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Chicago, IL - OTA

2M views 15K replies 680 participants last post by  Mike Beranek 
#1 · (Edited)
#2 · (Edited)
OTA Channel Lineup - April 15, 2023
Format:
Station Callsign (actual channel assignment)
PSIP remapped channel: Programming - Resolution - Dolby Digital availability


Bold indicates HD programming available (either 1080i or 720p resolution)
480i resolution is standard definition, and may or may not be in widescreen format.


Next Generation (ATSC 3.0) TV Stations

WRME-DT (6)
106-1 : Jewelry TV - 1080p


HD Stations

WBBM-DT (12)
2-1 : CBS HD - 1080i - DD 5.1
2-2
: Start TV - 480i widescreen
2-3 : DABL - 480i widescreen
2-4 : Fave TV - 480i widescreen
2-5 : Circle TV - 480i widescreen

WCHU-LD (7)
3-1 :Infomercials - 720p - DD 2.0
3-2 :
Sales slide - 480i

WMAQ-DT (33)
5-1 : NBC HD - 1080i - DD 5.1
5-2 :
Cozi TV - 480i widescreen
5-3 : LocaLx (LX) - 480i widescreen
5-4 : Oxygen True Crime - 480i widescreen
44-1 : "WSNS" Telemundo - 1080i - DD 2.0
44-2 :
"WSNS" Telexitos - 480i

WLS-DT (22)
7-1 : ABC HD - 720p - DD 5.1
7-2 :
Localish - 480i - DD 2.0
7-3 : This TV- 480i - DD 2.0
60-1 : "WXFT" Unimas - 720p - DD 2.0
60-2 :
"WXFT" Escape- 480i widesceen
60-3 : Quest TV - 480i widescreen

WGN-DT (19)
9-1 : Independent - 1080i - DD 5.1
9-2 :
Antenna TV- 480i
9-3 : Grit - 480i
9-4 : Rewind - 480i
9-5 : TBD - 480i

WTTW-DT (25)
11-1 : WTTW-HD - 1080i - DD 5.1
11-2 : WTTW-Prime - 1080i - DD 5.1
11-3 :
PBS Create - 480i widescreen
11-4 : PBS Kids - 480i widescreen
11-5 : PBS World - 480i widescreen

WOCK-LD (4)
13-1 : Shop LC - 720p - DD 5.1
13-2 :
KBS World - 480i
13-3 : NTD TV America - 480i
13-4 : CCTV News - 480i
13-5 : CCTV Documentary - 480i
13-6 : Sonlife - 480i
13-7 : Blank screen- 480i

WWME-LD (20)
23-1 : MeTV - 720p
23-2 : H&I - 480i

WPVN-LD (26)
24-1 : Azteca America - 720p - DD 2.0
24-2 :
BeIn Sports Extra
24-3 : Infomercials - Swag TV
24-4 : Novelisima
24-5 : WIN/MBC - 480i
24-6 : Korean MBS (religious) - 480i
24-8 : Infomercials - 480i

WESV-LD (31)
25-1: HSN - 480i - DD 2.0
25-2: Polvision - 480i - DD 2.0
25-3: SHOP LC - 480i - DD 2.0
25-4 : Retro TV Network - 480i
25-5 : LATV - 480i
40-1: Estrella TV - 720p - DD 2.0
40-2:
E-NEWS - 480i - DD 2.0
40-3: WESV-3- 480i - DD 2.0

WCIU-DT (23)
26-1 : CW - 720p - DD 5.1
26-2 : U-Too - 720p - DD 5.1
26-3 :
MeTV - 480i widescreen
26-4 : H&I - 480i widescreen
26-5 : Story TV - 480i widescreen
26-6 : Decades - 480i widescreen

WFLD-DT (24)
32-1 : FOX - 720p - DD 5.1
32-2 :
Movies! - 480i widescreen
32-3 : Buzzr - 480i widescreen
32-4: Grio - 480i widescreen
32-5: Fox Weather- 480i widescreen
50-1 : MNTV - 720p - DD 5.1

WCPX-DT (34)
38-1 : ION - 720p - DD 2.0
38-2 :
Bounce - 720p - DD 2.0
38-3 :
Court TV - 480i widescreen
38-4 : Laff - 480i
38-5 : Defy TV
38-6: Scripps News
38-7: Jewelry TV
38-8: HSN 2

