Antenna advice for Clayton, NC

[at_hiker]

Here is my current signal analysis:

http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%3df1f0dac16a657d

I'm currently using a RCA flat multi-directional antenna that sits on my TV stand, paired with a Winegard LNA-100 amplifier. This works okay for the local channels located around 3-5 degrees MagN, but from time to time I get a lot of pixilation that makes viewing almost impossible. I'm really interested in also picking up channel 25 (WUNC) which is located at 312 degrees MagN, but my current antenna can't pick it up at all.

Based on a recommendation that I got here a couple of years ago that I've just not acted on:
http://forum.tvfool.com/showthread.php?p=37179#post37179

I was getting ready to purchase a Channel Master CM2016 antenna and mount it on my roof.

Since it's been a couple of years I thought it would be wise to see if the recommendation is still optimal before making the purchase.

Is the CM2016 still a good choice?
Should I also purchase an antenna rotator?
What direction should I aim the antenna to get my local stations at 5 degrees MagN, and channel 25 at 312 degrees?

Thanks for any help you can provide!

Steve

[rabbit73]

Hi, Steve:

The CM2016 is still a good choice, but I'm not sure it is the best choice. The problem is the antenna beamwidth required to cover 50 degrees from 312 to 2 degrees, to avoid using a rotator.

Of course, if you want a rotator you need to be aware of the disadvantages:
1. extra expense
2. do you want to wait for it to swing around to the other direction?
3. if there is more than one TV, who gets to decide which direction?
4. you might need to rescan for channels after changing direction if your TV can't add a channel after scan
5. do you want to repair your rotator in the middle of January?

If you can't find an antenna with sufficient beamwidth, I think it would be easier to have a second antenna with an A/B switch to change antennas. Or, you could have a separate tuner for the PBS antenna and connect the output of the tuner to the TV A/V input.

When I look at the beamwidth specs for the 2016, they seem kind of narrow for what you want to do. You could try it, aiming between the two azimuths, but favoring CH 25.

http://static.highspeedbackbone.net/pdf/C85-1008%20Datasheet.pdf

http://www.solidsignal.com/pview.asp?p=cm2016
click on specs

I also looked at the Winegard HD7694P:
http://www.solidsignal.com/pview.asp?p=HD7694P&d=Winegard-VHF%2FUHF-HDTV-Antenna-(HD7694P)&q=winegard HD7694P
click on specs

http://www.skywalker.com/catalog/Manuals/WIN1051.pdf

and I looked at the RCA ANT751
http://www.solidsignal.com/pview.asp?p=ANT751&d=RCA-ANT751-1080-HDTV-Outdoor-Antenna-(ANT751)&sku=044476064524&q=RCA ANT751
no specs given; not sure it has enough UHF gain for PBS because I'm really interested in also picking up channel 25 (WUNC) which is located at 312 degrees MagN, but my current antenna can't pick it up at all.

You might consider the Antennas Direct C2V. It has enough beamwidth, a little more UHF gain than the 2016, but not as much gain as the 7694 if the specs are accurate:
https://www.antennasdirect.com/store/ClearStream-C2-VHF-Long-Range-Combo-Complete.html

70 degrees beamwidth:
https://www.antennasdirect.com/clearstream2horizontalplane.html

http://www.amazon.com/Antennas-Direct-C2-V-CJM-ClearStream-Outdoor/dp/B007RH5GZI

You don't need a preamp, it would be overloaded.

http://forum.tvfool.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=1116&stc=1&d=1432654903

Interpreting Noise Margin in the TV Fool Report
http://www.aa6g.org/DTV/Reception/tvfool_nm.html

I'm a little confused by your tvfool report. It puts you in Willow Springs about 10 miles south of the transmitters, but Clayton is about 4.3 miles SE of the transmitters.

You have some very strong FM signals in your area, and you might need an FM trap/filter to prevent interference to your TV reception. See Attachment 3 for your location estimated from your tvfool report. Attachment 4 is based on Clayton.
http://www.mcmelectronics.com/product/DISTRIBUTED-BY-MCM-FM-88-/33-341
https://www.antennasdirect.com/store/FM_band_rejection_filter.html

My advice is based on no trees or buildings in the signal path. Trees really mess with UHF signals. See Attachment 2.

I was getting ready to purchase a Channel Master CM2016 antenna and mount it on my roof.
The coax shield should be grounded with a grounding block that is connected to the house electrical system ground with 10 gauge copper wire for electrical safety. For further compliance with the electrical code (NEC), the mast should also be grounded in a similar manner to drain any buildup of static charge, but the system will not survive a direct strike.

[at_hiker]

Hi...I know I keep coming back after long periods, but thanks for sticking with me. I have a lot of issues with pixelation/dropouts of many of my channels that are in the 65-68 NM(dB) range, but I don't notice any ghosting/multiple images. According to the noise margin interpretation doc provided by rabbit73, all antennas should get 100% reception in this range without any drop out. Could this problem be the result of overload? Should I consider the use of an attenuator? Or is it more likely to be the strong FM signals in my area?

Here is my signal analysis:
http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%3df1f0dac16a657d

BTW: I just purchased an Antennas Direct C2V, but haven't installed it yet.

Thanks,
Steve

[ADTech]

but I don't notice any ghosting/multiple images.

That's an analog-only symptom. The signal impairments that cause those analog symptoms will cause digital reception drops out, pixelization, image freezes, etc, all depending on how the tuner was implemented.


Did you get the amplifier out of the system? That should be your first step if not already done.


The big concern is "What's out in front of the antenna to your north"? Your neighbor's house, a forest, a two story metal building, etc? The TVFool simulation does not and can not account for that type of "clutter", it assumes a path that is clean and clear and the appropriate disclaimers are there for the reading.

Have you tried placing the C2V directly in front of a window that faces north through northwest? That's how you get the best indoor reception, You can always work backwards later to where you'd "like" the antenna to be and see if it also works there.

[rickbb]

Your problem is too much signal. Your only 10 miles from those million watt transmitter towers for WRAL and it's various stations. They already have a NM value greater than 60 and then you amp that up with the Winegard amp.

Your overdriving the tuner and it just thinks it's noise causing the pixels, drop outs, etc. You don't need to shoot for 100% signal strength, a better quality, low noise signal of 80% will be more watchable.

You shouldn't need any kind of amp at all. Try a broader beam width antenna pointed at WUNC, your so close to the towers north of you I don't think you'd have trouble picking them up at all.

[ADTech]

Your problem is too much signal.

Well, maybe, maybe not. If he has a free and clear signal path, then it's quite possible although the RCA has negative gain on many frequencies.. OTOH, if he's in a basement, behind his neighbor's steel, brick, or stucco-sided house which is shrouded by a jungle, then probably not.

Location, location, location...etc.

[at_hiker]

I haven't removed the Winegard LNA-100 amplifier yet. I had added it at someone else's recommendation to try to solve the same problem. It didn't appear to make the problem better or worse, but I will remove it right away.

My signal path isn't absolutely free and clear. I can't see the transmitter towers from my front yard, but if I drive about a 1/4 mile outside of my subdivision I can see them. I have a few 1 story homes between my house and a clear view of the towers, but nothing super close to my house. BTW: The current RCA flat antenna (To be replace by the C2V soon) is connected to a Tivo premiere.