New here. Wish I would of researched more.

[Jwwann]

First Hi everybody. Great forum and info here. I found this after I started purchasing equipment. Here is my signal field.
http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%3d46ae2ce68f4f3b
My goal is to point antenna as to get all the main networks I can. I have not purchased a rotator but my have to down the line.
What I've bought so far.
Antennas Direct 91xg
Cm7777 Titan 2
Winegard sw-10010 tripod mount for roof and wine guard 5 foot pole for it.
What would be my best course of action from here.
Have not opened the box to anything yet.
Thanks everybody.

[GroundUrMast]

Your reception report is flagged with: "WARNING: Address was only resolved to street level and might not be that close to your actual location. For more accurate results, try entering a specific address or coordinates."

When generating a TV Fool report, my preferred method is to open the Interactive TV Maps (http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=90) tool. Leave the 'input method' set to the default, 'address'. Then, enter only the ZIP Code, and then click the 'Map This' button.

At this point you should have a map displayed, with a movable cursor located at the center of the ZIP Code that was entered. Use your mouse to drag the cursor to the exact location you're interested in. In the upper right corner of the map you can select from four view types, I find it helpful to have all four available... The Hybrid and Terrain modes seem to be what I use the most.

At the bottom of the map, enter the antenna height (for a roof top installation use 25' if you don't have a more accurate measurement). You can also find the LAT/LON coordinates of the cursor (in decimal form, not deg/min/sec).

Once the cursor location and the antenna height are set correctly, click on the 'Make Radar Plot' button located at the upper right corner of the map. The TV Fool report opens in a new tab or window. You can then copy the URL from the address bar of your browser, for posting to a thread.

I hope this helps, I just want to be sure we give you advise based on the actual conditions at your location. :)


Presuming the first TVFR is accurate enough,

The 91XG is a good start. The translators at the top of your list are not on the air per rabbitears.info. So start by pointing the 91XG at about 230° (mag). If you're not blocked by trees or nearby buildings, expect to see the signals from KSPR RCH-19, KYTV RCH-44, KOZL RCH-28 & KOZK RCH-23. You may be able to adjust aim toward the west and get KRBK RCH-49 without loosing the signals from the main group.

To add KOLR RCH-10, add an Antennacraft Y10713 pointed at 230° (mag).

I would use an RCA TVPRAMP1R which has separate inputs for the UHF and VHF antennas.

[Jwwann]

This is the exact location. Should I send any of the equipment back I already purchased or just add the existing antenna if I would like channel 10. Is that the correct preamp for my situation? It looks like I would already have a cbs out of Springfield. I would like to get that fox station. Hope fully I can get both or a rotator will be in order. Every thing is still unopened so I can still send anything back to amazon.
http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%3d46aed334386c78

[Jwwann]

Oh and thanks GYM. I have no knowledge in this field. We dropped our satellite just in time for the Cardinals to make it to World Series. Hulu and Netflix our nice but no local news.

[ADTech]

Get the 91XG up in the air and see what you can get. It's a good start that you can add to as suggested.

[Jwwann]

Ok thanks guys. I should be able to get it before this weekend. What about that amp? Try without? Then install if needed?

[ADTech]

Yes, try the amp. Set the switches to "Separate", connect to the UHF port, and set the FM trap to "On". Operate the slide switches with a small screwdriver or similar.

If you add the large antenna for KOLR, it will connect to the VHF port.

[Jwwann]

Sweet the KOZL is KOLR. Won't have to get VHF antenna now.

[Jwwann]

What is best way to ground from lighting. I'm afraid up at top of this ozark mountain it might get hit. At least one tree gets hit in my yard every year.

[GroundUrMast]

Post #20 in this thread is my stock answer, http://forum.tvfool.com/showthread.php?t=901

[Jwwann]

Thanks GUM.

[Jwwann]

Ok I was wondering if I could utilize my dish hd coax. Coming out of dish it is doublestrand. Could I just put a splitter out of antenna and run into both strands? Maybe try just running one side or run all new beginning to end? It comes into house in floor single strand though.