WMEU-LD (18)
48-1: U Too - 720p - DD 2.0
48-2:
Start TV - 480i - DD 2.0
48-3: WBBM-DT 2.1 Simulcast - 1080i - DD 5.1
48-4: MeTV + - 480i - DD 2.0

WYIN-DT (17)
56-1 : PBS - 1080i - DD 2.0
56-2 : NHK World -720p- DD 2.0


WDCI-LD (30)
57-1 : Daystar - 1080i - DD 2.0
57-2: Daystar en espanol- 1080i - DD 2.0
57-3 :
Unknown - 480i

WTVK-DT (10)
59-1 : Infomercials- 720p - DD 2.0
59-2 :
Sales slide

WGBO-DT (35)
66-1 : Univision - 1080i - DD 2.0
66-2 :
Laff - 480i
66-3 : GetTV - 480i
66-4 : Justice TV - 720p - DD2.0
66-5 :
Grit - 480i
66-6 : Twist - 480i


Other Digital Stations

WRJK-LD (36)
22-1 : Diya TV - 480i
22-2 : Cornerstone TV - 480i
22-3 : This TV - 480i
22-4 : Localnow - 480i
22-5 : Comet TV - 480i
22-6 : The Country Network - 480i
22-7 : bespoke - 480i
22-8 : NewsNet - 480i
22-9 : Fun Roads - 480i

WAUR-LD (29)
29-1 : YouTooAmerica (*YTA) - 1080i

WWTO-LD (32)
30-1 : Hillsong - 720p - DD 2.0
30-2 : Smile of a child - 480i
35-1 : TBN - 720p - DD 2.0
35-2 : Smile of a child - 480i
35-3 : Enlace USA- 480i
35-4 : Positiv - 480i

WSPY-LD (31)
31-1 : YouTooAmerica (*YTA) - 1080i
31-2 : WSPY-FM audio (currently, no audio) - 480i

WEDE-CD (28)
34-1 : WJYS-DT simulcast of 62.2 MCTV - 480i
34-2 : Retro TV Network - 480i

WILC-CD (27)
8-1: Infomercials - 480i
8-2 : Blank - 480i

WJYS-DT (21)
62-1 : Independent (Religious/Shopping/"The Way") - 480i
62-2 : JTV - 480i
62-3 : Blank - 480i
62-4 : Heartland - 480i
62-5 : QVC Over the Air - 480i
62-6 : Canal De La Fe - 480i
62-7 : JTV/ WEDE-CD simulcast - 480i
62-8 : HSN - 480i widescreen
62-9 : HSN - 480i widescreen
62-10 : MCTV - 480i widescreen
 
#3 · (Edited)
Broadcast Location and Power

Format:
Station: Broadcast Power - (Digital Channel Assignment) - Network Affiliation

WILLIS TOWER
HD Stations
WBBM-DT : 10.9 kW
(CP 30 kw) - (12) - CBS
WMAQ-DT/WSNS-DT : 398 kW - (33) - NBC/Telemundo
WLS-DT/WXFT-DT : 1 MW - (22) - ABC/Unimas
WRME-LD : 3 kw - (6) - IND
WCHU-LD : 3 kW - (7) - IND
WGN-DT : 600 kW
- (19) - IND
WTTW-DT: 250 kW - (25) - PBS
WCIU-DT : 1 MW - (23) - CW
WFLD-DT/WPWR-DT : 1 MW - (24) - FOX/MNTV
WCPX-DT : 400 kW - (34) - ION
WWME-LD : 15 kW - (20) - IND/METV
WMEU-LD : 15 kW - (18) - IND/MeToo
WESV-LD : 15 kW - (31) - Estrella TV


Non-HD Stations
WEDE-CA
: 2.84 KW - (28) - IND
WJYS-DT : 140 kW - (21) - IND


HANCOCK CENTER
HD Stations
WOCK-LD : 1.2 KW
- (4) - IND
WGBO-DT : 635 kW - (35) - Univision
WPVN-CD: 15 kW - (26) - IND

Non-HD Stations
WRJK-LD : 5.1 kw
- (36) - IND

AON Building
W25DW-D: 15 kW
- (31) - Home Shopping Network and more
WDCI-LD : 15 kw - (30) - Daystar


