked up by that antenna and its' pickup gain pattern and send it to the television set and add to the entertainment value of home TV, but nowadays, the Digital realm has pretty much allowed local stations a lot of leeway in transmitter power and signal service area so keeping the rotor may not be the best option.

Since DISH is a subscriber type of thing - if contracts get too out of hand, the On-Air is the best and by far, the cheapest investment you can make for entertainment value. But if he's remote, that would explain the high-directional and gain factor antenna he's using - note the YAGI-for old UHF -of the left side with that funky "Y"/Arrow and the Older VHF "arms" to it's right in the photo - both can still work and if the download wiring and mounting is still useable - then attach the antennas' new cable downlead - and replace the old stuff - less than $100 these days, so it can provide more options when DISH gets funky.

 

[Rwb]

I was thinkin A 99 up above that tv antenna

 

[5 X 5]

The dish on the tower is also not connected. He plans to remove the dish and the old TV antenna. He has been looking at A-99's now and is considering the Solarcon. I may give him a Magnum S-3 to play with. He is only a few miles from an Interstate Highway, plenty close for some fun. Hell I may get an A-99 now too!
Thanks for replies, Ron

 

[Mudfoot]

Not any digital on VHF. The tail end of that antenna will work.

 

[Robb]

Looks like a standard UHF/VHF TV antenna used in the day before they all went digital.

Now if that rotor still works, then putting up a 3 or 4 element horizontal beam antenna would be ideal; then it is of value for talking to other countries when skip starts in the coming years.

Put a vertical on it? Yeah; if the rotor doesn't work and there isn't a control box for the rotor. But a full wave vertical? No such animal. Either half wave or five eighth wave would be worth putting up. Wouldn't even bother with a quarter wave antenna.