Dielectric developed a new TV antenna based on a request from a station going through the channel repack. The manufacturer says its new DCR-Q VHF antenna reduces the space normally required on a tower to support a traditional, low-frequency panel or super turnstile Channel 2 – 6 antenna.
The DCR-Q design was adapted from the existing Dielectric DCR Series FM antenna family, with the goal of producing a more affordable and space efficient low-band VHF solution – one needed by broadcasters moving from a UHF to VHF channel during the TV repack. Some UHF broadcasters didn’t have the tower space available to support a traditional, large low-band VHF antenna and its associated weight and wind load.
Lower frequencies require larger antennas, and low-band VHF TV (Channels 2 – 6) antennas are typically the largest of all. The DCR-Q resolves these limitations through a lighter, smaller form factor that can be side-mounted or top-mounted on towers, including structures once deemed inadequate to support low-band VHF systems, according to the manufacturer.
Dielectric developed the DCR-Q concept in response to a requirement by KWHY-DT, Los Angeles, which moved from UHF to VHF Channel 4 as a result of the television repack. “KWHY’s plight inspired our engineering department to design and build the low-band DCR-Q VHF antenna,” said Dielectric Western Regional Sales Manager Steven Moreen. “The DCR-Q addresses VHF broadcaster requirements for broadband, high-power handling and circular polarity, in a lighter compact array with support for NextGen TV. We are now productizing the DCR-Q to serve a broader VHF customer base in the United States and international regions where low-band VHF television antennas are in demand.”
The DCR-Q is available in a two-bay configuration for low-powered VHF TV stations, and four or eight-bay configurations for medium-powered stations. While normally configured as an omni-directional antenna, the bottom half of a four or eight-bay antenna array can be offset from the upper half, creating a directional signal. This flexibility helped KWHY achieve the optimal directional pattern required to deliver their signal effectively across their Los Angeles service area.
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