hello from Augusta GA

[notso99]

Hello from Augusta,

I seek your advice. I'd like to receive WCES-DT channel 20.1 and maybe WEBA-CA channel 14.1 on my digital tv. Both are PBS stations.

My report is:
http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%3d5b945b98f748df

In the attic I have a Radio Shack VU-190XR VHF/UHF/FM antennae. If you think of the angle pieces, <<<---, as an arrow then the arrow is pointed away from 128 degrees. I have a 4-way splitter in the attic connected to antennae with 2 coaxes coming down to house. One coax goes to kitchen with analog tv plus digital converter. 2nd coax goes to splitter. Leg A of that splitter goes to BR analog tv plus digital converter. Leg B goes to dvr, LR digital tv, and htpc.

I am not sure my desire for WEBA-CA channel 14.1 is possible as another site suggested a ridge terrain feature blocks me from that transmitter. As for WCES-DT channel 20.1, both my digital converter boxes can pick it up. But none of the tuners in the dvr, digital tv, nor htpc receive 20.1 Please note that the coax circuit to LR digital tv is not optimal but I have on temporary occasions drug the other coax from kitchen into LR with NO improvement.

Regards,

[GroundUrMast]

The first thing I'd try is, move the antenna out of the attic. Attics are always a compromise to some degree... Lower signal levels and more interference of various types.

All of the signals listed on your TVFR down to and including WEBA should be received with a VU-190XR, though the aim may have to be adjusted for some.

I'm not a fan of rotators when using a DVR or multiple TVs. However, in this case a rotator may not be needed. First, simply try the 190 outside in the clear... If that fails to deliver all the desired signals from a single fixed aim, then... I'd try aiming the 190 at 128° (shortest elements are the front and the longest elements are the rear of the antenna). Then I'd add a Low-VHF antenna such as the Antennacraft Y526 aimed at WCES (real CH-6) on azimuth 244°. Combine the two antennas using a HLSJ. http://www.solidsignal.com/pview.asp?p=zhlsj&d=blonder-tongue-band-separator%2Fcombiner-hlsj-vhf-band-high-low-antenna-separator-combiner-single-piece-%28zhlsj-1%29

[teleview]

+=>
-----
Install the VU190 antenna Above The Peak Of The Roof in such a manner that the Roofs and Buildings are not , obstructing , impeding , blocking , reception in the directions of , South East , South West , West North West , North.

Aim the VU190 antenna at about 244 degree magnetic compass direction.

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

Use a Real and Actual magnetic compass to aim antenna , do not trust the compass in a cell phone.

---------------------

The coaxes and splitter situation Must Be Corrected.

Questionable and Defective Coaxes must be Replaced with Good and Correct Coaxes.

---------------------

For 1 Tv location connected use No splitter.

For 2 Tv locations connected use a 2 way splitter.

For 3 Tv locations connected use a 3 way splitter.

For 4 Tv locations connected use a 4 way splitter.

Run a coax from the splitter to each Tv location.

---------------------

Install a , Winegard , LNA-100 Boost amplifier , Before any splitter.

The LNA-100 is installed between the antenna and splitter.

---------------------

Here are some above the roof antenna mounts.

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

http://www.ronard.com/34424560.html.
http://www.ronard.com/ychim.html.
Measure around the chimney and use a , ronard(2212) , ronard(2218) , ronard(2224) .

---------------------

Here are some places to buy antennas and etc. .

http://www.amazon.com.

http://www.ronard.com.

http://www.winegarddirect.com.

---------------------

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 Reception.

Multi-Path Reflecting Tv Signals Bouncing All Around.

The Best Practice for Reliable Reception is to install the VU190 antenna at a location that has the least amount to no amount of obstructions of any type or kind in the directions of reception.

South East , South West , West North West , North.

---------------------

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

[notso99]

Why do the analog to digital converter boxes receive the WCES signal? While trying to answer this myself I learned a little from the internet but I don't understand/know how to proceed. Per the TVFool chart, WCES real channel is 6. This puts in in the low side of the VHF range. Is there a way to improve the improve reception for Low-Band VHF (2 - 6)?

[teleview]

+=>
----

To improve the reception of WCES channel 6 , aim the antenna at WCES at about 244 degree magnetic compass direction.

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

Use a Real and Actual magnetic compass to aim antenna , do not trust a cell phone compass.

Rescan for channels.

--------------------------------------

Your reception location has receivable Tv channels in All 3 Tv bands.

VHF low band channels 2 thru 6.

VHF high band channels 7 thru 13.

UHF band channels 14 thru 51.

----------

Please note that the VU190 All channel antenna is not the best antenna for your reception situation.

Yes it is true that a All channel antenna receives All the channels.

And Yes it is true that the VU190 is a All channel antenna.

However the VU190 is a Very Large Directional antenna and as such , is a Very Directional Antenna in the forward direction.

Your reception location has Tv stations in more then one direction.

The directions of the Tv stations are , North , North West , South West , South East.

--------------------------------------

No I Do Not recommend a antenna rotator to aim the VU190 in different directions.

Antenna rotation Is Not channel surfing friendly , must wait for antenna to rotate.

Antenna rotation Is Not channel recording friendly.

And their will be , Domestic Situations , about the direction the antenna is aimed.

--------------------------------------

For reception at your reception location I recommend a Combination of 2 antennas.


Antenna number 1.
Install a , Antennas Direct , DB8e UHF antenna , aim 1 panel at about 127 degree magnetic compass direction.

Aim the other panel of the DB8e antenna at about 265 degree magnetic compass direction.

Antenna number 2.
Install a , http://www.antennacraft.net.

CS600 , VHF low band , VHF high band , antenna aimed at about 260 degree magnetic compass direction.

----

The CS600 is installed about 3 feet below the DB8e on the same mast pipe.

Home Depot has , 10 foot 6 inch lengths of 1 and 3/8s diameter , TOP RAIL , chain link fence , PIPE , that makes good antenna mast.

----

Connect antenna number 1 and antenna number 2 together with a , EU385CF-1s , UHF/VHF combiner.

Connect the DB8e antenna to the UHF connection of the combiner.

Connect the CS600 to the VHF connection of the combiner.

The remaining connection of the combiner is connected to the , Winegard LNA-100 Boost amplifier.

The LNA-100 is connected Before any splitters.

------------------------------------------

As I stated before.

The questionable and defective coax and questionable and defective splitter/s situation must be corrected.

And non correct coax wiring situations needs to be corrected.

Use splitters that have only the number of outputs that are required.

Every time a split takes place the signal strength is reduced.

Extra splitter outputs that are not connected to any location reduce signal strength needlessly.


-------------

Installing antenna/antennas in the attic is , asking for reception problems.


----------------------

As to the converter box.

A Digital to Analog converter box , Receives the Digital Signal of WCES channel 6 and Converts/Changes the Digital signal to a Analog signal.

[GroundUrMast]

If some tuners are receiving WCES and others aren't, it's possible that the difference in tuners may explain the results. Some tuners are better at dealing with multipath interference than others. Some tuners are better at deal with impulse noise than others.

It's also possible that there is a problem with one or more coax run. What happens when you swap the working tuner and a tuner that is having trouble? Does the problem follow the tuner or does the problem remain with a cable run?

Again, I'd recommend that you test reception with the antenna outside the attic. Attics are always going to reduce signal strength and quality. An antenna in an attic is almost always going to be closer to sources of interference generated in the house.