Wherever you go to buy an antenna, in NYC, with so many buildings in the way, you will have to deal with multipath - that is, signals bouncing off buildings. Therefore, it's important to get a very directional antenna so you can home in on the best signals available.

That's why I suggested the Terk.

Gotcha, that makes sense. So I'd just take the Terk and point it in the compass bearing suggested by TVFool (towards ESB, I believe)? Does the antenna need to be near a window?

You can start there. If you're lucky, that's all you have to do. If reception is not what you want, then the frustrating part begins. Be prepared to try just about any direction in multiple locations in the room to find a spot where signals add up in your favor. Be also prepared to have several "sweet spots", as multipath adds up differently for each channel.

Wherever you go to buy an antenna, in NYC, with so many buildings in the way, you will have to deal with multipath - that is, signals bouncing off buildings. Therefore, it's important to get a very directional antenna so you can home in on the best signals available.

That's why I suggested the Terk.

Wouldn't Queens be Similar to Brooklyn? I do not like the Terk Directional antenna's Never read a good review. That is why I like the Terk 55 because it works for us. Everyone is different He needs to try 3 to 5 different antenna's Or until he gets the most channels

Queens will not be similar to Queens!

I have seen instances where an apartment next door gets totally different reception.

When you're dealing with multipath reception you cannot assume anything.

In my situation, a highly directional antenna is mandate. The Terk HDTVI that I had recommended to be tried has its UHF portion based on the Silver Sensor, the antenna that I use. In fact, the Silver Sensor was originally developed with the help of the BBC, where in England, it's all UHF transmission. When the transition took place, I addded a set of VHF rabbit ears. The Terk, which works well for some friends, has the VHF rabbit ears already built-in.

I agree, one may well have to try different antennas. That's why I stressed the ability to return/exchange an antenna that doesn't work well in a particular situation.

Does the antenna need to be near a window?
No!!!

Windows are made for human-visible light. Their ability to pass RF frequencies is pretty much unrelated to how well you can see through them. Window frames that are made out of aluminum and similar materials that conduct electricity can make windows really bad places for RF reception.

My advice is to use trial-and-error to find your best indoor antenna placement. Same thing for internal antennas. If you can't return one that doesn't work for you, then you're out a couple dozen bucks. (IMHO it would be foolish to spend much for an internal antenna.) That's what garage sales are for! ;)

No!!!

Windows are made for human-visible light. Their ability to pass RF frequencies is pretty much unrelated to how well you can see through them. Window frames that are made out of aluminum and similar materials that conduct electricity can make windows really bad places for RF reception.

My advice is to use trial-and-error to find your best indoor antenna placement. Same thing for internal antennas. If you can't return one that doesn't work for you, then you're out a couple dozen bucks. (IMHO it would be foolish to spend much for an internal antenna.) That's what garage sales are for! ;)

Right, I was wondering more because I assumed that a window is thinner, and easier for radio signals to get through, than the stone outer walls of my apartment. Of course, not that it matters, because I don't have any windows that are even remotely the same direction as the broadcast--to get the antenna near a window, I'd have to be pointing it almost 180 degrees away from the ESB.

I'm going to try to get one of these and see if it works. Like I said, I'm really worried because I'm in the garden level (slightly below ground, antenna would be at about exactly ground level) apartment. We shall see...

Next step (assuming I can make this work!) will be to get it up and running on my MythTV box...

Well, tried to receive WPXN (31) this morning - and the signal is so low it won't allow reception.

So much for the station telling one of the Forum's members that reception would improve before the New Year once the station "moved buildings."

Come on Ion, get your act together and stop with the band-aids and move up to the Antenna Mast with higher power - this was all to have happened last August!

I still have not received any responses to my e-mails sent to the station about reception!

You're supposed to be in the communications business - how about communicating!!!!

So even being <5 miles from the transmitter, it still can be hard to get a signal? Yikes.

Any suggestions of places where I could buy such an antenna locally and be able to return it? I'd buy it online, except that returns would then be a bit trickier.

I learned that lesson last year when I got my first HDTV. I am not to far from you on Hoyt Street and only 4 miles from the ESB and I learned that reception closer can be tricky. I was shocked when I am able to get that cruddy WFME which is 15 miles away much stronger than the local stations on the ESB. I tried many antennas but I am now using the Terk HDTVa. I should have stayed with the HDTVi which is non amplified because it does not make a bit of difference in reception. It also helps that I am on the third floor of the brownstone house. My mother is on the second floor and except for the stupid WFME which is always strong she can get some of the UHF channels but weaker than I can get but cannot get the VHF stations with the Terk HDTVi.

The stations I can get the strongest is channel 7 on VHF and channel 5 on UHF. Channel 4 is weak for UHF. Channel 13 I can still get but not as strong but channel 11 has been better. Channel 9 and channel 2 fluctuates a lot. Channel 50 which is in NJ has been stronger for me lately getting it in the 70's. I know they must has boost there power. The channels I can't get for the life of me are channel 31 and 41. I hope I explained enough.

Well, tried to receive WPXN (31) this morning - and the signal is so low it won't allow reception.

So much for the station telling one of the Forum's members that reception would improve before the New Year once the station "moved buildings."

Come on Ion, get your act together and stop with the band-aids and move up to the Antenna Mast with higher power - this was all to have happened last August!

I still have not received any responses to my e-mails sent to the station about reception!

You're supposed to be in the communications business - how about communicating!!!!

When you can't tell the truth you can spin or be quiet. The latter is another form of communications.

You said a mouthful!

Apparently, you do not have ch.17 in conv.box memory, punch in the number it puts you to nearest 1up
17-3 HD no show but color,apparently has been DELETED by management
17-1.2 720x480i 30 hz
17-4 audio only

Right, I was wondering more because I assumed that a window is thinner, and easier for radio signals to get through, than the stone outer walls of my apartment. Of course, not that it matters, because I don't have any windows that are even remotely the same direction as the broadcast--to get the antenna near a window, I'd have to be pointing it almost 180 degrees away from the ESB.

I'm going to try to get one of these and see if it works. Like I said, I'm really worried because I'm in the garden level (slightly below ground, antenna would be at about exactly ground level) apartment. We shall see...

Next step (assuming I can make this work!) will be to get it up and running on my MythTV box...
Garden apartment, eh? Your most "fun" will come from trying to keep a decent signal when your upstairs neighbors start moving around. :D

17-3 HD no show but color,apparently has been DELETED by management
17-1.2 720x480i 30 hz
17-4 audio only

WEBR 17.2 is acting up this week suddenly the resolution changed know it looks kinda crappy, even the color got darker.
Also Ch 17.1 is know a blue screen with GCN LOGO on it.
I hope all these tech problems are because they adding a NEW channel.

On another note what is going on with WASA i thought WNYE CH 25.2 was the worst channel on TV, but WASA ONLY SHOWS PICS WITH NO SOUND:confused::confused:

I completely readjusted the orientation of my antenna in my attic and have been getting ION reliably now (meter = 60-80%) for the past 4-5 days. As a result of this reorientation, I only receive channels 2 and 4 at around 70% when I used to get them both at 100%. Other stations are still at above 90%. So far no breakups on any of the stations! We will see if that trend continues over the coming weeks. Never a dull moment in trying to receive perfect reception on all channels. I hope everyone is having a happy and healthy new year.

I can't get a peep from njn ch 50.1 from queens. is this channel normally attainable from queens, the same for 18.1 i believe is in the same antenna location over at montclair state university. a response from anyone would be welcomed!

yobiworld - " On another note what is going on with WASA i thought WNYE CH 25.2 was the worst channel on TV, but WASA ONLY SHOWS PICS WITH NO SOUND "
The purpose of ch.25-2 is service to car drivers, let's say you go to Yonkers -check the traffic on 25-2 in that direction, going to NJ? - check the Holland tunnel to see the traffic, it is good service strictly for drivers - not for TV viewers. However,
I use it also as weather report, ch7-3 the hours windows are pre-programmed especially for weekend giving unreliable weather report, ch25-2 is live, you can see people carrying umbrellas crossing streets, it is reliable the best visual weather report.
64-1 gives only infomercials, 64-2 slideshow.

You're forgetting the "wonderful" infomercials on WASA - Channel 64.1!

Last weekend funny thing happened to 68-1.2, the signal always at 100 got lost for brief time and 41-1.2 become strong, and then again it reversed to normal, I'm sure come June 12 the signal will be strong again (I hope).alo.

Huh? Why would you think this coming June 12th would change anything? Unless you're being sarcastic.

The day that shall live in infamy?

the FIFA real futbal from South Africa starts in June, I tried to connect to what - nycdigital09 - was saying.

I can't get a peep from njn ch 50.1 from queens. is this channel normally attainable from queens, the same for 18.1 i believe is in the same antenna location over at montclair state university. a response from anyone would be welcomed!
The 50-1.2.3Audio from another direction is also 52-1.2 lots of kiddies shows.3Audio only, it is in memory of one conv. box but it's too much trouble to get signal, would loose other channels on the Coship. Another box iNet/ Tivax type can not get it to memory - too much tinkering with Ant. leads to loss of signal in particular from Ion31.
I was also able to get 55-1 to memory, but the same as the NJ ch.50/52 it requires lots of repositioning of my double or triple BowRabbitears indoor Ant. with suplementary subject to wind roof Ant. connected to 4-1 splitter, in other words the 52 and 55 are in memory with Zero signal.

Is it just my box acting up or are 5.2 and 9.2 gone? I liked the option of having them even if they are kinda weird.

I'm receiving them, but now they are just 489i - SD simulcasts. That is, the same programming on 5.2 as 5.1, and the same programming on 9.2 as 9.1.

Still wastes of bandwidth!

Could they have flipped the mappings?

44.3 (Fox-HD) mapped to 5-1
44.4 (My-SD) mapped to 9-2

38.3 (My-HD) mapped to 9-1
38.4 (Fox-SD) mapped to 5-2

Like so? I know Fox has done that in other markets.

- Trip

Could they have flipped the mappings?

44.3 (Fox-HD) mapped to 5-1
44.4 (My-SD) mapped to 9-2

38.3 (My-HD) mapped to 9-1
38.4 (Fox-SD) mapped to 5-2

Like so? I know Fox has done that in other markets.

- Trip

Thats what they used to be.

5.2 was 9.1 in SD
9.2 was 5.1 in SD

Seems to have changed for whatever reason Friday or Sat.

This is getting confusing.

Previously:

5.1 - Fox HD
5.2 - My SD

9.1 - My HD
9.2 - Fox SD

Now:

5.1 - Fox HD
5.2 - Fox SD

9.1 - My HD
9.2 - My SD

Hope this helps!!!!

SiliconDust hasn't caught up yet. It will have answers once it does.

- Trip

Speaking of subchannel switches, WPIX recently flipped LATV (was .1, now .2) and Estrella TV (was .2, now .1)

Let's talk Digital Display - the way the majority of people understand the mapping of channels.

11.1 - WPIX (CW) - HD
11.2 - Estrella TV - SD
11.3 - LATV - SD

Anyone else having trouble with 5-1 today (1/17)?

Jeff

I noticed that CBS has no sub channel. They should add one soon

I noticed that CBS has no sub channel. They should add one soon

No, that would decrease the HD picture quality. The CBS-owned stations are some of the last to still have pristine picture quality due to not having any subchannels.

- Trip

I hope WCBS never adds a subchannel. Subchannels are big waste of time and look terrible on my TV at the cruddy 480i 30 Hz. They can keep them.

I noticed that CBS has no sub channel. They should add one soon

It is an on going argument here. The people with the large 50" Flat screen LCD/Plasma TV's Do not want any sub-stations on CBS because 50" Large screens show every flaw in picture quality. The more sub stations the more compression and thus more flaws.

The people with the 27" CRT (Old TV) Wants as many sub-stations as possible. Since any amount of compression will not show on such tiny old TV's

I used to want 100 sub-stations. The more the better. BUT now that I see the BAD programing on the sub stations. I am in favor of no subs. Unless they get movie channels and 24/7 news and programing like sci fi station of discovery. Or Tv Land ect

If they are just going to put out crap on the sub's then why have them?

Anyone else having trouble with 5-1 today (1/17)?

Jeff
I am in Chatham, NJ but have watched all NY HDTV stations since the DTV conversion. In recent weeks, channel 5-1 WNYW TV has become unusable for me. All other NY channels are loud and clear. While trying to watch football yesterday on FOX which used to be on 9-2, I found there was essentially no signal on that channel even though 9-1 comes in great (10 bars on my Samsung TV). I have two antennas in the attic UHF and VHF connected to a Channel Master 7777 preamp. At least 5-2 is comming in 10-bars and has FOX transmission of the Cowboys-Vikings game. I notice from VA's spreadsheet that WNYW has side mounted antennas on ESB. Perhaps this effects my reception. However, 9-1 and 5-2 are comming in great, though 5-2 is not high def. I wonder if these stations are messing with all of this. Went to FCC site and could find nothing.