HD stations outside of downtown Chicago, but in the market
WAOE-DT : 24 kW
- (10) - MNTV - Transmitter: On the old WWTO-TV tower, just southeast of Starved Rock State Park, near Utica, IL
WYIN-DT : 300 kW
- (17) - PBS - Transmitter: Just South of Crown Point, IN


Other Area Stations
Non-HD Stations
WAUR-LD : 15 kW
- (29) - YouTooAmerica - Transmitter: Just NW of Plano, IL
WSPY-LD : 10 kW
- (31) - YouTooAmerica - Transmitter: Just NW of Plano, IL (same tower as WAUR-LD, above)
WILC-CD : 15 kW
- (27) - Jewelry TV - Transmitter: Just N of Sugar Grove, IL

NOTES:


    • kW = Kilowatts
    • MW = Megawatts
    • DT: Full Power digital station
    • LD: Low Power digital station
    • (CP): Construction Permit granted, but not yet on air
    • (APP): Application to FCC has not yet been approved/disapproved
 
#4 · (Edited)
Everyone,

The 41 dBu UHF signal contours, the 28 dB VHF-LO signal contours, and the 36 dBu VHF-HI (channels 7-13) signal contours are just a general idea of what to expect, reception-wise, from a broadcast digital station as shown on the FCC signal maps; those are the minimum amounts of signal the FCC says you need to properly decode them. In actuality, as you all know, terrain and other factors contribute positively or negatively to the quality of the signal you get from a station.

When a station submits a broadcast coverage area map to the FCC for consideration, it uses a calculation known as the Longley-Rice method. This method bases the signal strength coverage of a station on the following factors:

For the broadcasting station:

1. Height of broadcast antenna
2. Power of the transmitter
3. Any "nulls" required by the transmitter to protect other stations

For the broadcast receiver:

4. Any terrain in the way between you and the transmitter
5. A "proper" receiving antenna up 30' in the air, without amplification
6. 50' of complete copper RG-6 cable from the antenna to the receiver

What is NOT considered in Longley-Rice maps:

1. Weather conditions, which can substantially extend or reduce the broadcast area at any given time
2. Interference from buildings, including multipath and signal blocking
3. Interference from electrical sources or anything else for that matter
4. Attic installations, which reduces signal strength by at least 50% in most cases
5. Antennas larger or smaller than "proper"
6. Signal amplifiers/preamplifiers placed on antenna systems

Having said that, Trip Ericson has a great web site for these at:

http://www.rabbitears.info

Enjoy!
 
#5 · (Edited)
WHAT'S THE ISSUE?

All but one full-power station here in the Chicago TV market broadcast on UHF. WBBM-DT, once a hard-to-get analog and digital station, became somewhat easier to get when they moved to channel 12 and at nearly double their power. They came from channel 3, which was subject to much interference.

The problem is that a standard UHF antenna likely cannot get these two channels. Thankfully, a relatively easy solution for many people is at hand.

You need to have a VHF-HI/UHF "combination" antenna. This type of antenna picks up channels 7-13, as well as channels 14-36. Close in, less than 30 miles away, depending on your line-of-sight to Willis Tower, a pair of "rabbit ears" with a "loop" UHF antenna MIGHT be all you need. If not, you'll need something stronger.

Here are some *suggested* antennas for picking up all VHF-HI channels (note, this is NOT an endorsement, in any way, of any of these products; I may have used some of them, but I *personally* trust these brands, even if I haven't tried the model), and for picking up WBBM.

Suburbs out to route 59:

Winegard HD7082p

Suburbs beyond route 59 to Kenosha County, or DeKalb, or to past Kankakee, or to Renssalaer, IN, or to Laporte county, IN:

Winegard HD7084p
Winegard HD8200p (better for outdoor use, sturdier than 7084p)
Channelmaster 4228HD

With these on a rooftop at 30 miles, reception out to 70 miles should be decent. Exception: WBBM-DT has a slight null to the east, so range may be a little less.

For indoor antennas, these are good articles:

https://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1037779
http://www.tvtechnology.com/article/79862
 
#6 · (Edited)
Helpful Links


Other Chicago AVS Threads

Chicago, IL - DBS (satellite TV)
Chicago, IL - Comcast
Chicago, IL - RCN
Chicago, IL - AT&T
Chicago, IL - WOW

Gilbert's geeky list of favorite DTV links

http://www.dxinfocentre.com/tropo.htm William Hepburn tropo forecast

https://m.rabbitears.info/index.php?request=tvdx_grid&tid=1076AA4D&tno=3 Signal strength from an antenna in Inverness, IL!

