Help in LaSalle county IL

[Markm]

Here is my tvfool report:
http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%3d001bcdb0827a8c

I only receive 1 channel the local ind channel, on certain nights I can get a channel or two out of Chicago. I don't know what model antenna I have the biggest roof mount antenna from Menards, with a rotor around 30' in the air. I used to get alot more channels before the switch to HD. I was thinking of installing a ChannelMaster 7777. Will this help in my situation. I used to get stations from Chicago, Rockford, Quad Cities, Peoria, and even Champaign, IL.

Thanks,
Mark

[John Candle]

How many Tv's are/will be connected??

[Markm]

Right now only 1 but possibly 2 in the future. The antenna is an RCA 43 element ant3038xr to the best of my knowledge the biggest one from Menards.

Thanks again

[Markm]

Looking at my report what does the stuff under path mean?

Additional info my antenna is in a clear path of trees and tall buildings live in a town of 7000, so nothing real tall. I also have about 70-90 feet of coax to a Zenith converter box which used to pick up about 24 HD channels but that changed from night to night and weather. Usually nothing during the day other than the local ind station.

There are at least one or two splitters in the line that go to no tv's at the present time. I ran a shorter line from the antenna to the converter box no difference in signal or channels.

Thanks again,

Mark

[John Candle]

So is this the antenna or similar? http://www.rcaaudiovideo.com/search/?sku=ANT3038XR or http://www.rcaaudiovideo.com/search/?sku=ANT3036XR Connect to the antenna a Winegard HDP269 preamp. The preamp part is to be mounted close to the antenna. Use a new matching transformer to connect to the antenna. New coax to connect the preamp to the matching transformer http://www.summitsource.com/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=caw100&x=7&y=9, and new RG-6 coax from the preamp to inside the house. Here are places to buy preamps and etc. , http://www.solidsignal.com , http://www.starkelectronic.com , http://www.amazon.com . Here is how to aim Tv antennas , http://www.kyes.com/antenna/pointing/pointing.html . Read and understand about , REAL Digital Broadcast Tv Channels , Virtual Digital Broadcast Tv Channels , Analog Broadcast Tv Channels , http://forum.tvfool.com/showthread.php?t=695

[Markm]

John

Thanks again! Yes, the antenna is similar it is the 100 mile radius one. I will try your suggestions and keep you posted.

Thanks again,

Mark

[John Candle]

Evaluating the directions and stations and digital channels , it looks like all of the digital network channels can be received by aiming the antenna two directions , 75 degree magnetic compass and 204 degree magnetic compass. Most of your receivable digital Tv channels are very weak. If one Tv is connected , do not have any splitters in the line , splitters reduce the strength of the signal.

[Markm]

John,

Yes I will run new coax to the one tv with no splitter.

Is it best to put the preamp above or below the rotor?
I know as close as possible.

The winegard matching outdoor transformer you suggested comes with a 4' coax cable use that not the 6' that comes with the preamp right.

If I get channels in, what are my options to adding a second tv?

Thanks again,

Mark

[John Candle]

I provided the picture of the matching transformer and the 4 foot cable so you will know what it is , many question askers do not know. It is customary to put put the preamp unit below the antenna. Use what fits the best for length , a 4 foot coax or a 6 foot. All of the digital network channels can be received in these two directions , about 75 degree magnetic compass and about 155 , 185 , 204 , degree magnetic compass. Aim the antenna at about 204 degree magnetic compass and the stations at 155 - 185 degree magnetic compass will be received because they are stronger signals.

[Markm]

Thanks again John

I am getting ready to order the Winegard HPD269 and the matching transformer and RG-6 cable.

Is there any difference in RG-6 cable?
Also do I need the 1296f gain adjuster?

