Need help improving a couple channels near Milwaukee, WI

[mckeand13]

I’m looking for some help in pulling in a couple channels that I currently cannot, and also improving one other.

I’m west of Milwaukee, WI by about 10mi. Single story home, one layer asphalt shingle roof. My current antenna is a Winegard HD7694P mounted in the attic. It has been aimed as best I can with a compass. One single run of cable (about 30ft) to a wall plate. From there, it was originally out to a single TV set with a single piece of coax. All of the coax is RG6 (Commscope Britewire), with brand compression fittings. I am not willing to mount the antenna outside. I just added a splitter for an additional device with no change in reception on any of the channels.


Here’s my TV Fool analysis:

http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%3dcc491b390defaf

Most of my channels have good reception. I base that on the fact that they are trouble free, not any actual signal strength numbers.

I am having problems with the following channels:

7.1 – Can’t receive it at all

36.1 – Pixilation and drop out quite frequently. This channel doesn’t show up on the analysis, but it’s broadcast from the same tower as 10.1 (which has no reception issues).

I’ve come here for direction. I’ve gotten contradictory information from Winegard. When I first called them looking for a recommendation, the tech was concerned that an attic installation in general wasn’t going to give me good reception, and said the 7694 might not do all that well. He was hung up on the fact that I was installing in the attic and wouldn’t stop talking about that. I just called yesterday to ask them in an amplifier would help my situation, and the lady told me it would be worse with an amplifier. She said she would never recommend the 7694 to someone 10 miles away and it would be too much power. Adding the splitter that I recently did would have helped in that case right?

I understand an amplifier can’t amplify what’s not there. To me, it’s a question of whether or not I’m losing enough signal strength in my cabling to push me past the edge on receiving those couple of channels. I think they are broadcasting a fairly low power in comparison to many of the others. Is my antenna truly not large enough since it’s mounted in the attic?

Could I get suggestions on my next steps in improving my reception?

Thanks.

[Stereocraig]

Channel 7 is probably a low power channel. I know it's a shopping channel from my Titan TV report, but it doesn't show on my TV Fool. If it's only a shopping channel, it's pretty much useless anyway.

When I'm receiving all 6 WMVT sub channels from 39 miles away w/ an outdoor antennae, it tells me that you either have bad connections, or you will need to mount the antenna outside.
Just like the people at Winegard and probably 90% of the people here will tell you, indoor antennas are nothing but trouble.

[GroundUrMast]

When you refer to 7.1, I presume you mean WMKE-CA. There is some doubt as to whether it's currently on the air. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WMKE-CA would have me believe it's still broadcasting an analog signal on real CH-7 and that the construction permit for a digital facility on real CH-21 has yet to be built.

I presume 36.1 refers to WMVT, a PBS affiliate. The single best improvement available to most folks in your situation is often 'move the antenna out of the attic'.

[Stereocraig]

When you refer to 7.1, I presume you mean WMKE-CA. There is some doubt as to whether it's currently on the air. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WMKE-CA would have me believe it's still broadcasting an analog signal on real CH-7 and that the construction permit for a digital facility on real CH-21 has yet to be built.

I presume 36.1 refers to WMVT, a PBS affiliate. The single best improvement available to most folks in your situation is often 'move the antenna out of the attic'.

I have never been able to receive WMKE. At least not under ch7. Maybe when it was on another channel back in the analog days.
If you can't receive the channels on 36, ch10 is also a PBS affiliate in MKE.
They just don't offer the music and traffic channels.

[mckeand13]

I have never been able to receive WMKE. At least not under ch7. Maybe when it was on another channel back in the analog days.
If you can't receive the channels on 36, ch10 is also a PBS affiliate in MKE.
They just don't offer the music and traffic channels.

According to TitanTV channel 7 sometimes has motocross or car racing which is why I am after that channel.

36.1 is usually airing something different than what I can get on 10.XX channels and 36.1 seems to air what I want to watch the most.

As I mentioned, I got differing suggestions from two people at Winegard so I wasn't sure if I had too much "power" or not enough.

I'm sticking with the attic installation. I would like to make an improvement, so I'm wondering if I need a larger antenna, an amplifier, or what it will take (aside from mounting outside).

Thanks.

[Stereocraig]

According to TitanTV channel 7 sometimes has motocross or car racing which is why I am after that channel.

36.1 is usually airing something different than what I can get on 10.XX channels and 36.1 seems to air what I want to watch the most.

As I mentioned, I got differing suggestions from two people at Winegard so I wasn't sure if I had too much "power" or not enough.

I'm sticking with the attic installation. I would like to make an improvement, so I'm wondering if I need a larger antenna, an amplifier, or what it will take (aside from mounting outside).

Thanks.


That's what I like about PBS.
If there's nothing on one, there may be something on one of the others. Unlike the big guys that run duplicate programming.
I also receive two PBS from Chicago as well as MI and IN, for a total of 6.

There was an antenna in the attic when we moved in back in 88, but have never used it. I decided to go w/ 2 towers and have been happy w/ them.

I just hate to see you beat your head against the wall, for something that may be unobtainable.

[teleview]

Attics Are Not a reception friendly environment and Never Will be a reception friendly environment.

Attics are a - close in - reception situation with many reflected signals - multipath - that will be the cause of bad reception or no reception of some channels.

Also signal attenuation and signal blockage.

Yes it is true that reception can happen with no problems , however that Does Not mean that attics are a reception friendly environment.

I recommend install the antenna above the roof in such a manner that the roof or house is not blocking reception to the , north east.

Here is the Federal Antenna Law that says Yes you can , install , use , maintain , antennas above the roof.
http://www.fcc.gov/mb/facts/otard.html.

Here is some information about WMKE. Looks like is transmitting Analog Tv transmission , not digital.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WMKE-CA.
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I recommend do a Double Rescan. Digital tuners can develop - Digital Glitches - that are not cleared out with a simple rescan.
http://www.dtv.gov/rescan.html.
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As always , trees and tree leaves do a real fine job of , reflecting , reducing or blocking Tv reception and so buildings and other obstructions including your own house.

[GroundUrMast]

The predicted signal strength for most signals strong, but not overpowering. The gain of any available consumer or commercial grade antenna is not going to be enough to overload your tuner. However, an accessory amplifier will be at risk of overload. I suggest you not waste your money on any type of amplifier.

If you are unable to consider outdoor mounting, you may have better success using an larger antenna, not for the gain, but for the additional directivity which may help overcome multipath.

I suppose this is analogous to the doctor suggesting I eat a better diet and get more exercise... but because I don't, they prescribe a pill to manage the symptoms.

[mckeand13]

Update! I have found a resolution to my problem.

I didn't think about it when installing, but I mounted the antenna about 10 feet away from, and behind, the cinder block chimney in the attic.

I recently moved it to the other end of the attic, closer to the station direction, aimed it, and now the reception issues are gone.

I've got a Winegard amp ready to install but it doesn't seem necessary at this point even though I now have a 90' run of coax rather than the previous 30'. I used Belden 1694a coax and T&B sns connectors.

I'm happy!