Want to get out of market stations? If this forecast based on weather computer models is reasonably correct, areas shaded in the appropriate colors
will be active. If the general area of tropo is oriented more west-east, watch for Quad Cities, Rockford, and South Bend stations. If towards the northeast, watch for Milwaukee and Grand Rapids. In either case, it isn't foolproof, but if you're in a color beyond just weak tropo, keep an eye out!
 
#7 ·
6th generation tuners...the solution to getting weak signal stations?


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Back on December 19, 2007, I had the unexpected opportunity to install an HDTV for a fellow church member on the far northeast side of DeKalb. A few months earlier, to improve his reception and prepare him "someday" for an over-the-air digital converter box, I added a ChannelMaster 7777 preamplifier. He has a VHF/UHF Winegard combo antenna on a 30' tower using RG-6 cable except for a 2' RG-59 jumper; it's about 15 years old, and only the VHF portion of the antenna is used. It's diplexed with a ChannelMaster 4228 UHF antenna, installed at the same time, pointed at Rockford. I warned him: with all but two Chicago stations currently on UHF, and with the UHF antenna pointed at Rockford, most Chicago stations won't come in. And, WBBM-DT will be a no-show until 2009, and WWTO-DT from Utica, IL on channel 10 (just southeast of Starved Rock State Park) won't come in, because he is due north of the station by 45 miles, with the antenna pointed east towards Chicago. He can also lock PSIP on Milwaukee's FOX station on channel 33, even with a low power 33 in Rockford (and the antenna pointed at Rockford, of course)!


What I didn't know was that he decided to buy an HDTV that I recommended to him with an apparent 6th generation tuner. And after a Bible study, I found myself up late into the evening putting in the TV, and then checking out the reception, which blew me away!


From ~55 miles out, he has a rock-solid lock on WBBM-DT. When I mean rock-solid, the signal strength is 4 bars out of 4 on his new Initial brand HDTV! He has NO impulse noise breakups, except during a thunderstorm on December 22nd, when they occurred "one every great once in a while". And 3.5 bars out of 4 on WWTO-DT! All Rockford and most Chicago stations come in, but he cannot lock WYCC-DT and WCIU-DT. This is from major analog interference from two high-powered analogs in Madison, WI causing the inability to lock. He can lock all the other Chicago stations just fine.


Then, I got a report this morning from another gentleman who did an HD install near Elburn. With lots of electrical interference and snow on WBBM-TV analog, he, too, was still able to lock in WBBM-DT solid! It reportedly left him amazed, to say the least!


Up until now, I haven't had experience with 6th gen tuners, but had heard of their extreme sensitivity. Most DTV tuners need a signal to noise ratio of 20:1 to have a solid lock; go down to 19:1, and the picture breaks up. 15.7:1 is the theoretical limit, and these tuners reportedly go right up to it! This is not trivial: the improvement from signal reception alone is 66%+! Plus, the tuner chip features slightly to somewhat improved performance from interference and multipath, causing an even greater improvement! Those of you who are thinking about getting a second or third HDTV or your first one...and plan to use OTA reception...5th or 6th generation tuners are a must, in my mind (every tuner I know out there sold these days is at least 5th gen). But for WBBM reception, I now strongly recommend a TV with a 6th gen tuner. Those absolutely known to have it are:


1. All LG HDTVs that are 2007 models and later (note: Insignia brand HDTV's, made by LG, and sold exclusively at Best Buy, still only have 5th gen tuners!)


2. All LG/Zenith DTV digital converter boxes that are "coupon approved" by the FCC DTV converter box coupon program


3. All Mitsubishi 2008 HDTV models


Since most HDTV's use LG made tuners (they hold the patent), look for 6th gen tuners to sprout in off-brand and other name-brand models. I cannot confirm 100% the Initial branded TV having it, but the reception is way beyond anything I have ever seen. And if you want WBBM-DT reception, there are still no guarantees...but it substantially increases your chances of getting it with these latest generation tuners.


With a 30' high large antenna and amplifier, when WBBM goes high power on 12 and WLS goes high power on 7 in 2009, you'll be able to get both these stations, I'm thinking, in Rockford, and maybe beyond with a 6th gen tuner!


