Improving Reception

[Vorkosigan]

http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%3d8387662941ff91

I'm in the process of trying to ditch Directv. I found an antenna already in my attic and am using that for the vhf and a homemade antenna for the uhf and have the signals combined with a uvsj. The vhf antenna points approximately NNW and the uhf antenna faces that direction as well.

Currently it's a straight shot with a couple of barrel connectors to the wall plate that feeds a HTPC. The total run is around 100 ft of quad shield RG6. I plan to add 1 or 2 more tv's, at least, in the near future.

This is actually working out great for the most part. The only issues I seem to have is that Fox, the CW, and Ion like to cut out randomly for a few seconds. I probably won't be watching Ion too much so I don't know how often it does it on that channel. Fox will do it maybe every 5 minutes or maybe every hour, but CW is much worse and will do it every couple of minutes for a much longer period of time. Both of those channels are important.

What are my options to improve my reception on those two channels? Keep in mind, I will not be mounting an antenna on the roof at this time. If I've left out any other details that are needed, let me know.

Thanks in advance.

[John Candle]

I recommend a Antennas Direct C5 antenna with the reflector screen removed , this makes the C5 into a 2 direction antenna. Aim the front receptor that has the coax connection at about 336 degree magnetic compass , the antenna will receive VHF high channels 7 thru 13 stations to the north west and south east. I also recommend a Antenna Craft U4000 antenna aimed at about 304 degree magnetic compass. Turn the metal reflector bars of the U4000 from the horizontal position to the vertical up and down position , this gets the reflector bars out of the way so more signal can be received through the back of the U4000. I also recommend a Channel Master CM3412 two way distribution amplifier or CM3414 four way distribution amplifier. Here is how to aim antennas , http://www.kyes.com/antenna/pointing/pointing.html. The C5 comes with a UVSJ , so that will give you a extra UVSJ to use some where else.

[John Candle]

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. Here are places to buy antennas and etc. , http://www.solidsignal.com , http://www.amazon.com , http://www.starkelectronic.com , http://www.3starinc.com

[John Candle]

Tv channel guides. http://www.zap2it.com , http://television.aol.com , http://tv.yahoo.com , http://tv.entertainment.excite.com , http://www.tvzap.com , http://www.titantv.com , Most all channel guides list the channels as virtual channels.

[Vorkosigan]

This is an attic with trusses so there isn't much room for aiming and I just happen to be lucky that what I have is aimed as well as it is. The VHF antenna that was there is picking up the VHF channels just fine, so why would I go out and spend money on a redundant antenna for that anyways? I'm not trying to build a whole new system, I'm trying to adjust what I have so that it works better since it is almost to where it needs to be.

[John Candle]

If your UHF antenna has a reflector then remove it and aim the antenna the same as the U4000.

[Vorkosigan]

Nope, no reflector. Similar in style to the U4000, though. It's currently aimed at about 315 degrees, give or take a couple of degrees. Not sure if I can aim it any better.

[John Candle]

If can not receive those UHF channels in the attic then 'suggest' move the UHF antenna to outside , above the roof.

[Vorkosigan]

Like I said, I will not be mounting it on the roof. Not gonna attempt to do that by myself and can't afford to have someone else do it. Just like I can't afford to just go out and buy all new antennas to replace what is mostly working at the moment.

Still working on trying to figure out how to better aim the uhf antenna. It's just a matter of figuring out how to mount it so that it's at the proper angle.

I'm assuming that aiming it to 304 degrees is to try and pick up Fox better, but I am thinking that will make CW worse?

Also, the amps suggested, those are to overcome signal loss from splitting the signal and long cable runs, correct?