I'm having trouble with DTV reception north of Boston (Hamilton, MA).

I have a Sylvania LC200SL8 TV with a Philips MANT510 antenna - no paid digital service.

The only channels I get are PBS, ABC, and CBS. For NBC and FOX, I get only a frozen picture with no audio.

I'm wanting more channels and better reception. Any recommendations? I can't afford to go with a paid service, and I'd rather stick with an indoor antenna if possible.

Thanks!

I did a quick check at antennaweb.org using zip code 01936 which pointed to a location at bay rd and cutler rd. All of the Boston transmitters are about 28 miles at a direction of about 236deg from that location. Are you pointed in that direction? 28 miles is a long distance for an indoor antenna, especially if you have multiple walls or hills in between it and the transmitters. WHDH-DT 7.1 NBC is on VHF7 which will be a problem for your UHF antenna. WFXT-DT 25.1 FOX is on UHF31. If you desire a more consistent reception you might consider a small outdoor uhf/highvhf antenna.

I did a quick check at antennaweb.org using zip code 01936 which pointed to a location at bay rd and cutler rd. All of the Boston transmitters are about 28 miles at a direction of about 236deg from that location. Are you pointed in that direction? 28 miles is a long distance for an indoor antenna, especially if you have multiple walls or hills in between it and the transmitters. WHDH-DT 7.1 NBC is on VHF7 which will be a problem for your UHF antenna. WFXT-DT 25.1 FOX is on UHF31. If you desire a more consistent reception you might consider a small outdoor uhf/highvhf antenna.
Thanks very much for your reply, raoulin. I'm really at zip code 01982, but they're not far apart. ^_^

I'm one of those who got laid off from their jobs, so I have to be price conscious right now. Most outdoor uh/highvhf antennas I've looked at cost in the area of about $300. Is there a less expensive one that you would recommend?

Or (out of curiosity) is there an indoor 30 mile antenna that would work just as well?

BTW, I was able to get NBC, Fox, and two other UHF channels on analog with the same antenna and same TV prior to the analog shut off. (The Sylvania LC200SL8 is able to receive both analog and digital signals.) So I'm wondering whether it'd make sense to just go with a converter box?

A converter box could net you a better tuner....and would probably help.


Here is the indoor TV antenna question rundown...

Do you face the direction of the transmitters, meaning do you have any windows or balconies etc that can be used for placement of the antenna?

What is your building made from? Brick, Stucco, Concrete, Masory, Metal siding, Aluminized vapor barriers, Metal or Terracotta roofing materials?

Do you have any VHF Hi transmissions that you are trying to get? How high are you off the ground?

How close and big are any obstructions, like nearby buildings, hills, trees, etc?

A converter box could net you a better tuner....and would probably help.
Okay... so that's an option.

Do you face the direction of the transmitters, meaning do you have any windows or balconies etc that can be used for placement of the antenna?
The house is facing east. I'm not sure of the direction of the transmitters from here, but I would assume they're in a southerly direction (since Boston is south of here).

What is your building made from? Brick, Stucco, Concrete, Masory, Metal siding, Aluminized vapor barriers, Metal or Terracotta roofing materials?
The building is wood with asphalt shingles.

Do you have any VHF Hi transmissions that you are trying to get?
Sorry, I'm not sure what that means.

How high are you off the ground?
You mean, the television? It's on the second floor.

How close and big are any obstructions, like nearby buildings, hills, trees, etc?
Two one-story houses on either side of me. Nothing like stores or office buildings. A lake to the west and a small hill (60 ft?) to the east. Some tall trees to the north and south.

Using an attic DIY antenna, here is Marblehead, I have solid reception on the following channels:

2.1, 2.2
4.1
5.1
7.1, 7.2
9.1
11.1, 11.2, 11.3
27.1, 27.2
25.1
38.1
44.1, 44.2, 44.3, 44.4
48.1
50.1
56.1
62.1, 62.2
66.1
68.1, 68.2, 68.3, 68.4

Comparing our zip codes in tvfool, you should have similar results. Although I am 5 miles closer to the antennas in Needham, we are both line of sight and my available signal only a couple of dBm stronger.

The antenna aiming should be to the Southwest (such that the front faces in that direction).