Thanks
Mark

[John Candle]

Having a antenna on a rotor is Ok for watch programs with one Tv , the person that controls the Tv remote control and controls where the antenna is aimed controls the programing to watch. Having the antenna on a rotor with 2 or more Tv's connected leads to disagreements about what Tv stations the antenna is aimed at. At your location all of the network stations can be received with 2 separate antennas , one aimed at 75 degree and one aimed at 204 degree. and separate coax from each antenna to the location of each Tv with a remote control A/B antenna switch at each Tv location. The 2 separate antenna setup will allow each Tv location to switch from one antenna to the other a watch the programs they will like to watch. First how ever lets see what can be received by aiming the one antenna on a rotor at 75 degrees and 204 degrees. At 75 degrees what is the reception like of these channels , WPRW (vc50) MyNetwork , WFLD (vc32) FOX , WSNS (vc44) Telemundo , WCIU (vc26) Indpendent , WGN (vc9) The CW , WMAQ (vc5) NBC , WLS (vc7) ABC , WCPX (vc38) ION. . And in the direction of 204 degree , WHOI (vc43) ABC , WMBD (vc31) CBS , WWTO (vc35) Indpendent , WTVP (vc47) PBS . . (vc) = Virtual Channel.

[Markm]

Right now all I get is the IND channel 10 or 35.1 to 35.5. On certain nights I can get an channel or two out of Chicago channel 2 CBS or channel 7 ABC.

I used to get all of these channels and then some. Maybe there is a problem with my antenna. But I could only get channels in the early to late evenings.

[John Candle]

Standard RG-6 coax will be fine. The HDP269 is a low gain , high input , preamp , so as not have the possibility of over load from the one strong channel WTTO - real channel 10 , virtual channel 35. . WYZZ - real channel 28 , virtual channel 43 is moderate of signal strength and all the rest are Very Low of signal strength so do not want to reduce the signal strength with a attenuator.

[John Candle]

Here is a list of some but not all free tv guides , http://tv.entertainment.excite.com , http://tv.yahoo.com , http://www.tvzap.com , http://television.aol.com , http://www.titantv.com , http://www.zap2it.com

[Markm]

Thanks John

I just ordered the Winegard HDP269 from Solid Signal.

[Markm]

http://www.p4c.philips.com/cgi-bin/dcbint/cpindex.pl?ctn=SDV7700K%2F17&dct=FAQ&faqview=1&new_tmpl=1&refdisplay=ANTENNA_QAC_76070&refnr=0076070&scy=US&slg=AEN

John,

I was surfing the web and found the antenna that I have, the link is above. I don't know if that will make any difference.

I was just reading the info on this antenna and it says there is an amplifier knob. I don't recall seeing anything like that, must not look like a knob.
See all FAQs
Question
How do I use the amplifier knob?
Answer

There is an amplifier knob with this antenna. You may need to increase the volume when the air signal is weak, or decrease the volume while the air signal is too strong.

[John Candle]

The user manuals of these China antennas are poorly written. I do not think you will find a amplifier or a knob on or in the antenna. Page 7 of the user manual does not show any thing in the way of a amplifier or knob. The user manual does show , coax cable , matching transformer connected to the coax and the antenna. Do not reuse the matching transformer that is connected to the antenna now. Use a new matching transformer and new coax from the new matching transformer , in to the house. You can buy new RG-6 coax at Home Depot or Lowes.

[John Candle]

Order the matching transformer and 4 foot cable from Summitsource. Is the Philips antenna that you have , broken in any way?? These cheap antennas typicaly do not last very long out in the weather. Is the rotor still working??

[Markm]

John,

I ordered the matching transformer last nite too.

I repositioned the antenna last nite, did a rescan and got in 3 channels plus the extra couple that come with them. I did another rescan this mourning and got the following channels:
WBBM (vc 2) CBS , WLS (vc 7) ABC , WFLD (vc 32) FOX, WWTO (vc 35) IND, WSNS (vc 44)TEL, WPWR (vc 50) MyN, WYIN (vc 56) PBS, and WGBO (vc 60) IND.

I will pick up RG-6 coax at the local Menards or Home Depot.

