Ok first off, Im new here and new to this format of receiving HDTV.
I bounced around trying to find some info on my issues with no luck.

Here is my setup:

50" TH50PX77U Plasma
Radio Shack Multidirectional Amplified Antenna PN:15-2185
New Castle, DE 19720
12 ft. antenna height (some trees in the distance - LOS)


http://lh3.google.com/johnbrooks302/R0n5LcuAexI/AAAAAAAACaE/wVf5KPwH9Mk/CIMG0656.JPG

Now I went to antennaweb, found my direction and tuned it in. I used my tv's signal strength meter on my HD 3.1 channel and got it the best I could. ~40%


These are the channels I am receiving:
3
3.1
6
10
12
17
17.1
17.2
29
48.1
48.2
48.3
48.4
48.5

Where are the rest of the DIGITAL channels??

Heres Antenna webs lineup

* yellow - uhf WYBE-DT 34.1 PBS PHILADELPHIA PA 50° 33.7 34

* yellow - uhf WPVI-DT 6.1 ABC PHILADELPHIA PA 49° 33.6 64

* yellow - uhf WPSG-DT 57.1 CW PHILADELPHIA PA 50° 33.7 32

* yellow - uhf WPHL-DT 17.1 MNT PHILADELPHIA PA 50° 33.7 54

* yellow - uhf KYW-DT 3.1 CBS PHILADELPHIA PA 49° 33.6 26

* green - uhf WGTW-DT 48.1 TBN BURLINGTON NJ 50° 33.7 27

* green - uhf WPPX-DT 61.1 ION WILMINGTON DE 50° 33.7 31

* red - uhf WUVP-DT 65.1 UNI VINELAND NJ
94° 42.3 66

* blue - uhf WHYY-DT 12.1 PBS WILMINGTON DE 49° 33.6 50

* blue - uhf WCAU-DT 10.1 NBC PHILADELPHIA PA 50° 33.7 67

* violet - uhf WTXF-DT 29.1 FOX PHILADELPHIA PA 48° 34.5 42

* violet - uhf WTVE-DT 51.1 IND READING PA
7° 46.3 25

BOLD are channels I want to receive.
Am I going to need a QAM tuner?? or something more than my tv's NTSC/ATSC??
What I dont understand is that how can I have 3.1 so clear and not receive 6.1,10.1,and 29.1??

Please help :(

TIA! John

my images wont work for some reason

Ok first off, Im new here and new to this format of receiving HDTV.
I bounced around trying to find some info on my issues with no luck.

Here is my setup:

50" TH50PX77U Plasma
Radio Shack Multidirectional Amplified Antenna PN:15-2185
New Castle, DE 19720
12 ft. antenna height (some trees in the distance - LOS)

You are 34 miles from the broadcast towers and the stations that you are not getting are at the higher UHF channels. The antenna that you have looks like a flying wing, correct? I think your problem starts with getting a poor antenna for your location and range. I would not be surprised if that antenna was a crappy performer for the higher UHF frequencies. Have you experimented with the aim of the antenna? Towards the northeast and then a little to the left and right of the stations?

You should get a better antenna for your situation. The major issue for OTA antenna selection in the Philadelphia market is that WPVI-DT 6 which is currently on UHF 64 will be changing it's digital channel to VHF 6 low after the analog shutdown in February, 2009. That rules out getting the Channel Master 4228 8 Bay bowtie which is popular in many longer range areas, but won't get VHF 6. Look at getting the Winegard HD7082P VHF/UHF antenna or a similar full range VHF/UHF antenna.

You are 34 miles from the broadcast towers and the stations that you are not getting are at the higher UHF channels. The antenna that you have looks like a flying wing, correct? I think your problem starts with getting a poor antenna for your location and range. I would not be surprised if that antenna was a crappy performer for the higher UHF frequencies. Have you experimented with the aim of the antenna? Towards the northeast and then a little to the left and right of the stations?

You should get a better antenna for your situation. The major issue for OTA antenna selection in the Philadelphia market is that WPVI-DT 6 which is currently on UHF 64 will be changing it's digital channel to VHF 6 low after the analog shutdown in February, 2009. That rules out getting the Channel Master 4228 8 Bay bowtie which is popular in many longer range areas, but won't get VHF 6. Look at getting the Winegard HD7082P VHF/UHF antenna or a similar full range VHF/UHF antenna.

First off thanks for the reply...So you think its distance?? Yes I have experimented with direction, height, and relocation. Currently I am away from shallow congestion of interference of trees. I have tried to aim and focus the antenna from edge to edge as well as surpassed. Yes, my antenna looks like a wing or saucer of some type. I would like to get my hands on something like you mentioned. But this is all I could dig up on a weekend search to Radio shack and other retail shops. Any other suggestions on antenna type/model numbers I should try? Im trying to make this a one time trial and no error thing. Thanks again for the input. Im willing to shell out 200 or below on a stationary unit. Long as it performs of course.