So you're getting 9-1 and 5-2, but not 5-1 and 9-2? This makes it sound like my theory is correct...

- Trip

Deleted

Now I have a 5.2, which is an SD simulcast of 5.1, but the signal levels are noticeably different so I presume it's the former 9.2 still on the same frequency but now mapped to 5.2.

Still no 9.2, though.

It's not necessarily a waste: My sister, who lives right by the ESB, has had trouble with 5.1 and needed to use 9.2 in the past, plus it's nice to have for stuff like OAR Seinfeld if someone desired it.

It is an on going argument here. The people with the large 50" Flat screen LCD/Plasma TV's Do not want any sub-stations on CBS because 50" Large screens show every flaw in picture quality. The more sub stations the more compression and thus more flaws.

The people with the 27" CRT (Old TV) Wants as many sub-stations as possible. Since any amount of compression will not show on such tiny old TV's

I used to want 100 sub-stations. The more the better. BUT now that I see the BAD programing on the sub stations. I am in favor of no subs. Unless they get movie channels and 24/7 news and programing like sci fi station of discovery. Or Tv Land ect

If they are just going to put out crap on the sub's then why have them?

Fred Friendly, who was an early TV pioneer and worked with Edward R Murrow said the networks were under the gun because there were only 24 hours in the day and only so many commercials would fit in. Now, they have expanded the clock and thus the sub-channels. Hopefully no one will watch, there will be negligible Nielson data and they'll collapse the sub-channels

i hate to complain a bit but doesnt anybody find the ota forum out of wack, why is ota forum from one city mix with cable or hdtv from another, i have to constantly look for ota philly or hartford in every page (pain in the butt) why dont the web designer put only ota forums on few pages then cable on different pages cant somebody explain this to me ? :(

So you're getting 9-1 and 5-2, but not 5-1 and 9-2? This makes it sound like my theory is correct...

- Trip
I missed the theory. Where may I find it? Thanks.

Could they have flipped the mappings?

44.3 (Fox-HD) mapped to 5-1
44.4 (My-SD) mapped to 9-2

38.3 (My-HD) mapped to 9-1
38.4 (Fox-SD) mapped to 5-2

Like so? I know Fox has done that in other markets.

- Trip

That. My listings on RabbitEars reflect this change in configuration, as it seems pretty much confirmed as far as I'm concerned.

- Trip

That. My listings on RabbitEars reflect this change in configuration, as it seems pretty much confirmed as far as I'm concerned.

- Trip
So if FOX HD-5 and My SD-9 were to be mapped into the higher top-mounted channel 38 antenna and Fox SD-5 and My HD-9 were to be mapped into the lower and side-mounted channel 44 antenna it would serve their market better.

It is an on going argument here. The people with the large 50" Flat screen LCD/Plasma TV's Do not want any sub-stations on CBS because 50" Large screens show every flaw in picture quality. The more sub stations the more compression and thus more flaws.

The people with the 27" CRT (Old TV) Wants as many sub-stations as possible. Since any amount of compression will not show on such tiny old TV's

I used to want 100 sub-stations. The more the better. BUT now that I see the BAD programing on the sub stations. I am in favor of no subs. Unless they get movie channels and 24/7 news and programing like sci fi station of discovery. Or Tv Land ect

If they are just going to put out crap on the sub's then why have them?

You know what?

You have a great point i thought that June 12, 2009 things would be different. More channels better programming.
Thought it would be like having cable and for while it did kinda feel like that.

Unfortunately I was wrong every time someone adds a new channel it ends up with some crappy programming.

The ONLY networks I seen taking full advantage of there Subchannel is NBC
CW PiX. They have sports a music channel that plays American music.
CBS should add maybe a Subchannel that plays some there old programming.

My advise is If YOUT not gonna put something that is worth watching then dont bother

cbs has stated they will not put subchannels on their own and operated stations (NY, LA, chicago, etc)

the business model is not about putting on worthwhile programming but generating revenue with subchannels have hardly done. nbc subchannels do not generate revenue, wpix makes some on lease agreements with estrella and latv. pbs stations like 13 & 21 obviously do not make money on their subchannels but provide a good public service for kids, spanish, etc.

subchannels are good for supplementing/complimenting sister services such as WNYW/WWOR and WXTV/WFUT where OTA viewers may get one of the signals and not the other.



You know what?

You have a great point i thought that June 12, 2009 things would be different. More channels better programming.
Thought it would be like having cable and for while it did kinda feel like that.

Unfortunately I was wrong every time someone adds a new channel it ends up with some crappy programming.

The ONLY networks I seen taking full advantage of there Subchannel is NBC
CW PiX. They have sports a music channel that plays American music.
CBS should add maybe a Subchannel that plays some there old programming.

My advise is If YOUT not gonna put something that is worth watching then dont bother

I noticed it with channels 5 and 9 too. I did not even know that a subchannel can be on a different RF channel from the main channel.

I noticed it with channels 5 and 9 too. I did not even know that a subchannel can be on a different RF channel from the main channel.

Fox is doing this now in Los Angeles, Phoenix, and Minneapolis at least.

- Trip

You know what?

You have a great point i thought that June 12, 2009 things would be different. More channels better programming.
Thought it would be like having cable and for while it did kinda feel like that.

Unfortunately I was wrong every time someone adds a new channel it ends up with some crappy programming.

The ONLY networks I seen taking full advantage of there Subchannel is NBC
CW PiX. They have sports a music channel that plays American music.
CBS should add maybe a Subchannel that plays some there old programming.

My advise is If YOUT not gonna put something that is worth watching then dont bother

PS ION is not bad

i hate to complain a bit but doesnt anybody find the ota forum out of wack, why is ota forum from one city mix with cable or hdtv from another, i have to constantly look for ota philly or hartford in every page (pain in the butt) why dont the web designer put only ota forums on few pages then cable on different pages cant somebody explain this to me ? :(

Your complaint is valid and your suggestion is good. I got around the issue you wrote about by simply adding the link to the NY OTA to my favorites. You could do the same for Philly and other OTA markets you were interested in. I would love to see just an OTA forum.

The argument I've heard most frequently in favor of a combined forum for all services (OTA/cable/satellite) in an area is that if something is wrong with a local station, it's easy to have people with multiple services confirm, whereas if there's a problem with a specific service like a local cable company, the users of the other services can confirm it's fine for them.

The only time I've seen threads split like that in recent times are when posts about one service just completely drown out the others. For example, the Cleveland HDTV thread was turned into the Cleveland TWC thread because 80% or more of posts were about Time-Warner cable. A new thread for OTA was started.

Plus there are a lot of markets where there is not enough traffic to justify additional threads. I know I would not suggest splitting up my area's HDTV thread since there are not nearly enough posts to justify splitting it up.

- Trip

PS ION is not bad

If you can get it. During the holidays i got the station very weak with breakups but now I can't even get a blimp of a picture on channel 31.

If you can get it. During the holidays i got the station very weak with breakups but now I can't even get a blimp of a picture on channel 31.

Go figure Reddice, ION has been rock-solid for me the past few weeks after having been pretty crappy in December.

Divorce? As it has been already noted elsewhere ch.5-1 and -2 is only 5fox no more 9 and the same with ch.9- and -2 only 9wor no more 5fox, however
they are together on ch.44-1.2.4 usually 44-1goes to Fox5-1 though it may go to 9-1, depending what kind of conv.box you may, only 44-3 is no Video/Audio though good signal

PS ION is not bad

ION

Does not have good programming In opinion

ION

Does not have good programming In opinion

You no like Boston Legal? Awwww:rolleyes:

Maybe - but Qubo (31.2) is priceless as my kids love it so much.

I noticed that CBS has no sub channel. They should add one soon
At this point it might be more likely for the CBS O&Os to consider ATSC-M/H rather than a subchannel. It will still effect HD quality but it would at least be a new business model for CBS to experiment with. CBS already has (partially) a subchannel for some of their affiliates called the CW and that doesn't seem to be making CBS big money.

CBS owns half of CW with Warner Bros. controlling the remainder.

I noticed it with channels 5 and 9 too. I did not even know that a subchannel can be on a different RF channel from the main channel.

a subchannel CANNOT be on a different RF channel. 5.2 is not a sunchannel of 5.1 as 9.2 is not a subchannel of 9.1. WWOR and WNYW only changed PSIP information for the benefit of those that pickup one RF channel and not the other.

The only time I've seen threads split like that in recent times are when posts about one service just completely drown out the others. For example, the Cleveland HDTV thread was turned into the Cleveland TWC thread because 80% or more of posts were about Time-Warner cable. A new thread for OTA was started.

Plus there are a lot of markets where there is not enough traffic to justify additional threads. I know I would not suggest splitting up my area's HDTV thread since there are not nearly enough posts to justify splitting it up.

- Trip
The one un-split thread that really surprises me is the Washington, DC / Baltimore, MD HDTV thread although there are separate threads for DC Comcast and DC Verizon.

I don't know if it's atmospherics, but tonight I have a solid lock on abc new york. Never had more than a blip before.

Hi All,

I have a weird situation here that I need your help with. I have Dish Network that I hooked up an OTA antenna through the ViP722 receiver. Prior to the digital signal conversion I used to receive the 11 (CW) and 7 (WABC) no problem. Unfortunately after the conversion, I believe the stations moved from UHF to Hi-VHF and I could not get them on my UHF only antenna Clearstream 2. I bit the bullet and bought a new antenna, Freevision, which I installed today and rescanned. This antenna is great, I receive even more channels (2, 4, 5, 9, 11, 13, 21, 25, 31, 41, 47, 55, 64, 67, and 68). Do you see what is missing? Yes, it is WABC. Why I can receive all the possible channels except WABC? Looking at the map TVFOOL.com gave me, WABC should not be any different than NBC. So what gives.

I tried to look through the messages in this thread, but according to multiple comments, WABC should be strong enough to receive. I draw on your collective analysis to get to the bottom of this mystery.

I appreciate your help or receommendations.

BTW, I live in Mamaroneck, NY.

Hi All,

I have a weird situation here that I need your help with. I have Dish Network that I hooked up an OTA antenna through the ViP722 receiver. Prior to the digital signal conversion I used to receive the 11 (CW) and 7 (WABC) no problem. Unfortunately after the conversion, I believe the stations moved from UHF to Hi-VHF and I could not get them on my UHF only antenna Clearstream 2. I bit the bullet and bought a new antenna, Freevision, which I installed today and rescanned. This antenna is great, I receive even more channels (2, 4, 5, 9, 11, 13, 21, 25, 31, 41, 47, 55, 64, 67, and 68). Do you see what is missing? Yes, it is WABC. Why I can receive all the possible channels except WABC? Looking at the map TVFOOL.com gave me, WABC should not be any different than NBC. So what gives.

I tried to look through the messages in this thread, but according to multiple comments, WABC should be strong enough to receive. I draw on your collective analysis to get to the bottom of this mystery.

I appreciate your help or receommendations.

BTW, I live in Mamaroneck, NY.

To think that VHF-WABC and UHF-WNBC should not be any different is the height of wishful thinking. Just because the two stations use the Antenna Mast on the ESB is almost meaningless.

What you have to hope for and wait for is that the FCC approves an increase in power that WABC has requested. The complication with this is that WABC's hope for more power is predicated upon a like filing by WNJB - Channel 8 in New Jersey and WGAL in Pennsylvania getting OKs.

Hi All,

I have a weird situation here that I need your help with. I have Dish Network that I hooked up an OTA antenna through the ViP722 receiver. Prior to the digital signal conversion I used to receive the 11 (CW) and 7 (WABC) no problem. Unfortunately after the conversion, I believe the stations moved from UHF to Hi-VHF and I could not get them on my UHF only antenna Clearstream 2. I bit the bullet and bought a new antenna, Freevision, which I installed today and rescanned. This antenna is great, I receive even more channels (2, 4, 5, 9, 11, 13, 21, 25, 31, 41, 47, 55, 64, 67, and 68). Do you see what is missing? Yes, it is WABC. Why I can receive all the possible channels except WABC? Looking at the map TVFOOL.com gave me, WABC should not be any different than NBC. So what gives.

I tried to look through the messages in this thread, but according to multiple comments, WABC should be strong enough to receive. I draw on your collective analysis to get to the bottom of this mystery.

I appreciate your help or receommendations.

BTW, I live in Mamaroneck, NY.

Try these:
1. Rotate the antenna slightly and/or raise it it a little. You need two people with cellphone. If not try,
2. Change the length of the down lead cable by 11 inches.
These are intended to counter OTA or cable multipath at channel 7

Hi All,

I have a weird situation here that I need your help with. I have Dish Network that I hooked up an OTA antenna through the ViP722 receiver. Prior to the digital signal conversion I used to receive the 11 (CW) and 7 (WABC) no problem. Unfortunately after the conversion, I believe the stations moved from UHF to Hi-VHF and I could not get them on my UHF only antenna Clearstream 2. I bit the bullet and bought a new antenna, Freevision, which I installed today and rescanned. This antenna is great, I receive even more channels (2, 4, 5, 9, 11, 13, 21, 25, 31, 41, 47, 55, 64, 67, and 68). Do you see what is missing? Yes, it is WABC. Why I can receive all the possible channels except WABC? Looking at the map TVFOOL.com gave me, WABC should not be any different than NBC. So what gives.

