Not what I was expecting

[snkfelker]

I need a little help from the experts. We recently ditched our dish because we never watch all the channels that we were paying for and were tired of the monthly bill. Really all we care about is NBC, CBS, ABC, and PBS. We live in Loganville, GA (suburb of Atlanta) and thought that it would be easy for us to get digital programming from an antenna. After researching our location on this site, we bought the Antennacraft HBU33. We put it up on the roof this past weekend and positioned it using a compass. Right now we are getting 5, 17, 34, 36, 46, and 63. None of them come in reliably and are often jumpy and pixelated. Plus that completely leaves us without NBC, ABC, and PBS. We are contemplating getting a preamp, but I have read mixed thoughts on doing this. Any thoughts on what we are doing wrong, whether we should go with the preamp, and which one we should get? I would really appreciate any help as I am totally bummed right now that this is not working out. Here is my report. http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%3dccd1201fc584db Thanks!

[GroundUrMast]

The HBU-33 is a good choice. Aim should be at about 262° compass. Help with aiming. (http://www.kyes.com/antenna/pointing/pointing.html)

Is there anything like a building or trees in the path?

Which if any parts of the dish system were reused?

How many sets are, or will be connected?

[snkfelker]

Being about 30 miles away, I suppose there are a good many trees and probably buildings too in between. There is also landmark called Stone Mountain (big granite mountain) that is located in between us and the city of Atlanta, but I'm not sure that it is in the direct path. The only thing we reused from the dish was the mast it was on. Only one set is connected.

Thanks for your help!

[GroundUrMast]

I should have been more specific. Is your antenna pointing at obstructions within a few hundred feet? Your roof or your neighbors house for example.

Have you examined the coax (you indicate it's new) for kinks, sharp bends or damage from staples? Have you checked for fragments of foil or shield braid in the connectors?

Have you tried substituting a known good balun / matching transformer?

[snkfelker]

I will look into these suggestions. Thanks so much for your help. So if these things all seem ok, are you suggesting that we do not need a preamp based on the report and the antenna that we have?

[GroundUrMast]

There are a few FM stations that have very powerful signals in the Loganville area. A passive FM trap would be worth considering after checking for physical faults.

Examples: Antennas Direct FM Filter (http://www.antennasdirect.com/store/FM_band_rejection_filter.html), Winegard FT-3000 FM Trap (http://www.solidsignal.com/pview.asp?mc=03&p=FT-3000&d=Winegard-FT3000-FM-Trap-ACDV-and-UHF-Passive-%28FT3000%29&c=Antenna%20Traps&sku=615798102029)

[GroundUrMast]

I will look into these suggestions. Thanks so much for your help. So if these things all seem ok, are you suggesting that we do not need a preamp based on the report and the antenna that we have?

The HBU-33 should be able to recover enough signal to drive one set though 100' of RG-6... All the way down to WIRE-CD real channel 40 on your TV Fool Report.

An amplifier is not indicated.

I would do a thorough inspection, substitute a known good balun, add an FM trap and reconsider the mounting location and height... All before considering the amplifier option.

[John Candle]

I suggest a Winegard HD7697P antenna aimed at 265 magnetic compass. Your location has both VHF high 7 thru 13 and UHF 14 thru 69 Tv channels. The antenna must be pointed at the Tv stations. The Tv antenna must also be horizontal with the ground. The Tv antenna must Not be pointed down at the ground or up at the sky. I suggest a Strong and Sturdy Tv antenna mount such as a , tripod mount , chimney mount , peak of the roof eave mount. Think in terms of Strong and Sturdy , not what can I get by with. Read and understand this about , Real Digital Tv Channels , Virtual Digital Tv Channels , Analog Tv Channels , http://forum.tvfool.com/showthread.php?t=695 . . Here are places to buy Tv antennas and etc.. http://www.3starinc.com , http://www.solidsignal.com , http://www.starkelectronic.com , http://www.amazon.com

[snkfelker]

Ok. Thanks again!

[John Candle]

Even though I am recommending the HD7697P antenna , the HBU33 should be getting many many many channels. Is the antenna pointed down at the ground ?? Up at the sky ?? Is the antenna horizontal with the ground ?? The antenna needs to be horizontal with the ground. Do not use any of the satellite connection hardware such as splitters , amplifiers and etc. . Out door Tv antennas need breathing room / elbow room. The antenna needs to be clear of obstructions , the best place for the antenna is above the roof of the house and away from near by trees and other obstructions that are in the direction of the Tv transmitters.

[snkfelker]

Thanks to both of you for your help. After reading through your suggestions, I think we need to move the antenna up higher. We have a split level and the antenna is currently on the lower part of the house, behind the higher part. Thanks again!

[GroundUrMast]

The antenna needs a clear view toward Atlanta. Your house or your neighbors, is a giant, though unpredictable attenuator.

[John Candle]

When the question askers say that the dish mast is being used for the Tv antenna mounting then I know there is going to be trouble. The J pole dish masts are mounted in all kinds of odd ball positions. Keeping question askers on the correct path is like herding cats.

[John Candle]

Here is how to aim Tv antennas ,http://www.kyes.com/antenna/pointing/pointing.html . Here are some free on line Tv guides , http://www.titantv.com , http://television.aol.com , http://tvlistings.zap2it.com