[GroundUrMast]

The cable used in satellite installations works fine for OTA, provided the connectors have not been left open to collect water. Most satellite system accessories such as multi-switches, diplexers (which look similar to splitters), inline amplifiers, etc. need to be removed completely or they will block OTA signals.

[Jwwann]

Thanks GUM.

[Jwwann]

Gum, the coax coming out of sat dish is double strand with what appears to be a ground wire too. So do I run coax out of antenna, into amp, out of amp, into two way splitter for the double coax of sat which runs into single coax in my living room? Or just run into one side of coax from sat? I hope this makes sense. The module on the dish had two hookups and stayed double stranded I guess for two different satellites. When it comes out inside house it single. Do I need to crawl under house and look for where it splits or will it even make a difference?

[Jwwann]

Nailed them all with out amp hooked up. Plus a CW and that fox KrBK. I needed to watch the rest of World Series. Should I not hook up amp and leave it alone? Got all the networks on this clear night. Getting KOLR on my UHF too!

[ADTech]

Give it a few days and see how it goes. A single day in this type of weather isn't a very long period of time.

CW is carried by KSPR as a sub-channel.

[Jwwann]

Thanks guys. These channels look better without a bill behind them.

[Stereocraig]

Thanks guys. These channels look better without a bill behind them.


That's literally true.
Cable and satellite compress their signals, whereas OTA is pure and direct.

[Jwwann]

What's would be the best rotator for this antenna? Thanks.

[Jwwann]

Hooked up amp today and lost everything. Took it off and everything is back. Could I have received a bad amp?

[GroundUrMast]

Hooked up amp today and lost everything. Took it off and everything is back. Could I have received a bad amp?It's possible the amp is DOA...

Was there a splitter or any other accessory between the power supply and mast mounted unit?

Did you verify the position of the separate/combined switch and make certain the FM trap is on?

[Jwwann]

Does the connector to hook two pieces of coax count. There is a connector from antenna to the one side of coax from the dish and a double connector under house with just one side hooked up runng the rest of way to tv.

[Jwwann]

What is a seller ate combined switch?

[teleview]

Disconnect and Remove and Discard ->All<- Passive and Active satellite components such as and not limited to , diplexers , multiplexers , splitters , couplers , voltage blocking couplers , amplifiers , power injectors , power supplies , and etc. .

Yes the satellite system coaxes and other coaxes that are in/on the building can be used for the antenna system.

To prove reception , have the antenna , the amplifier unit , the power injector , the power supply , and a continues length of separate coax that is not part of the other coaxes connected to one Tv.

If it works then you know the amplifier components are Ok.

Then add in other components of the system.

If stops working then ask your self why , what is there about the component that causing the trouble.

One component , and not the only component that can cause trouble is a splitter that does not pass power through the splitter.

If the amplifier power supply and power injector are on one side of the splitter and the actual amplifier unit is on the other side of the splitter and the splitter is not a power passing splitter then the actual amplifier unit will not have power.

Use a power passing splitter ,or, put all components of amplifier on the input side of the splitter.

[Jwwann]

Can you not auto program through amp?

[GroundUrMast]

If there is a splitter between the amplifier and the power supply, and it's blocking power, the amplifier will not pass any signal.

There are two switches inside the mast mounted amplifier unit. Each is accessible by removing a small plug. To change the position of a switch you will need a small screw driver or similar tool. The manual provides instructions for this, but in your application, the Combined/Separate switch needs to be set to the Separate position. The FM Trap switch should be set to the IN position.

If the amplifier is powered and configured correctly, the TV should be more successful scanning for channels.

[Jwwann]

Ran all new indoor/outdoor coax beginning to end one strand. Everything is working great with at least 85% signal! The amp work now adding 20 points on the weak signals. The strong signals stayed the same. That dish coax sucked. Thanks again everybody for tips and suggestions. This is getting addictive. Now I want a rotator and 100 foot tower. Lol. Thanks again everybody.