Thanks again
Mark

[Markm]

John,

I planned on getting on the roof to check the antenna for damage today until I repositioned the antenna and got some channels, would like to have gotten WMAQ (vc 5) NBC. I will probably go check it anyway since it is very nice out today not raining yet but they are calling for another 2 to 3 inches tonight again.

If I do need a new antenna what would be your suggestion?

Thanks again,

Mark

[Markm]

John,

I just checked my tv and like normal back to the one IND channel. I assume the preamp will help keep the signal through the daytime hours.

Thanks,
Mark

[Dave Loudin]

A suggestion:

You seem to have the best luck with VHF stations. Check out the real channels of the stations you get most frequently and you'll see what I mean. The VHF section of your antenna will be hard to improve upon, so I recommend you consider buying the golden standard for long-range UHF reception, the Antennas Direct XG-91. You can combine the two using a special combiner known as a UVSJ (search your favorite on-line store), connecting the XG-91 into the UHF port and your antenna in the VHF port. Run the combined signal into the pre-amp and then off you go.

As far as mounting everything goes, if the two antennas would be too much for the rotor, mount your original antenna fixed towards Chicago and use the rotor to aim the XG-91.

[John Candle]

While on the roof checking the antenna also check the connections of the matching transformer and the internal wiring of the matching transformer can be bad from exposure to the weather for years.

[Markm]

Dave

Thanks for your suggestion, I should be able to get that on my mast. I will wait till I get the preamp and new matching transformer and new RG-6 coax installed and see what happens.

John,

I was on the roof everything looked fine, not sure what its called but one of the sections on the end that you aim had fell down, runs at a 45 degree upward angle. I looked at the matching transformer it was ok, I just put a new one on last fall. I also looked at line of sight a block away or so are a few taller trees don't know it that is a problem.

Thanks,

Mark

[John Candle]

Snap the UHF reflector back in to place at the 45 degree angle.

[Markm]

John,

I did that when I was up there. I was receiving a NBC station WEEK vc 25 out of Bloomington or Peoria earlier and also added WGN and maybe one or two others.
But they all come and go as weather changes.

[Markm]

John,

I was looking at the Menards website they carry RCA premade RG-6 coax and Home Depot carries GE brand. Are those good enough or should I look somewhere else? Or should I buy a roll of coax to make the exact length I need?

Thanks for everything so far, you have been a great help!


Mark

[John Candle]

If you can put the connectors on the coax then do it your self. Pre made is Ok. With the pre made , look in the ends of the connectors on the coax and see if the outer foil shield and shield wires are pushed in to ward the center conductor , if so , push the foil shield and shield wires away from the center conductor. I have seen coax that is so losely made that the center foam and center conductor wire move and slide inside of the outer jacket , do not use this poorly made coax. Use a coax that is tightly made. Also if using the pre made try and get the coax that has compression type connectors on the ends , they seal better on the coax then the crimp type connectors.

[Markm]

John

I found some premade RG-6 quad shield cables with compression ends at Menards today. I have them, just waiting on the pre-amp shipped today, the matching transformer and 4' cable are still in the processing mode.

[Markm]

John,

The winegard HDP269 preamp arrived today, the matching transformer is still out there with UPS maybe tomorrow or Friday. I know earlier you said not to reuse the existing transformer. Would it be alright to use it until the new one arrives?

I will mount preamp tonight and new RG-6 cable but not hook up the preamp just yet.

Thanks again,

Mark

[John Candle]

Yes go ahead and install what you have now. Yes it is Ok to reuse the matching transformer that is connected to the antenna now. And then install the new transformer and and jumper coax when you get it.

[Markm]

Installed!

I don't have a complete list of channels but I hope the new matching transformer and another new cable will help when they arrive.

But at least I have a few channels at this time of day, hopefully they will be 24/7. I know CBS,NBC,FOX, WTTO, MyNetwork were somewhat good ABC & WGN were pixelly to good.

I think I have the antenna at the stongest point. I have the preamp right under the antenna, it could actually be moved up into VHF area as it spreads apart and attaches at 3 points on the mast pole.

