September 5, 2000
KYES-TV has made history by installing the first broadcast transmitter on Mount Susitna. Now your customers have another signal from which to choose. The signal, on channel 29, can be seen everyplace East of the mountain, including spots the main channel 5 Eagle River signal is blocked. Places such as Eagle River Valley, Eklutna, East Palmer, Rabbit Creek-Golden View.
When installing antennas for customers, if you have problems with the main channel 5 signal, you can use a UHF TV antenna pointed toward the middle of Sleeping Lady.
The Susitna signal can deliver excellent TV pictures (40 dB signal to noise) with as little as -15 dBm/v assuming a good low noise amplifier (2.5 dB noise figure) is attached to the antenna. Without a preamp results depend on the noise figure of the TV set as well as loss from the antenna to the TV. By way of comparison, probably, the lowest signal strength for good usable quality at a TV set is -10 dBmv.
Here are example line of sight link budgets:
NOTE: Urban installations should not use outdoor antenna preamps as strong UHF signals may overload the preamp. Use good low loss co-ax.
ADDITIONAL NOTES: You can add about 2 1/2 dB for Eagle River-Chugiak, Peters Creek and Eklutna as the transmitting antenna is aimed at Chugiak. Although many installations may have good line of sight to Mount Susitna, the signal can still be used through foliage and other obstructions. In locations with little chance of high power UHF signals two way or broadcast signals, a low noise antenna preamp can produce surprisingly good pictures.
In my experience, many UHF installations would have received a better picture with rabbit ears than an existing outdoor antenna due to amplifier overload or co-ax loss. If the viewer can see Mount Susitna from their home, they can expect good channel 29 rabbit ear reception. Even some foliage or a home or two in the way may allow good indoor antenna reception. Running the signal through baluns, co-ax and signal splitters can ruin an otherwise good signal. To over come co-ax loss, a high gain antenna, and where feasible, a UHF low noise amplifier will help assure a very good result.
If you have further questions, please feel free to contact me at the address or phone number in the letterhead, or check the technical information on our web site, www.kyes.com. I hope this information can help you have more satisfied customers.
Jeremy Lansman - President - KYES TV