I tried to look through the messages in this thread, but according to multiple comments, WABC should be strong enough to receive. I draw on your collective analysis to get to the bottom of this mystery.

I appreciate your help or receommendations.

BTW, I live in Mamaroneck, NY.

In NY, 7, 9, and 13 all moved back to their original analog channels as part of the digital transition. The rest on the NY stations stayed on UHF channels. Comparing the specifications of the C2 vs. the FV30, the C2 should be expected to outperform the FV30 on all the UHF channels.

The FV30 spec indicates a gain on channel 7 of -8.1 dBi (-10.25 dBd) with a F/B ration of 0.0. A properly oriented and perfect "rabbit ears" has a gain of 2.15 dBi (0 dBd) with a F/B also of 0.

Forecasted power levels for your city suggest WABC should be receivable with a decent antenna, even one with negative gain, that is properly installed. You didn't indicate mounting location (indoors, outdoors, attic, etc) and any additional equipment that be detrimental to system performance.

I'd throw an FM trap into the line between the antenna and the first electronic device (amplifier or tuner) as you might be getting FM interference from 90.7 FM (46 Kw at about 9 miles). I'd also try different mounting locations and heights of the antenna.

In NY, 7, 9, and 13 all moved back to their original analog channels as part of the digital transition.

9 stayed on UHF. It's 7, 11, and 13 that are on VHF now.

- Trip

Since the fox and wor have no tenant for their -2 sub, perhaps it is time for wor9 to
put their Million Dollar movies on 9-2. And fox?
since they complain about 'loosing $$', surely they have great collection of films,

I bit the bullet and bought a new antenna, Freevision, which I installed today and rescanned.
Unfortunately the FreeVision isn't a very good antenna for Channel 7 and the Winegard HD-1080 is even worse for that channel. Hopefully the suggestions made in the post by DTVintermods will work for you or you can return it to where you bought it.

I don't know if it's atmospherics, but tonight I have a solid lock on abc new york. Never had more than a blip before.

I think your're right about good signal propogation last night, azteca tv when out last night, I picked up channel 39 from hartford last night, also wtxx ch 20 came as well, it was intense tropo last night

9 stayed on UHF. It's 7, 11, and 13 that are on VHF now.

- Trip



That's what I get from trying to do things from memory..

Thanks for the correction.

As Maxwell Smart used to say, "Missed it by this much"....

That's what I get from trying to do things from memory..

Thanks for the correction.

As Maxwell Smart used to say, "Missed it by this much"....

Sorry, wrong again!

It was, "Missed it by that much."

Since the fox and wor have no tenant for their -2 sub, perhaps it is time for wor9 to
put their Million Dollar movies on 9-2. And fox?
since they complain about 'loosing $$', surely they have great collection of films,

Even if they wanted to do that, all the tapes that the then WOR-TV had in its library were thrown out or lost when they moved to Secaucus back in the 80s.

Whether a station stores old tapes of movies or not, does not allow them to continue to play them at will. They don't own the films, in essence, they rent them from their owners/distributors.

Stations negotiate with the owners/distributors of programming for the right to air them within a specific time frame known as the "window" and also the number of times they can be shown.

So, the assumption that Channel 9 continues to have rights to "Million Dollar Movies" just isn't so!

I sometimes long for the days when WPIX was 11Alive, but this is the closest that I'm gonna see.

http://www.wpix.com/marketplace/cafepress/

Last Sat. Pix11-1 was showing Rangers loss at Blues, this Saturday,today Rangers
at 7 on 11-1; Good weather - good signal, maybe the signal will hold.

And before there was wpix11 Alive, and before the Yankees reinvaded wpix11, every night there was then current movie on, that was one major reason that Drive-In were killed, now who is killing the TV ? - BAAAAD Programming, don't blame the internet in spite off the fact that instead of watching TV you are seating behind the pc and writing and reading what you see in front of you - it is the Bad programming, what do you think?

BAAAAD Programming, don't blame the internet in spite off the fact that instead of watching TV you are seating behind the pc and writing and reading what you see in front of you - it is the Bad programming, what do you think?
Of course it's the programming but the fact is total television revenue is split between many more channels. Creativity could probably solve the problem but that also seems to be in short supply amongst some of the owners of those many channels.

It seems to me that the Spanish TV stations have one great advantage over English
speaking ch.'s, they get shows from Argentina,Colombia and other Habla Espanol
countries to get good shows on U.S. air.
True, claim of bad programming is cop out, too many other factors are involved in shrinking of TV audiences, and for 1 actor in half hour sitcom to get under 1mil. per episode will not bring up TV revenues

It seems to me that the Spanish TV stations have one great advantage over English
speaking ch.'s, they get shows from Argentina,Colombia and other Habla Espanol
countries to get good shows on U.S. air.
True, claim of bad programming is cop out, too many other factors are involved in shrinking of TV audiences, and for 1 actor in half hour sitcom to get under 1mil. per episode will not bring up TV revenues

Sorry Alo, US created programing is by far better than the Spanish language programs brought into this country. First of all, the US is an English speaking country. Shows such as the Simpsons and movies like Avatar are seen all over the world in many different languages. Creative programming, like music, Movies & TV is still one of America's greatest export items. Now to be honest, I don't speak Spanish and feel no reason with the vast supply of quality English language programming to watch shows with sub-titles or dubbed audio. To each their own but in the USA, English is the language (even if our politicians don't have the ba**s to say so) and the last thing we need to do considering that we import everything else is to import TV shows and movies. In the UK the reason that Sky TV is so successful is that they air US produced programs. Enjoy your Spanish language television but don't expect it to become anything more than niche programming in this country.

I don't know where you live, but in many major cities in the U.S., Spanish language programming outrates the major (network affiliated) English language stations.

As the Spanish speaking population increases, so shall the television programming.

Good old American capitalism!!!

many latinos living in major cities like NYC & LA rely solely on OTA so there is lot spanish language programming on TV and radio stations will carry programming that generate revenue for them (example WPIX carrying 2 spanish subchannels under lease agreement)

Sorry Alo, US created programing is by far better than the Spanish language programs brought into this country. First of all, the US is an English speaking country. Shows such as the Simpsons and movies like Avatar are seen all over the world in many different languages. Creative programming, like music, Movies & TV is still one of America's greatest export items. Now to be honest, I don't speak Spanish and feel no reason with the vast supply of quality English language programming to watch shows with sub-titles or dubbed audio. To each their own but in the USA, English is the language (even if our politicians don't have the ba**s to say so) and the last thing we need to do considering that we import everything else is to import TV shows and movies. In the UK the reason that Sky TV is so successful is that they air US produced programs. Enjoy your Spanish language television but don't expect it to become anything more than niche programming in this country.

I don't know where you live, but in many major cities in the U.S., Spanish language programming outrates the major (network affiliated) English language stations.

As the Spanish speaking population increases, so shall the television programming.

Good old American capitalism!!!

I live in NYC and the Spanish UHF's do not beat the major English language stations in this market. Yes, there are 3 Spanish language TV stations (plus a few on the HD 2 & 3 channels of WPIX, an HD 3 on WNET and some low powered facilities). When Arbitron moved from old fashioned diaries to the more accurate PPM system they use now in major markets, the ratings for both Spanish language and urban radio, while still profitable, were nowhere near as highly rated.

This is still a majority English language country by a very wide margin and so unless you are in southern California or the Arizona/Texas/New Mexican border English language stations have wider audiences. This is not an insult to the Spanish language. I just hope, like every other minority who has come to this country, those who rely on Spanish language media, learn English and join the rest of us as all of our forefathers did in previous generations.

many latinos living in major cities like NYC & LA rely solely on OTA so there is lot spanish language programming on TV and radio stations will carry programming that generate revenue for them (example WPIX carrying 2 spanish subchannels under lease agreement)

Tribune is desperate for money and so have leased their HD 2 & HD 3 channels to a third party. I'd be interested to see just how many people watch those channels. relative to the full power, main channel broadcasts, the HD 2 & 3 channels have very small audiences. Only the poorest receive their TV OTA in the NY Market. Cable/satellite penetration is enormous. I have DirecTV and they don't carry any of the NY HD 2 or HD 3 channels. There is alos a Korean TV broadcaster in the market. Yes they are profitable but compaired with main stream English language broadcasters these stations have a limited audience potential. Remember even people who speak Spanish watch the mainstream VHF commercial channels. I seriously doubt there's a messurable Engluish language audience for the Spanish stations. That's my opinion.

Those 2 subchannels that WPIX carries are also carried on the area cable systems, so while they might not be getting much of an OTA audience, they're definitely getting a cable audience.

Those 2 subchannels that WPIX carries are also carried on the area cable systems, so while they might not be getting much of an OTA audience, they're definitely getting a cable audience.

They are not being broadcast over DirecTV. Which cable carriers are airing HD 2 & HD 3 channels other than Roadrunner in the city?

Those 2 subchannels that WPIX carries are also carried on the area cable systems, so while they might not be getting much of an OTA audience, they're definitely getting a cable audience.

estrella does not have wide cable carriage yet but i imagine any system carrying WPIX HD and LATV will launch estrella at some point since it will not take any more bandwith on their systems. for programmers looking to gain quick carriage in major markets, leasing arrangements with a major network works. if down the road the network becomes popular enough, they can then go directly to cable companies and ask for license fees rather than pay someone to carry them.

Tribune is desperate for money and so have leased their HD 2 & HD 3 channels to a third party. I'd be interested to see just how many people watch those channels. relative to the full power, main channel broadcasts, the HD 2 & 3 channels have very small audiences. Only the poorest receive their TV OTA in the NY Market. Cable/satellite penetration is enormous. I have DirecTV and they don't carry any of the NY HD 2 or HD 3 channels. There is alos a Korean TV broadcaster in the market. Yes they are profitable but compaired with main stream English language broadcasters these stations have a limited audience potential. Remember even people who speak Spanish watch the mainstream VHF commercial channels. I seriously doubt there's a messurable Engluish language audience for the Spanish stations. That's my opinion.

korean broadcaster WMBC has a much more limited audience than say ABC,NBC,or FOX but their audience is much more loyal and watch longer. many immigrants pay their cable company upwards of $20 per month for a single channel in their native language.

They are not being broadcast over DirecTV. Which cable carriers are airing HD 2 & HD 3 channels other than Roadrunner in the city?I believe RCN, Cablevision

Turned on the TV and got a channel called AIRTV it's an audio channles but nothing is playing?

WMBC-DT is owned by a non-profit company. They can earn money and then spend it all on salaries and their causes.

From their web site www.wmbctv.com: "WMBC-TV is wholly owned by Mountain Broadcasting Corporation. Mountain Broadcasting Corporation was incorporated in 1985. Its Chairman, Rev. Sun Young Joo, founded Hanguk Christian Broadcasting, Inc., a non-profit organization that produced programming for TV and cable viewers in New York, Northern New Jersey, and Los Angeles."

Most of the Spanish languages prime time shows we get in the US are remakes from very popular shows in Latin American, these shows are remade with no nudity and some of the dialogues are replaced, they get better looking actors and make them speak in a "Español Neutral". An example is "Mujeres Asesinas"(too TV-MA for the USA) originally from Argentina, Univision will air season 2 with Mexican actors (TV-PG version) remade by Televisa but they have to pay a certain amount to the Argentinean network.

I just watch the original versions on Directv.

Certainly, I did like the "niche programming" assesment though I disagree.

And about the Korean TV? On 9/11 afternoon there were only 2 OTA stations non-stop
running, Ch.2CBS from ESB, and ch.17 Korean station and that's how it was for couple of days before ch.25 and 31 were invaded by WTC orphans.

I guess ION (31-1, -2, -3) has increased its power. I can now receive about a 50% signal here in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Since the digital distribution, the signal had been coming in at a solid 0%.

I guess ION (31-1, -2, -3) has increased its power. I can now receive about a 50% signal here in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Since the digital distribution, the signal had been coming in at a solid 0%.
To get ION31-1.2.3.4 you need 2 rabbit/bow indoor Ant. as one, I've got since Thanksgiving 08

My Yahoo e-mail is under bombardment by Direct TV at $30-offers, I know some people as - nyctveng - noted who pay up to $40 per single non-English ch. cutting out English ch., it's no wonder that Direct TV launched their ads blitzkrieg.