I would focus on the antenna (e.g. height, location, aiming). Your Phillips is basically rabbit ears for VHF and a loop for UHF with an amplifier. You do not need the amplification and it's very likely that reception of multi-path signals is responsible. An antenna with directionality would be better. There is a thread here on how to build antennas (I'm using a DIY design of 2 loops and reflector that I made using 2 thin aluminum foil cookie sheets that I bought for $1.50). There is also someone in Andover selling a DB4, good indoor antenna) on Craigs List for $20.

Note that Channel 7 is now broadcasting on channels 7 and 24 (try a rescan and see if their return to channel 24 restores reception.

I would avoid buying one of those converter boxes because they do not receive HDTV (and your set does).

Well if you are in a house then presumably you have windows facing all directions, no?

That DB4 is a pretty good antenna and a good price on craigslist, however, I dont know about Craigslist killers in that area. It also is not a VHF hi antenna and I see you have some VHF Hi stations.

Yeah the converter box is really a last resort. Although I googled your TV model and it states EDTV....which also means its probably got an older generation tuner.

Antenna recommendation really depends on where you will likely mount the thing and what you are willing and able to do.

Move the Antenna around and look for sweet spots. Buy longer cable and run it somehow across the room (along walls, under rugs) to the windows facing SouthWest? Build your antenna? That type of thing.

Make your own antenna, there is a good youtube video here somewhere that shows you how. Some 2x4, metal coat hangers, insulated 12 or 14ga copper and a $2 connector from RadioShack, some tinfoil and a 2'x4'x1/4" wood backing for a reflector. Can't get much cheaper than that. Here is the link to the video. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWQhlmJTMzw

You don't need a $300 antenna at 30 miles out. But an attic or outdoor antenna would be the most reliable. This one (http://www.solidsignal.com/prod_display.asp?prod=HD7694P) would probably work well for you for the channels being used in your area.

The youtube coat-hanger antenna is UHF-only. He needs high-VHF also.



This one in the attic would probably work fine: http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3537124

.....I'm really at zip code 01982.....I'm one of those who got laid off from their jobs, so I have to be price conscious right now. Most outdoor uh/highvhf antennas I've looked at cost in the area of about $300. Is there a less expensive one that you would recommend? Or (out of curiosity) is there an indoor 30 mile antenna that would work just as well?......

youre only about 30 miles from most of your local tv stations...which should be no problem to get, with a little luck....and they are all on uhf, i think...

strongly consider the attic first for an antenna location....if youre willing to experiment a little try a rabbit ear type antenna in the attic first...if it works, youre done! if not, move up to something better....but stay in the attic...at only 30 miles an attic antenna should work well....and it will last forever there.....no possible weather damage, lightning issues, etc etc....

that diy youtube antenna is a good project for u....but its a little complicated as shown there....heres essentially the same thing but much ez'er to assemble...i built this antenna for a few friends and it works well in their attics....and total cost is only about $2 for the matching transformer/balun! >

(i cant figure out how to embed a pic here from my pc so see the attachment below > )

and if u want to buy an antenna heres a good one from buy.com for only $32 including shipping...its fairly small so it should be ez to mount even in a cramped attic space >
http://www.dealigg.com/thumb_img/thumb_362668.jpg (http://www.dealigg.com/out.php?id=362668)
Winegard HD-1080 VHF/UHF/FM Antenna
http://www.dealigg.com/story-Winegard-HD-1080-VHF-UHF-FM-Antenna-20090616222523

the digital tuner in your tv should be ok....i bet u just need a decent antenna signal for it....

reply here or pm me with any questions...good luck

... if u want to buy an antenna heres a good one from buy.com for only $32 including shipping...its fairly small so it should be ez to mount even in a cramped attic space >
http://www.dealigg.com/thumb_img/thumb_362668.jpgThe winegard HD-1080 would not be a good choice if you need any VHF gain (http://www.solidsignal.com/prod_display.asp?PROD=HD-1080#MORE) at all.

Wow... thanks to everyone for all the suggestions. I really appreciate it.

There's a lot of info here, so I won't bother replying to everyone. However, I really appreciate all of your suggestions.

I'll give your ideas a try and get back to you should I have any questions.

Once again - thank you all very much! :)