______________

Gilbert
 
#8 · (Edited)
This post should not be construed as an endorsement by myself, AVSForum, or anyone else. I found this to be convenient and helpful for newbies to over-the-air reception on what antenna they may need. For specific antenna recommendations, please post in this forum, and we'll do what we can to help.

First, a general signal strength map from the FCC:

https://www.fcc.gov/media/engineering/dtvmaps

And a breakdown of distance and direction by channel:

https://www.winegarddirect.com/
 
#9 ·
This post is a record of what full-power analog and digital stations did on June 12, 2009...the day analog over-the-air broadcasting was shut off.



WBBM-TV/DT 2.1: WBBM-TV analog stayed on until noon on 6/12/09. At noon, they changed to channel 12 from their channel 3 slot. They are using the old WTTW-TV analog antenna, and installed a new transmitter.


WMAQ-TV/DT 5.1: They shut the analog station down on 6/12/09 at noon. The digital channel was completely built out and at full power on channel 29, so there were no changes there.


WLS-TV/DT 7.1: Flash-cut from channel 52 to channel 7 on 6/12/09 at noon, using 4.75 kw of power.

But, they had severe reception problems. In November, they went to channel 44, at roughly 300 kw of power, but will boost to 373 kw of power, and maybe more, in 2010 and beyond.


WGN-TV/DT 9.1: They shut the analog station down on 6/12/09 at 11:59:59 pm. The digital channel was completely built out and at full power on channel 19, but dropped power to 600 kw (a roughly 50 kw drop) so that it can go 150' higher on Sears Tower in 2010.


WTTW-TV/DT 11.1: They shut the analog station down on 6/12/09 at 5:59 AM. The digital channel was completely built and at full power on channel 47, so no changes there.


WYCC-TV/DT 20.1: They shut off on 4/16/09. The digital channel is completely built out and at full power on channel 21, so no changes there.


WCIU-TV/DT 26.1: They shut the analog station down on 6/12/09 at 11:59:40 pm. The digital channel stays on channel 27, but boosts power to 500 kw in 2010.


WFLD-DT 32.1: They shut the analog station down on 6/12/09 in terms of programming but continued until June 26 as a "night light". The digital channel is completely built out and at full power on channel 31.


WWTO-DT 35.1: They shut down on 4/16/09. They will move their digital broadcast antenna to the top of their tower, once the analog broadcast antenna is removed in summer. They

will go to 80 kw at roughly 1400' sometime in 2010.


WCPX-DT 38.1: They shut the analog station down on 6/12/09 at noon. The digital channel is completely built and they did a slight power increase on channel 43.


WSNS-DT 44.1: They shut the analog station down on 6/12/09 at 11:59:59 PM. The digital channel is built out on channel 45, but they will be going to 660 kw in 2010.


WPWR-DT 50.1: The analog signal shut down on 6/12/09 at 11 PM; the digital channel is completely built and at full power on channel 51, so no changes there.


WYIN-DT 56.1: They shut the analog station down on 6/12/09 at 11:59:59 PM. The digital channel is completely built and at full power on channel 17, so no changes there.


WXFT-DT 60.1: They shut down on 6/12/09 at midnight. They went from channel 59 to channel 50, and increased power to 230 kw.


WJYS-DT 62.1: They shut the analog station down on 6/12/09 at 11:59:59 PM. The digital channel is built out on channel 36. However, they will go to a much less directional antenna, and increase power to 145 kw later in 2010.


WGBO-DT 66.1: They moved to channel 38 at 11 PM, and will go to 600 kw later in 2009.
 
#10 · (Edited)
The channel repack of 2017-2018: how did it happen?

As the spectrum auction/channel repack from 2-51 became 2-36, some channels became subchannels on other station's broadcasts, and a few went off the air.

On November 26, 2017, WYCC-TV 20.X from the City Colleges of Chicago, went off the air forever.
They used to carry alternate PBS programs, instructional TV programs late at night on their primary channel. MHZ Worldview was also carried. None of the other two PBS stations in the market have picked up any of WYCC's programming.

Sometime in December, WXFT-TV went off the air, formerly broadcasting on channel 50, and reappeared on WLS' subchannels, under the identical PSIP number it had before: 60.1 and 60.2.