Originally Posted by AloEuro View Post
It seems to me that the Spanish TV stations have one great advantage over English
speaking ch.'s, they get shows from Argentina,Colombia and other Habla Espanol
countries to get good shows on U.S. air.
True, claim of bad programming is cop out, too many other factors are involved in shrinking of TV audiences, and for 1 actor in half hour sitcom to get under 1mil. per episode will not bring up TV revenue

Usa tv programming is by far the trend leaders most of the variety shows or drama shows in spanish generated by any latino speaking country is a total rip-off copy from the US original shows, just my opinion, look at spanish game shows are copy of family feud, sabado gigante is rip off lawrence welk show of eons ago, lol the us programming is the tops no buts or ifs :)

Wierd mappings with 5.1 and 9.1

When I manually punch in 38.1, I'm expected to get My9HD, but I get WNYW 5.2 instead.
Only if I punch in 9.1 do I get My9HD. Very confusing.

To get ION31-1.2.3.4 you need 2 rabbit/bow indoor Ant. as one, I've got since Thanksgiving 08

31.4 worship channel is going off the air this week

My Yahoo e-mail is under bombardment by Direct TV at $30-offers, I know some people as - nyctveng - noted who pay up to $40 per single non-English ch. cutting out English ch., it's no wonder that Direct TV launched their ads blitzkrieg.

on time warners website it shows tv japan as the most expensive ethnic channel @ $25/month and i'm sure there are people that have no problem paying that much to watch programming in their native language.

http://www.timewarnercable.com/nynj/learn/bundles/new.html

WMBC-DT is owned by a non-profit company. They can earn money and then spend it all on salaries and their causes.

From their web site www.wmbctv.com: "WMBC-TV is wholly owned by Mountain Broadcasting Corporation. Mountain Broadcasting Corporation was incorporated in 1985. Its Chairman, Rev. Sun Young Joo, founded Hanguk Christian Broadcasting, Inc., a non-profit organization that produced programming for TV and cable viewers in New York, Northern New Jersey, and Los Angeles."

but i dont think they are a 510(c)3 non profit

Originally Posted by AloEuro View Post
It seems to me that the Spanish TV stations have one great advantage over English
speaking ch.'s, they get shows from Argentina,Colombia and other Habla Espanol
countries to get good shows on U.S. air.
True, claim of bad programming is cop out, too many other factors are involved in shrinking of TV audiences, and for 1 actor in half hour sitcom to get under 1mil. per episode will not bring up TV revenue

Usa tv programming is by far the trend leaders most of the variety shows or drama shows in spanish generated by any latino speaking country is a total rip-off copy from the US original shows, just my opinion, look at spanish game shows are copy of family feud, sabado gigante is rip off lawrence welk show of eons ago, lol the us programming is the tops no buts or ifs :)

Sabado Gigante has been on TV since 1962 (Chile), before they had to shoot 2 versions one for Chile and the other one for the rest of the world. Today is just one show but South America doesn't get to see the parts made for the Mexican audience in the US.

Family Feud in Spanish is produced by Freemantle Media, they own the rights.

There are also 3 versions of "The Nanny" in Spanish all produced by SONY Television, 3 versions of "Married with Children" (Chile, Colombia and Argentina).

31.4 worship channel is going off the air this week

How do you know? Is there a link? Will it be replaced with something good? Or just gone tia

31.4 worship channel is going off the air this week

yes about time they take that crap off :):)

I guess ION (31-1, -2, -3) has increased its power. I can now receive about a 50% signal here in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Since the digital distribution, the signal had been coming in at a solid 0%.

Still can't get it.

How do you know? Is there a link? Will it be replaced with something good? Or just gone tia

No idea what (if anything) it will be replaced with. Hopefully nothing. Should be disappearing in less than an hour.

- Trip

No idea what (if anything) it will be replaced with. Hopefully nothing. Should be disappearing in less than an hour.

- Trip

And it's gone. But the bandwidth is still being allocated as of this post.

yes about time they take that crap off :):)
The crapp for mortal men - blessings of God for the Children of God
and viceversa

And it's gone. But the bandwidth is still being allocated as of this post.

allocated because something new or no time to do the change yet??

allocated because something new or no time to do the change yet??

i believe they are devoting the bandwith to mobile services. ion is in bankruptcy and looking for other sources of revenue. google "ion mobile video"

Ion has been trying to extricate itself from deals made by the former owner - Bud Paxson!

His "vision" for network was very different from the current management's.

Anyone else seeing major improvements on WABC? As of midnight last night I started actually getting some reception of it where before I couldn't get any lock no matter what I did. I always used to get a high SS, but no lock ever (which I assume means multipath). And no, the building directly across the street from my 0.5th story apartment (where the antenna is) was not demolished overnight. I checked.

Did I win the reception lottery or did something change with their broadcast finally?

Attached is a graph from the past 48 hours. SNQ is still a lot lower than everything else, and I'm seeing errors in the stream. But it's a start.

No discernable difference in my reception of 7 and, as of yet, power increase hasn't been approved.

I think you may well have won "the reception lottery."

Enjoy it while it lasts!

Ion has been trying to extricate itself from deals made by the former owner - Bud Paxson!

His "vision" for network was very different from the current management's.

What is the vision of current management? Would a movie sub be in the works? What have you heard please

Anyone else seeing major improvements on WABC? As of midnight last night I started actually getting some reception of it where before I couldn't get any lock no matter what I did. I always used to get a high SS, but no lock ever (which I assume means multipath). And no, the building directly across the street from my 0.5th story apartment (where the antenna is) was not demolished overnight. I checked.

Did I win the reception lottery or did something change with their broadcast finally?

Attached is a graph from the past 48 hours. SNQ is still a lot lower than everything else, and I'm seeing errors in the stream. But it's a start.

Just noticed that the applications for power increases by WABC, WNJB and WGAL have all been approved.

WABC is to have an intermediate increase from 11.69kW to 17.0kW.

As I mentioned previously, I haven't noticed any change in my reception.

I believe that WNJB first has to do some work on its facilities before other stations are able to increase their power.

At least we're moving ahead.

I don't care about ION because I can't get it. I was able to get it weak during the holidays but now nothing.

Glad WABC is increasing power even though it is my strongest VHF channel.

Just noticed that the applications for power increases by WABC, WNJB and WGAL have all been approved.

Interesting, thanks for the update.

Does anybody know what changes are in store for WNET or when they might occur? According to tvfool.com, there are "pending applications", which will reduce my signal from the current -106.7 dBm to -108.8dBm. Since WNET is only barely watchable, as is, any reduction will probably drop me over the cliff.

Of course, at -106.7dBM, it's pretty amazing that I get WNET at all. Even more surprising, is that I can't get WNYA-DT (also on VHF 13), which should be much stronger at -98.2 dBm. Even WNYT (on VHF-12) at -68.4 dBm is pretty much unwatchable. I guess you can't really trust those tvfool.com propagation models.

Does anybody know what changes are in store for WNET or when they might occur? According to tvfool.com, there are "pending applications", which will reduce my signal from the current -106.7 dBm to -108.8dBm. Since WNET is only barely watchable, as is, any reduction will probably drop me over the cliff.

Of course, at -106.7dBM, it's pretty amazing that I get WNET at all. Even more surprising, is that I can't get WNYA-DT (also on VHF 13), which should be much stronger at -98.2 dBm. Even WNYT (on VHF-12) at -68.4 dBm is pretty much unwatchable. I guess you can't really trust those tvfool.com propagation models.

I cannot find any changes for which WNET has applied.

There have been firings at 13 and 21, can't see WNET spending money at this time.

The pending application is for the move to the top of 1WTC, should that ever get built.

- Trip

Anyone else seeing major improvements on WABC?
Did I win the reception lottery or did something change with their broadcast finally?

165785
Still dead as a door nail here.....

165785
Still dead as a door nail here.....

30 minutes later , lightly snowing, and the signal improves...
Strange..

165788

ABC7- is going bonkers, 60 pts fluctuation ? and from 80 able to go down to zero-0,
lot's of work with Ant. breaks the signals for other ch.
ION31- gives fluctuation of 10/15-20 pts from 40's down to 20 holding steady signal,
no problema senor.

Did anyone watching LOST OTA experience any dropouts at around the 1:21 mark of the 2 hour season premiere? I'm not sure if the issue was with D*'s NYC ABC feed, with the network signal or with my setup.

My D* DVR (2 of them as a matter of fact) both had dropouts at the exact same moment on the D* HD feed.

I didn't want to record the premier on WABC OTA because of the snowy weather last night...but was irritated when the damn audio/video glitched/froze at the 1:21 mark on BOTH D* HD HR2x's last night.

:eek:

Hello everyone,

I am new to the game of OTA antenna's.

I recently purchased a Trek DTVa Indoor Amplified High-Definition Antenna for Off-Air HDTV Reception. At the moment I am regretting it. Any slight movement and I lose the signal. So far I have been able to pick up CBS, NBC, FOX, MY 9 and some Spanish channels. Reading some of the posts on these forums it seems like it is almost impossible to pick up ABC. How about PIX? I was able to get a very weak signal on PIX but it knocked out all of my other channels. I live in an area where the houses around me are no more than three stories. Would a different antenna be able to pick up more channels? My antenna is close to the tv but at the same time is not that far from the window. Any advice is appreciated.

Hello everyone,

I am new to the game of OTA antenna's.

I recently purchased a Trek DTVa Indoor Amplified High-Definition Antenna for Off-Air HDTV Reception. At the moment I am regretting it. Any slight movement and I lose the signal. So far I have been able to pick up CBS, NBC, FOX, MY 9 and some Spanish channels. Reading some of the posts on these forums it seems like it is almost impossible to pick up ABC. How about PIX? I was able to get a very weak signal on PIX but it knocked out all of my other channels. I live in an area where the houses around me are no more than three stories. Would a different antenna be able to pick up more channels? My antenna is close to the tv but at the same time is not that far from the window. Any advice is appreciated.

Well we need some info to help you. go to www.tvfool.com and enter the info needed. Save the picture file and uploaded it here or at www.tinypic.com. We need to see how far you are away from ESB ect.

What Burrow are you in?

I love the terk-55. My aunt gets all the major stations. 33 including subs. From Queens. This includes ABC and PIX. With all strong signals. One person here tried it and it did not work for him. See it is all trial and error

The Trek DTVa Indoor Amplified High-Definition Antenna for Off-Air HDTV Reception is an antenna that needs exact direction. Seems people who live in Manhattan. Use this and get the best results. Other areas no so much. I personally do not like it. To me it looks and acts cheap. For others it works well.

I also got same results from the Clear Stream C2 as I did from the terk-55

The people here are great at direction and help, but bottom line is that Antenna's is more of an Art form then science. imo And what works for me might not work for you. You need to try many different antennas

Good Luck

What is the vision of current management? Would a movie sub be in the works? What have you heard please

I have no specific information about Ion's management's plans. The only contribution I can make is to state the obvious - Ion wants to be a secular network by not renewing Bud Paxson's previous deals; build ratings and make more money in these troubled economic times.

Ion is consistently out-rated by top-rated cable networks - therefore, it's not considered a must buy network by advertisers.

Probably Ion's greatest asset is its 82 owned OTA stations (I think that's the latest figure). The spectrum inhabited by Ion owned stations has a great value. Therefore, I'm sure Ion is very interested to see what Washington has planned for television's spectrum.

Hi guys,

I've been running digital OTA in Rego Park, Queens for the past 8 or so months and have constantly been having issues with CBS, NBC and PBS. CBS is generally clipped at all times, sometimes no signal at all. NBC is a bit more consistent but sometimes i go through periods of it being out completely (most recently a few weeks ago, no signal for a week or so). PBS has its good days and bad days.

In Queens, using an RCA ANT 3036W on my two story roof pointed in the general direction of the empire state building. Signal is split in two, one to a dtv tuner, the other to my hd set.

How are you guys measuring signal strength and determining the proper direction of the antenna? I feel as though I really shouldn't have any issues given my proximity. Plus, why the issues with those two channels and not Fox, ABC and the others?

I have tried a motorola BDA100 signal booster, which generally makes things worse.

Is this a matter of trying different antennae or just fooling with the direction?

Thanks all!

http://i48.tinypic.com/2ufa73d.png

Hi guys,

I've been running digital OTA in Rego Park, Queens for the past 8 or so months and have constantly been having issues with CBS, NBC and PBS. CBS is generally clipped at all times, sometimes no signal at all. NBC is a bit more consistent but sometimes i go through periods of it being out completely (most recently a few weeks ago, no signal for a week or so). PBS has its good days and bad days.

In Queens, using an RCA ANT 3036W on my two story roof pointed in the general direction of the empire state building. Signal is split in two, one to a dtv tuner, the other to my hd set.

How are you guys measuring signal strength and determining the proper direction of the antenna? I feel as though I really shouldn't have any issues given my proximity. Plus, why the issues with those two channels and not Fox, ABC and the others?

I have tried a motorola BDA100 signal booster, which generally makes things worse.

