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Chicago, IL - OTA ***OLD THREAD*** - Page 153  

post #4561 of 4809
2/3/07 at 5:31am
sebenste,

can a nearby tree causes issues with reception? I just noticed its windy outside and I'm having a terrible time with WGN-DT again. Any ideas how to cope with that?

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post #4562 of 4809
2/3/07 at 5:40am
Quote:
Originally Posted by bclbob View Post

sebenste,

can a nearby tree causes issues with reception? I just noticed its windy outside and I'm having a terrible time with WGN-DT again. Any ideas how to cope with that?

Dynamite the trees?!?!?!
post #4563 of 4809
2/3/07 at 5:44am
Quote:
Originally Posted by hvs10trk View Post

Dynamite the trees?!?!?!

You can't breathe on a tree in the Village of Oak Park without getting a permit. "Taking care" of the Village's trees isn't the best idea.
post #4564 of 4809
2/3/07 at 8:55am
Quote:
Originally Posted by bclbob View Post

You can't breathe on a tree in the Village of Oak Park without getting a permit. "Taking care" of the Village's trees isn't the best idea.

I'm going to have to fine you $75 for disparaging OP like that Sir. Now please go move your car or it will be towed.
post #4565 of 4809
2/3/07 at 8:58am
Quote:
Originally Posted by sebenste View Post

Hey, I'd do the same thing if I were you. Except I'd get a much bigger antenna for my attic.

Hope the wife lets you get it up there. And if you're a baseball fan, remember...WCIU-DT isn't carried on Comcast yet. Plus, when new stations in HD come online (think WYCC in the not-too-terribly distant future), and when WWME-LD goes digital (and they'll have bandwidth to do HD, with I love Lucy, The Honeymooners, Star Trek and more being remade in HD), you'll have 'em the moment they come on. There's a lot more good here than just WBBM-DT...

Agreed 100%. I love the OTA stuff. I have DirecTV for SD and am only hanging on to them because I have 3 hacked TiVos with HMO, and MRV. With kids, it's a miracle to have shows transferred around the house via cat-5. Also, add the DVD collection to a PC, and you have a really nice media library at the touch of a button.

Thanks again for your time/effort. Maybe I'll run to RadioShack yet today.
post #4566 of 4809
2/3/07 at 9:02am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kipp Jones View Post

All of you having trouble receiving WBBM OTA, do any of you have your antenna indoors/in your attic?


Kipp-

Yeah, mine's in the attic but as sebenste has determined, the antenna is just too small anyway. Have to say that even in the attic at about 38 miles away, I still get about 55% signal or a bit better on everything else. The LG tuner locks on without a problem at that strength. Stupid Homeowners groups in Plainfield frown on TV antennas on the roof otherwise mine would be up there.
post #4567 of 4809
2/3/07 at 10:25am
Quote:
Originally Posted by bclbob View Post

You can't breathe on a tree in the Village of Oak Park without getting a permit. "Taking care" of the Village's trees isn't the best idea.

Hmmm. I love enthusiasm for getting good reception, but if I find a yard full of broken twigs in Crystal Lake, I'll knock on the door to say hello!

Bob, the problem you are experiencing is variable multipath. As the tree branches sway, they reflect signals into your box at constantly varying times. Watch your analog UHF signals, you'll see it. That's why on Antennaweb, they ask if you are close to trees, and if you are, they recommend large antennas no matter where you go. The only thing that will help that situation is a bigger (IE, more directional) antenna.

Same problem happens with me with planes flying overhead. My large directional antennas take care of most of the problem, but if a Piper is flying low, bye bye DTV signals for about 5-10 seconds. Thankfully, that doesn't happen often.
Reason #688 for buying an antenna larger than you need....
post #4568 of 4809
2/3/07 at 10:51am
Quote:
Originally Posted by sebenste View Post

Bob, the problem you are experiencing is variable multipath. As the tree branches sway, they reflect signals into your box at constantly varying times. Watch your analog UHF signals, you'll see it. The only thing that will help that situation is a bigger (IE, more directional) antenna.

The tree is very safe, its a big beautiful old tree, I'd move to get decent TV before I see that cut down. It's gotta be at last 50 ft wide and 3 stories tall. Anyway ...

