Trying to figure out my best options

[samve33]

I've been taking a crash course on antennas for the last couple of days and I THINK I've got a decent understanding now.
About 3 months ago I kicked cable to the curb and put up an antenna and use services such as Netflix. Overall I've been satisfied with this set-up.
About a month ago channel 2 WSB out of Atlanta started giving alot of problems. Other channels gave problems too. After several days of checking the antenna it dawned on me that the trouble started about the time the leaves popped out on the trees. So after clearing some trees I was able to make a good deal of improvement, but channel 2 still gave problems. I finally moved the antenna around and was able to get 2 very well with an improvement in channel 11WXIA out of Atlanta also. The problem is I lost other channels.
I'm using an Antennacraft HBU55 on a 20 foot pole and rotor and a hunk of junk radio shack preamp. I'm looking at a cm-7777 now.
If i tried to raise the antenna any futher I lose channel 2. I tried 5 more feet.
2 is a must have channel with channel 3 WRCB out of Chattanooga being second.
I would like to get those lost channels back and hopefully some other channels that I believe I should be able to. Get such as channel 5 WAGA out of Atlanta.
I see several options. First, a better preamp. The others being different antenna arangements.I'm thinking about a second HBU55 on the same mast located back in the old location. Or how about another HBU55 mounted fixed on a 20 foot mast in the present location and move the present antenna with rotor back to the old location and raise it 5 to 10 feet. Other channels did come in better 5 feet up. Got any other sujestions? I appreciate your help.

http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%3d7fcf0ca344ecd0

[Electron]

During and after the switch from Analog to Digital Tv transmission in 2009 many Tv stations are now transmitting on a different Tv channel.

There are now REAL Tv channels and Virtual Tv channels.
WSB and WRCB are examples and not the only examples there Many more Tv stations that are transmitting a different channel then Virtual channel.

WSB was transmitting on Analog VHF low band channel 2 and is Now transmitting on UHF channel 14.

WRCB was transmitting on VHF low band channel 3 and is now transmitting on VHF high band channel 13.

Many Tv stations kept there old Legacy analog channel number (now the virtual number).

The main reason is , Channel Branding.
WSB is known as the number 2 so the Tv station keeps the number 2 even though the station is actual transmitting on UHF channel 14.

Tv Antennas are selected by the REAL channel that is being transmitted and received , not the Virtual channel number. The tv fool radar report shows both the REAL channels and Virtual channels.

[GroundUrMast]

Reliable reception of the Atlanta stations will require even more antenna than the HBU-55.

Looking at WSB, real channel 39, the predicted signal in the air is 11.0 dB below the strength needed for reception with a 'standard' dipole connected directly to the tuner. The HBU-55 has a published gain of about 9 dBd in the UHF band, so you are theoretically 2 dB short. An Antennas Direct 91XG has published gain of 15.57 dBi (13.42 dBd) at 622 MHz which is within CH 39. On paper, this begins to put you in positive territory. {11.0 dB NM} + {13.4 dBd antenna gain} = 2.4 dB net Noise Margin at the antenna output.

I would want to give you a solution that provides at least 10 dB net NM at the antenna output, 15 dB net NM is not over-kill IMO. That means that you may have to consider a tall tower to put the antenna at an elevation with more available signal.

Then, to receive high-VHF signals, (real CH-7 through CH-13), you'd need a high-VHF antenna such as the Antennacraft Y10713 or Winegard YA1713.

The CM7777 is a good fringe area preamp. The Antennas Direct PA-18 is in the same class and has better noise performance.

Bottom line, You can improve your situation, but you need to take what some may consider 'extreme measures'. You are up against curvature of the earth, hills and vegetation all of which block your view of the transmitters in Atlanta.

[Electron]

That said , the real channels at your location are located in the channel ranges of VHF high band 7 thru 13 and UHF 14 thru 69.

Most of the REAL digital Tv stations/channels are Very Weak at your location.

Install a Winegard HD7698P antenna with a Winegard AP8275 preamp aimed at about 355 degree magnetic compass.

Here is how to aim antennas , http://www.kyes.com/antenna/pointing/pointing.html.

Mount the HD7698P antenna above the roof.
Here are some Strong and Sturdy antenna mounts. http://www.ronard.com/909911.html , http://www.ronard.com/34424560.html , http://www.ronard.com/ychim.html , http://www.ronard.com.
Buy the ronard antenna mounts at solidsignal by typing the word ronard in the solidsignal search box or buy from ronard.

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

The HD7698P is a Long Rang Maximum Reach All In One Antenna , and the AP8275 preamp has gain and noise figures that match the CM7777 and PA-19.

[GroundUrMast]

I agree with @Electron, the Chattanooga stations should be easier to receive reliably.

Have you tried aiming your HBU-55 in that direction?

[Electron]

What direction is the HBU55 aimed , north or south??

Aim the HBU55 antenna at about 335 degree magnetic compass (north).