Is this a matter of trying different antennae or just fooling with the direction?

Thanks all!

http://i48.tinypic.com/2ufa73d.png

You should have no problems with that antenna.
First off, are you using RG6 cable? Second, try eliminating the splitter and just go with one cable directly into a TV. See if it improves. If you have to, adjust the antenna. Make sure its pointed correctly, with the long skinny boom pointing towards ESB, and the large V-elements should be pointing opposite the ESB.

You should have no problems with that antenna.
First off, are you using RG6 cable? Second, try eliminating the splitter and just go with one cable directly into a TV. See if it improves. If you have to, adjust the antenna. Make sure its pointed correctly, with the long skinny boom pointing towards ESB, and the large V-elements should be pointing opposite the ESB.


Thanks

Yes, using RG6, skinny boom pointed a little north of east.<--- WEST. it's pointing north of west.

I don't have a clear view to the ESB, there are a few apartment buildings in the way about .5 miles from my house.

Did anyone watching LOST OTA experience any dropouts at around the 1:21 mark of the 2 hour season premiere? I'm not sure if the issue was with D*'s NYC ABC feed, with the network signal or with my setup.

My D* DVR (2 of them as a matter of fact) both had dropouts at the exact same moment on the D* HD feed.

I didn't want to record the premier on WABC OTA because of the snowy weather last night...but was irritated when the damn audio/video glitched/froze at the 1:21 mark on BOTH D* HD HR2x's last night.

:eek:

I think it was a technical glitch on ABCs end. initially I also thought that.. may be ABC signals are getting worse that moment because of the snowy weather, which was little unexpected because I get ABC solid. Next day I checked the "Lost" thread (in HDTV programming). Other people have also reported the same issue. I have recorded it using 7MC. Haven't checked out the recording though. Anyway, pixellations were bearable in OTA.

Thanks for the quick reply. I live in Brooklyn. Here is the picture you requested. I hope I did it right.

Thanks

Yes, using RG6, skinny boom pointed a little north of east.

I don't have a clear view to the ESB, there are a few apartment buildings in the way about .5 miles from my house.

Looks like you need to have the skinny end pointing a little north of west. With that antenna, you should have plenty of signal.

Looks like you need to have the skinny end pointing a little north of west. With that antenna, you should have plenty of signal.

Yes, exactly. Most people make the mistake of pointing the antenna the opposite of what it should be.

Using the chart on TVfool for my area I was actually able to finally pick up ABC, but lost My9HD in the process. I still can not seem to ever get a lock on PIX to save my life.

I watched Lost OTA and on the Dish Network HD feed. Switching between the two. I did not notice it but maybe I was watching it on Dish Network at the time.

Hello everyone,

I am new to the game of OTA antenna's.

I recently purchased a Trek DTVa Indoor Amplified High-Definition Antenna for Off-Air HDTV Reception. At the moment I am regretting it. Any slight movement and I lose the signal. So far I have been able to pick up CBS, NBC, FOX, MY 9 and some Spanish channels. Reading some of the posts on these forums it seems like it is almost impossible to pick up ABC. How about PIX? I was able to get a very weak signal on PIX but it knocked out all of my other channels. I live in an area where the houses around me are no more than three stories. Would a different antenna be able to pick up more channels? My antenna is close to the tv but at the same time is not that far from the window. Any advice is appreciated.
I seems to me that lot's guys buy The (Star) Trek related equipment, which is indication that many of you gentlemen are UFO buffs, unfortunately The (Star) Trek Ant. are not (Star) Trek technology except in name, exceptions here and there.
Come down on earth and be like us the rabbit with 2ears and bow,Alo

So your saying something like this would work better than the Trek??

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2062017#inTheBox

So your saying something like this would work better than the Trek??

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2062017#inTheBox
More than year ago Outdoor Roof Antena gave me 16 ch., 2RabbitEarsBow
Ant. adding Ion31-4 gave me 20ch.
Now combination of it, excluding 39(5-8subs) minus double count 5,9, 41/68 ch.s as single it is well over 30ch.
Hook up as many RabbitAnt.s on 4-1 splitter as much you can, have coax.
of the Rabbit connected to Conv.box or DigitalTV, most importantly you must get the ch.into memory of TV or Conv.box, after search of memory build up change hook up for more ch., play with it

I forgot,don't throw away $ for the RS display, I see lot's of AnalogTV still with the
Ant. on it on streets, dismount it and use that

Dear fellow nuyorkers,

Seeking your help in picking the right indoor antenna. I recently quit cable and am getting my TV fix purely through hulu and such. Am on the 6th floor of a mid-rise apartment in then UES (East 90s).

Am attaching results from TVFool.com and AntennaWeb.org. Help!!

cheers.

get a terk 1 indoor antenna is great little antenna it cost around $10. you get a clear reception on HD im in queens i get most of tv channels pretty clear

The Terk 1 is a VHF antenna good for only 3 channels in our area - WABC, WPIX and WNET.

The Terk antenna to use is the HDTVi - which is an unamplified VHF/UHF antenna.

Still can't get it.

Trust me when i say Your not missing much

Looks like you need to have the skinny end pointing a little north of west. With that antenna, you should have plenty of signal.

My mistake - I should have re-read my reply, I stated the opposite of reality :)


My antenna has a skinny end and a fat end, like this photo here:

http://i48.tinypic.com/15alwi.jpg

the left side of the antenna in this photo is what i'm referring to as the skinny end, with the fat end on the right.

The skinny end of my antenna is pointing a few degrees north of WEST.

I don't get why im getting dropouts... and only on CBS and NBC. Could it be a grounding issue? cable issue?

I'm in a shallow valley in N.Queens NY
and get great NY/NJ station reception
using a 5' long Yagi style UHF antenna.

when I spin that antenna in the opposite
direction, I'm able to get a few CN stations,
so I'd like to get a second Yagi for that.

no, I don't want to use a rotator/rotor

my plan is to mount the second Yagi on the
same pole as the first, and wire them together
into the same return line using a coax combiner.

I already bought the appropriate Yagi and Combiner,
I just want advice on positioning the two Yagi's so
their reception does not interfere with each other.

the same stations are not receivable by both Yagi's

for example;
can I put them end to end like;
-+++>-|-<+++-

or must I mount them seperate;
-+++>-||-<+++-
if separate, how much distance
must be between them on the
-|poll|-
is that distance a measure from the
+horizontal+ bar
or from the tips of each Yagi's reflector
>diagonal bars<

http://www.akmaerials.co.uk/assets/aerials/superyagi_aerial.gif

google'ing around - it seems the common answer when
combining a seperate UHF and seperate VHF antenna is to
distance them 3.5'-4.0' from each other, but again, is that
distance from the horizontal bars or the yagi reflector tips?
or is that distance not even relevant to a pair of UHF onlys.

some year 2002 analog advice;
http://www.kyes.com/antenna/stacking.html

since UFH+VHF antennas are so often combined onto the same
horizontal rod, it stands to reason I could do it with 2 UHF's
who's reflectors are refocusing signal along opposite dipoles.

I still like the idea of mounting them back to back
if the distance involved can be LESS than 3.5'
since both Yagi's sharing the very top of the same
pole gives me best reception on each. being in a
valley, even a yard less height can reduce my signal,
and my roof mount can't handle a taller antenna mast.

I returned the Terk and got the RadioShack HDTV/FM Antenna. I am able to pick up ABC, PBS, ION, WNYE now. I still for the love of me can not get PIX. Does anyone here get PIX??

Where is here?

What's your location?

How far from Empire State Building?

Do you have line-of-sight to the Empire State Building?

If not, what things are blocking you?

Apartment or house?

Where you have your antenna (indoor or outdoor?) in which direction do your windows face?

As you can now see, there are so many variables!

What's your location? Brooklyn

How far from Empire State Building? 9.1m

Do you have line-of-sight to the Empire State Building? Not sure but no tall buildings around me

If not, what things are blocking you? Nothing

Apartment or house? House, first floor of a 3 story home

Where you have your antenna (indoor or outdoor?) in which direction do your windows face? indoor antenna, window faces east

As you can now see, there are so many variables!

I know there are many variable but when I am able to pick up every local except one it's a little confusing!

My mistake - I should have re-read my reply, I stated the opposite of reality :)


My antenna has a skinny end and a fat end, like this photo here:

http://i48.tinypic.com/15alwi.jpg

the left side of the antenna in this photo is what i'm referring to as the skinny end, with the fat end on the right.

The skinny end of my antenna is pointing a few degrees north of WEST.

I don't get why im getting dropouts... and only on CBS and NBC. Could it be a grounding issue? cable issue?

Are you using RG6 cable that is no more then 100 feet in length?

I returned the Terk and got the RadioShack HDTV/FM Antenna. I am able to pick up ABC, PBS, ION, WNYE now. I still for the love of me can not get PIX. Does anyone here get PIX??

Is this the antenna?
http://www.amazon.com/Antenna-hdtv-Hd-Radio-Indoor/dp/B001BU1DBS

If so you do not seem to get the point. People buy cheap antenna's. Then ask why I can not get this or that station. The Idea is not to be cheap here. I spent $100 over 10 years ago on the terk 55 and It only after trying every other cheap antenna at that time. We get every major station with strong signal. Of course signal got better when Rg6 cable was used. The terk 55 can be got for much less now on amazon. The clearstream or DB2 are some of the best indoor/outdoor antenna's around. DB2 is cheap but good. Of course it is bad with VHS signals but from online friends experience since you are only 9 miles away. It should not be a problem. The C2 worked great from 7 miles away. Even with VHS. But the same as the terk 55 for me. So I returned it

When you changed antenna's from a directional antenna (works great in the city) to the RS which is not directional. You got more stations. So the RS is better then that terk you had. So it follows that if you try the db2, clearstream C2, or Terk- 55 (from experience) You should get all the stations. Like us Up to 33 channels with subs

I would never buy a Radioshack anything. Bad products.

There is a very good antenna thread that shows all the good antennas in a real world setting.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1037779

Is this the antenna?
http://www.amazon.com/Antenna-hdtv-Hd-Radio-Indoor/dp/B001BU1DBS

If so you do not seem to get the point. People buy cheap antenna's. Then ask why I can not get this or that station. The Idea is not to be cheap here. I spent $100 over 10 years ago on the terk 55 and It only after trying every other cheap antenna at that time. We get every major station with strong signal. Of course signal got better when Rg6 cable was used. The terk 55 can be got for much less now on amazon. The clearstream or DB2 are some of the best indoor/outdoor antenna's around. DB2 is cheap but good. Of course it is bad with VHS signals but from online friends experience since you are only 9 miles away. It should not be a problem. The C2 worked great from 7 miles away. Even with VHS. But the same as the terk 55 for me. So I returned it

When you changed antenna's from a directional antenna (works great in the city) to the RS which is not directional. You got more stations. So the RS is better then that terk you had. So it follows that if you try the db2, clearstream C2, or Terk- 55 (from experience) You should get all the stations. Like us Up to 33 channels with subs

I would never buy a Radioshack anything. Bad products.

There is a very good antenna thread that shows all the good antennas in a real world setting.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1037779

The thing is, if I was pointing the Terk in the right direction why was it not picking up more than 8 channels? A cheaper RS antenna is able to pick up a lot more channels. I can live without getting PIX, but I was just curious as to why it seems hard to pull in that specific channel.

The thing is, if I was pointing the Terk in the right direction why was it not picking up more than 8 channels? A cheaper RS antenna is able to pick up a lot more channels. I can live without getting PIX, but I was just curious as to why it seems hard to pull in that specific channel.

The terk is directional (pinpoint) and the RS is not. That simple. Different insides. They work differently. You might have signals bouncing off of buildings ect. So you point in one area and the signal for another channels is coming from a slightly different area. The terk works really well in the City I heard. If I was living were you were. I would try one of the 3 I mentioned. The C2 has a very WIDE beam. Meaning it is not directional and ANY signal within 45 degrees of where you point. Will be picked up. It is clear you need a better antenna then you got.

Are you using rg6 cable?

How many total channels including subs?

Is money the issue?




I guess what is frustrating is that I was in your exact position and tried over 15 antennas. I know what worked and what does not. I even had one that looked like a satellite dish. lol


PS Read that antenna thread. You will then understand

My mistake - I should have re-read my reply, I stated the opposite of reality :)


My antenna has a skinny end and a fat end, like this photo here:

http://i48.tinypic.com/15alwi.jpg

the left side of the antenna in this photo is what i'm referring to as the skinny end, with the fat end on the right.

The skinny end of my antenna is pointing a few degrees north of WEST.

I don't get why im getting dropouts... and only on CBS and NBC. Could it be a grounding issue? cable issue?

Try moving the antenna an inch either way. It could make a difference. Have someone tell you if the reception gets better or worse.
Obviously don't do it today in the snowstorm.

I don't get why im getting dropouts... and only on CBS and NBC. Could it be a grounding issue? cable issue?

