Marietta, GA antenna search

[Genom]

Good evening. I have finally gotten around to wiring my recently purchased house for signals and was looking at my OTA HDTV channels. I found a ancient, I am guessing UHF antenna in the attic, that I connected to my HTPC to see what I got. I actually get a decent chunk of channels, but there are several issues, and I come humbly begging for help :D

First of all, my TV Fool report is here: http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%3d3cf41cf5f357c4

Of the channels listed, I do somewhat well. However, my low range channels, at 2.1 and 5.1 are very spotty. The PBS channels (8.1-8.3) are also spotty, especially in bad weather. I also dont receive anything at all for the 26 and 32 range of channels, that is locally called WANN TV, and they have 10 video subchannels and 6 radio subchannels. None of those come in at all. ION channels are also a no go.

I figure this is mostly due to the antenna, as my house is on the highest point in the immediate area, and it is in the attic right above my second floor home office, so it's about 25 feet above ground. I would like to keep it in the attic if possible, if only to avoid my wife complaining about the appearance of a outdoor antenna, and I seem to be in pretty close range for most channels around here.

Thanks for any and all suggestions.

[John Candle]

Read and understand this-->http://forum.tvfool.com/showthread.php?t=695 , about Real Digital Tv Channels , Virtual Digital Tv Channels , Analog Tv Channels. Most all of the digital tv stations/channels are about the direction of 149 magnetic compass. What is the direction that the Tv antenna pointed ?? . DO NOT use any type or kind of preamplifier with a Tv antenna at your location , the Tv transmissions are Extremey Strong and a amplifier Will Overload and be the cause of bad reception. How many Tv's will be connected ??

[John Candle]

The stations/channels are EXTREMELY STRONG and most all of them are LOS = Line Of Sight. This limited list can , reduce , block and reflect Tv transmissions , metal siding , stucko with stucko WIRE , foil backed insulation , metal roof , solar panels , poured concrete walls , brick from ground to roof. Does the house have any or all of these ??

[John Candle]

I provided information about WANN in a recent question askers post. Read and understand this about , Real Digital Tv Channels , Virtual Digital Tv Channels , Analog Tv Channels http://forum.tvfool.com/showthread.php?t=695 . . How many Tv's will be connected ??

[Genom]

The antenna is aimed in the correct direction, I went up into the attic to check it a bit ago. However, I think I got a couple of the signal issue items. It is a brick house (ground floor to roof), and the attic does have metal mesh on the sides (non slanted area) to animal proof the attic, as well as some metal meshes covering vents.

I also have a lot of foil backed insulation for the furnace in the attic's ductwork. Non of it touching the antenna, but still, lots of it within 10 feet.

There is 1 single tuner, this is my media center PC with Hauppauge 1250 ATSC tuner card. I do not need to tune more than 1 channel at a time, as all my TV's are connected to Media center extenders, so they all use the 1 machine to grab the TV signal.

[Genom]

I read the posts. I was already somewhat versed in this as I used to use ClearQAM on my Comcast signal before the encrypted everything, and learned the hard way how to add custom channels, and all that.

[GroundUrMast]

Looking at the general neighborhood from the ZIP code level, it looks like large trees are common. If you have large trees in the path, and based on how you describe the construction of your attic, I would suggest looking for a way to mount outside.

If WUVM on real channel 4 is not of interest to you, an RCA ANT-751 or even a Winegard FV-HD30 would perform well outside. If WUVM is a channel you want, consider a CM3016 or HD7015, both have low-VHF capability. I don't know if your existing antenna can be moved outside or if it is designed to cover both the UHF and VHF bands.

The ION affiliate, WPXA CH-51, is in the opposite direction from most of the other stations and may be challenging. Try one antenna to begin with. If that does not work well, a second antenna may be needed. I'm using SiliconDust HD HomeRun tuners and have a several fixed aim antennas. http://forum.tvfool.com/showthread.php?t=820 If you do not get reliable coverage of WPXA with one antenna, the network attached tuner gives you a back up plan.

[Genom]

There are large tree's in the back of the house, but there is only 1 tree in the signal path towards the majority of the stations. I am not interested in WUVM at all, as it's a local TV Azteca broadcaster and I dont watch spanish TV these days.

I will see about moving the existing antenna outside and testing it, see what I get then, and then buy a new one if nothing else improves from it.

I dont think I will bother with more antennas or tuners for the few scattered channels not in the major path. I honestly brainfarted and thought Ion was in the same direction. I get most of my TV online anyway.

Thanks for the tips/information!

[GroundUrMast]

I would not be surprised if you were able to get enough signal on the back side of one of the antennas I mentioned. Those antennas do not have a high front to back ratio, which in this case should work in your favor.

[John Candle]

The Tv transmissions are very strong and will easly supply signal to the digital tuners of 1 , 2 , or 3 Tv's , so at each Tv the person watching the Tv can watch any of the Tv channels , not just the one that the HTPC is tuned to.