TV Fool in Naples Florida Seeking Expertise

[Greg]

Hello: Trying to enhance my HDTV signals for my single family home in Naples, FL. I have installed an RCA antenna (ANT800R - http://www.rcaaudiovideo.com/antennas/?sku=ANT800R) outside my residence which is mounted on the eave about ~12’ above ground. It is driving only one TV (older tv with digital converter box) which includes about 25’ coax. My problem is the TV station signals are not very solid and experience much drop out. Not sure if the weather /time of day has anything to do with it. I’m sure I do not have line of site with this antenna mount with larger homes and palm trees in the path. Aesthetics are important in this community and I just cannot have a large TV antenna on the roof (or extending to high above the roof line).
Link to the TV Fool signal analysis > http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%3dcc497ca79c94fb
Any advice the TV Fool Experts can provide would be much appreciated!
• Different antenna?
• Amplify +/- ?
• New tv with built in HDTV tuner?

Thanks - Looking forward to all your comments and suggestions!

[teleview]

Here is the Federal Antenna Law that says Yes you can install a Broadcast Tv Antenna of any size above the roof in such a manner so as to have reliable reception.

http://www.fcc.gov/mb/facts/otard.html.

---->Hiding antennas is a good way to have - Non reliable reception.<----

Above the roof in such a manner that the roof or the house is not blocking reception to the , north west , north , north east.

Install a Winegard HD7000R antenna aimed at about 6 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 if using the eave mount use the #4560. , 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.

Can also use a Winegard DS3000 , J type antenna mount.

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

No preamplifier is required.

For 1 Tv connected use no splitter.

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

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

It is best to install the HD7000R antenna at a location that has the least amount to no amount of obstructions of any type or kind in the directions of reception including your own roof and house.

The Tv/s Must Channel Scan for the Broadcast Tv Channels , often 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 Select the cable channels in the Tv setup menu And DO NOT Channel Scan For Cable Tv Channels.<-----------

[Greg]

Thanks Teleview I will check out your antenna suggestions!
Question: What do you mean not to scan for cable channels? We would be using an antenna and not cable, correct?

[teleview]

Some Tv's will automatic scan for cable Tv channels unless the 'Air Channels' or 'Antenna Channels' are selected in the Tv setup menu.

And people are so used to scanning for cable tv channels that they will automatically select the cable tv channels for the channel scan without even thinking about the situation.

DO NOT Channel Scan For Cable Tv Channels.

[ADTech]

There is nothing within range of you that a simple 4-bay UHF-only antenna can't pick up.

There is no need for an all channel antenna based on current and pending licensing data unless you want to also use it for FM. The only VHF station in range is a low-power Univision affiliate operating on VHF channel 2. This station simulcasts on digital 51 from the Ft Myers antenna farm.