Since it is happening on RF 28 & 33, the most likely culprit would seem to be multi-path, affecting those frequencies. Is WPXN ok?

If so, raising and lowering the antenna or turning it until you find a sweet spot is something to try. However, this could affect other channels, so it may take a good deal of trial and error.

Another possibility is too much signal. The easiest way to check for that is to add attenuators or additional splitters to see if the signal improves or degrades.

What about the balun on the antenna? It may need to be replaced. Cabling is a concern as well. Check for damage, corrosion, etc. or replace.

Do you have a rabbit ear/loop antenna around? While not ideal, they can be useful in checking for signal sweet spots.

What tuner(s) (TV/CECB/STB) are you using?

By the way I have been seeing a lot of those portable digital TV's in the newspaper ads. How are they? Reception is probably terrible because digital is harder to pick up. If you move the antenna just a bit you lose reception. Anyone have one to conform this?

The terk is directional (pinpoint) and the RS is not. That simple. Different insides. They work differently. You might have signals bouncing off of buildings ect. So you point in one area and the signal for another channels is coming from a slightly different area. The terk works really well in the City I heard. If I was living were you were. I would try one of the 3 I mentioned. The C2 has a very WIDE beam. Meaning it is not directional and ANY signal within 45 degrees of where you point. Will be picked up. It is clear you need a better antenna then you got.

Are you using rg6 cable?

How many total channels including subs?

Is money the issue?



I guess what is frustrating is that I was in your exact position and tried over 15 antennas. I know what worked and what does not. I even had one that looked like a satellite dish. lol


PS Read that antenna thread. You will then understand

Are you using rg6 cable? Yes

How many total channels including subs? 24, but two of the PBS channels do not work, so 22 I would say

Is money the issue? At the moment yes.

WABC 7 is now producing a solid signal for me in Middletown, Orange County, NY

Are you using rg6 cable? Yes

How many total channels including subs? 24, but two of the PBS channels do not work, so 22 I would say

Is money the issue? At the moment yes.

Ok understood. It is hard out there. Well then If it was me and I could not Spend $60. I would look into the DB2 Of course you need to get a cheap stick Cut at home depot (cut for free) Summit source is cheapest I see now at $21. Same price as that Raido shack. I do remember when people here first told me about it. It was $13. So I guess you could shop around on internet. Is it ugly? Yes it is. Does it work great. Yes it does. Just hide it behind furniture. Putting it in a window can be worse. Many people do not know that. The Pros on here do not always recommend window placement. I have ours next to a window on the same wall facing ESB.

Or just save up the $60. And live with what you have now

http://www.summitsource.com/product_info.php?ref=1&products_id=8964

http://www.google.com/products/catalog?hl=en&safe=off&q=db2+antenna+discount&oq=&um=1&ie=UTF-8&cid=16703172299691549133&ei=PG90S5GgFNHdlAe-79TuCw&sa=X&oi=product_catalog_result&ct=result&resnum=3&ved=0CB8Q8wIwAg#ps-sellers

http://shop.ebay.com/?_from=R40&_trksid=p3907.m38.l1313&_nkw=db2+antenna&_sacat=See-All-Categories

ION31-1.2.3. is becoming movie ch. thru week it is usually on 31-3 1or2 prime time features, but on weekend it is movie ch. on 31-1
Till 3pm it is all paid infomercial programs (so you can go to church), and from 3-11pm 8 hours in 2hours intervals 4 full feature movies, last time it was Matrix trilogy.

" I would never buy a Radioshack anything. Bad products." but excellent Money back
guarantine, bought 15.oo$ DVIAdapter, return in wk at different locale, no question asked

ION31-1.2.3. is becoming movie ch. thru week it is usually on 31-3 1or2 prime time features, but on weekend it is movie ch. on 31-1
Till 3pm it is all paid infomercial programs (so you can go to church), and from 3-11pm 8 hours in 2hours intervals 4 full feature movies, last time it was Matrix trilogy.

What do you mean becoming a movie channel?

Never mind I asked. Movies started on 31.3 2 weeks ago. Approx

wPIX11-1.2.3. still hard time to get? I've noticed that the subs -2Estrella and -3LATV
at 704x480i 30hz have stronger signal, less fluctuation than the primary 11-1 1920x1080i
at 30 hz.
The Q is It is in TV memory? Regardless of that, if the primary 11-1 does not show up,
Enter 11-2 or 11-3 and then Add scan

I see, you have got ION31 2wks ago, enjoy.

I did a scan with my tuner and noticed it found WASA-LD. Any idea if they plan to broadcast anything other than infomercials?
I still can't tune in WABC-DT in Northern Bergen County, NJ.

wPIX11-1.2.3. still hard time to get? I've noticed that the subs -2Estrella and -3LATV
at 704x480i 30hz have stronger signal, less fluctuation than the primary 11-1 1920x1080i
at 30 hz.
The Q is It is in TV memory? Regardless of that, if the primary 11-1 does not show up,
Enter 11-2 or 11-3 and then Add scan

Strange. I thought that the main station and ALL their subs would have the SAME signal. It does for me:confused:

Most NY and NNJ stations are now transmitting time one hour too fast today. Channel 31 is the most wrong at one hour and 37 minutes fast. Only channels 5 and 63 are correct. I guess engineers want to get Valentine's Day over with faster.

I've noticed cbs2 signal to be breaking up, alot lately. Are they doing any headend maintenance work, cos It was 1 of my better stations. Now It breaks up or pixels every 2,3 seconds. I have roof antenna with preamp on it.

After a few months of playing around, I mounted a Winegard HD9095 UHF and a Winegard YA713 Highband VHF on a 20 foot pole on my back deck. A CM7777 antenna is also used. When this system is pointed toward the ESB, I get the following performance:
CBS 2 or 3 (RF 33 from NY or CT or RF 22 from LI) never anything
NBC 4 from NYC - sometimes OK, frequentlyl nothing; NBC 31 from CT, better (if I turn the antenna N, then it gets very good, but I am listing only performance with the antennas pointed SW)
FOX 5 from NYC - sometimes useable, but not usually
WOR 9 from NYC - rarely useable
(I know these are all UHF stations)
ABC from NYC (RF 7) 100%, even with the 7777 removed
PIX from NYC (RF 11) 100%, even with the 7777 removed
WNET from NYC (RF 13) 100%, even with the 7777 removed
WLIW 21 from LI (RF 21) 100% with the 7777, 60% without
Channel 25 from ESB - same as WLIW
Channels 24, 49 from ct - useable with the 7777, nothing without
WNJN from NJ - sometimes excellent with the 7777, nothing without

My questrions: I can raise the antenna to my roof, about feet 15 higher (but not until spring); should I do so? (If I do, I won't be able to manually rotate the mast to get better CT or eastern LI better).
The antennas are pointing to trees about 50 feet away - how will that affect the signal when they leaf out? These trees are about 100 feet tall!
Should I recable the system so the 7777 is not used for VHF - it doesn't appear to be necessary, but how do I combine the signals with minimum loss, and I would then have two cables.

I have about 100 feet of RG6. I also have a cheap RS distribution amp, which doesn't appear to be either good or bad, except that it works as a splitter. I did these tests without it.

Another thing, usually the main WNET and WLIW channels appear as 13.3 or 21.3. They has the same content as 13.1 and 21.1 and, if I type in 13.3 or 21.3, I get the correct .3 subchannel.

Thanks,

Mike

NBC from Connecticut was analog channel 30. WVIT-DT's digital is on channel 35. Assuming that your "31" isn't the ION station, digital 31 in Connecticut is for WTIC-DT (FOX).

NBC from Connecticut was analog channel 30. WVIT-DT's digital is on channel 35. Assuming that your "31" isn't the ION station, digital 31 in Connecticut is for WTIC-DT (FOX).

Thanks, mea culpa. I meant WVIT-30 (35); I also sometimes get WTIC and watch it when I can't get 5.

I've noticed cbs2 signal to be breaking up, alot lately. Are they doing any headend maintenance work, cos It was 1 of my better stations. Now It breaks up or pixels every 2,3 seconds. I have roof antenna with preamp on it.

if you're in western queens with a roof antenna, u dont need a preamp to get cbs. you're overdriving the signal. there is such thing as too much signal.

It seems that WNJN Channel 50 is been really strong for me lately the past few months. I peaked it at 80. I am glad I am getting it strong since WNJB never bothered to move to 4 Times Square. It seems like I get channels from NJ stronger. Don't get me started on Channel 66 but even Channel 63 weak I am able to get unlike Channel 31 which now I can't even peak in the 20's. Pathetic that they must be broadcasting very weak.

Also don't trust TV fool as my results I get stations further away they show in the yellow stronger and channels in the green like Channel 31 and 41 I can't get even if my life depended on it. I don't use TV Joke Fool at all. I just point the antenna where I can get the best reception. At least Channel 11 has been watchable in the mid to high 50's but it does not break up much.

I don't use TV Joke Fool at all.

No prediction model can predict multipath due to buildings at this point in time. As many have stated again and again, your problems are likely not signal strength and are instead multipath problems. The signals that are further away have weaker reflections as well and thus are easier to receive. I suspect a spectrum analyzer would reveal very vicious multipath, not a lack of strength.

In most of the rest of the country, TV Fool is spot on and very accurate.

- Trip

[]if you're in western queens with a roof antenna, u dont need a preamp to get cbs. you're overdriving the signal. there is such thing as too much signal.]

I use the hdp269 low gain preamplifer (12db) w/ high input. I have buildings across the street from my house, this is one of the reasons i cant receive wnjn ch 51 from nj. I get most of local channels plus connecticut pbs ch 49 with a uhf yagi antenna, including all my vhf channels are close 100%. I'm sure cb2 is not overdriven cos i was getting it excellent for as long I've had this setup.

I know there are a lot of fans of TVFOOL but I have found this government website to be more accurate and useful. Also more fun to play with. Try it you'll like it....not sure how many of you know about this one:

http://www.fcc.gov/mb/engineering/maps/

I know there are a lot of fans of TVFOOL but I have found this government website to be more accurate and useful. Also more fun to play with. Try it you'll like it....not sure how many of you know about this one:

http://www.fcc.gov/mb/engineering/maps/

I'd seen it before but there seem to be a number of stations missing from it. I just searched my local area again to see if it'd been fixed, but it has not; my ABC and FOX stations still are not listed in the results.

- Trip

WNYE should add more sub channels since they have to many programs on one channel

No prediction model can predict multipath due to buildings at this point in time. As many have stated again and again, your problems are likely not signal strength and are instead multipath problems. The signals that are further away have weaker reflections as well and thus are easier to receive. I suspect a spectrum analyzer would reveal very vicious multipath, not a lack of strength.

In most of the rest of the country, TV Fool is spot on and very accurate.

- Trip

I think you might be right. See I have my Terk HDTVa antenna pointing west towards Long Island but it gives me the best reception for the NYC and NJ locals. The thing is that there is a apartment building blocking the view west. My signal probably bounces off that building toward the ESB and NJ.

I think you might be right. See I have my Terk HDTVa antenna pointing west towards Long Island but it gives me the best reception for the NYC and NJ locals. The thing is that there is a apartment building blocking the view west. My signal probably bounces off that building toward the ESB and NJ.

Just out of curiosity. The pointy side of the antenna is facing 180 degrees away from the area you want. In other word the FAT end is toward NYC

It is a common mistake to think the thin pointy end is what you aim. It is the fat end.

Just curious if you made that error?

Just out of curiosity. The pointy side of the antenna is facing 180 degrees away from the area you want. In other word the FAT end is toward NYC

It is a common mistake to think the thin pointy end is what you aim. It is the fat end.

Just curious if you made that error?

Uh, the "skinny" end is the FRONT, the "fat" end is the BACK.

Point the "skinny" FRONT end towards the signal source.

I know there are a lot of fans of TVFOOL but I have found this government website to be more accurate and useful. Also more fun to play with. Try it you'll like it....not sure how many of you know about this one:

http://www.fcc.gov/mb/engineering/maps/

That website is pretty good, but you should check out TVfool's map with Google Earth and bit Torrent client program, and I've used it for upstate NY where I have a summer home, and its amazing how it takes into account the mountains for reception. In NYC, its been pretty accurate too, especially on the North Shore of Long Island where there are a lot of hills and plateau's.

When you live in a high rise, no line-of-sight because you're surrounded by taller
buildings, trying to deal with multipath - not one of these Websites bears any reality -
totally useless!

I know there are a lot of fans of TVFOOL but I have found this government website to be more accurate and useful. Also more fun to play with. Try it you'll like it....not sure how many of you know about this one:

http://www.fcc.gov/mb/engineering/maps/

Two advantages for TVFool over the FCC's site:

1) TVFool lets you specify receive antenna height, which is very important in determining received signal levels. The FCC's site uses 30 feet above ground, as this is the height assumed for allocation purposes.

2) TVFool presents more details as to why it calculated the results it did.

