Newbie Digital Antenna Setup

[mholt85]

So, I am completely foreign to setting up an OTA HD Antenna and understanding the exact process because I have FIOS at home, but I am technical. I have spent the weekend setting up an OTA HD Antenna for a friend and I was hoping for some guidance.

Here is the current setup.

Westinghouse SK-26H590D (which has an integrated ATSC / NTSC Tuner)
LAVA HD-2805 Outdoor HDTV antenna

Here are my TV Fool results:
http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%3d99000cfb3d85a7

The problem is we can pick-up two Canadian HD channels (CIVS-TV & CFKS-DT), but not the two channels that are only 6 miles away (18 degrees) LOS according to the report. Might it be the Lava antenna doesn't need to be amplified, not sure. I am at a complete loss and any help would be very much appreciated.

[teleview]

The provided tvfool radar plot report is to street level only.

This recommendation is based on the street level report.

Also please provide a tvfool radar report that is the Actual address.

Above the roof install a Winegard HD7698P antenna with a Antennas Direct CPA-19 preamp , aimed at about 322 degree magnetic compass direction.

Here is how to aim antennas , http://www.kyes.com/antenna/pointing/pointing.html.

Here are some above the roof antenna mounts , http://www.ronard.com/909911.html , http://www.ronard.com/34424560.html , http://www.ronard.com/ychim.html , http://www.ronard.com.

Buy the ronard antenna mounts at solidsignal by typing the word ronard in the solidsignal search box.

Here are some places to buy antennas and etc. , http://www.solidsignal.com , http://www.winegarddirect.com , http://www.amazon.com.

The Tv/s Must Channel Scan for the Digital Broadcast Tv Channels sometimes named the 'Air Channels' or 'Antenna Channels' in the Tv setup menu because the Tv transmissions travel through the air from the transmitting antenna to the receiving antenna.

DO NOT channel scan for cable tv channels.

As for the Lava scam antenna , return it or put it in the trash.

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W34DQ-D UHF Digital channel 34 , is a ---->Digital<---- Tv transmitter.

W26CQ UHF Analog channel 26 , is a ---->Analog<---- Tv transmitter.

Because of the Digital transition the Analog transmitter is most likely off the air.

Both are the same PBS , http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Hampshire_Public_Television.

I see No requirement for a antenna rotator , the Canada Tv stations are in one direction --> so No requirement for a antenna rotator.

And the PBS station/s are so Strong signal strength , that should be received no matter what direction the antenna is aimed.

[GroundUrMast]

The LAVA and other names which the antenna is marketed under has a reputation which I don't want to be associated with. Advertising claims of 150 mile reception are wildly over stated for the vast majority of real world applications.

Per http://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=W34DQ#station, W34DQ was on the air as of 7/24/2012 when TSReader was able to capture good data. Your friend should be able to receive the signal using a non amplified indoor antenna. The Canadian signals call for an antenna with quite a bit more gain.

I would suggest a Winegard HD7698P mounted above the roof, clear of obstructions. I would also install an Antennas Direct CPA-19 preamplifier, an NTE U-106 rotator and the NTE TB-105 thrust bearing.

http://www.winegarddirect.com/viewitem.asp?d=Winegard-HD-7698P-High-Definition-VHFUHF-HD769-Series-TV-Antenna-%28HD7698P%29&p=HD7698P
http://www.antennasdirect.com/store/clearstream_pre_amplifier_kit.html
http://www.3starinc.com/antenna_rotors.html

[mholt85]

Thanks for the reponses. The current address location doesn't come up on TV Fool because this area is very remote. The current address is ****** Colebrook, NH 03576.

This Lava antenna is mounted approximately 25 feet above ground level, but the actual land location is also very elevated. I realize this is probably not the best antenna for the job, but it shouldn't prevent me from getting a TV station (W34DQ) only 6 miles away....right?

We have a Radio Shack indoor antenna 15-1878 which doesn't pick up W34DQ either. How would I verify the TV station is actually broadcasting, because all indications are that it currently is offline?

We are scanning for Antenna only channels on the TV and I was able to get those two Canadian channels without any issue, so I don't believe I am doing something wrong on the TV.

[GroundUrMast]

Rather than posting your specific address, use the Interactive TV Maps (http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=90) tool. Move the on-screen pointer to the exact location, then generate a TV Fool Report for that location, remember to set the correct height above ground.

[teleview]

The link I provided for PBS has the information to contact New Hampshire Public Tv , thats one of the reasons I provided it.

Chat with Engineering depart about your reception situation.

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Always rescan for channels if not receiving a channel.