John

First off thanks for the reply...So you think its distance?? Yes I have experimented with direction, height, and relocation. Currently I am away from shallow congestion of interference of trees. I have tried to aim and focus the antenna from edge to edge as well as surpassed. Yes, my antenna looks like a wing or saucer of some type. I would like to get my hands on something like you mentioned. But this is all I could dig up on a weekend search to Radio shack and other retail shops. Any other suggestions on antenna type/model numbers I should try?
The antenna you have is not a very good antenna except for closer range use or where the stations come in with a strong signal. It is designed more for a cool appearance than for good gain performance. If you can return it, I would. The problem these days is finding good outdoor antennas at the local stores. Many of us here order on-line. If you want to go local, the Radio Shack VU-90 XR medium range VHF/UHF antenna is not the best available, but it should do the job. If you are willing to order on-line, the Winegard HD7082p is a highly regarded medium range antenna (http://www.winegard.com/offair/vhfuhf.htm). See solidsignal.com and warrenelectronics.com for on-line prices.

If you have a long cable run, you may need to add a Channel Master or Winegard pre-amp. But try a better antenna first to see if it does the job.

BTW, to answer your original post, ATSC = over the air digital broadcast standard. QAM is the modulation used by digital cable and a TV with a QAM tuner can tune to the unencrypted digital cable channels which are usually only the local stations.

The antenna you have is not a very good antenna except for closer range use or where the stations come in with a strong signal. It is designed more for a cool appearance than for good gain performance. If you can return it, I would. The problem these days is finding good outdoor antennas at the local stores. Many of us here order on-line. If you want to go local, the Radio Shack VU-90 XR medium range VHF/UHF antenna is not the best available, but it should do the job. If you are willing to order on-line, the Winegard HD7082p is a highly regarded medium range antenna (http://www.winegard.com/offair/vhfuhf.htm). See solidsignal.com and warrenelectronics.com for on-line prices.

If you have a long cable run, you may need to add a Channel Master or Winegard pre-amp. But try a better antenna first to see if it does the job.

BTW, to answer your original post, ATSC = over the air digital broadcast standard. QAM is the modulation used by digital cable and a TV with a QAM tuner can tune to the unencrypted digital cable channels which are usually only the local stations.


thanks alot bro for taking the time to school me in this...Im gonna pick up one of those antenna's and retune this thing. I think Im gonna try to mount it in the attic first so it will be out of sight and weather...well see how it works out..THANKS AGAIN!!

ps...went with the step up 7084...figure it would help in bad weather as well as in the attic...fingers crossed!

ps...went with the step up 7084...figure it would help in bad weather as well as in the attic...fingers crossed!
One note. Attics can have dead spots for reception due to reflections off of walls or blocked signals. Before you mount the antenna into a specific spot, test for a good location first. One option is to mount the antenna mast onto a large flat piece of scrap wood that you can slide across the floor beams. You can screw a $5 attic mounting bracket to the flat piece of wood. I have done this for the Channel Master 4221 4 Bay bowtie I have in my attic crawlspace.


Did you check the size of the HD7084P? It is 110" wide (for VHF 2) and 131" long. I hope your attic is big enough for it!

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/johnbrooks302/CIMG0657.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/johnbrooks302/CIMG0658.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/johnbrooks302/CIMG0665.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/johnbrooks302/CIMG0666.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/johnbrooks302/CIMG0673.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/johnbrooks302/CIMG0674.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/johnbrooks302/CIMG0675.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/johnbrooks302/CIMG0678.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/johnbrooks302/CIMG0672.jpg

I think the pics speak for themselves. That antenna is huge!!!!!! but i made it fit. I had to assemble it in the attic. 100% signal on all HD stations. I picked up about 37 total stations...half of that number in HD and SD. Thanks again for the recommendation. Couldnt have done it without your info and knowledge.

Yay for me :)

got mine here...cheap shipping...cheap prices..it was here in 3 days from ohio to delaware via ground. i recommend them for future users. A+

http://www.exceldistributinginc.com/hdantennas.htm?gclid=CO6Zgp3OiJACFQ2nGgodqRd_tQ

got mine here...cheap shipping...cheap prices..it was here in 3 days from ohio to delaware via ground. i recommend them for future users. A+

http://www.exceldistributinginc.com/hdantennas.htm?gclid=CO6Zgp3OiJACFQ2nGgodqRd_tQ

Excellent work my friend. 100% all around is pretty good. Nothing feels better than a job well done.

ft

Excellent work my friend. 100% all around is pretty good. Nothing feels better than a job well done.

ft

thanks man...i appreciate the positive comments!

damn i was signed in at my boys house under his name...just caught that..haha