If you set antenna height to 30 in TVFool, then you should get the same results as with the FCC's site.

Heys guys I am kind of new to the OTA thing but I have a couple questions. I currently have a Haupaugge 950Q connected to my pc which is great but I am having a couple of issues. I first bough an Rat Shack UHF/VHF antenna with amp well I could only get 2,4,5,9 thats it. So I read that the Terk HDTVA was pretty good in picking up VHF since ABC NY is still on VHF band. So I picked up the Terk and with a little adjusting I was able to pick up cbs, nbc, fox, abc, and channel 9, but for the life of me I cannot pick up 11,13. I went to antennaweb.org site and 11 and 13 point to the same area as cbs, nbc. Any advice or input would be appreciated.

Heys guys I am kind of new to the OTA thing but I have a couple questions. I currently have a Haupaugge 950Q connected to my pc which is great but I am having a couple of issues. I first bough an Rat Shack UHF/VHF antenna with amp well I could only get 2,4,5,9 thats it. So I read that the Terk HDTVA was pretty good in picking up VHF since ABC NY is still on VHF band. So I picked up the Terk and with a little adjusting I was able to pick up cbs, nbc, fox, abc, and channel 9, but for the life of me I cannot pick up 11,13. I went to antennaweb.org site and 11 and 13 point to the same area as cbs, nbc. Any advice or input would be appreciated.

How far away from the towers are you?

Two advantages for TVFool over the FCC's site:

1) TVFool lets you specify receive antenna height, which is very important in determining received signal levels. The FCC's site uses 30 feet above ground, as this is the height assumed for allocation purposes.

2) TVFool presents more details as to why it calculated the results it did.

If you set antenna height to 30 in TVFool, then you should get the same results as with the FCC's site.

Actually the FCC site does a much better job with the actual terrain and knows I am on the down side of a hill away from the signal and so gives me much more accurate results than TVFOOL. According to TV fool I get a lot of stations well and that is NOT the case. I also checked as a reference a friend who is about 5 miles further west and has a better line of site and his results are better than mine and the FCC site shows that.

As far as I have tested the FCC site is better. At least for us folks out of NY City and surrounded by buildings.

How far away from the towers are you?

According to antennaweb no more than 17 miles from the towers.

Actually the FCC site does a much better job with the actual terrain and knows I am on the down side of a hill away from the signal and so gives me much more accurate results than TVFOOL. According to TV fool I get a lot of stations well and that is NOT the case. I also checked as a reference a friend who is about 5 miles further west and has a better line of site and his results are better than mine and the FCC site shows that.

As far as I have tested the FCC site is better. At least for us folks out of NY City and surrounded by buildings.

Actually it doesn't for the most part. In your case, just like a broken clock is right twice a day, it happened to hit the mark in your cases.

TVF uses a terrain averaging algorithm with 100 meter resolution. The FCC tool use a 1 km resolution.

Neither can accurately accurately account for severe terrain changes in the last several hundred yards.

AntennaWeb is so incredibly lame and continues to misinform people!

I live less than 2 miles from the Empire State Building.

Some stations transmitting from the ESB are listed by AntennaWeb as being
1.7 miles from my location - OK, that's reasonable.

But, according to this idiotic site, WNJB in Montclair, NJ is only 1.4 miles from me. Hey, AntennaWeb, the station's planned move to 4TS never took place!

WCBS, WNBC and WPIX are listed as being a whopping 4.4 miles from my location. Maybe the old World Trade Center location????

And if that weren't weird enough, WABC is listed as .2 of a mile farther away at 4.6 miles, when, in reality, the station uses the very same transmitting antenna as WPIX (4.4 miles) and WNET (1.7 miles).

So, when I read of people relying on AntennaWeb, boy, do I take it with not a grain, but with a ton of salt!

How far away from the towers are you?

AntennaWeb is so incredibly lame and continues to misinform people!

I live less than 2 miles from the Empire State Building.

Some stations transmitting from the ESB are listed by AntennaWeb as being
1.7 miles from my location - OK, that's reasonable.

But, according to this idiotic site, WNJB in Montclair, NJ is only 1.4 miles from me. Hey, AntennaWeb, the station's planned move to 4TS never took place!

WCBS, WNBC and WPIX are listed as being a whopping 4.4 miles from my location. Maybe the old World Trade Center location????

And if that weren't weird enough, WABC is listed as .2 of a mile farther away at 4.6 miles, when, in reality, the station uses the very same transmitting antenna as WPIX (4.4 miles) and WNET (1.7 miles).

So, when I read of people relying on AntennaWeb, boy, do I take it with not a grain, but with a ton of salt!



Do you know of another good website I can use? Thanks

According to antennaweb no more than 17 miles from the towers.

Try putting the Terk outside or close to a window to see if you get the same results. You should have gotten 11 and 13 with the Radio Shack antenna if it was a UHF/VHF ( what model #?)

Just for the heck of it, hook up the antenna to a regular HDTV instead of your tuner card to see if you get the same results. Each tuner has its own sensitivity.

Are you using RG6? Any splitters involved?

Uh, the "skinny" end is the FRONT, the "fat" end is the BACK.

Point the "skinny" FRONT end towards the signal source.

Wrong that is the common mistake in your antenna and ANY outdoor antenna. Ask around. Just trying to help ya:D

Wrong that is the common mistake in your antenna and ANY outdoor antenna. Ask around. Just trying to help ya:D

Are you joking with your smiley?

Someone needs help not incorrect information.

Here is a Web site that specifically talks about aiming a television antenna and in all of the examples, the narrower end (the active elements) is pointed at the transmitter.

http://www.dennysantennaservice.com/TV_antenna_aiming.html

There are times when the best reception can be achieved by using a multipath, reflect signal. That is when you would not aim the narrower end toward the transmitter.

Are you joking with your smiley?

Someone needs help not incorrect information.

Here is a Web site that specifically talks about aiming a television antenna and in all of the examples, the narrower end (the active elements) is pointed at the transmitter.

http://www.dennysantennaservice.com/TV_antenna_aiming.html

There are times when the best reception can be achieved by using a multipath, reflect signal. That is when you would not aim the narrower end toward the transmitter.

I was told it was the fat end

I was told it was the fat end

You were told wrong. Whoever told you that needs to be ignored when it comes to antennas...

Here is my location from Google Earth. As you can see I have my antenna angled pointed west at the building.

http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q97/rtrappert/Gearth.png

Try putting the Terk outside or close to a window to see if you get the same results. You should have gotten 11 and 13 with the Radio Shack antenna if it was a UHF/VHF ( what model #?)

Just for the heck of it, hook up the antenna to a regular HDTV instead of your tuner card to see if you get the same results. Each tuner has its own sensitivity.

Are you using RG6? Any splitters involved?

I already have the Terk pretty much on top of a book case next to a window. I also did hook up the Rdio Shack Antenna to a HDTV that was in the next room but not near a window same results but I did not get 7 ABC. Maybe I will take the Terk and hook it up to the HDTV to see. One more question I see here that people are talking about where to point the 2 antennas for VHF, I have the thick one pointing towards the ESB and thats when I get ABC but still not 11 or 13, I did get decent signal strength once for 11 when I adjusted the antenna but I lost ABC. No splitters by the way. Also here is the Rdio Shack Antenna I tried.

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3611256

[ It seems that WNJN Channel 50 is been really strong for me lately the past few months. I peaked it at 80. I am glad I am getting it strong since WNJB never bothered to move to 4 Times Square. It seems like I get channels from NJ stronger. Don't get me started on Channel 66 but even Channel 63 weak I am able to get unlike Channel 31 which now I can't even peak in the 20's. Pathetic that they must be broadcasting very weak.]

Reddice your location is correct me, Bensonhurst, lower part of brooklyn to be getting NJN realiably, for the life of me I can't pick up any of NJ stations, I get most of them just below the reliable treshold, Im located in queens close to midtown area

Originally Posted by keyboard21: I was told it was the fat end ...
Originally Posted by ProjectSHO89: You were told wrong. Whoever told you that needs to be ignored when it comes to antennas...Think of your antenna like an arrow head. The narrow end is the point you aim toward the transmitting tower. The broader end goes away from the station. The shorter elements are called "directors" which concentrate signals onto the antenna's pickup or "receiving" element, and the longer elements are called "reflectors" which bounce signals back onto the receiving element. Antennas will work off axis or even backwards with degraded performance. One rating of an antenna is the front-to-back ratio which indicates how much better the antenna works when aimed at the station than when it has its back aimed at the station. This rating indicates how well the antenna will ignore or reject co-channel interference from behind.

One of the reasons for the varied length of TV antenna elements has to do with it's used for broad band reception. The standard TV antenna has to cover low band VHF(2-6) , High band VHF (7-13) & UHF (14-69). That's a very wide swarth of spectrum in which the antenna has to work. If you look at most FM only antennas you'll notice very little difference in element length between director, driven element and reflector.

a few days ago, someone posted that ABC-7 boosted its signal a little. i just tried it and got a reading of 100%. (!) i had never gotten more than 40% till today. my antenna is a Winegard HD-7694P placed indoors. i'm 9mi away from the ESB.

i hope this isnt atmospherics. curiously, my WNET-13 signal has gotten weaker. has PBS done any change to their transmission?

btw, now i can get WASA-61 as well.

My tv is registering new subchannels for Ion call "Air Tv" which is channels 31-7, 31-8, 31-9 etc.

Anyone know what this is?

I just did a rescan on 31 and didn't come up with any of those. Just the usual 31-1, -2, and -3.

My tv is registering new subchannels for Ion call "Air Tv" which is channels 31-7, 31-8, 31-9 etc.

Anyone know what this is?

What is on them?

i also got those new subs on ION-31. they show nothing on my TV.

What is on them?

they have been testing mobile video for some time

http://www.ionpress.com/article.php?secID=0&indID=171

they have been testing mobile video for some time

http://www.ionpress.com/article.php?secID=0&indID=171

A standard tuner would completely ignore the Mobile DTV data.

- Trip

i also got those new subs on ION-31. they show nothing on my TV.

I checked their website and no other subs are showing. I tried google air tv and found nothing. Maybe something is coming?

I might get a outdoor antenna now. Dish Network upgraded my Dish to a Eastern Arc which only needs one coax line to my receiver. Now I have a extra coax going on the roof that is not connected to anything. What are the best and smallest outdoor antennas? As long as it can get channels 7 to 51. I don't care about low VHF.

I might get a outdoor antenna now. Dish Network upgraded my Dish to a Eastern Arc which only needs one coax line to my receiver. Now I have a extra coax going on the roof that is not connected to anything. What are the best and smallest outdoor antennas? As long as it can get channels 7 to 51. I don't care about low VHF.

I have Heard Yagi's, DB4, Clearstream 4

Those are UHF only. What about channels 7, 11 and 13?

Those are UHF only. What about channels 7, 11 and 13?

Clearstream is High VHF also.

I heard the DB4 gets VHF in under 15 miles or so.


Edit by Snellkrell

lol

You mean VHF.

VHS pertains to video tape.

Those are UHF only. What about channels 7, 11 and 13?

Winegard HD-7694P
http://www.solidsignal.com/pview.asp?mc=03&p=HD7694P&d=Winegard-HD-7694P-High-Definition-VHFUHF-HDHD769-Series-TV-Antenna-%28HD7694P%29&sku=615798398446

i have this one indoors (the building's roof is off-limits to me). i cannot get CW-11 with it, but that isnt surprising since most people have difficulties at getting it. i get all other channels though -- even ABC-7! this antenna is designed specifically for VHF-Hi and UHF.

i'm sure others can recommend other good antennas too.

You mean VHF.

VHS pertains to video tape.

I don't know about your little TV but mine picks up VHS all the time. lol

Maybe your missing out? lol

Winegard HD-7694P
http://www.solidsignal.com/pview.asp?mc=03&p=HD7694P&d=Winegard-HD-7694P-High-Definition-VHFUHF-HDHD769-Series-TV-Antenna-%28HD7694P%29&sku=615798398446

i have this one indoors (the building's roof is off-limits to me). i cannot get CW-11 with it, but that isnt surprising since most people have difficulties at getting it. i get all other channels though -- even ABC-7! this antenna is designed specifically for VHF-Hi and UHF.

i'm sure others can recommend other good antennas too.

I am in NJ, Carteret, I have the Terk HDTVA antenna, I can get NY 2,4,5,7,9,11 but not 13.

Winegard HD-7694P
http://www.solidsignal.com/pview.asp?mc=03&p=HD7694P&d=Winegard-HD-7694P-High-Definition-VHFUHF-HDHD769-Series-TV-Antenna-%28HD7694P%29&sku=615798398446

i have this one indoors (the building's roof is off-limits to me). i cannot get CW-11 with it, but that isnt surprising since most people have difficulties at getting it. i get all other channels though -- even ABC-7! this antenna is designed specifically for VHF-Hi and UHF.

i'm sure others can recommend other good antennas too.

