Antenna Aiming

[upstatesc]

Are there any apps that will help you accurately aim an antenna based on the latitude/longitude of the tower? I'm trying to aim an 800mhz YAGI to pick up a difficult to receive indoors local 800mhz trunking system. I know from RR the physical location of the tower, but don't know how to convert that to a direction that I can aim with a compass or app. Are there any apps that can assist with that part?

 

[mmckenna]

Google Earth has functions that can do that. Drop a pin at the two locations and use the "Ruler" tool to draw a line between them. It'll give you distance and heading. You can also pull up a function that shows you the terrain between the two points to see if you have a clear line of sight.

 

[murphcc1]

Use Google Earth.......
You can use the TOOLS section>
Ruler>
Start at YOUR end, point to where the Tx station is and it gives you the Directions in degrees to your point.
Then just use a compass to aim your antenna in that direction.

 

[MDScanFan]

If you have an iphone then you can use the maps app. It shows your current location and direction the phone is pointing. Look for the location of the desired tower on the map. Turn the phone until the map shows you pointing towards the tower. That is the direction you will point your antenna.

 

[scanmanmi]

Go to Google Earth, click Add then Path. Click your location and then the transmitter location and hit OK. Right Click the path (the mouse will not change) and click View Elevation Profile to see if adding height will help you.
If you know their antenna height right click the path and go to properties, altitude.

 

[prcguy]

I sometimes use a "Theodolite" app which gives extremely accurate compass heading plus elevation through cross hairs and the phones camera. You can also bring up a map in the background and it will give a straight line on the map from your current location to anywhere on the map, so if you know where the tower is you just point the app line at the tower on the map then align your antenna with the app and map. Hey, that rhymes.

 

[jwt873]

One thing I do with Google Earth after I've drawn the line between my tower and the desired site is to zoom in as close as possible to my property.

Then I note where the line goes in respect to nearby landmarks. Does the line pass over a tree or bush in your yard? If so then point the antenna over that tree or bush. If it goes right between two neighbor's houses across the street.. Then point that way.

 

[Ubbe]

I'm trying to aim an 800mhz YAGI to pick up a difficult to receive indoors local 800mhz trunking system.

Yagi antennas usually aren't that pinpoint exact in the direction. If the transmit antennas are indoors then they will probably radiate out of windows and reflect off nearby buildings. Best are to adjust the antenna while listening to the signal, or looking at its signal strength. It could very well be that the strongest signal are received when pointing a bit offset, especially if other buildings are blocking the line of site.

A portable scanner connected at the antenna while turning it are a good way to do. Or if you can stream the scanners audio and/or display into a mobile phone while adjusting the antenna.

/Ubbe

 

[dave3825]

I know from RR the physical location of the tower

If your looking for exact physical locations of towers or transmitters, you would be better off with finding it on google maps or google earth. Not all of the red markers on Radio Reference are exact. Not all info on FCC licenses is exact either.

 

[upstatesc]

Thanks guys, that is what I was looking for. In my case the only tower for our state's primary trunk system in my County is only 30 miles off the ground, so it is difficult to pick up inside the house with a handheld. It can be done, but it's all the luck of the draw on where you are and what part of the house you're in. I'm planning to try the antenna in the attic first since our roof is really high and if that doesn't work mount it on the TV antenna mast at about 15 feet. Hopefully that will do the trick.