Do you think I should try the 4221? (4228 wont fit in the attic) I think I'm suffering sometimes from the variable multipath and sometimes from interference from WXMI-DT, though pointing my old winegard around NNE seems to get rid of the WXMI-DT issue. (Hancock is at 90 and Sears at 101, 8.1 miles out). I also had some success pointing the antenna toward WYIN-DT, which is at 154, 43 miles out, although I could only get a lock in the low teens or low 20s at the most, not enough to bring it in. I'm wondering if a 4221 pointed between the Sears and WYIN might work out for me.

Another attic install question ... is there an issue if some of the rods touch wood (ie. the inside of the roof, or beams, etc).
post #4569 of 4809
2/3/07 at 11:43am
Guys, I live in Libertyville and can't get WBBM for ____.

Where can I get a pre-amp and/or FM trap locally? I'll drive an hour to get a Winegard AP 8275 or other, recommended model.

My antenna is a big 8200p Winegard.

Thanks!!
post #4570 of 4809
2/3/07 at 12:06pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by toddcurry View Post

Guys, I live in Libertyville and can't get WBBM for ____.

Where can I get a pre-amp and/or FM trap locally? I'll drive an hour to get a Winegard AP 8275 or other, recommended model.

My antenna is a big 8200p Winegard.

Thanks!!


Is your antenna on your roof? How Big/Old is your antenna? Is it VHF? Do you get channel 5,7, and 9? Do you have an external tuner or is it built in? Do you have any cable (e.g. Comcast, WOW.) A pre-amp won't help unless you have the CBS frequency locked.
post #4571 of 4809
2/3/07 at 12:12pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by toddcurry View Post

Guys, I live in Libertyville and can't get WBBM for ____.

Where can I get a pre-amp and/or FM trap locally? I'll drive an hour to get a Winegard AP 8275 or other, recommended model.

My antenna is a big 8200p Winegard.

Thanks!!

If it's not on the roof get it out there. I used to live in Mundelein (by RT 176 and 60/83) and once I put it outside it was rock solid.

Another thing to check is the aiming for it. Since WBBM is on the Hancock we tend to get multipath (ghosting) off the Sears Tower so play around with the aiming and see if that helps.
post #4572 of 4809
2/3/07 at 12:12pm
Sebenste,

I know you like doing different antenna, but have you built a UHF antenna? Check this link http://www.lumenlab.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=9613 it has been growing with many different designs and all works good. I did built a DB2 clone and it kicked my CM 4228 and pickup all UHF DT from Chicago Market at 70 miles away and it indoor but it helps when hook to the CM7777 also but it pick up 7,9,11 analog good with light snow but it only costed me about $8.00 to build it. There is some werids build at the posted link, but it works. I know it won't pick up the famous 3 but if they do move to 11 it should work. But do checkout the hot pink 4-bay antenna there.
post #4573 of 4809
2/3/07 at 12:49pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kipp Jones View Post

All of you having trouble receiving WBBM OTA, do any of you have your antenna indoors/in your attic?

Gentlemen,

(Assuming there are no ladies on this forum...I guess that also assumes we are all fine upstanding men too...tell you what, forget it.)

Living 12 miles SW of the towers, and using 93" rabbit ears indoors (in the basement ) with a 12 dB amp, I receive WBBM-DT at 88% SS. If you have an older TV lying around, perhaps it has 4' long ears and you can try this. Of course, the higher you go with the rabbit ears the better. If it is not an older TV, you likely won't find them to be that long. And no, I didn't buy them anywhere local - they were an EB** purchase...all the rabbit ears in the stores these days (when you can find them) don't seem to be longer than 3'.

As always, I like to post a link to an earlier post, so here it is:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...24#post7533224

Hebner
post #4574 of 4809
2/3/07 at 1:21pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Genius74 View Post

Thanks alot.

I know some people are coming here for this help specifically for the SuperBowl, but I'm trying to save $1K per by dropping DTV. The wife won't release the DTivo w/o being able to record CBS in HD (and I don't blame her).

