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Welcome to the semi-annual news-
letter. This issue is late in the season,
I must appologise. Also, my old
snail-mail is no longer valid.
A move to save the old post office
by repairing and remodeling it
into a Museum has taken place.
Those of you who are new
to CCMM will be recieving my
new addy shortly. If you are waiting
for a reply to any of the material
sent, please resend all to the new
address that I will provide.
You will need to resend any available
data to one of my email in order for
me to validate your contributions.
Sorry, but this is for the best, and
it wont take long... Thank You,
cc
The first thing I need to cover; is the
TV Converter Box Coupon Program,
and the standard digital tuner box.
If you were one of the lucky ones that
took the time to apply for the new TV
coupon program late last year, or
earlier this year; then you know what
is happening in some areas.
(Click if you have not yet signed up)
https://www.dtv2009.gov/
Its no surprise that theres NOT enough
cheap boxes, and its no news to me
that; the manufacturers never wanted
to make them in the first place. They
would rather you go out and buy a
new digital TV with a tuner built-in.
I myself waited till the last minute to
file. The "12 month" program started
in the last week of Febuary. You are
entitled to ask for 2 coupons and
you must use them within 90 days of
the mailing date. To check the status
of your application use the link above.
The coupons are actually Federal
Credit Cards, and are digitaly
approved. They are free and can take
$40 off the total cost of the new box.
This is the RCA-DTA800/B
found at Walmart for about $49
and it comes w/Remote and (1)
RF cable (A/V cables not included)
Click below for RCA support information
http://www.1800customersupport.com/rca
Magnavox is also sold, but its about
$10-20 more and slightly better, it maynot
be the model compatible to the TV
Coupon Program. To see a list of
compatible set-top boxes; click below:
https://www.dtv2009.gov/Boxes.aspx
Once you have a DTV converter,
the
next step is to "scan" for DTV stations broadcasting
test signals or normal programs. You will have move the antenna
ALOT, inorder to find the best signal(s).
There can be several different
signals from several different directions. If you have an outdoor
antenna already, and it includes a "yagi" or other
type of UHF antenna, then your likely to get the best signals
from rotating that.
If you live in an apartment
and cant
errect an outdoor antenna, then try
and shop for a model designed just
for indoors and can recieve HD with at least a 20db gain, but
more on that stuff in just a sec...
Now here is the inside of
the RCA
converter box. It uses a Broadcom BCM-3543KPB5G GPU, and is
powered by a dual 12vdc circuit board.
Click here to view
image
there is only one set of RCA
audio/video outputs and 1 RF connector that goes to your TV.
(your tv needs to be on channel 3 or 4), a VHF channel switch,
a RF Antenna input and a *Smart Antenna input.
(* the Smart Antenna is an
automatic
powered unit that can scan a 360'
degree direction indoors or even out.)
^^^ UP ^^^
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NOTE: the power circuit can
be removed, and a regulated voltage
can be applied in its place...so guess what....cigarette lighter
or Batteries!
The battery connection for
this is simple,
and it only requires a replacement plug
or similar power-connector.
Now for a little on the antenna stuff...
The DTV signal is in the UHF
frequency
range, and there is alot of accessories
already on the market for those
familiar with the band and its range.
Wierd as it seems; the new
digital TV
is limited to "line-of-sight" transmission
which is to say...stoopid! Anything in
its way can block the signal; thats walls
bulidings, trees, mountains, etc...
The _buy & try_ method
for a new DTV
antenna can be old and annoying for
some. Many will probably give-up
scanning and just settle for those
channels that seem to come in.
For me; i cant get that damn
signal
tone out of my head... I keep
hearing it everywhere, even in my
sleep!
I can only immagine what you
might
be going through. I hope its quick and
painless.
At first; "scanning"
on the DTV; I
used a standard set-top antenna..
(old fashioned rabbit-ears with the
Loop).
It worked, but only half the
stations came in at all, and even then you'll need to constantly
rotate the antenna.
Here is a basic (bow-tie)
approach
to getting UHF/DTV (400-800MHz)
First, you'll have to find
some copper
or metal wire. They need to be straight
and cut into 15" inch peices. Remove
any enamel coating on each of the newly
made rods with some light sanding.
Next, you'll need to have
about 3ft or
6ft of cable/antenna wire with an
RF connector on one end.