[Jwwann]

Added a yagi Y10713 and pointed KRCG. Nailed 4 more channels. Sweet! On this hill I might be able to point at St. Louis and get those also. They were my local on satellite and miss KTVI. That was my go to news channel for weather and info. I need to get a rotator. Antenna tv is my new hobby I hate but love when I score more channels if that makes sense. Is it possible to add another antenna to point at St. Louis with out rotator? I'm getting grey channels fine as is. Hate to move anything. May never get my locked 15 back after even the slightest adjustment.

[Jwwann]

Ok morning hits and the KOMU 8.1 and KOMU 8.3 are in and out. 40's to low 50's. The yagi is pointed strait into a tree with no leaves about 25 feet away. I was looking at this diagram. http://www.hdtvprimer.com/antennas/siting.html Could a tree with no leaves really cut that much signal? How far away do trees need to be to affect signal significantly? The tree has to be cut down eventually because it's leaning over my new manufactured home. Was going to try and get a few more years of shade out of it. Thanks guys

[ADTech]

KOMU is pretty darned weak in your neck of the woods and reliable reception of it isn't likely to happen. The tree will have minimal effect on the VHF signals from Columbia/ Jeff City.

What amplifier did you end up with and is the FM trap in or out?

[Jwwann]

Channel master 7777 with a antennacraft diplexer above it. I had 80 percent signal last night around midnight. Channel 13 KRCG is coming in at 85 percent still. Never checked the fm trap but it did say in directions fm was off. Thanks

[Jwwann]

Update. Both KOMU channels are back at 70 percent signal.

[ADTech]

a antennacraft diplexer

Hmmm... I've never seen such a thing... Are you sure of what you have?

You want the FM trap to be "In" or on. You have several close by FM stations that might interfere with channel 8. You might even need additional external FM filtering in front of the pre-amp.

Signals at night time often are better than daytime due to the reduced background noise levels. As soon as the sun comes up, you usually loose those stations.

[Jwwann]

http://www.solidsignal.com/pview.asp?mc=03&p=eu385cf-1s&d=Antennas-Direct-EU385CF1s-UHF--VHF-TV-Antenna-Combiner-with-F-Connections-(EU385CF1s)&c=Signal%20Combiners&sku=853748001705

[ADTech]

Ah, that's ours, not AntennaCraft's.

[Jwwann]

Must of got you mixed up.

[GroundUrMast]

Is it possible to add another antenna to point at St. Louis with out rotator?Sure... http://forum.tvfool.com/showthread.php?t=2882

[Jwwann]

One more. We picked up that Visio 60 inch on Black Friday. Seems like I have poorer reception. Can't find a signal indicator anywhere like my 40 inch Sony. Does a bigger screen use more signal? Thanks.

[teleview]

Most if not all Visio Tv's do not have a signal strength meter or signal quality meter. Visio Tv's are built to a price , and lot that is standard on other Tv's even other low priced brands , is not included with Visio.
Visio is very popular , the marketing targets a certain part of the consumer base.

[GroundUrMast]

The size of the display screen has no relationship to the signal power needed from the antenna.

Some tuners are better than others... You can assume that from model to model, from the same manufacturer, tuner design can change.

My Visio (several years old now) displays a basic signal signal meter when the 'Info' button is pressed. Of course you have a different model.

[Stereocraig]

One more. We picked up that Visio 60 inch on Black Friday. Seems like I have poorer reception. Can't find a signal indicator anywhere like my 40 inch Sony. Does a bigger screen use more signal? Thanks.

Bigger sets do not require more signal, but I would guess that Visio, is not concerned w/ the quality of their tuner section.

Some mfrs, even build sets specifically for certain chains and a certain price range, for black friday.

At least, you saved a few bucks.

[ADTech]

Does a bigger screen use more signal?

No.

Most likely, the Sony simply has a better tuner that can better handle weaker or impaired signals.

[Jwwann]

Thanks Adtech