Hello all.
I'm having horrible times pulling in consistent signal OTA. My set polaroid 42' black friday special doesn't have a signal meter (that I can find). Some times its perfect and other times its "no signal" at all. I know that analog strength is no indication of digital strength so I was wondering is there a standalone meter strength box I can buy or rent?
I have a radio shack pre-amped adjustable (with remote) #15-1892. So I should just be able to lock in the channels, but I'm having a hard time figuring out where in my attic I should put the antenna without a signal meter.

Thanks.

Hello all.
I'm having horrible times pulling in consistent signal OTA. My set polaroid 42' black friday special doesn't have a signal meter (that I can find). Some times its perfect and other times its "no signal" at all. I know that analog strength is no indication of digital strength so I was wondering is there a standalone meter strength box I can buy or rent?

Thanks.

They exist but they are not cheap and you have to make sure you get one that can measure digital signals, not just analog signals, like this one:

http://www.polltek.com/AdDetail.aspx?AdID=30

The best instrument to tell you exactly what is going on is a spectrum analyzer but they're even more expensive and few people have one.

It may be cheaper to buy a Sony HDTV that has a diagnostic screen that has a signal quality meter, a Signal-to-Noise display, and an AGC display (true signal strength).

You may not be able to use your attic or you may need a more traditional outdoor antenna in the attic for additional gain.

What's your antennaweb.org results for digital only stations?

Calaveras; I wish I had a dollar everytime I see that meter come up. I bet there are a dozen various models under different names all with the same case.

tacroy; If you are interested in one like that, I'll sell mine for $400 (that goes down to -35dbmV, not just -25dbmV like the ones shown) or a older analog Leader SLM for $75.

I started this thread on lower cost SAs';
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=681322

Whats' your zip code?

My zip code is 43566. My development does not allow outdoor antenna's so that routes off. I didn't know that a signal meter would be almost as much as my tv! Are their places that rent them? Would a calibrator be able to take care of this for a reasonable fee?

I have my pre-amed antenna http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2131034&cp#15-1892#15-1892

and a second line amp that I found somewhere. When I crank both up I seem to get a sort of consistent signal, but too much amp can cause noise and be just as bad as a weak signal right?

I have aluminum siding and a traditional shingled roof, so is the attic a good idea?

I wish I could just trial and error (so I wouldn't have to bug you all) but without a signal meter it is so hit or miss that I'm lost.

If I find a neighbor or someone that has a tv WITH a signal meter I assume that my tv would pull in signal rather consistent to theirs?

Thanks for all the help.

My development does not allow outdoor antenna's so that routes off. Wrong! They can't stop you from erecting an outdoor antenna. Tell them to take a walk. Do they tell you what channels you can watch also?
There is at least one member here that has a link in his sig regarding the erection of outdoor antennas.
Why anyone would reside in a Nazi based 'prison' in the first place is beyond me.

Anyway, here is what I get (see my sig) for your town;
http://www.2150.com/broadcast/default.asp?latitude=41%2E501296&longitude=%2D83%2E738531&magnetic_north=%2D7&range=70&sort=distance&show_expired=True&show_construction=True&show_analog=False&show_low_power=False&action=Show+Stations
At 18 to 22 miles, you shouldn't have any problem, possibly even with a indoor antenna depending on the height of the antenna and the direction the room faces. All of your locals are in the same direction so no rotor is needed. A small 2 bay Eagle Aspen reflector model would work if a indoor antenna won't. Personally, I would be trying for those stations in Windsor Ontario. ;)
I would suggest you visit the 'Toledo' thread in the Local Reception forum for more details about your area.

My zip code is 43566. My development does not allow outdoor antenna's so that routes off. I didn't know that a signal meter would be almost as much as my tv! Are their places that rent them? Would a calibrator be able to take care of this for a reasonable fee?

I have my pre-amed antenna http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2131034&cp#15-1892#15-1892

and a second line amp that I found somewhere. When I crank both up I seem to get a sort of consistent signal, but too much amp can cause noise and be just as bad as a weak signal right?

I have aluminum siding and a traditional shingled roof, so is the attic a good idea?

I wish I could just trial and error (so I wouldn't have to bug you all) but without a signal meter it is so hit or miss that I'm lost.

If I find a neighbor or someone that has a tv WITH a signal meter I assume that my tv would pull in signal rather consistent to theirs?

Thanks for all the help.

two points.
1. the attic is out because you have aluminun siding.
2. your hoa can not prevent you from putting up an outside antenna there is an fcc ruling on that.

1. the attic is out because you have aluminun siding.What does aluminim sidding have to do with the attic???? :confused:

NO, the attic is not out! (I passed over that point that you do have an attic.)
See this thread;
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=916560

My zip code is 43566. My development does not allow outdoor antenna's so that routes off. I didn't know that a signal meter would be almost as much as my tv! Are their places that rent them? Would a calibrator be able to take care of this for a reasonable fee?

I have my pre-amed antenna http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2131034&cp#15-1892#15-1892

and a second line amp that I found somewhere. When I crank both up I seem to get a sort of consistent signal, but too much amp can cause noise and be just as bad as a weak signal right?

I have aluminum siding and a traditional shingled roof, so is the attic a good idea?

I wish I could just trial and error (so I wouldn't have to bug you all) but without a signal meter it is so hit or miss that I'm lost.

If I find a neighbor or someone that has a tv WITH a signal meter I assume that my tv would pull in signal rather consistent to theirs?

Thanks for all the help.


Tell the HOA to take a LONG walk off a SHORT pier if they come complaining about your OUTDOOR antenna (yes, it is MY sig that has the link). Hand them a printed out copy and tell them to pound sand. Same thing about any and all DBS dishes (less than 1 meter in diameter) you need .

Aluminum siding is not great because it can attenuate the RF signal or cause multipath issues. Besides, the antennas were DESIGNED to work out in free space. All I can say is try the attic - if it doesn't work - you got the roof to goto.

I couldn't remember who had the link. I thought you would stumble across this thread. ;)