Please help with reception!

[comcast_hater]

So I officially cut the cord today! I'm extremely excited about all the cost savings, about $150 a month! So I decided that I wanted to build my own antenna to continue the savings... I built a single bay bowtie antenna, which actually works really well. Right now I'm getting the following channels:

8-1: HD
8-2: Good
8-3: Pixelated
43-1: Good
43-2: Good
59-1: HD
67-1: Good
67-2: Good
67-3: Good

I'm trying to figure out the best approach for improving the antenna to get additional channels. The main channels that I want to be able to get with at least good quality are:

30.1 (NBC)
49 (PBS)
61.1 (Fox)

Here's a link to my TV Fool report:
http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%3d5b94c0ede1b1f4

Should I get an amplifier for my antenna? Build a second bay? I have all the materials and was considering building a second bay in any case but was interested to know what some people who had been in this situation before thought.

[teleview]

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I recommend , First , have Reliable Reception of the Many Digital Broadcast Tv Stations/Channels to the , South West , West , North West , North , East.

And then experiment with home made antennas and etc.

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Install a , Antennas Direct , DB8e antenna Above The Peak Of The Roof in such a manner that reception is not , obstructed , impeded , blocked , by the roof and building in the directions of reception.

Aim 1 panel at about 250 degree magnetic compass direction.

Aim the other panel at about 355 degree magnetic compass direction.

Buy the Antennas Direct DB8e antenna at , http://www.amazon.com.

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Here are some above the roof antenna mounts.

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

http://www.ronard.com/34424560.html .
Use a , ronard(4560) , eave antenna mount.

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

Buy the ronard antenna mounts at , http://www.ronard.com , or , http://www.amazon.com .

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Install a , http://www.antennacraft.net.

10G201 preamplifier.

Buy the preamplifier at , AntennaCraft , or , http://www.amazon.com

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For 1 Tv connected use No splitter.

For 2 Tv's connected use a , Holland Electronics , HFS-2D , 2 way splitter.

For 3 Tv's connected use a , Holland Electronics , HFS-3D , 3 way splitter.

For 4 Tv's connected use a , Holland Electronics , HFS-4D , 4 way splitter.

Buy the , HFS-2D and HFS-3D and HFS-4D , splitters at , http://www.amazon.com , or , http://www.hollandelectronics.com.

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

Some and not all Negative Effects are.

Absorbing and Blocking Tv Reception.

Multi-Path Reflecting Tv Signals Bouncing All Around.

The Best Practice for Reliable Reception is to install the 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 roof and building.

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Go into the Tv Setup Menu and select and channel scan for ~ Antenna Channels ~ ATSC Channels ~ DTV Channels ~ Air Channels ~.

DO NOT select and channel scan for cable tv channels.

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

To clear tuner do Double Rescan.

http://www.wchstv.com/DoubleReScanAlert.pdf

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The December 2013 issue of Consumer Reports , page 42 , has a Practical and Useful and Informative article about Internet Streaming Receivers and services such as and not limited to , Netflix and Hulu+ , etc. .

[StephanieS]

Hi comcast_hater,

Lovely username, lol. I've dealt with comcast before, didn't much care for them.

I don't have experience building other than a single bay bowtie design out of old coat hangers which met its rusty end last year. If I were in your situation I'd buy an Antennas Direct DB8e. This antenna is ideal because you have two different pathways your UHF signals are coming from. (aim to 290 and 355 magnetic headings for each panel). This antenna gives you the ability in one product to aim both panels independently of each other. It is here: https://www.antennasdirect.com/store/DB8e-Ultra-Long-Range-Outdoor-DTV-Antenna.html and http://www.solidsignal.com/pview.asp?p=db8e.

You have ABC WTNH broadcasting on high-vhf real channel 10. You already receive it with your current antenna. That suggests you won't need to purchase a separate VHF capable antenna for it. There are times people get lucky with UHF antennas and receive VHF signals. Normally in these cases the signals of the VHF broadcasts have to be strong.

I think you'll find with the DB8e FOX, NBC and PBS will be added reliably to your existing channels.

Cheers.

[GroundUrMast]

If you opt for the DIY solution, consider the M4 & GH series designs.

http://m4antenna.eastmasonvilleweather.com/

http://clients.teksavvy.com/~nickm/index.html