There are all kinds of DVR that do not do HDTV, but probably are good enough to replace the Tivo and don't have monthly fees. Right now Wal-Mart has the best selection of DVR decks. Analog tuners only, so get the antenna working.

You can also set up something called MythTV. I'm working on putting one together, hopefully its done in time for the super bowl. It runs on your PC, its HDTV, its free, and you can (supposedly) use an older PC without trouble. You need a tuner card and tv video card (around $100 for both), and maybe a new sound card.

My wife was plenty honked off last summer when I dropped our comca$t down to basic service. However, saving $90 a month adds up pretty quick, she gets Rachael Ray on ch 2.

I also bought a ReplayTV on ebay. Its a really fun DVR. Its not HD, but, I can download all kinds of shows that others have recorded - legally. It also detects and skips commercials (about 75% accurate).
post #4575 of 4809
2/3/07 at 1:37pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by toddcurry View Post

Guys, I live in Libertyville and can't get WBBM for ____.

Where can I get a pre-amp and/or FM trap locally? I'll drive an hour to get a Winegard AP 8275 or other, recommended model.

My antenna is a big 8200p Winegard.

Thanks!!

1) Get it up on the roof

2) Get it up on the roof

3) Get it up on the roof

If its up on the roof already, check the aim, make sure its aimed for downtown. If you're in a forested area, try to get it higher in the air. Lowe's sells stackable masts, one just slips into the next to build the height you need. You're only about 10 miles north of me, and I get WBBM-DT fine with a good bit smaller RCA antenna. Make sure you're using RG-6 cable, and get rid of any splitters if you can, at least for the game.

If all else fails, try aiming for the Milwaukee CBS station, its 15 miles further but its high on UHF and you're far enough north that you may get it.

Good Luck!
post #4576 of 4809
2/3/07 at 2:07pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by sebenste View Post

A friend of mine lives in Elburn (45 miles out), and he locks WBBM-DT solid, as does someone who recently (a month ago) hoisted one in his attic out in Elburn.
Both with a Radio Shack VU-190 antenna. But an amp does help if your signal is below lock limits. Problem is, you need to have signal to lock in the first place. And with WBBM, it isn't easy.

That "someone" is me! WBBM-DT has been perfect for me. Some of the other stations have not been nearly as reliable(WLS oddly). I use an HTPC to feed my Westinghouse monitor/TV. I noticed that the OnAir USB HDTV-GT has much better "signal grabbing" power than the Hauppauge HVR-1600---MUCH better.
post #4577 of 4809
2/3/07 at 3:01pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by toddcurry View Post

Guys, I live in Libertyville and can't get WBBM for ____.

Where can I get a pre-amp and/or FM trap locally? I'll drive an hour to get a Winegard AP 8275 or other, recommended model.

My antenna is a big 8200p Winegard.

Thanks!!

Hi Todd,

Well, as I type this, a certain electronics store in Mt. Prospect is now closed as of noon Saturday. First, let's try to identify your problem. Can you get an analog picture somehow, someway? If so:

1. How does channel 2 look? How do the other channels look? If there's snow, that can be over come with a preamplifier. If there's interference, we have to take care of that. Any dimmer switches causing problems? Irons? Tool chargers? Turn those off and see if that fixes it. Then see if you can get WBBM. A friend of mine who has the 8200p outside couldn't lock WBBM with new RG-6 cable a few weeks ago. A dimmer switch for his cabinets was the culprit. He turned them off and bingo...WBBM rock-solid. My friend out in Elburn can't get it when he plugs in his tool charger. He makes sure it's not plugged in when he is recording something.

2. Regardless, try adjusting the antenna to point directly at the Hancock.
If it isn't pointed at it just about straight on, you won't lock it, preamp, amp or not. And even if you are, sometimes by pointing it a bit north or south of the Hancock will help. Have someone watch the TV when you do this, or crank the volume on 3-1 to see if it comes in if you are by yourself.

3. I'll assume you are using RG-6 cable. If not, head to your favorite do-it-yourself store and swap it out.

4. Do NOT get it outside right now. We have wind gusts to 40 MPH, and at least where I am, the power is going on and off (yikes! Hope it holds...). Just make sure it is in the attic or as high as it can go, away from metal objects in the attic (as much as possible, anyway), pointed directly at the Hancock.

