Is my preamp too strong?

[l2pad]

I just tried connecting a Winegard AP8700 Signal Amplifier to my antenna and initially the signals from all my channels improved but after a minute or so the signal strength dropped quite a bit and I actually lost half of the channels.

Here’s the link to my signal analysis report
http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%3d5ed62c5a6bab6a

Here’s the long story. I started with a Winegard HD7694P on the recommendation of a friend. I got it and set it up in my attic above the garage and pointed it east. I picked up 22, 14, 13, and 32 but not 43 which is Fox and I’d really like to have all the major networks. I set it up at night but during the day the signal strength across all the channels dropped to a point where I lost some of the other channels as well. A better antenna looked like a viable alternative to cable. So after quite a bit of research I ordered the Antennas Direct 91XG and it worked MUCH better. I pointed the antenna due east through the siding of the garage (wood construction and vinyl siding), not the roof. I was picking up 22, 14, 13, 32, 43 and even 57 even though it’s farther away and in the opposite direction of the other transmitters. Then the leaves started dropping and the wind picked up and the signal started dropping like crazy for brief periods of time resulting in a complete loss of 13 some of the time and 43 is very spotty. I know 13 is high VHF and I have a UHF antenna so it’s not surprising that I’m having issues with 13. There is not a clear line of sight to the transmitters on Mount Mansfield, my neighbor’s house is across the street and blocks the transmitters and there are some trees on the other side of his house.

Tonight I set up the ANWI8700 and got a really nice boost in signal
22 went from 87% to 90%
14 went from 82% to 84%
13 went from 37% to 72%
32 went from 67% to 82%
43 went from 57% to 77% and
57 went from 52% to 75%
I congratulated myself and then the s#$% hit the fan. I lost everything above 22 and the signal strength of the remaining channels dropped in half. I’ve got close to a 100’ coax run from antenna to tv with no splitters. Is the AP8700 too strong?

I could return the AP8700 and pick up a high VHF antenna but that won’t help with 43. Any thoughts other than mounting outside on the roof which I would like to avoid at all costs? Should I try the high attic? It’s a logistical nightmare, tons of blown in insulation that I’ll have to move so I can see where I’m standing and not fall through the ceiling and getting the cable down to the TV is an issue as well…

Scott

[teleview]

I recommend installing the HD7694P antenna above the roof aimed at about 108 degree magnetic compass direction.

With No preamplifier.

With the HD7694P antenna mounted above the roof , the Tv transmissions are strong and no antenna amplifier is required.

Remove ALL parts of the antenna amplifier , Remove the preamp , remove the power inserter , remove the power supply.

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

I am thinking that there is , bad coax , bad connectors , bad couplers , bad etc. , in the system or a bad preamp or all of the list and more.

As a test of reception , with the antenna mounted above the roof , connect a New looong coax direct to the antenna and run the looong coax through a open door or window direct to the Tv , no couplers , no splitters , no antenna amplifier.

What is reception like now??

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For 1 Tv connected use no splitter.

For 2 Tv's connected use a common simple 2 way splitter.

For 3 Tv's connected use a common simple 3 way splitter.

Here are some 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 some places to by reception equipment , http://www.solidsignal.com , http://www.amazon.com.

As always , trees and tree leaves do a good job of reducing or blocking reception and so do buildings and other obstructions.

It is best to install the antenna at a location that has the least amount to no amount of obstructions of any type or kind in the directions of reception and that includes your own house.

The Tv/s Must Channel Scan for the 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.

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[GroundUrMast]

Reliable reception starts with selecting enough antenna and a suitable mounting location.

As far as your choice of antennas, the HD7694P was a great choice that would cover both UHF and H-VHF. For UHF, the 91XG is plenty, with a capital 'P'.

Because the 91XG is more than enough antenna for the UHF signals east of you, including real CH-43, I don't believe an amplifier is indicated. Rather it suggests to me that your attic is not a suitable reception site. Something as simple as moisture buildup in the roofing material can significantly change the RF characteristics of the roof system. As the weather changes attic reception changes, sometimes quite negatively.

I agree with teleview's recommendation for outdoor mounting. If you still have the HD7694P, test reception outside with it. If not, I would wrestle the 91XG out of the attic and test with it clear of obstructions. Test with no amplifier, just antenna, cable & TV.

Amplifiers don't receive any signal by themselves, they only serve to overcome loss in the cable, splitter and other distribution system parts on the output side of the amplifier. They do not make antennas stronger, nor do they make poor antenna sites better.