Hello,
I have my Samsung DTBH260F on the way to match up with my projector. Rather than splurge for an antenna I built the hdtvblogspot DIY antenna (since I had the parts handy) and I'll try that out when the Samsung get's here. Here is my question- The digital stations on TVfool.com that come up are close (11 miles) but they are weak (outputting 0.03 to 0.01 kw). This puts the dbm ratings at my location from 75.4 to 102.5. Think I'll have any luck with the DIY 4 dipole antenna? The antenna will be on the second story in a big window looking directly towards the transmittor with a 35 foot coax run to the tuner. Sorry I couldn't post my TVfool chart. I couldn't figure out how. I know I'm kinda jumping the gun with my question given that my tuner isn't here yet but I'm curious about close stations that output low power. Has anybody had luck in a similar situation?

You can post the tvfool.com image by first clicking on the "save image" link on the tvfool.com signal analysis results page. Then here at the avsforum post message page under options, click on the manage attachments button in the Attach Files box. Select the file using the Browse button, then upload.

Are those stations that are listed at 0.03 to 0.01 kW low power stations on UHF or VHF? Or are they full power stations at a very low STA (Special Temporary Authority) power level? If they are digital low power (-LD) stations, odds are that they are not on the air. tvfool.com lists the digital allocation that has been granted by the FCC for many LD stations, but only a small number of LP stations are on the air with a digital signal at this time. Most of the LPs won't start up a digital broadcast until some TBD time after February 17, 2009.

But -75 to -102 dBM numbers are not that weak. I get stations down to a predicted -105 dBm range with a CM 4221 in my attic with a pre-amp.

Great info, thanks. So if I don't pick up those digital stations with a proper set-up I shouldn't bang my head in frustration? :) I noticed TVfool.com has many more stations listed than Antennaweb.org. That might be the reason. The 4221 was on my short list in case the DIY doesn't perform. What preamp are you using with it? I've looked at the CM7777 but it's pricey y'know.

I'm using the CM 7777 pre-amp. But I can get most stations without it. Unless you have a long cable run and you are out at deep fringe range, try reception w/o a pre-amp first to see if you can get all the stations.

If you could post the call signs for the 0.03 to 0.1 kW (30 to 100 Watts) stations or your zip code, we can look them up and see if they appear to be on the air. Antennaweb is over conservative on digital reception, tvfool.com is generally more accurate if you enter your exact location. But tvfool will list digital stations that are not on the air yet, so you have to be a bit careful with it. The trick with antennaweb is to enter a high antenna height, say 200' or 300' or higher, under options to get a more complete list of digital stations in your area.