5. Then if all of that fails, get a preamp. See if Fry's (call ahead) has a Winegard AP-8200 or AP-8275. If not, see if they have a ChannelMaster preamp. The ChannelMaster 7777 might be too strong.

Hey Fatawan, that's right! And the VU-190 from Radio Shack is less good at picking up WBBM, believe it or not, than the Winegard 8200p.
post #4578 of 4809
2/3/07 at 3:19pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by WillieAntenna View Post

Sebenste,

I know you like doing different antenna, but have you built a UHF antenna? Check this link http://www.lumenlab.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=9613 it has been growing with many different designs and all works good. I did built a DB2 clone and it kicked my CM 4228 and pickup all UHF DT from Chicago Market at 70 miles away and it indoor but it helps when hook to the CM7777 also but it pick up 7,9,11 analog good with light snow but it only costed me about $8.00 to build it. There is some werids build at the posted link, but it works. I know it won't pick up the famous 3 but if they do move to 11 it should work. But do checkout the hot pink 4-bay antenna there.

Nice. But most people won't have the time. It may not pick up WBBM on channel 11, because the signal will be so weak, unless you are very close to Sears Tower.
I have a friend who built his own channel 3 antenna out here in DeKalb. It's up in his attic. The doggone thing is huge. Made from pure copper, on a wood beam, and very well made, the thing is almost too heavy to carry. And yet, WBBM comes in just below lock level most of the time. Once or twice a week he can get it, but every 10-20 seconds it breaks up due to impulse noise. His analog 2 is watchable.
His dad was a chief engineer at a TV station, so he also built his own VHF-HI antenna pointed at Chicago, and hs own channel 13 antenna, pointed at Rockford.
His attic is full of TV antennas. I'm catching up.

With a 13' Winegard VHF-only antenna, I can only get WBBM at 20%; 41% locks. I can't move it anywhere else in the attic because it is so big. I can get analog 7, 9 and 11 decently with it. After a good storm or on some calm nights, it comes in.
post #4579 of 4809
2/3/07 at 3:44pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by sebenste View Post

Hi Todd,

Well, as I type this, a certain electronics store in Mt. Prospect is now closed as of noon Saturday. First, let's try to identify your problem. Can you get an analog picture somehow, someway? If so:

1. How does channel 2 look? How do the other channels look? If there's snow, that can be over come with a preamplifier. If there's interference, we have to take care of that. Any dimmer switches causing problems? Irons? Tool chargers? Turn those off and see if that fixes it. Then see if you can get WBBM. A friend of mine who has the 8200p outside couldn't lock WBBM with new RG-6 cable a few weeks ago. A dimmer switch for his cabinets was the culprit. He turned them off and bingo...WBBM rock-solid. My friend out in Elburn can't get it when he plugs in his tool charger. He makes sure it's not plugged in when he is recording something.

2. Regardless, try adjusting the antenna to point directly at the Hancock.
If it isn't pointed at it just about straight on, you won't lock it, preamp, amp or not. And even if you are, sometimes by pointing it a bit north or south of the Hancock will help. Have someone watch the TV when you do this, or crank the volume on 3-1 to see if it comes in if you are by yourself.

3. I'll assume you are using RG-6 cable. If not, head to your favorite do-it-yourself store and swap it out.

4. Do NOT get it outside right now. We have wind gusts to 40 MPH, and at least where I am, the power is going on and off (yikes! Hope it holds...). Just make sure it is in the attic or as high as it can go, away from metal objects in the attic (as much as possible, anyway), pointed directly at the Hancock.

5. Then if all of that fails, get a preamp. See if Fry's (call ahead) has a Winegard AP-8200 or AP-8275. If not, see if they have a ChannelMaster preamp. The ChannelMaster 7777 might be too strong.

Hey Fatawan, that's right! And the VU-190 from Radio Shack is less good at picking up WBBM, believe it or not, than the Winegard 8200p.

Sebenste, Mogatar88, rad and 5H9D0W -- thanks for your input and help.

I had an installer put my system together in January and he left with WBBm at about 30% signal strength -- and a promise he would be back. But here we are.

