Help for a beginner

[Jockamo]

Armed with little information and some time I jumped right into an OTA setup.

Here is the signal analysis:
http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%3d46ae51319f6795

I placed an Antennacraft C290 in my attic with 50 ft of RG6 going to one TV. To my surprise I got about 33 channels including the sub channels.
I get 3,10,17,29,35,48,51,57,61 and 65. I have heard from locals that 6 is very difficult to get in my area and not a concern for me really. What I would like to get is 12(PBS). I have tried moving the antenna around but the scan on the TV has never picked it up. The scan will pick up 6 but I have rarely seen a picture so I am thinking that 12 isn't even close to coming in. Can someone give me some advice? Thanks.

If I can do a little better I would hook up 3 tvs in total and maybe a pc tuner card.

[GroundUrMast]

Please consider testing reception outside, preferably from the roof-top. The C290 is probably enough antenna... If not for the signal degradation caused by the attic/roof construction.

[teleview]

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

Most of the Tv stations are weak signal strength at your location.

Please install the C290 antenna above the peak of the roof in such a manner that the roof and house are not , obstructing , impeding , blocking , reception in the direction of East.

Aim the C290 antenna at about 100 degrees magnetic compass direction.

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

Use a Real and Actual magnetic compass to aim antenna.

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Here are some above the roof antenna mounts.

www.ronard.com/909911.html
Use the , ronard(911) , 5 foot tripod antenna mount.

www.ronard.com/34424560.html
Use the , ronard(4560) , eave antenna mount.

www.ronard.com/ychim.html
Measure around the chimney and use a , ronard(2212) , ronard(2218) , ronard(2224) .

Buy the ronard antenna mounts at , www.solidsignal.com , by typing , ronard(x) , in the solidsignal search box or buy from , www.ronard.com .

As Always , trees and trees leaves , plants and plant leaves , have a Negative Effect on broadcast Tv reception and so do buildings and other obstructions including your own , attic , roof , house.

The Best Pratice is to install a 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 , attic , roof , house.

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

To clear tuner do Double Rescan.

www.wchstv.com/DoubleReScanAlert.pdf

[Jockamo]

I understand a chimney mount would be ideal for reception but not practical for me in the near future. I was wondering if there was an easy answer as to why channels which are seemingly similar (to a novice) would work but others don't. For instance why would 3,10,17,29 work when 6 and 12 don't. They seem very similar when looking at the analysis. I suspect there isn't an easy answer.

[GroundUrMast]

The attic is the easiest target to throw stones at... The impact of flashings, gutters, pipes, metal truss ties & hangers, and even damp roofing materials will all have differing affects depending on frequency. The same is true of objects outside the home, though the further they are from the antenna, the less affect they would have.

There can also be sources of interference that affect only one channel...

Again, testing outdoors would be the next indicated step.

If that's a non-starter, and if cost is no object, try throwing a bigger antenna at the problem.

[Jockamo]

Thanks for the insight. I'm satisfied at the moment but now I'm wondering how much snow on the roof will affect reception. I'm guessing it going to cause quite a problem.
The more I use what I have the more I like it. It was a nice surprise to find the guide and program information on my Samsung. It certainly makes me what to get all I can from my location. The HD picture is better then I imagined as well. I will try to find someone that will scale a steep pitch roof and mount above the chimney. Chester County PA if anyone has suggestions.

Money is a concern but I don't mind paying upfront for the right equipment. Especially for anything on the roof that will require a service call.

Thanks again

[Jockamo]

Please consider testing reception outside, preferably from the roof-top. The C290 is probably enough antenna... If not for the signal degradation caused by the attic/roof construction.

Is there another antenna that would be better suited for my situation if I were to mount outside? I don't mind buying a different antenna if it will increase my chance of success. Do you have any opinions on this antenna?

http://dennysantennaservice.com/hd_stacker_tv_antenna-html.html

Also after finding no signal on my 3rd tv(long coax run) I installed
RadioShack® High-Gain HDTV-FM Signal Amplifier

Model:
15-259

With the gain all the way down I get a good picture on all TV's. is there any longevity issues with RadioShack equipment? Like the antenna I would like to do it right the first time if installed on the chimney. The location is not easily accessed and I don't want to have to call for return service.

[GroundUrMast]

The Denny antenna lacks intentional support for low-VHF reception.

A full size all channel antenna such as the Winegard HD-7084P equipped with an RCA TVPRAMP1R (at the antenna) would not be overkill.

Tripods, eve brackets and chimney mounts all have positive features to consider. However, an active wood or oil fueled chimney tends to shorten the life of antennas and their accessory hardware.

http://www.3starinc.com/
http://www.solidsignal.com/c/products.asp?tc=over-the-air-tv-antennas-supplies&mc=03&d=over-the-air-tv-antennas-supplies

[teleview]

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You own the C290 , if you can , Test reception above the roof with the C290 and no amplifier.
If a antenna system amplifier is required , use a Channel Master , CM7778 preamplifier.

[Jockamo]

The C290 was damaged shortly after I got it. The rods were bent after some attic items tipped over. A permant install outside won't be possible. I fear the wind would stress the metal to breaking point.
I think overkill is the way to go for me.

I didn't know it was relevant but I also have a small airport 2 miles away with the runway lining up with my house. Its in the opposite direction of the towers but the planes cause drop outs just before I can hear them. It seems once they get above my house the signal comes back. For me channel 3 CBS comes in at about 80-90%. I checked that channel during a "plane disturbance" and even with a good signal the picture stutter a bit.
Should I assume this plane issue is just something I will have to deal with?

[GroundUrMast]

A more directional antenna (larger) may help a little. The better an antenna can ignore signals from any direction other than it's intended aim point, the less the interfering signal will affect reception.

[teleview]

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Attics and the inside of buildings Are Not a reception friendly environment and Never Will Be a reception friendly environment.