Drop-outs and bad reception in Baton Rouge

[Evan]

Hello all.

I have just crossed the threshold into OTA antenna land. I am using a Tivo Premiere for my tuner/DVR, but I have had lots of signal problems.

I am using a Winegard FV-HD30 antenna mounted into my attic. I did not use a mast but mounted it with screws directly to a 2x4 that was facing the general direction that it needed to be pointed to receive the stations I wanted.

I was able to receive some stations, but my signal strength according to the tests that you can run on the tivo was not good, hence I had stutters and drop outs. NBC would not come in at all, which was odd to me because FOX is the same bearing on the compass and the same distance away, and it is probably my strongest channel.

I added the Winegard ANWI8700 Signal amplifier to see if that would improve my chances since I tied into the existing RG6 coax that was originally run for the cable in the attic. Probably overkill since the run was probably only about 15-20 ft until the antenna.

The antenna is very close to the roof, a few inches from it. It's a normal asphalt shingle roof with no metal around that I can see.

What am I missing? Am I doing anything wrong? Should I get a mast? Should I try a different antenna?

I know weather can be a factor and Baton Rouge has had tons of rainy and stormy weather for the last 2 weeks. So bear that in mind too.

Thanks for the help. Here is the report.

http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%3d1ddad80f0e245e

[teleview]

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

Tivo's have Ongoing Tuner Reception Issues , with Digital Broadcast Tv transmission and reception that is less then perfect.

All Digital Broadcast Tv transmission and reception is less then perfect.
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A Simple reception situation.

For Reliable reception of the Current Plus Pending Applications Included Digital Tv stations/channels in the tvfool channel list down to and including , KLWB-DT UHF channel 50 , http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KLWB_(TV)

Above the roof in such a manner that the roof and house are not blocaking reception to the , south west , west , north west , north east , install a Winegard HD7696P antenna aimed at about 270 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 if using the tripod antenna mount use the 5 foot tripod. , http://www.ronard.com/34424560.html if using the eave antenna 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 or buy from ronard.

Here are places to buy antennas and etc. , http://www.solidsignal.com , http://www.amazon.com , http://www.winegarddirect.com , http://www.channelmasterstore.com.
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For 1 Tv connected use No splitter. No amplifier.

For 2 Tv's connected use a Channel Master CM 3412 distribution amplifier.

For 3 or 4 Tv's connected use a CM 3414 distribution amplifier.

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As a Test to Prove Reception , Disconnect and Remove the Tivo --> Completely.

Connect the antenna system Directly to a Digital Tv and scan for Digital Broadcast Tv Channels.

Some Digital Tv's will automatic channel scan for cable tv channels.

DO NOT channel scan for cable tv channels.

Go into the Digital Tv setup menu and select , 'Air Channels' or ' Antenna Channels'.

Digital Tv tuners can develop - Digital Glitches - that are not cleared out with a simple broadcast Tv channel scan.

Do a Double Channel broadcast Tv channel scan.

http://www.dtv.gov/rescan.html.

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

It is best to install the HD7696P 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.

[elmo]

In the attic, you have multipath issues with signals bouncing around. I don't know that the antenna you have will help in that regard. I don't know much about that antenna at all, I should say.

If I were you, I'd do the following in this order:

1 - Remove the amp - you're too close to need it, from what I can tell.
2 - Mount it on a mast so you can adjust direction explicitly - that's a must, especially in an attic
3 - Aim it at 260 magnetic and tune from there, after rescanning for antenna channels on the TV. Note your signal strengths for each channel as you tune to find the sweet spot.

If that doesn't help, a more directional antenna may fit the bill, like an ANT-751 at least, or maybe better would be an HD7694p.

I'd keep the amp out of the mix, as an amp cannot make a bad signal good. It amplifies the existing signal, making everything stronger, meaning the good and the bad both.

You may need to do more to help clean up the signal, possibly with an attenuator and even an FM trap. But save that for later.

Good luck and let us know how it goes.

[Evan]

Thanks. I am ordering a mast today. I am going to remove the amp too. I can mess with it some this weekend. I'll keep you posted.