So, it is way too freaking cold and windy to put my antenna on the roof today, as Sebenste points out. Wife says "never". Sigh.

I found the Winegard 8725 pre-amp at Chester's in Kenosha (35 min each way; decent price and good people). I didn't realize that I have a Winegard HDA-200 in the basement already (doing zero to improve signal strength for WBBM). As soon as I plugged the pre-amp in, signal dropped to 20% for everything predictably. So I have to choose between the two now, as with both I'm "over-driven". The pre-amp is a bit better, driving signals up to the 50% range.

I bought 100ft of RG6, quad shielded. I believe that is what I already have installed, but I'm going to try a no interference run from antenna to TV and see what I see.

One other thing, if others have an HDA-200, is the FM trap supposed to be "in" or "out"? I don't care about getting FM stations. Winegard manual is mute on the topic.

Thanks, gents, and I'll report back shortly!
post #4580 of 4809
2/3/07 at 4:05pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by toddcurry View Post

Sebenste, Mogatar88, rad and 5H9D0W -- thanks for your input and help.

I had an installer put my system together in January and he left with WBBm at about 30% signal strength -- and a promise he would be back. But here we are.

So, it is way too freaking cold and windy to put my antenna on the roof today, as Sebenste points out. Wife says "never". Sigh.

I found the Winegard 8725 pre-amp at Chester's in Kenosha (35 min each way; decent price and good people). I didn't realize that I have a Winegard HDA-200 in the basement already (doing zero to improve signal strength for WBBM). As soon as I plugged the pre-amp in, signal dropped to 20% for everything predictably. So I have to choose between the two now, as with both I'm "over-driven". The pre-amp is a bit better, driving signals up to the 50% range.

I bought 100ft of RG6, quad shielded. I believe that is what I already have installed, but I'm going to try a no interference run from antenna to TV and see what I see.

One other thing, if others have an HDA-200, is the FM trap supposed to be "in" or "out"? I don't care about getting FM stations. Winegard manual is mute on the topic.

Thanks, gents, and I'll report back shortly!

100' of cable means a modest amp is needed. Try a Winegard 8700 if it is available. It's not as strong. However, it really sounds like you are amping more noise than signal, and if you can't get hardly any signal, an amp or preamp won't help.

FM trap should be "in" if you want to keep strong FM stations from interfering, and "out" if you want to get FM. Hang in there. If the antenna is only 6' long, you might have enough wiggle room to see if you can get a WBBM "hot spot". But, that antenna definitely isn't designed to get VHF-LO well.
post #4581 of 4809
2/3/07 at 4:29pm
I bought a 42'' Philips Plasma from Office Depot last Sunday for the big game.

I have been using a $10 Philips antenna I bought at Walmart (MANT210), and if it was not for my dad, I would not be receiving WBBM. I came home from work on Wednesday, and my dad found the perfect ghetto setup for the big game.

The reason we are running this set-up: right now we have basic cable.

1) We are using a cable splitter and a 3 ft. cable cord to attach to the rabbit ears antenna and placed it away from the television (don't know if this makes a difference, but it works for me)
2) We placed it high on an old halogen lamp to be closer to the ceiling.
3) The VHF antenna base (rabbit ears) are faced directly east towards Lake Michigan(I am in Skokie) in a "V" shape with each ear at a 50 degree angle, and the UHF antenna(circle) is almost completely horizontal (facing west).

When I first pointed the base of the antenna directly towards and away from the Hancock, I could not receive WBBM in HD 2.1.

We are receiving 2.1 (WBBM) crystal clear) as well as the 24 other local channels.
Channell 11 in HD has the best picture, and 5.1 NBC is quite clear as well.
post #4582 of 4809
2/3/07 at 4:48pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by sebenste View Post

100' of cable means a modest amp is needed. Try a Winegard 8700 if it is available. It's not as strong. However, it really sounds like you are amping more noise than signal, and if you can't get hardly any signal, an amp or preamp won't help.

FM trap should be "in" if you want to keep strong FM stations from interfering, and "out" if you want to get FM. Hang in there. If the antenna is only 6' long, you might have enough wiggle room to see if you can get a WBBM "hot spot". But, that antenna definitely isn't designed to get VHF-LO well.

