One Antenna Solution for VHF Lo, UHF and FM

I did a search, but I didn't find anything. I also realized this should be titled 'VHF Hi, UHF and FM. My Big bad! I live in zip code 48442 and get decent digital reception with a Radio Shack VU90 with rotor, Winegard mast mount amp driven to a passive 4 way splitter into RG6 routed to two TVs, a DVD recorder and my FM tuner. After the Feb '09 analog shutoff, I will have no TV broadcast on VHF-Lo (thankfully,) a few stations on VHF-Hi that I receive pretty well now via their analog counterparts, and most TV will be on UHF. My area is also really rich with FM broadcasting, and a variety of stuff on public radio. Here's my dilemma...

I have a few stations that are a little flaky to receive at times, and a larger antenna for gain seems to be where I am at. However, I am already pushing the envelope a bit with the neighborhood association on the looks issue. The idea of something like the CM2018 is pretty good. However, I'd like to find a compact but high gain antenna that would handle VHF-Hi, UHF and FM only. I don't need the extra size or elements for VHF-lo and want an 'one antenna' solution - the size could be devoted to the higher bands. I tried raising my present antenna, but unfortunately extra height pushes me deep into a canopy of trees that kills my reception for Detroit locals (read multipath.) If I 'look under' some of the foliage I am OK (read no multipath.) Any suggestions?

As a note, if you run the zip code via Antennaweb.org at 150 ft height, I currently receive some reception from everything on the list. The yellows through greens are pretty solid. The red through violet less so. Thanks for the input!

That separate FM solution might be a plan. Do you lose much signal with a 75 ft cable run of RG6 on FM sans signal amp? That's the approximate distance from the antenna to my receiver.

Thanks.

Thanks for the input. I wasn't aware of a signal amp impacting analog sound quality on FM.

I have a spare CM 4221 in the shed. I could pair that with an FM antenna to get what I want via a two antenna/two downlead setup. How does the 4221 perform on VHF Hi? I have three stations that will put their DTV on VHF Hi after the switch over. With two of these (ch 7 and ch 12) I can currently receive a high quality analog signal on these channels via rabbit ear antenna in the house. The other (ch 10) I get a somewhat fuzzy analog picture with my current antenna, but reception of this one isn't a priority for me. Of course, I am making a lot of assumptions comparing analog vs digital reception on the same band. Thanks again.

I appreciate the input . I attached my TV Fool report per coordinates here. I ran a report for today and after the transition. Digital only. To add input:

'Flaky' stations are those a little hard to grab, or suffer occasional dropouts. In general, I receive pretty much all in green and yellow into the pink. My stations here generally no problem, except for WKAR-DT. That is extremely hard to grab no matter the weather. However, I think I may be blocked by an industrial plant in that direction. Once the neighbor trimmed a tree in that direction, it did gain me about 10 dB on WKAR and a somewhat watchable signal. Strange thing is WILX-DT and to a lesser extent WLAJ-DT in the same general direction are much easier to grab. In fact, I can point away from WILX and receive it quite well.

WWJ-DT and WTVS-DT (CBS and PBS respectively) are Detroit locals for me and a priority. I suffer occasional dropouts on these, and depending on weather the same on WDIV, WXYZ and WJBK. However, I am shooting right through the trees on these. I can see some multipath on the analog signal for WWJ. I think that is my issue. We are in a pretty tree filled area.

On the inverse, WDCP, one of the farthest signals for me, comes booming in and I can pick it up pointing away from the tranny. You figure it out! I note that that direction is clear sailing and very flat. Helps me for WNEM, WJRT and WEYI as well - I don't have to use the rotor for those three.

In general, I am pretty happy as my main networks (ABC, NBC and PBS plus Fox) pose me no problems. CBS is my problem maker. WLNS comes in fine, but I have to turn the antenna for that one network. In general, I can point SE and receive everything in Detroit. WADL is a no show no matter what.

My amp is a Winegard AP 8700 mast mount. I am far enough away from all stations that overload doesn't seem to be a problem, even with WFUM. I don't have any hills in the area. There is a small ridge to my SE in the direction of Detroit, but it slopes gently either direction.

As you can see, a rotor is a must in my area, but I am pretty well covered with DT in the area. Yes, I do get a very slight bump in signal rating (add a dB or two) if I use a two way vs four way splitter. Not enough to tear up the whole set up, however. I am at a point now where I receive everything, I just want just a touch more reliability to cover weather issues.

I got rid of cable and rely only on OTA and only digital. I receive enough and with reliability that I don't need to return to cable for the OTA stuff. I like the Detroit locals as the picture quality is generally a bit better and I do business in the area. Otherwise, I use the web and download/stream content.

Hope the attachments work. This is the first time I tried. You also might be interested in a spreadsheet that lists the subchannels and other data I gathered.

 

Signal-Test-Worksheet.zip 12.10546875k . file

Didn't think this thread would regain life, but it seems it has . I am going to look over some of the suggestions and consider them for spring. The specialized FM splitter is an option I'm seriously considering if I go with the one antenna solution and may even try it now. However, I am thinking the single purpose FM Yagi with one of the VHF Hi/UHF combos might be my best bet. I have definitely decided to stay put until the entire transition is complete (possibly June '09 depending on the whims of Congress.) I did some fine tuning (replaced cables and connectors in the house), so actually the channels that were a bit 'flaky' are somewhat less so. I also gained a few dBs on the signal meter. My goal, which I achieved, was to tweak my set up until received an affiliate for each of the networks that NEVER drops out. That I achieved, so I'm happy for now.

At least I don't have to replace my rotor. It was frozen in one place for about a month. The one day we had above freezing seems to have allowed it to start rotating again. It was kind of nice being able to select from three different NBC afilliates for the Super Bowl (WDIV, WEYI and WILX respectively).

Keep replying... the reading is interesting. Thanks!