For your antenna, the link says "it is primarily an outdoor antenna and is not intended to be installed indoors". I wonder why it says that for that particular antenna and not the rest, but that could be part of your problem.

For your antenna, the link says "it is primarily an outdoor antenna and is not intended to be installed indoors". I wonder why it says that for that particular antenna and not the rest, but that could be part of your problem.

No, it's not a problem.

My guess is that SS simply is noting the physical size of the antenna. The larger 769X antennas would be even more ridiculous in someone's living room.

Their ad writer seems to come up with some interesting commentary...

reddice with all your reception problems, i would have thought u long have had an outdoor antenna if that was an opytion. you could have used a $2 diplexer to combine OTA and satellite over 1 wire with your old dish setup.

see my post from 6/19/09. i have this on my balcony.
http://www.buy.com/prod/pro-brand-directv-2-bay-uhf-antenna-pro-brand-directv-2-bay-uhf-antenna/q/loc/111/202827678.html


I might get a outdoor antenna now. Dish Network upgraded my Dish to a Eastern Arc which only needs one coax line to my receiver. Now I have a extra coax going on the roof that is not connected to anything. What are the best and smallest outdoor antennas? As long as it can get channels 7 to 51. I don't care about low VHF.

I could not put a outdoor antenna because of the drilling of holes in the walls but as I said before I have a extra coax cable in my room that is not connected to anything now and I can use it for a outdoor antenna. Just wondering since I am 4 miles from the stations on the ESB would it cause worse reception as now I get channels 5 and 7 the strongest.

Also is this antenna good.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0024R4B5C/ref=s9_simi_gw_p23_t1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-3&pf_rd_r=0SARA970WXMM9JSTBJNN&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=470938811&pf_rd_i=507846

i've read good things about the RCA ANT751. other people in the AVS boards have discussed this (relatively) small wonder. when i decided to go "jumbo" (none of the 4 indoors solutions i tried got me a decent VHF-Hi), i was torn between the RCA and the Winegard that i ended up buying.

the reason why i got the Winegard is two fold: 1) i didnt want to take chances with one more return. i was tired of trying antennas. 2) Winegard published the antenna's specs, whereas RCA still hasnt.

given your short distance to the ESB, the RCA is enough, i think.

I got a few new stations this morning when I turned on my DTVPal DVR. 42.1 to 42.4 LP. Something called Daystar?

Any info on them? Where are they broadcasting from?

WKOB-LD 2 is on the air?

- Trip

Can you tell if it's on channel 2 or channel 59? They have permits for both.

- Trip

Can you tell if it's on channel 2 or channel 59? They have permits for both.

- Trip
They (WKOB) appear to be on channel 2. Their PSIP shows 42-1 to 42-4.

WASA is OTA 25, PSIP 64. How the he!! did a Port Jervis station get a transmitter in NYC? Even their analog OTA signal can't be picked up in Port Jervis (or in NYC, either -- it's only somewhere in between.)

WKOB-LD 2 is on the air?

- Trip

Si senor.
All 4 are 704x480i 30 Hz 42-1Daystar from Dallas Tx, strictly christian
the other 3 only color bars SD-2, SD-3. SD-4 all LP
I think wCBC2-1 might be connected to 42-, one box give me reading 2-1
and another box 2-4 maybe connected to 42-4

WASA is OTA 25, PSIP 64. How the he!! did a Port Jervis station get a transmitter in NYC? Even their analog OTA signal can't be picked up in Port Jervis (or in NYC, either -- it's only somewhere in between.)
C.25 must be getting paid good $$ by WASA since they continue to carry their 1.2 deffered as 25-3 and 25-4 while WASA on 64-1.2 sells and sells and sells whoever is willing to bear to watch it

Channel 42 analog I got really clear and strong. Only one mile from the transmitter. Now that it is digital I can't even peak it at 15%. But it is broadcasting on low VHF RF 2. Could not pull RF 3 or 6 either. I don't care anyone, one less cruddy 480i religious station the better.

I could not put a outdoor antenna because of the drilling of holes in the walls but as I said before I have a extra coax cable in my room that is not connected to anything now and I can use it for a outdoor antenna. Just wondering since I am 4 miles from the stations on the ESB would it cause worse reception as now I get channels 5 and 7 the strongest.

Also is this antenna good.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0024R4B5C/ref=s9_simi_gw_p23_t1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-3&pf_rd_r=0SARA970WXMM9JSTBJNN&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=470938811&pf_rd_i=507846

You can buy the antenna from your local wal*mart and try it out yourself. Wal*mart sells it for $68 I think. You can return it and buy it online for cheap if you like. In any case, with wal*mart you can return the antenna without much hassles. Also, if running coax is hassle, you can always try the flat coax cable. I have mentioned it before too. Also, just for checkpoint purpose, I receive 11.x quite well after 8PM from Franklin Twp, NJ. 7 is always rock steady and 13 usually comes unless the tropo is bad. Unfortunately as springs starts in, I will probably lose the 11 and 13 and probably lose it in summer. UHF is never a problem. I am using the CM3010 with the CM3038 preamp.
Personally, I think you will be fine even with a DB2/Eagle Aspen DTV2UHF/C2 antenna, because you are so close to the antenna and its super cheap (not the C2 though). All these antennas have reflector, so your multipath situation might be lot improved.

Thanks folks. :)

Now, can anyone with TSReader pick it up? ;)

- Trip

No Wal-mart's in Brooklyn or anywhere in the city.

No Wal-mart's in Brooklyn or anywhere in the city.

The City Council won't let them open a Walmart in the 5 boroughs because of labor issues (low pay, no benefits).

Regarding WKOB-LD, they filed their license app with the FCC yesterday, and simultaneously filed for displacement back to channel 42. Not sure how that will work what with the WSAH application still pending.

- Trip

has PBS-13 made any modifications to its transmission? the "sweet spot" i used to use doesnt work reliably for this station anymore. i'm currently trying to find a new and reliable spot for its reception.

i'm curious about what might have happened to PBS's signal....(!?) any chances that the changes to ABC-7 (that now i can finally receive well) have had an influence on WNET's signal? which other stations in this region are planning a signal boost?

btw, while moving the antenna around last night, i was able to get PIX-11 for the first time!!! i had given up on it last fall after lots of time spent on it. last night, without trying much, i got it at about 40%. so, once i find a new sweet spot for PBS-13, i'll try to improve PIX-11's reception.

has PBS-13 made any modifications to its transmission? the "sweet spot" i used to use doesnt work reliably for this station anymore. i'm currently trying to find a new and reliable spot for its reception.

i'm curious about what might have happened to PBS's signal....(!?) any chances that the changes to ABC-7 (that now i can finally receive well) have had an influence on WNET's signal? which other stations in this region are planning a signal boost?

btw, while moving the antenna around last night, i was able to get PIX-11 for the first time!!! i had given up on it last fall after lots of time spent on it. last night, without trying much, i got it at about 40%. so, once i find a new sweet spot for PBS-13, i'll try to improve PIX-11's reception.

I've also noticed a change in my reception of 13 - the quality of the signal has lessened. 11 for a while wasn't all that good - but in the last week or so has gotten better. 7 has improved for me, but this could be a function of an approved power increase - don't know if that is the case.

These three stations are all part of the VHF Combiner on the ESB - possibly work has been done. All I know is that my reception has changed.

Here in East Williamsburg Brooklyn (using a DB-2 indoors facing southwest on the ground floor), channel 7 has improved, although it was good already. Channel 11 I have not been able to get at all since the digital transition. Channel 13, which was reliable previously, was unwatchable last night (no Antiques Roadshow!) for the first time in a long time.

2, 4, 5, 7, 9, 25, 34, 41, 47, 68 - good reception
13 - unreliable now
31, 39 - unwatchable
11 - no signal whatsoever (0%)

[Yes, I know that the DB-2 is a UHF-only antenna. I am not willing to bother with a second VHF antenna just to get an extra channel.]

13 is coming in fine as is 7 but 11 is now coming in bad. In the 40's with major breakups. I really need to get that outdoor antenna soon.

Now I lost 11. Coming in the 20's as it was months ago when I could not get it.

Channel 7 keeps breaking up for me now and 4 is a bit weak. What on earth happened to the antennas?

Possibly a weather issue since there's been heavy rain all day?

Possibly a weather issue since there's been heavy rain all day?

Usually it's fine in heavy rain but now the signal has gone to hell. 4 and 7 are the most choppy for me.

I moved my deep fringe hi band vhf antenna across the attic & now ch13 is solid & almost max on the signal level meter on a zenith dtv converter box. There are 2 building in line of the path to the transmitter. When I moved the antenna it was looking down the streets between the buildings at a clear path. I ran an extension cord like you use for a hedge trimmer to power the tv & dtv box. Standing with each foot on 2x6 ceiling joist with the TV laying in the insulation was no fun. But that was the only way I knew how to turn the antenna to point in the best direction. I wish I had done this while the analog was on the air. Then you could see the ghost or a good signal on the screen. With out fancy test equipment you now can only look at the signal meter for a max of signal. I wonder if you used an analog TV & connected an o scope to the video detector if you would see the 6 Hz mask [signal] from the transmitter. You would think they would have a box to convert an analog TV to work as an spectrum analyzer like the video games that use an analog TV. They convert the graphic to an analog TV signal [NTSC] so you can see it on an analog TV. So then you could see the distortion like you would see on an o scope would make it a lot easyer. Doing it the way I did is a pain in the lower back

I moved my deep fringe hi band vhf antenna across the attic & now ch13 is solid & almost max on the signal level meter on a zenith dtv converter box. There are 2 building in line of the path to the transmitter. When I moved the antenna it was looking down the streets between the buildings at a clear path. I ran an extension cord like you use for a hedge trimmer to power the tv & dtv box. Standing with each foot on 2x6 ceiling joist with the TV laying in the insulation was no fun. But that was the only way I knew how to turn the antenna to point in the best direction. I wish I had done this while the analog was on the air. Then you could see the ghost or a good signal on the screen. With out fancy test equipment you now can only look at the signal meter for a max of signal. I wonder if you used an analog TV & connected an o scope to the video detector if you would see the 6 Hz mask [signal] from the transmitter. You would think they would have a box to convert an analog TV to work as an spectrum analyzer like the video games that use an analog TV. They convert the graphic to an analog TV signal [NTSC] so you can see it on an analog TV. So then you could see the distortion like you would see on an o scope would make it a lot easyer. Doing it the way I did is a pain in the lower back

As I always said, Antenna placement is more of an ART Form. Then Science.

I like to have $1 per hour I spent on playing with Antenna placement.

i'm considering the purchase of the Winegard HDP-269 (http://www.solidsignal.com/pview.asp?mc=03&p=ANWHDP269&d=Winegard-HDP-269-SquareShooter-TV-Antenna-PreAmplifier-for-SquareShooter-SS1000-%28HDP269%29&sku=615798396145) preamp to help with the reception of PBS-13. i'm 9mi away from ESB and already use a big antenna. i heard this preamp is designed to avoid overdriving. if it occurs, i'll try splitting the signal a few times.

I live about 12 miles from the ESB, have an antenna in my attic, split my signal between 3 TVs, and have had great success with the HDP-269. I highly recommend it.

i wonder if the preamp will make it possible for me to receive the PBS station broadcast from NJ or the one broadcast from LI. currently i get no signal from either, so i'm guessing the preamp wont make something out of nothing....

i'd love to receive PBS World.

i'm considering the purchase of the Winegard HDP-269 (http://www.solidsignal.com/pview.asp?mc=03&p=ANWHDP269&d=Winegard-HDP-269-SquareShooter-TV-Antenna-PreAmplifier-for-SquareShooter-SS1000-%28HDP269%29&sku=615798396145) preamp to help with the reception of PBS-13. i'm 9mi away from ESB and already use a big antenna. i heard this preamp is designed to avoid overdriving. if it occurs, i'll try splitting the signal a few times.

As other posters may have mentioned, using a preamp in a strong signal area may be appropriate only when long runs and multiple taps are utilized. Often in strong signal areas a selective antenna that rejects multipath is desired over raw gain.

A good test to see whether a preamp is needed in a strong signal area is to mount the receiver next to the antenna and see what channels are received then reconnect your setup and see what is lost. You may be pleasantly surprised that an amp is not needed if your antenna and lead-ins are in good shape.

Due to the weather conditions yesterday I lost my DirecTV reception for most of the day. Due to the fact that the storm was mostly rain as opposed to all snow, that didn't surprise me. What did surprise me though was the fact that I also lost my over the air TV last night. My antenna is in the attic and I normally rceeive all NYC stations very well. Last night the only stations I could receive without breakup were channels 2 & 25. Channels 4 & 5 had severe breakup and Ch's 7, 9, 11, 13 & 31, were not viewable. Today, only channel 50 is still not watchable. All others are back to normal as is my DirecTV reception.