Thanks, and I think I've gotten some insight on the problem(s).

Antenna is 177" long, Winegard 8200p VHF / UHF. I re-aimed it, using my 100', brand-spanking new QS RG6 and got 2 with some rolling snow -- watchable, 5 the same. 3 was locked, in that the "WBBM DTV" header info came through for the first time on my TV, but the signal was still unusable. All other channels = crystal, including 60 analog and 66 analog (one was a little weak; I think it was 60).

This is with no amplification (pre-amp or otherwise) on the cable. Before I continue, is this about what I should expect from the antenna? Is this "good"? Or should I be dis-heartened that 3 is unusable at this point?

Thanks,

TC
post #4583 of 4809
2/3/07 at 5:57pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by toddcurry View Post

Thanks, and I think I've gotten some insight on the problem(s).

Antenna is 177" long, Winegard 8200p VHF / UHF. I re-aimed it, using my 100', brand-spanking new QS RG6 and got 2 with some rolling snow -- watchable, 5 the same. 3 was locked, in that the "WBBM DTV" header info came through for the first time on my TV, but the signal was still unusable. All other channels = crystal, including 60 analog and 66 analog (one was a little weak; I think it was 60).

This is with no amplification (pre-amp or otherwise) on the cable. Before I continue, is this about what I should expect from the antenna? Is this "good"? Or should I be dis-heartened that 3 is unusable at this point?

Thanks,

TC

After a lot of trial and error I too ended up with the 8200 myself and has performed flawlessly. (thanks to all the great advice aquired from all my friends on this forum ) If your intersted in a 8700 preamp, I have one available (used for less than 4 hours) for sale.

Believe it or not, my reception (assumably because of my remote location) actually was was not as good (amped) as a non preamped one. According to my colleagues i was overloading my tuner, therefore bye-bye 8700. Feel free to PM me if your interested, and above all, good luck on your adventure. OTA rocks
post #4584 of 4809
2/3/07 at 6:26pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by toddcurry View Post

Thanks, and I think I've gotten some insight on the problem(s).

Antenna is 177" long, Winegard 8200p VHF / UHF. I re-aimed it, using my 100', brand-spanking new QS RG6 and got 2 with some rolling snow -- watchable, 5 the same. 3 was locked, in that the "WBBM DTV" header info came through for the first time on my TV, but the signal was still unusable. All other channels = crystal, including 60 analog and 66 analog (one was a little weak; I think it was 60).

This is with no amplification (pre-amp or otherwise) on the cable. Before I continue, is this about what I should expect from the antenna? Is this "good"? Or should I be dis-heartened that 3 is unusable at this point?

Thanks,

TC

"Rolling snow"? Is it just snowy or do you see bars, lines or other things moving across it? If the latter, that's interference, and nothing will help the reception until the source of it is turned off.

Sounds like 2 and 5 (thus 3) will be weak if it is just snow. Try a modest amplifier,
or an adjustable one, and see what happens. You are now close...when the "WBBM DTV" header came through, it means you locked PSIP data on it, and that's a good sign. I bet an amp now will do the trick, IF it is just snow that is hurting you. Sounds like the antenna was misaimed to whatever degree. The lower signal on 60 (66?--probably that one) is due to the long cable run, in part. You are now getting the reception you should be getting without an amp. Then, once youhave the amp on, check out 2 and 5 analog, and get them coming in as good as you can. Then try the digital, and see what happens. If 2 and 5 are way overloaded, back off on the amp strength.
post #4585 of 4809
2/3/07 at 8:12pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by sebenste View Post

"Rolling snow"? Is it just snowy or do you see bars, lines or other things moving across it? If the latter, that's interference, and nothing will help the reception until the source of it is turned off.

Hard to describe -- imagine a tire print across the screen horizontally made of about 50 pieces of snow. Then imagine that snow rolling up the screen vertically and slightly diagonally. This is un-amped. I will try a few things to see if I can clear this up.

