Antenna Help Signal Drops

[drhoeh]

I life in the metro Atlanta area and I have an RCA ANT751 antenna with an RCA TVPRAMP1R pre amplifier mounted to my porch roof. I am receiving a signal strength in the 90s and then I will get a spontaneous drop down to 0 for a second every so often. I only have one splitter with a dc pass and I laid new RG6 cable with new crimped ends. My question is, What is causing my antenna to spontaneously loose signal?

[GroundUrMast]

Please post a link to your TV Fool report.

Have you tried this with no preamp, just the antenna, coax and TV?

[drhoeh]

I have tried to but not since I adjusted the position of the antenna. I should probably go up there and bypass the amp again. Good thinking I will let you know if it works.

[drhoeh]

I removed the amp and I am still getting random signal drops. Any Idea what would cause the signal drops?
Here is my Report http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%3dcc4955decb0225

[teleview]

All of the preamplifier must be disconnected removed , the preamp unit , the power injector , the power supply.

What channels are dropping out , use the Tv station call sign and programing to identify , example , WGCL CBS.

Aim the ANT751 antenna at about 145 degree magnetic compass direction.

The ANT751 antenna receives to the front of the antenna at angles to the front of the antenna , back of the antenna and angles to the back of the antenna.
The least amount of reception is on the sides of the antenna.

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

As always , the antenna is to be installed mounted in such a manner that the roof or the house is not restricting or blocking reception.

At your location the reception is , North , North east , East , , South east , South.

As always , trees and tree leaves do a real fine job of reducing or blocking reception and so buildings and other obstructions including your own house.

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

[drhoeh]

I aimed the antenna at 145 and that did a pretty good job. I also raised the antenna up higher and that made a difference too. I think I was getting signal problems being so close to the gutters.

I did try to aim the antenna directly at my PBS ch8 and that still seems weak. That station is VHF so I think I might try and invest into a VHF only antenna and that should pull it it.

Thanks for the help.

Do you have any recommendations for VHF antenna? I was considering getting an HD stacker or just a separate VHF antenna.

[GroundUrMast]

If the ANT-751 is not receiving real CH-8 reliably, I would consider replacing the ANT-751 with a Winegard HD7694 or... using a UVSJ, add an Antennacraft Y10713 or Winegard YA1713.

As has already been mentioned, trees are a significant problem for many installations. Here in the NW, Fir & Cedar trees commonly grow to over 100'. My 91XG has trouble with otherwise strong local signals when shooting through the branches. My solution is going to involve tree mounting at roughly 60'.

[teleview]

I reverse engineered the tvfool report to a location close to your location at the end of the road.
It looks like many Close trees to the , east , south east , south , north.

As always , trees and tree leaves do a real fine job of , reflecting , reducing , blocking , Tv reception and so do buildings and other obstructions including your own house.

It is best to install antennas at a location that has the lest amount to no amount of obstructions of any type or kind in the directions of reception including your own house.

For increased reception of the VHF high band channels 7 thru 13 ,

WXIA-DT REAL VHF high band channel 10 , virtual number (11.1) NBC.

WGTV-DT REAL VHF high band channel 8 , virtual number (8.1) PBS.

Aim a Winegard YA1713 VHF high band antenna at about 105 degree magnetic compass direction.

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

---->DO NOT connect the YA1713 and the ANT751 together with a reversed splitter. <----

A reversed splitter will allow the antennas to - cross talk - and make the reception worse.

Connect the YA1713 and the ANT751 together with a special coupler , use a UVSJ = UHF/VHF Separator/Joiner.

Connect the ANT751 to the UHF connection of the UVSJ.

Connect the YA1713 to the VHF connection of the UVSJ.

The remaining third connection of the UVSJ goes to the Tv/s.

Type these letters --> uvsj <-- in the http://www.solidsignal.com , search box.
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I recommend Do Not use the preamplifier the Strong Tv signals that are getting through the trees and the reflected signals from the trees will be amplified and most likely make reception worse on some channels.

Yes it is Ok to try reception with and without the preamp.

When trying reception without the preamp , disconnect/remove the preamp unit , the power injector , the power supply.
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Here are some strong and Sturdy antenna mounts , http://www.ronard.com/Tripods%200703/4712.html , http://www.ronard.com/909911.html.
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.amazon.com , http://www.winegarddirect.com.

[drhoeh]

Thanks for the advice. I think I am going to try and get the separate VHF antenna YA1713 or Y10713 like you mentioned. My amplifier allows me to connect a separate UHF and VHF signals. I think I am going to get the UVSJ as well and test to see the difference between the two. I wish there was a way I could set the amp to amplify only certain channels. I have noticed that because I have antenna split to two TVs and the amplifier really helps out.

As for height I am going to see if I can get the antenna up a little higher. I was thinking of mounting off my vent pipe but I don't see to many vent pipe mounts anymore. I assumed that is because a lot of people have PVC pipes but mine is cast iron. I don't think with a cast iron pipe that would be a problem.

I really appreciate the advice about not using a reverse splitter I would have probably tried that. Thanks a lot, I hope to have PBS back up for kids soon.
You guys are great!

[GroundUrMast]

http://www.solidsignal.com/pview.asp?p=ron7200&d=ronard-7200-vent-pipe-mount-2-brackets-%287200%29&sku=610370580127&utm_campaign=base&utm_medium=organic&utm_source=google_base is an option. Common wall mounts can be adapted by someone with wood or metal fabricating skills.

[drhoeh]

I finally took GroundURMast's advice and went to Frys and purchased a Winegard 7694P for the roof. Installed it where my ANT 751 was and I am not seeing the performance I thought I would. I thought just maybe I lost all VHF since PBS CH 8 did not come in but 11 is in. I am going to wait until tomorrow and see if maybe it isn't my fault but PBS.

I was considering replacing the entire setup with a DB8 and a YA 1713. Do you guys think that is a good idea if I am not happy with my results? I know I am not that far away but my family really want channel 30 and 8.
Thanks,