multipath/multidirectional conundrum

[willpower2]

Folks, Same as most others-which antenna(s) is/are best for my rather dismal situation (zip 93420) which is as follows: tv fool link -- http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapp ... 28a67582fc -I am only interested in 4 channels--Ch. 15, NM +41, distance 16.5 miles and ch. 34, NM +23 same distance both at 329 degrees mag. both single multipath. At 112 degrees mag. --ch. 19, NM +5, distance 26 mi.-- and at 127 deg. mag. -ch. 27, NM +6 distance a mere 54 miles, both double multipath. I plan to roof mount with a Titan 7777 pre-amp feeding one Panasonic hdtv through 50 ft. of RG-6. I would prefer 2 antennas with the right sort of combiner instead of a rotator. (Unless one miracle antenna could do this job). I can get maybe 10 ft. of horizontal separation and a bit of vertical. There is some slight treetop interference at 329 deg. (stronger signal) but clear at 112/127. With these differences in signal strength, direction, and multipath issues, I am at a loss. Any advice would be wonderful. BTW, I e-mailed for advice to Solid Signal with details of my situation, and the tech recommended a multi-directional with built in pre-amp, Winegard MS 2000. I have serious doubts. http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%3d3e47f5e849994a

[John Candle]

I recommend 2 Channel Master CM4228HD antennas , 1 aimed at 127 degree magnetic compass and the 2nd aimed at 329 degrees magnetic compass. both antennas will have a Antennas Direct CPA-19 preamp. Separate coax down leads will go from each antenna / preamp to the area where the Tv is at and be connected to a remote control A/B antenna switch. Model # AB27RS or radio shack Model # 15-1968. Using the hand held remote control you can select either antenna with out leaving your chair. The CM 4228HD antenna is a very directional antenna that will lessen the multipath reception , and the CM4228HD also receives the VHF high channels in addition to the UHF channels. I know you say you will only like to receive 4 channels , however the other channels will be received because they are of the same directions. So may as well watch them also.

[John Candle]

Here is how to aim Tv antennas , http://kyes.com/antenna/pointing/pointing.html . Here are places to buy Tv antennas and etc. , http://www.solidsignal.com , http://www.amazon.com , http://www.starkelectronic.com , http://www.3starinc.com

[John Candle]

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

[willpower2]

John--Thanks much for your advice. I hadn't considered an AB switch but it may be the best solution. I'm also considering two 91xg types, again with preamps. May be overkill to my stronger signals. What do you think? (I looked at the vhf channels I could get and really not interested. I don't hablo espanol.) Again, thanks for your time and advice.

[John Candle]

Digital Tv is in a state of change and will be for here on out. New Digital Broadcast Tv channels/ stations are coming on the air and going off the air. Tv stations are being sold and bought all the time now days. New English language channels can begin broadcasting at any time , with no prior notice. The old days of the same analog channel transmitting the same network for 30 years are gone. It is a Good Idea to use Tv antennas that will receive the VHF high band channels of 7 thru 13 in addition to the UHF channels of 14 thru 51. It is a good idea to rescan for new digital channels from time to time. Also 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

[John Candle]

Actually I prefer to recommend all channel antennas , the ones that receive channels 2 thru 69 or 2 thru 51. When I do recommend these antennas it brings on Howls of protest. The reason for the protest is the channels 2 thru 6 - VHF low band. VHF low band has a lot of interference , Natural electrical interference and man made electrical and electronic interference. In the old days of analog Tv the interference showed up as , snow , dots , drifting diagonal lines , and , reflections - called ghosts in the picture - known as multipath now days. These interferences can cause a digital tuner to 'through up' the picture will break up into blocks and go blank. The way to over come the interferences with digital transmissions on channels 2 thru 6 is , transmitter antenna tilt , the transmitting antenna is tilted down ward so so the signal is not transmitted out off into the long distance like it was in the old days of analog Tv. This 'tilt' concentrates the signal in a smaller reception area and the transmitting power is adjusted so the concentration of power 'over rides' - 'is stronger' then the interference. Channels 2 thru 6 are being transmitted here in the USA and sometimes people are missing out on Tv station programing because when I do recommend a all channel antenna it brings on Howls of protest. So often times I do not say any thing. And when I do say something I have to go into big long explainations like what I am doing now and even more , because the Howls of protest are so loud from others inside and outside of the Tv industry , and those people that Howl because they heard something - they have no idea what they are Howling about.

[John Candle]

If you will like to receive more free Tv channels then check out - F. T. A. = Free To Air Satellite Tv on the KU Band - Small Dish. http://forum.tvfool.com/showthread.php?t=265

[John Candle]

What is interesting is this information that I have provided here about Digital Broadcast Tv Channels will Disappear , right here on this post , as with every time I provide real and useful information it vanishes like a wisp of vapor. No one will repeat it , know one will say any thing. It will be gone like it never happened. It's like the Twilight Zone and the Outer Limits.

[willpower2]

John--don't feel too bad. The information you provided has helped me and a bunch of other folks get better tv reception, and that information isn't just going to disappear. Anyway, I'm going to get busy with installing some antennas. I'll let you know what kind of results I get. Thanks again.