In December, WSNS prepared to sign off the air by simulcasting WSNS 44.1 and 44.2 on WMAQ 5.1. They ran the simulcast on 44.3 and 44.4. The original 44.1 and 44.2 should be off the air in February 2018.

Also in December of 2017, WWTO-TV 10 (PSIP 35.X) went off the air. The 80 kilowatt station on channel 10, on a 1300' tower on a bluff near Utica, IL, got over $100 million for that and channel 35. They now simulcast on a low power station out of Plano, IL. When they were on the 1300' tower, they had a broadcast range of 80 miles, and could be received with an antenna across much of Chicagoland on the Illinois side, Rockford, Peoria and Bloomington. Their current signal only goes out about 15 miles.

Finally, WPWR-TV 50.1 will go off the air, but there has been no announcement as to when that will happen.
 
#12 ·
Welcome everyone to the latest saga of the Chicago OTA board! Because of the massive amounts of posts on the previous board which is starting to burden the server, those will be archived...and we start afresh with new, easy-to-follow posts on the first page on our market, including station lists, power/transmitter info, Longley-Rice maps, and even an essay on WBBM-DT, or more specifically, how to get it.


Enjoy, and welcome back to our discussion of all things Chicago-OTA!
 
#14 ·
Hi Sebenste,


Nice job so far - at least it'll help centralize this info.


One suggestion: can you post the broadcast resolution (e.g. 720p) next to each channel listed? That question usually comes up from newbies.


Thanks,


- Frank
 
#15 ·
Since I just look for the black dots when checking this forum, this will do that.
 
#17 ·
Hello All.


I'm in downtown Chicago between the hancock and the sears and have had a real annoying time with the signals and lately it's gotten even worse.


I'm at the corner of Illionis and McClurg using two small antennas like the "AUDIOVOX - audiovox directional indoor uhf/vhf hdtv "


I placed them both in my cieling and ran some fairly cheap cables back to my HD TV. joining them together before running down my wall.


Here is my review

ABC- PERFECT

NBC- PERFECT

CBS- Patchy - WAS GOOD BEFORE, but has gotten worse now.

WGN - NOTHING

WTTW- GOOD

WPWR-GOOD

WCIU-GOOD

FOX-NOTHING, had service, but I lost it a couple weeks ago


I'm getting frustrated, but still not enough to call RCN


I'm sure their is more information needed to help, but let me know and I'll provide more information.


Thanks for any help
 
#18 ·
Love the new thread, Gilbert -- and I love the detailed intro posts; especially the WBBM one. Great stuff!
 
#19 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by cheer /forum/post/0


Love the new thread, Gilbert -- and I love the detailed intro posts; especially the WBBM one. Great stuff!

Thanks everybody! And thanks to Cpanther for letting me do this. That was way cool! By request above, I did add the resolution (1080i, 720p, 480i) to each channel and subchannel. And I cleaned up some typos, spelling errors, poor grammar, and other goodies since I had to do this in a hurry. If you see anything wrong, please let me know, and I'll fix it ASAP.


Now let's get started! Mudba says:

Quote:
Originally Posted by mudba /forum/post/0


Hello All.


I'm in downtown Chicago between the hancock and the sears and have had a real annoying time with the signals and lately it's gotten even worse.


I'm at the corner of Illionis and McClurg using two small antennas like the "AUDIOVOX - audiovox directional indoor uhf/vhf hdtv "


I placed them both in my cieling and ran some fairly cheap cables back to my HD TV. joining them together before running down my wall.

Sounds like those cheap cables are doing you in. Because you are so close to the towers, interference and bad weather, and signal from the stations themselves may be sneaking into that cheap cable. Especially where you are, you need to use the best RG-6 quad-shielded cable possible. Signal strength will not be an issue for you.


Second, where you are, you are probably getting severe "multipath". On analog TV, that shows up as "ghosts". Tuners don't like that at all. Try to put the antenna as close to an outside wall to minimize them.
 
#20 ·
Using two antennas connected is asking for multipath interference. Unfortunately, an omnidirectional antenna can be just as bad. Experiment with antenna location as well as aim. A simple combination bowtie for UHF and long rabbit ears for VHF set perpendicular to a line between the Sears and Hancock may be your best bet. An Radio Shack variable attenuator might be useful to cut down the off axis reflections while allowing enough of the on axis signal through.
 
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