Quote:
Originally Posted by sebenste View Post

Sounds like 2 and 5 (thus 3) will be weak if it is just snow. Try a modest amplifier, or an adjustable one, and see what happens. You are now close...when the "WBBM DTV" header came through, it means you locked PSIP data on it, and that's a good sign. I bet an amp now will do the trick, IF it is just snow that is hurting you. Sounds like the antenna was misaimed to whatever degree. The lower signal on 60 (66?--probably that one) is due to the long cable run, in part. You are now getting the reception you should be getting without an amp. Then, once youhave the amp on, check out 2 and 5 analog, and get them coming in as good as you can. Then try the digital, and see what happens. If 2 and 5 are way overloaded, back off on the amp strength.

Awesome -- tomorrow morning, I"m on it. Many, many thanks for the help here, friend. I'm excited to be closing in on this one.

TC
post #4586 of 4809
2/3/07 at 8:37pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by toddcurry View Post

Hard to describe -- imagine a tire print across the screen horizontally made of about 50 pieces of snow. Then imagine that snow rolling up the screen vertically and slightly diagonally. This is un-amped. I will try a few things to see if I can clear this up.



Awesome -- tomorrow morning, I"m on it. Many, many thanks for the help here, friend. I'm excited to be closing in on this one.

TC

Whoa! Wait a minute. That's not snow...that's a "hum bar" of electrical interference. Sounds like a dimmer switch, or maybe something in the attic?
If you can't find the source of it reasonably quickly, do this. With the exception of the furnace and TV, turn off all the other power in your house, one switch on the electrical box at a time, until you see the interference disappear. Yeah, I know, that means you have to reprogram the alarm clock time (if it doesn't have a battery) or microwave. That truly sounds like a dimmer switch, or a tool charger.

Here's another idea. Turn on a portable AM radio. Do you hear interference on the bottom of the dial, like buzzing? If so, keep that radio on and with you as you turn stuff on and off. That's how one of my acquaintances found his electrical source. It was a dimmer switch under a cabinet piece.
post #4587 of 4809
2/3/07 at 10:48pm
Well, I decided to try the easy way. I'm 14 miles from the towers as posted previously. I tried the simple but stupid way first, a pair of non amplified rabbit ears from Home Depot (GE TV24734 as pictured here at Buy.com ) First I tried it on my set in the basement (a Samsung HCR4755 RP unit with built in tuner, but no QAM). Interestingly enough, success on most channels but of course, nothing for channel 2/3. Analog 2 was horrible and couldn't lock 2.1.

So, I figured I'd try the rabbit ears in the attic. I had a "spare" RG-6 already run to the attic for future enhancements. I set the rabbit ears up in the rafters with the 34" dipoles spread flat, the UHF loop vertical, and then broadside pointed it towards the towers by eyeball estimate (considering I could only judge based on the house orientation, no compass handy).

So I ran another length of RG-6 from the termination of the attic run in the basement over to the TV, plugged it in and let it autoset the channels again and Bang, perfect picture. Analog 2 is clear as a bell, and digital 2.1 has something like 6 of 8 "bars" of signal strength. All the other channels look good so far too.

I'm amazed at how well this worked, so don't the rest of you give up hope. Of course, we'll see how my setup fares as the trees in the area get their leaves back in the spring!

(BTW: why was my link to ABT getting "adjusted" to eliminate the link? Link to buy.com was fine)??
post #4588 of 4809
2/4/07 at 10:42am
Quote:
Originally Posted by gof View Post

Well, I decided to try the easy way. I'm 14 miles from the towers as posted previously. I tried the simple but stupid way first, a pair of non amplified rabbit ears from Home Depot (GE TV24734 as pictured here at Buy.com ) First I tried it on my set in the basement (a Samsung HCR4755 RP unit with built in tuner, but no QAM). Interestingly enough, success on most channels but of course, nothing for channel 2/3. Analog 2 was horrible and couldn't lock 2.1.

So, I figured I'd try the rabbit ears in the attic. I had a "spare" RG-6 already run to the attic for future enhancements. I set the rabbit ears up in the rafters with the 34" dipoles spread flat, the UHF loop vertical, and then broadside pointed it towards the towers by eyeball estimate (considering I could only judge based on the house orientation, no compass handy).

