Behind a hill in Phoenix area

[tjbron]

Hi everyone,
I have gotten by this long without any paid TV service by using a flat square indoor RCA antenna. We moved last week, and I've lost just about everything I could get before. I found TV Fool, and made the discovery that with respect to all the South Mountain transmitters (about 26 miles to the SW now), we are essentially in the shadow of a hill. D'oh!
Right now, I can barely get channel 10 and maybe 8.

Concrete tile roof and stucco construction probably rules out attic installation. My house faces north, so I'm hoping I can have something relatively low (6-8 ft?) in the backyard. Being new to the neighborhood, I'm not ready to make waves with the HOA or neighbors about a visible array.

Any ideas? Thanks a bunch!

Here's my report:
http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%3dc08dd1be97015f

Here's a map with Channel 12 selected.
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj161/tjbron/3dd488d5-6b16-4e8a-a9f4-7a07304c69fb.jpg (http://s272.photobucket.com/user/tjbron/media/3dd488d5-6b16-4e8a-a9f4-7a07304c69fb.jpg.html)

[teleview]

Looks like your location is --> on the edge <--of the difference between 1 Edge path obstruction (Spook Hill Mountain Preserve) and LOS Line Of Sight excellent reception.

I suspect that location of the antenna on your property and a little higher antenna height will make the difference.

Go to the tvfool home page and click on >>Start MAPS<< , move the pointer to your house , move the pointer to different locations on your house and on your property.
Change the antenna height to higher antenna heights.

I suspect that a higher antenna height then 8 feet and better location of antenna will improve reception.

The stucko -Wire- blocks reception.

And stucko and concrete roof tile is not friendly for passing Tv reception through.

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.

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The provided 8 foot antenna height tvfool report/location shows that the signal strengths are Strong.

The reception should be Good with 1 Edge path obstruction and Excellent with LOS reception.

If there are any houses that are taller then your house in the directions of reception , the stucko Wire and concrete roof tiles of the taller house will impede reception , move the antenna to a location that the taller house is not impeding reception in the directions of reception.

For reception at your location.

A ANT751 antenna should provide Strong reception of the Digital Broadcast Tv stations/channels at your location.

A ANT751 antenna come with a J pole type antenna mount , install the on the eave of the house.

Install the ANT751 antenna above the roof in such a manner that the roof and house are not blocking reception to the , south west , west , north west , south east.

Aim the ANT751 at about 260 degree magnetic compass direction.

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

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For 1 Tv connected use No splitter. No antenna system amplifier.

For 2 Tv's connected use a simple common 2 way splitter. No antenna system amplifier.

For 3 Tv's connected use a simple common 3 way splitter. No antenna system amplifier.

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Here are some places to buy antennas and etc. .

http://www.solidsignal.com.

http://www.amazon.com.

http://www.homedepot.com.

http://www.lowes.com.

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Disconnect and Remove All satellite system passive and active componets such as and not limited to , multi-switches , multi-plexers , diplexers , splitters , amplifiers , power injectors , power supplies and etc. .
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The ANT751 Broadcast Tv antenna and other Broadcast Tv reception antennas , Can Not be connected to any type or kind of active cable service coaxes , not cable internet service , not cable tv service , not cable phone service.

If you have any type or kind of active cable service such as , cable internet service , the coaxes that are used for the active cable service/s can not be connected to the Antenna system coaxes.

The cable service/s must be on Separate coax.
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Yes the coaxes of disconnected satellite system coaxes and non active cable system coaxes and other coaxes that are on/in the house can be used for the Broadcast Tv antenna system.

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As a Test to Prove Reception.

Run a Continues length of New coax from the ANT751 antenna through a open door or window direct to 1 Tv.

No couplers , No Splitters , No grounding couplers , No nothing.

It is the ANT751 the matching transformer (balun) that connects the ANT751 to the New coax and run the new coax , direct to the 1 Tv.

The Tv Must Channel Scan for the , OTA=Over The Air , Digital Broadcast Tv stations/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.

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

DO NOT channel scan for cable tv channels.

Go into the Tv Setup Menu and select , 'Air Channels' ~ 'Antenna Channels'.

Scan for channels.

