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chorizo
26-Sep-2015, 1:23 AM
Hi, I would appreciate some suggestions on what type of antenna I need to pick up all the US networks. The more specific the suggestion the better! Here is my report:

http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%3d8e0357147aa7a4

In short, a floppy wall-sticker antenna currently easily picks up Fox (KSWB) and KPBS perfectly in all conditions, it can pick up NBC (KNSD) marginally, but not watchable without a helper monkey on duty to adjust it, and it gets no signal whatsoever (according to in-TV signal meter) for CBS (KFMB) and ABC (KGTV). It also pulls in all the Tijuana stations easily.

CBS and ABC are not LOS because we are at the foot of a moderately steep hill which is covered in houses. The top of the hill is LOS to the transmitters, but an antenna will not be LOS at my location without a 150' tower.

Please let me know if you need more info. Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

rabbit73
26-Sep-2015, 3:30 PM
Welcome, chorizo:

(according to in-TV signal meter)What TV and what signal readings do you get? How many TVs?

What kind of building; are you in a house?

Are you thinking of an indoor or outdoor antenna? It would probably need to be outside for CBS and ABC and they are in a different direction (353 degrees true, 341 magnetic) from most of your other channels (96 true, 84 magnetic).

CBS and ABC are VHF-High channels so you could have an antenna aimed at them and have a UHF antenna aimed at your other channels, combined with a UVSJ. CBS and ABC are weaker and 2Edge signals because of the hill, but VHF signals can diffract over terrain interference a little better than UHF.
http://www.solidsignal.com/pview.asp?p=uvsj
http://www.3starinc.com/uvsj_uhf_vhf_tv_channel_separator_joiner.html
http://mjsales.net/products/tru-spec-uvsj-uhf-vhf-band-separator-combiner?variant=1198505857
http://www.radioshack.com/vhf-uhf-gold-plated-splitter-combiner/1502586.html

Any trees or other buildings in the signal path from those directions?

I see the hill:

http://forum.tvfool.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=1638&d=1443291860

And the hill is definitely in the way:

http://forum.tvfool.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=1639&d=1443292575

Aiming the front of the VHF antenna up a little might help.

You have some strong FM signals that might interfere with your reception of TV signals. KHTS FM at -17.7 dBm is 13.6 dB stronger than your strongest TV signal KSWB, and it is 24.3 dB stronger than KGTV your weakest desired signal. You probably should insert an FM filter in the coax between the output of the UVSJ and the tuner. If you need a preamp it might have an internal FM filter that would do the job.
http://www.mcmelectronics.com/product/DISTRIBUTED-BY-MCM-FM-88-/33-341