NCA - OTA Equipment help

[mikeatfhc]

Hi all.

I now have to admit defeat and am requesting help from the experts. In a pre-planned move to cut the cord I purchased two antennas off of Craigslist to try to see what I can pick up OTA at my location. I tried an Antenna Craft Omni-directional that I mounted on pole and moving it around the yard yielded very few channels.

I also bought (from the same guy) what appears to be a Terristrial Digital DB8 (there are no markings on it to confirm that):
http://www.amazon.com/Terrestrial-Digital-DB8-Multi-Directional-Antenna/dp/B000EHWCDW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1388766181&sr=8-1&keywords=db8

Here is my TV Fool Report:
http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%3d46ae3ad76e17c1

I tried it - while much, much better - it wouldn't pick up my local PBS station channel 9 KVIE.

Both antennas were pointed to 91-94 deg. magnetic to pickup the S. Sacramento towers. I can't get anything from the Bay Area due to my close proximity to some local hills blocking signals from the Bay Area.

I then mounted the (assumed DB8) on the roof using a chimney mount. For the most part I was getting acceptable performance and have since cut the cord on Comcast completely.

Hearing good reviews for the RCA ANT751 I purchased it open box for good price and installed it. It performed much better overall as I was now reliably getting channel 9 KVIE... but I lost reliable reception of 35 KCRA and all of KOVR 25.

So I installed an antenna pre-amp the RCA TVAMP1R... it helped, but no magic bullet.

I would like to be able to get all of the stations listed in my TV Fool report that are in the 'yellow' region. If not - at least the major networks plus PBS and 58.1 (MyTV). I get them sometimes which makes be wonder if the issue is my equipment choices. My neighbor down the street gets all of the yellow stations on a large 'yagi-type' Ratshack antenna... but he doesn't have the trees blocking the signals I do at direction mag 91-94 degress.

Understand I live in a difficult area and it may be impossible but any advice you can give would be helpful. I am on the verge of my goal, but I keep missing it I think in part to my lack of experience with OTA antenna equipment.

Below is hand-drawn sketch of my home relative to the trees, where the antenna is currently mounted and my equipment setup in the home. I should add that I have grounded the antenna mast, that all coax is new RG6, and that the Radio Shack distribution amp is an old one. I would like to be able to drive four TVs in the home if it is at all possible.

Any questions - just fire away. Thanks for the help.

[ADTech]

Use the DB8 with a VHF dipole added to the mast. That will get you into the ballpark, at least, for PBS and ABC. Tip sheet: https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/23201192/Adding%20VHF%20reception%20to%20Antennas%20Direct%20UHF%20antennas.pdf


Alternatively, use the DB8 plus the 751R on the same (or separate) mast(s). Set the RCA amp's switch to "Separate", hook the 751R to the VHF input and the DB8 to the UHF input. This will allow each antenna to contribute what it does best.

Delete the second amplifier. It's probably unnecessary and it's just asking for trouble.

[mikeatfhc]

Smart - I didn't think to try the 751 as a VHF only antenna. Since I have that on hand I'll try that first.

Follow up questions:
1. I have the RCA Pre-amp power supply in the attic where it can remain protected from the weather. The installation is somewhat like this: Antenna -> Pre-amp -> 20ft of RG6 -> pre-amp power injector -> 30 ft of RG6 to splitter -> out to TVs (3 at this time, want 4). Is there any problem with the way I have installed the power injector? (All install diagrams I have seen want the injector at the TV)

2. You recommend I remove the dist. amp - I'll try this after the changes on the roof and report back. But in advance... being curious... can a decent antenna drive 4 TVs w/o a distribution amp?

tia, mike

[ADTech]

1. That's fine.

2. One amp is almost always adequate, two amps is usually asking for trouble while only rarely offering a benefit. The RCA amp has enough gain to cover a four port splitter and more RG6 coax than you have.

[mikeatfhc]

AdTech,

First off thanks for your suggestions. I thought I'd post an update after I changed a few things per your suggestions:

1. I reconnected the RCA 751 to the VHF input on the pre-amp.
2. I connected the DB8 to the UHF input on the pre-amp.
3. I removed the secondary distribution amplifier from the system.
4. I re-aimed my antennas.

Results - almost perfect! Thank you so much for your help.

I am receiving very strong signals on all but one channel that are in the yellow band of my TVFool report. Unfortunately it is KQCA MyN, one of my wife's favorite stations to watch comedy sitcom re-runs in the early evening.

However for me... I am now picking up a very strong signal for all the major networks which was fantastic for football this weekend.

Curious thing is... when I was aiming the UHF antenna (DB8) I was getting such a strong signal on all the other channels I decided to use 58.1 (KQCA) as my fine-tuning target to see if I could get a better signal on it without loosing any other channels. During the tuning the best signal strength for 58 was waaaaay north of the tower direction... which I found very odd.

If I tuned to that far north direction I lost the other channels but 58 came in clear and strong. I suspect something was making the transmission from 58 bounce to such a degree that I had to point the antenna so far north to pick it up. A tree perhaps?

I had to move it back to the best direction (91-94 deg.) for the majority of stations to come in clearly.

In any case... by that night 58 came in strong enough to be to watch her shows without too much break-ups. So I suspect that is going to be the best I can get at this location unless you have any other suggestions.

[teleview]

+=>
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The UHF Channels are 14 thru 51.

The directional aspects of UHF frequencies can produce reception situations that seem odd and unusual.

Reflections off of buildings and trees can produce directional effects around the compass directions.

And the UHF frequinecs can be directional , having more or less signal strength at , higher and lower , elevations above ground.

Reception can be improved by raising and lowering and or moving the antenna from the current location.

Try raising and lowering the antenna , sometimes a few inch's will improve reception and sometimes greater adjustment is required.

_____________


---->Also , Avoiding Obstructions in the Direction/s of reception is Important.<----

_____________

Most Digital Tv's have a , Signal Strength Meter , and some Digital Tv's also have a , Signal Quality Meter.

Signal Quality is Important for Reliable Reception.

[teleview]

+=>
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As Always , trees and tree leaves , plants and plant leaves , have a Negative Effect on Broadcast Tv Reception and so buildings and other obstructions including your own roof and building.

Some and not all Negative Effects are.

Absorbing and Blocking , Reception.

Multi-Path Reflecting Tv Signals Bouncing All Around.

The Best Practice is to install the antenna Above The Peak Of The Roof at a location that has the least amount to no amount of obstructions in the directions of reception including your own roof and house.

Looking at the , Digital Current Plus Pending Applications Included Tvfool Radar Report and Channel List.

The Tv Stations directions of reception are , East , South East , South , South West , West North West.

[mikeatfhc]

thanks teleview... I am gone this weekend, but will try adjusting the UHF antenna up and down sometime next week and will report back my findings.

Thanks to everyone for their help... I am only one station away from my goal. :)