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Digital Tv Tuners can develop - Digital Glitches - that are not cleared out with simple channel scans.

Do a Double Rescan.

http://www.fcc.gov/rescan.com.

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I think you will discover that the neighbors are Very Interested in receiving Free Broadcast Tv with a Tv antenna.

Free Broadcast Tv with a Tv antenna and Streaming internet delivered service such as NetFlix and Hulu+ is A Lot Less Money then cable tv and satellite.

And you have more choices of more and different interesting programing with Broadcast Tv and Streaming services.

[tjbron]

Wow, fantastic reply! Thank you so much. I was eyeing the ANT751, as it is a smaller unit and one I could "borrow" from a local store and return if it didn't work out. Others would require shipping, etc. I hadn't even thought of the online streaming options. I'll check it all out, as that would add an extra dimension to the OTA channels. I already use a computer to record shows off the antenna, so it would be easy to pull in Hulu or the like.
Will let you know how it all turns out, or if I run into any snags. Thanks again.

[teleview]

I recommend the ROKU Box for reception of NetFlix , Hulu , and many other streaming services.

The ROKU Box has Many Features that other streaming devices do not have.

http://www.roku.com.

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Here are alternatives to using a computer for recording and provide flexibility of use.

http://www.epvision.com. Tuner/recorders.

http://www.channelmasterstore.com. Tuner/recorders.

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Here is more Practical and Useful information.

http://www.ramelectronics.net.

http://www.sewelldirect.com.

http://www.wdc.com/en/products/homeentertainment.

http://www.slingbox.com.

http://www.winegarddirect.com.

http://www.antennasdirect.com.

http://www.channelmasterstore.com.

http://www.antennacraft.net.

http://www.tigerdirect.com.

http://www.starkelectronic.com.

http://www.kitztech.com.

http://transition.fcc.gov/mb/engineering/maps.

http://www.rabbitears.info.

http://columbiaisa.50webs.com/homepage.htm.

http://www.ftalist.com.

http://wwitv.com.

[ADTech]

Keep in mind that, when behind hills or other obstacles that block the direct signal path(s), signals propagate by diffraction (http://www.hdtvprimer.com/antennas/siting.html) which will tend to weaken the signals and to cause the signals to cause aggravated hot and cold spots. You may need to try multiple spots to find one that happens to work for all your channels, so be patient if the first spot you've picked out isn't successful.

[tjbron]

I got home with the ANT751R last night and, being non-committal with it, clamped it to my patio table outside, 4 feet off the ground, pointed it in the general direction I thought the transmitters were, and ran a 100' cable in through the door. I thought "well, we might get a couple more channels, and then I'll have to try a shorter cable for the losses, clamp it to the eaves (at least get above the block wall), get out my compass, etc."

Holy cow, those little indoor jobs must be just about worthless. Switching to the jury rigged outdoor, I got every channel I could think of without even trying to set it up right. Whew! Now I can do a proper installation and have awesome free TV with no reception issues!

Thank you guys!

[ADTech]

Don't be surprised if, after doing it "right" you find out that the temporary spot happens to work better.

Weird stuff can happen!

[tjbron]

Yeah, good point. Looking at that link you posted earlier. Will do a dry run wherever I intend to mount it. ;)

[teleview]

The ANT751 antenna , Is Not a Magic Tv Antenna.

There are No Outdoor Magic Tv Antennas.

There are No Indoor Magic Tv Antennas.

There are No Honest Magic Tv Antennas.

There are No Scam Magic Tv Antennas.

There are No Magic Tv Antennas.

Tv Antennas 'Do Not <->Pull In' Tv transmissions.

The Truth.

Yes , Tv Antennas Do Receive Tv transmissions that come in to contact with metal reception elements of the Tv antenna.

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Internet streaming reception devices 'Do Not <->Pull In' internet streaming reception.

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The popular current Hip Talk as with Hip Talk in the past and will be in the future , masks and covers and blocks the Truth. Because the Truth is not said , except by a few.

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The Truth.

Inside the house and outside the house.

The reduction in reception , it is the location of the antenna.

Take the ANT751 antenna inside the house , inside the house , the reception is being impeded and blocked by the stucko Wire and concrete tile singles.