Any suggestion are greatly appreciated!

Mark

[John Candle]

From here on out. Please identify what is being received by the Call Sign and the Real Channel Number. Your location has more the one NBC , FOX and so forth , I do not know what ones you are receiving. Read and understand this about , REAL Digital Broadcast Tv Channels , Virtual Digital Broadcast Tv Channels , Analog Broadcast Tv Channels , http://forum.tvfool.com/showthread.php?t=695 . Here is how to aim Tv antennas , http://www.kyes.com/antenna/pointing/pointing.html

[Markm]

John,
Sorry about that! I just typed up a list of channels, got logged out some how while typing it. Will try again,

Mark

Just typed up another one gone again.

[Markm]

John,

Sorry again,

Here is the list 3rd times a charm, WWTO vc 35 IND, WPWR vc 50 MyNetwork, WFLD vc 32 FOX, WLS vc 7 ABC, WMBD vc 31 CBS, WGN vc 9 The CW, WEEK vc 25 NBC, WSNS vc 44 TEL, WCIU vc 26 IND, WCPX vc 38 ION, WFXT vc 60 TEL, WMAQ vc 5 NBC, WGBO vc 66 Uni, WTTW vc 11 PBS. Most of these channels come and go at times.

The antenna is pointed roughly at 75 degrees toward Chicago, IL. There are 2 channels in the list WEEK vc 25 NBC and WMBD vc 31 CBS that are from Peoria, Il which is at 200 degrees.

Thanks again,
Mark

[Markm]

John,

The matching transformer and 4' cable finally got here, installed today. I don't know if it helped much, we will see. Well I went from 1 channel with 4 sub channels to somewhere between 25- 40 channels total at times.

Newbies out there you can trust what John Candle suggests for your situation he is very knowledgeable.

Thanks again John greatly appreciated!

Mark

P.S.
If I were to get a new antenna in the future what do you suggest?

[John Candle]

Thanks for the positive comments. It is true that I am here to help get the best reception and the best selection of Tv stations and channels. I do not just dump a answer on people. Any way your reception location has Tv stations all around the compass and the spacing between the Tv stations and the channels in the different directions all around the compass and the Very Low Signal Strength and on top of all that the co-channel and adjacent channel warnings of most of the channels is not a friendly situation. When the signal strength gets down to the low single digit NM(dB) numbers or less. It's known as the Digital Cliff , and it does not take much to go over the cliff , rain , snow flakes , high humidity , and even sun shine can block and blast the very weak signals over the cliff.

[John Candle]

There is no one antenna that will be that much better at receiving then the one you have. You will need to go to a 2 antenna solution. I am thinking about it. While I am moving toward a solution , read and understand this about , REAL Digital Broadcast Tv Channels , Virtual Digital Broadcast Tv Channels , Analog Broadcast Tv Channels , http://forum.tvfool.com/showthread.php?t=695

[John Candle]

Ok I have given your reception situation more thought then a sane person would and this is what I suggest. 2 antennas , a AntennaCraft CS600 with the HDP269 preamp aimed at about 316 degree magnetic compass mounted in a fixed position not on the rotor , for the reception of real VHF channels 4 , 13 , 10. For the real UHF channels I recommend a AntennasDirect 91XG UHF antenna with a http://www.kitztech.com -- 'KT-200-coax' powered amplifier mounted on the rotor. Separate coax cables will go from each antenna and amplifier to a 'UVSJ' = UHF/VHF Separator Joiner that is located in the house close to the Tv. The 91XG antenna and KT-200-COAX amplifier will be connected to the UHF input of the UVSJ. The CS600 VHF antenna and HDP269 preamp will be connected to the VHF input of the UVSJ. The output of the UVSJ will be connected to the Tv. This set up will deliver steady strong signals to the Tv.