Bend 4 of the pieces of wire
to make
"V" shapes, and space the open ends
(top of the "V") so that they are spread
about 4 inches, then mount them onto
the ends of each director rod.
Solder, weld, or use small
screws to
connect all V's to each director.
the directors are 1/2 wave (7.5"in.)
Each bow-tie should be at
the ends
on each director. Keep at least
2"in. apart, then mount securely to
a non-conductive material.
I made this antenna out of
12-14 guage
copper, and mounted it inside a
colorful school-type folder. (beer not included). You might use
coat-hangers or aluminum, instead of copper wire.
Mount and attach the antenna
cable's
"main-leads" to a standard TV filter...
Done!
NOTE: do not paint antenna,
if you intend
on mounting this outside, use a light
coat of WD40 or similar protectant.
This antenna can also have
a mesh wire
"reflector" that can produce even
better directional reception. You could
even go further with this; just (double)
the director's length to 15"inches,
and mount 2 more "V"'s at 7.5"in. intervals
Keep doubling everything;
just as long
the devisable wave length equals the
original size.15"in./2=7.5"
A basic knowledge of engineering
and
mechanics is needed inorder to fully
get the best antenna and signal. If you
need help on getting the right antenna
and cant wait till my next newsletter,
checkout some of these links:
http://www.warrenelectronics.com/antennas/4220.htm
http://www.qsl.net/ve3rgw/antproj2/6euyagi.html
And here is one of the best!
http://www.arrl.org/
^^^ UP ^^^
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Local and special events,
weather, and
traffic reports are just a few things
now being brodcast. Many more new
stations will be up and running on or
after Febuary.
When I last watched; the DTV
channels
in my area did NOT welcome me to the
new age, in fact none said anything
about how happy they were to be there,
and that they were glad I tuned-in.
Almost half of the available
channels in
my area have already been answered
for, and now I see 3 new channels are
being applied to the lineup.
At the time of this newsletter;
the FCC
has posted its "last chance" to signup
for the designated DTV channel lineup.
Broadcasters, & wanna-be's; who did
the math and filled-out their apps, are
now in the final steps to getting thier
new transmitters on-air.
Check the FCC's website for:
DTV Channel Assignments or
Allotments
If you live in the Las Vegas
area, and have a very good antenna; please e-mail me with your findings.
(Text File) Las Vegas DTV Channel List
Ok, here it is...
After an hour of cutting and
soldering, my mobile DTV receiver is finaly finished.
I can now go to the park and;
reach up and grab the channels, that I so desperately need to
"stor".
With help from mother nature;
and those that remind to; "go fly a kite"... I can
say;.. " I will!"
I'll fly it to an altitude
of 300 feet, and then...I'll hit the the scan button!
Using a Coby PMP 4320, I can
watch and record my shows quickly and easily. All the files are automatically encoded as MPEG-4.video.
For more on the DTV Kite,
wait till my next issue... (Spring). For more on the COBY PMP,
(discontinued) check the web or get my next eBook. You can also
see some of the other devices like a PMP at
https://www.youtube.com/thecopycat2
cc-
*******************
FALL NEWS UPDATE
*******************
The Fall'08 Newsletter is
going to be
carried to the Spring'09 issuse, all
new members will be added as usual to
the April mailout.
***
Mobile DTV & DTV Kite
Special Note: the "on/off
switch" added
to the RCA 800; it mearly puts it in a
"lockout" state by turning off the power
to the front panel (IR receiver); thus
fixing the IR problems and accidently
turning the unit on or off.
The DTV Kite has to have a
wingspan of
6ft. and winds not to exceed 30mph. It
needs to lift 300ft of wire lead PLUS a
safety-teather and harness line. I use
Mason Polyline (it works best) for a
lite and flexible safe-line.
As for the PMP; Coby has droped
supprt.
I am looking at new portable video
devices. I have a few places to visit and will post what I found
in the new e-Book (#29) and online at:
https://www.youtube.com/thecopycat2
E-Books are "free",
and are sent as
"f-mail" (file mail) for all new and old
CopyCat members, and registered users
To get this new e-Book in the Spring;
just e-Mail me with a SUBJECT of:
"CopyCat News Please".
This Newsletter will remain
until
(March/April)
Happy Holidays & Have
a Safe New Year!
-cc
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