A Third Generation Of Analog TV Transmitting Antenna Installation For ABS-CBN Tower In 2009

Originally entitled An “Improvised” TV Antenna of ABS-CBN of 2009, I had changed the title on this blog as requested from the reactions on the comments below as of May of 2012 coming from the radio communication electronics engineering class students (known as ECE or electronics communications engineer) accredited by the National Telecommunications Commission, Professional Regulations Commission, and Commission on Higher Education in the Philippines. I would like to thank and respect for them for gathering their reliable research from an old (or some new) electronic radio communication textbook in library and even classrooms and/or seminars in order to give a correction for posting my information as I am only entertained for most ordinary Netizens not relying about radio equipment. This would never happen to flag my blog to either block or delete before it’s too late!

Back in 2009, when I was along EDSA straight ahead to GMA Kamuning-Timog Avenue to a barber shop, I looked over the ongoing reinforcement of ABS-CBN TV tower. But at the top of it I saw a TV transmitting antenna having with V-dipole element, instead of using a conventional cylinder-type TV transmitting antenna. Although the cylinder type was still operational as some of the few sets are disassembled with the remaining 13 (North, 5; South-west, 5; South-east, 3), the V-type dipole that was currently testing until fully operational was assembled above the cylinder type. I thought that V-type dipole element would be more powerful TV signal than the cylinder type.

In the third quarter of 2009 ABS-CBN TV tower in Metro Manila introduced a V-type dipole element TV transmitting antenna, replacing the cylinder type TV transmitting antenna. Since the V-type element with special reflector weighs lighter and compact than the cylinder type and earlier TV transmitting antenna prototype, it can even hold at taller tower mast being built. ABS-CBN Channel 2 tower only powers 60 KW TPO (346.2 KW ERP) for that antenna, compared to the current GMA-7 analog TV signal with 100 KW (1 MW ERP) aiming to produce clearer image and give access to isolated Mega Manila areas.

The name of the two previously and a recent assembled analog TV transmitting prototype for decades (thanks for the comments posted on this blog from the ECE students in the Philippines based on their reliable research) as well as their branding was shown in the following list as well as the following graphical illustration below:

• 1st generation: corner reflector antenna by SWR made in USA (assembled in 1960s)
• 2nd Generation: CBR Cavity back resonator antenna by SWR made in USA (assembled in 2000)
• 3rd generation: 606L Panel type dipole by RFS made in Australia (assembled in 2009)

In the past, ABS-CBN TV signal has encountered some receptional problems. Firstly, the video generates an annoying “spot-spark” lines rolling up and down caused by static interference from the atmosphere such as ionic discharge and the coinciding clouds and clear skies, which is only true to the use of low VHF RF band. Secondly, the TV transmitting signal may not capable to support some conventional TV antennas that are not sensitive enough (such as indoor antenna) on some ordinary TV sets, even without installing TV antenna but only wire and even on farther metropolitan areas, resulting to snowy picture. And lastly, ABS-CBN TV signal may not support a second-hand Japan-based TV sets on some ordinary homes because its RF spectrum (US-based TV channel 2 at 54 to 60 MHz) is different to the latter (Japan-based TV channels 1 to 3 at standard FM radio 90 to 108 MHz). Despite of this, ABS-CBN has scored a lowest percentage of audience share in Mega Manila following GMA-7’s dominance and popularity.

Before the planned reinforcement of their tower, ABS-CBN management has discovered such an analog TV antenna prototype, hoping they would redominate on the airwaves. But the V-type TV transmitting antenna was not the first to assemble over the reinforced ABS-CBN TV tower in 2009. It was the Associated Broadcasting Company (ABC-5) that became the first Philippine TV network to assemble the antenna prototype in 2008 right before the rebranding of station ID as “TV5” together with its partnership MPD Primedia based in Malaysia, and then Media Quest under MVP Group, owner of Smart and PLDT, in 2010.

The V-type dipole transmitting antenna may be compared from the typical long rabbit-ear indoor antenna forming a “V”. It was originally applied for UHF TV reception in the past but now applies in low-band VHF TV signal, in which its purpose is to increase signal gain only by applying corner reflector.

ABS-CBN had only use an advanced powerful analog-controlled TV RF amplifier in third upgrade of 2009, rather than using a digitally-controlled analog TV signal just as GMA-7 analog TV transmitter. The analog TV signal picture quality would only the same as that of 2nd upgrade analog TV in 2000.

Aside from assembling V-type antenna, I often thought a wish for ABS-CBN TV Tower to build a taller structure to succeed GMA Tower of Power at over 237 meters high, but it only stands about 220 meters as of 2010 until today, as shown below. (In the future, there would have a plan to build a new DTTV tower at about more than 400 to 450 meters tall not only widen signal coverage but also accommodating separately-owned DTTV channels.) And I had often wish that ABS-CBN should momentarily air a UHF version of Channel 2 in Metro Manila, but nothing had implemented as they only focus on ISDB-T DTTV transmission assigning on UHF TV channel formally launched at Metro Manila area in 2012.

The following video clip show that ABS-CBN VHF Analog TV Channel 2 had further improved its signal reception, only if most households in Mega Manila should use genuine analog TV set with a U.S. standard analog TV channel bandwidth rather than Japan analog TV channel standard, as well as a complete outdoor TV antenna component such as 2-element long dipole and a director.

Even a built-in analog TV mobile phone, such as MyPhone handset in yellow-color body in this two video clips below, could get analog TV channel 2 in nearby or away from ABS-CBN TV Tower outdoors, only if the unit has raised its telescopic antenna. This was comparable to those areas in Metro Manila such as city or provincial buses that were still tuning to analog TV channel 7.

The third-generation assembled analog TV transmitting antenna over ABS-CBN TV Tower would likely dismantled by 2016 once the network shuts down analog TV transmission, as well as other TV networks going digital. By March of 2012, ABS-CBN TV Tower has assembled a DTTV antenna-ladden pinnacle made by Jampro (CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS WITH PDF DOWNLOADS) in order to operate ISDB-T transmission across Metro Manila and selected nearby provinces for testing, with a further commercial run by the end of 2012.

ABC-5 (TV5) has also introduced Jampro TV transmitting antenna in 2010, in which its structure is different from V-type analog TV transmitting antenna as mentioned above. (CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS) Recently used on most remote provincial areas, the prototype not only powers analog TV transmission but also a DTV-ready.

Tags: abs-cbn, abs-cbn channel 2, abs-cbn transmitter, abs-cbn tv tower, Metro Manila