[John Candle]

UVSJ. http://www.solidsignal.com/pview.asp?p=UVSJ . The amplifiers and amplifiers power supplies are connected on the UHF/VHF ports sides of the UVSJ. Do not put any power supplies on the port on the UVSJ labeled - LINE. The actual antenna signal amplifiers are mounted close the antennas. The power supplies for the antenna amplifiers will be close the UVSJ because the UVSJ will be close the Tv because thats where the electric power is at.

[Markm]

John,

Thanks again,

I might try that combination this fall. I looked up the prices about $150 for all of it. I might just go after the UHF channels but the cs600 is only $23.00 at solid signal and go ahead and pick up the VHF channels too.

Thanks,

Mark

[Dave Loudin]

STOP!

John, why are suggesting a lower gain VHF solution? While WHBF and WREX do have positive NMs, they are also 2-edge paths, so the variability will be greater. Mark, I humbly suggest that all you need to add antenna-wise is the xg-91. Use your existing antenna for VHF reception - you can't do any better unless what you have is damaged. Hook everything up as John suggests, but do not swap out your existing antenna for the CS600.

[John Candle]

The spacing between , 4 , 13 , 10 , is very wide. The CS6000 is a VHF antenna with very wide beam width. The big philips antenna is a narrow beam width antenna. The narrow beam width Philips antenna will have greatly reduced reception ability with the very wide spacing of , 4 , 13 , 10 . Dave you can STOP! using the question askers as a way to attack me and my credibility.

[Dave Loudin]

John, I am discussing strictly on the technical merits. I realize that the antenna you suggested has a wide beamwidth, and that's the problem. Reception is marginal now with a high-gain antenna. Using a low-gain antenna in order to not rotate simply will not work.

[Tower Guy]

Using a low-gain antenna in order to not rotate simply will not work.

The NM on channel 4 is 11.7 dB. In my experience only the largest low band antennas will work at that signal level.

[Markm]

John,


What if I just forget about the VHF channels. If I get an AD 91XG can I use the Winegard HDP-269 preamp that I have or do I need the kinztech KT-200 coax powered amp you suggested earlier.

Thanks,

Mark

[John Candle]

Yes you can use the HDP269 preamp with the 91XG antenna. The 91 XG will give about 5 NM dB more gain on UHF then the Philips antennas UHF section. And if thats not enough of a increase in reception then you can use the Kitztec. The Kitztech is a ultra low noise amp at .4 dB noise added to the UHF signal , The HDP269 adds 3.5 dB noise to the signal. So with the Kitztech the signal is 3 dB cleaner. And thats important with very low UHF signals at your location. I have a question , how far down the list is reliable reception both day and night being received now?? Is the WTVP-DT 46 PBS signal reliable day and night??

[Markm]

John,

Right now I do not receive WTVP-DT 46 PBS. I know earlier you said I had a better shot at true 200 degrees than true 73 degrees. When I aimed at 200 degrees nothing, at 73 degrees I get several channels. Down the list is WBBM vc 2 ABC this is reliable for the most part, but other channels like WGN vc 9 CW and WLS vc 7 ABC will drop out during the day, which are higher up the list.
I do receive channels as far down as WYIN vc 56 PBS at night.

Right now I'm running 50' of new RG-6 Quad shield coax, from the preamp through the window to the tv. I will need to eventually run this down the roof down 2 stories into the basement over about 15' back up the 2 stories to the attic over 20' then down the wall to the coax box in the wall roughly 100'.
How much signal lose in that? That is to 1 TV but would like to add a second TV if possible.

I hope I answered your question

Thanks again,

Mark

[Markm]

John,

I also receive 2 channels from the back side of the antenna, WEEK vc 25 NBC and WMBD vc 31 CBS which is more reliable than WEEK. Both are fairly strong at night. I have a Zenith DTT901 converter so I would say signal strength is around 70-75%.

Mark

[Markm]

John,

I answered your question earlier and asked you a couple, maybe you missed them.

But I have another question: Do you know of a promo code for solid signal for free shipping was thinking of ordering the XG91 and the CS600 antennas you recommended earlier. I've tried goggling them but come up with nothing.

Thanks again
Mark