New to the HD OTA reception and am having trouble with a couple of channels. Just wanted to list my current equipment and see if anyone had any advise that might help bring them in any better. I live in Saint Joseph, MO and am having trouble with Fox 4-1 and NBC 41-1. Specifically, I'd like to know if you think a different pre-amp from the radioshack one I'm using might work better as well as antenna suggestions.

Background

Location - Saint Joseph, MO, all metal building both sides and roof
Zip - 64504
Antenna Web - shows no digital signals for my location
Antenna - VU-190 XR (radio shack) mounted outside at 30'
Pre-Amp - radio shack
Current Channels - CBS 5-1 (signal=84, snr = 62), ABC 9-1 (signal = 86, snr = 64) CW 29.1, plus about 8 other channels

Now for the problem, both 4-1 and 41-1 show a signal strength of around 60% and snr of around 31 but varies hour to hour. Sometimes the snr bounces between 0 and 25. I know I'm probably pushing it since I'm located in a low area surrounded by trees and hills however any suggestions appreciated. Also, I've tried the 91xg from antennas direct but had better reception overall with my vu-190, also channel 9-1 is vhf on frequency 7 so I was not able to recieve it at all with the 91xg. Just would be nice to pull in fox and nbc without disruption. One final note - the only channel I was able to get without the amp was 9-1. Thanks.

jk

I suspect that the Channel Master 7777 preamp will do better. It preamps both VHF and UHF (like it matters), and is renowned on this forum for its performance.

Mike,

Thanks for the reply. A buddy of mine had a CM 0068. I tried it and am now pulling in 4-1 without interruption on most days now. Anyone know if the CM7777 would do much better than the CM0068 or would I be wasting my money? Also, channel 41-1 that I'm still having trouble with is I think in the 40+ frequency range. Does CM or Wingard make a uhf/vhf antenna that does better than my VU-190 XR at the higher frequencies? I was thinking of maybe trying the cm 3671 or wg HD 8200P. Thanks in advance.

jk

You'd want to go for the Winegard HD8200p that you suggested. Very nice weatherproofing and performance on it.

As for getting 41-1. uh, it's pretty much a lost cause. OK, so you might have a shot, but you'll need the 8200p, a 7777, and a good 40'+ or so of clearance to have it. OK, so I might be overestimating a bit, but I only am because it's going to be pretty hard to catch. According to TVFool, it's over 50 miles away, broadcasting @ less than half the power of Fox4, and to get a line of sight to the antenna, you'd only need to hoist the antenna up 431 feet. Good luck!

Hey Mike,

Thanks again for the reply. Did some investigating today and I think one of my biggest problems is the install of the mast. Checked it out and the installer simply ran the mast from the ground to the gutter, nothing on the building. (Our house is on a second floor of an all metal building by the way) The only bracket is at the gutter. I'm getting alot of movement and am surprised that our storm yesterday didn't rip it off. Tonight its clear with no wind and 41-1 is coming in without a single disruption at 55% signal. Couldn't get it until the sun went down though. I think with the HD8200P and 7777 combo you suggested as well as some better support of the mast 41-1 may just be possible. Thanks again.

jk

You're getting an atmospheric effect. It happens when the sun goes down. You will see this pattern with channels you don't get by line of sight.

The wind might be an issue, but you'd be surprised how little it matters as long as the antenna isn't spinning like a windmill.

You'll also see the channel come when it gets foggy, or other weather effects occur.

jk96, how could you tell the signal strength was about 60%? using what equipment or QAM? Thanks.

My Samsung 5th generation 8VSB has 9 bars max - all I need is 3 to lock in, or 1/3.

Dragon,

I've got a hitachi plasma that shows the signal bar, signal strength%, snr, etc under the channel mgmt window.

jk