So I ran another length of RG-6 from the termination of the attic run in the basement over to the TV, plugged it in and let it autoset the channels again and Bang, perfect picture. Analog 2 is clear as a bell, and digital 2.1 has something like 6 of 8 "bars" of signal strength. All the other channels look good so far too.

I'm amazed at how well this worked, so don't the rest of you give up hope. Of course, we'll see how my setup fares as the trees in the area get their leaves back in the spring!

(BTW: why was my link to ABT getting "adjusted" to eliminate the link? Link to buy.com was fine)??

Nicely done! The ABT electronics link was eliminated more than likely due to the fact that they don't like links to non-sponsored stuff on here, although it isn't strictly enforced.

Enjoy the game!
post #4589 of 4809
2/4/07 at 11:02am
Quote:
Originally Posted by sebenste View Post

Nice. But most people won't have the time. It may not pick up WBBM on channel 11, because the signal will be so weak, unless you are very close to Sears Tower.
I have a friend who built his own channel 3 antenna out here in DeKalb. It's up in his attic. The doggone thing is huge. Made from pure copper, on a wood beam, and very well made, the thing is almost too heavy to carry. And yet, WBBM comes in just below lock level most of the time. Once or twice a week he can get it, but every 10-20 seconds it breaks up due to impulse noise. His analog 2 is watchable.
His dad was a chief engineer at a TV station, so he also built his own VHF-HI antenna pointed at Chicago, and hs own channel 13 antenna, pointed at Rockford.
His attic is full of TV antennas. I'm catching up.

With a 13' Winegard VHF-only antenna, I can only get WBBM at 20%; 41% locks. I can't move it anywhere else in the attic because it is so big. I can get analog 7, 9 and 11 decently with it. After a good storm or on some calm nights, it comes in.


I agree that most people won't have time and most are not mechanicaly incline to build it. But it a nice cold day project for those are mechanicaly inclined person. It was fun for me as I live in a apartment on a 2nd floor and have good clear to the south though the patio door and can't put up a nice big one on the roof even there is a roof antenna now but was knock over in a wind storm few years back and the landlord don't want to put up a new one because there is a cable service. And it a nice way to tell your wife or girlfriend it still cost allot to get one. But of course don't tell her this way you only need just few dollars for the materials and rest in labor cost ( Beer ) . Even it would not withstand the outdoor but good indoor or attic antenna and good way to use it as a test antenna to see if you can get siginal. Well that sucks that when WBBM goes to 11 won't be high. It good that I can get CBS Rockford 23 or Madison 3. Boy I bet that friend of your antenna should be worth some money now as the new raw copper price is high. As most of the DT station I watch is only UHF, just only Madison Fox 47 will stay on 11, Milwaukee PBS 10 I think will stay on 8 or go back to 10 and Chicago 7 will go back to 7 but I think my CM 4228 will pick up that with no problem as it comes good on the analog side. Once last summer w/CM 4228 I pick up Carbondale, IL PBS-DT for about hour it 330 OTA miles away . And the famous Terk TV-55 I pick up Bloomington, IL station about 160 miles yep it not a typo it the Terk TV-55, but it mostly on at night, again all set up was indoor. And yes Terk is way over priced and now you can get TV-55 for half price. And I was surprise the Terk SS3000 is made by Winegard and as most of Radio Shack outdoor antenna are, but made to Radio Shack sepcs and not fault of Winegard.
post #4590 of 4809
2/4/07 at 12:01pm
Hi all. I am looking for the proper OTA antenna for my new HDTV. I'm very new to HDTVs as a general matter, and have been spending many hours reading up and educating myself on these forums.

However, I haven't been able to find an asnwer to fact specific issue: I live in the heart of Chicago, .4 miles from 12 channels. Would the Phillips PHDTV3 work? (I read that amplified antennas won't work if too close - but what is too close?)

Where do I go on these forums to determine the ideal antenna that I would want? Can someone direct me?

If I'm supposed to ask here, then here is some additional information:
  • I live .4 miles from all 12 of these stations.
    They are all at about North/East from my building.
    I live on the South/West corner, 1st floor, apartment.
    There are numerous 4 story or higher buildings between myself and the stations.
    I was looking for an indoor antenna.
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