I am doing my best to get you the tv stations with out installing 2 antennas or a antenna rotor.

WSB-Tv 14 ABC that shows as virtual channel 2 on the tv screen is located at 217 degree and WPXA-DT 51 ION that shows as virtual channel 14 on the tv screen is located at 98 degree magnetic compass.

To improve reception of ABC and ION , remove the UHF reflectors that are shaped like this >.
The vee shaped reflectors. Or adjust the reflectors so the reflectors are straight up and down like is | .

This will get the reflectors out of the way so more of the signal of the ABC and ION tv stations can be received at the side and back/angle to the antenna.

To prove out the reception. Connect a known to be good matching transformer (balun) to the HBU55 and connect a known to be good coax to the balun and run the coax through a open door or window direct to one tv.
No splitters and preferably no coax couplers. Remove ALL of the amplifier , the out side part the inside part and any or all other parts of the amplifier and power supply of the amplifier.

With the HBU55 a known to be good balun and a know to be good coax direct to the tv. What is the reception like now??

[samve33]

The antenna is on a rotor and Chattanoga DOES come in much better than Atlanta.
I'm happy with the signal from WSB right now. It's 70% to 75% . I would be happy to mount the HBU55 fixed in it's present location for WSB and go with a different one in the old location. If I used the one you segest, could I combine the signal with the HBU55? I hate to chunk a new antenna.
I may have a deal on a 7777. Won't know until tomorrow. If that falls through then I'll go with one of the others.
All the channels I lost by moving the antenna was in the UHF band.
Thank you very much for your quick responses.

[Electron]

Make the recommended adjustments with the HBU55 and test hook up connections. And report here with the reception. WFLI-DT 42 The CW is very weak , how is the reception of WFLI ??

The 2 antennas HBU55 and HD7698P can not be connected together on to one coax. The rotor you have can be used to 'fine tune' the reception.

Do the test adjustments to the HBU55 UHF reflector and balun and coax and one tv and retun with a report.

[samve33]

I found the HD7698P for $61. I'm willing to give that a shot. The question now is location and height. With this antenna I wonder if I can go back to the old location where the other channels are stronger AND raise it 5 to 10 feet without losing WSB again. Let me know if you think I should jump on the HD7698p and I'll order now.

[samve33]

How about this option? If I go with the HD7698P and use the rotor and the 7777 or similar, then I'll have a leftover antenna and preamp which is working fine where it's at for WSB. If I use the new setup to maximize my other channels and disregard WSB and WSB does not come in well I guess I could put the HBU55 back in it's present location and run the two antennas to an A/B switch. What you think?

[samve33]

My mistake. That was a hd7695P for $61, not the hd7698. I shopped around and found it for $115 with shipping. Still in the doable range. If you think it's worth it, I'll go for it.

[Electron]

Using the tvfool radar report Pending Applications Included of Digital Tv Stations/channels. For two antennas , one on a rotor and one in a fixed position.

I would do it this way. Mount the HD7698P antenna with the Winegard AP8275 preamp in a fixed position aimed at about 355 degree magnetic compass for the for sure reception of the Tv stations from the north/west , north , north/east.

And put the HBU55 on the rotor for the reception of WSB-TV 14 ABC and WPXA-DT 51 ION if not received by the HD7698P (I think WSB and WPXA will be received by the HD7698P). And the HBU55 can rotate to receive WTJP-TV 26 Trinity Broadcasting Network (there is also another TBN to the north that will be received by the HD7698P WELF-TV 16 TBN) . , WCIQ 7 PBS , WXIA-DT 10 NBC , WGTV-DT 8 PBS , WATC-DT 41 IND.
Here is a Remote Control A/B antenna switch Radio Shack # 15-1968 .

[Electron]

Aiming the HBU55 inbetween REAL channels 26 , 14 , 7 , will get those 3 and aiming the HBU55 at REAL channel 8 will get REAL channels 10 and 41. This what is on 41 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WATC-DT

[samve33]

I'll get the HB7698P on order right away. Prehaps the wind will have died down by the time it gets here. Let me give you a list of the channels I have now. 2, 3, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 14, 17 is now weak, 18, 21, 23, 60 is now weak. I lost 46, 53, 61, 63, and 69. I think this is all the channels I've got now or had.

[samve33]

One other thing, which antenna gets the good preamp or should I chunk the Radio Shack and get 2 good preamps?

[Electron]

If it were me I would put the radio shack amp in the trash. However it is your choice not mine.

[samve33]

Good enough. It looks like it'll be 2 AP 8275 amps since the bid I had going on the 7777 got to be more than I could get the 8275 for. I'll get everything ordered up and give you a shout back when all is in place. This week I hope. Any mods to the new antenna or anything else I need to do before I put it up? Thank y'all very much for all the help and I'll contact you again soon with the results.

[samve33]

Everything is here except the antenna. It's expected to come in today and hopefully I can jump on this tomorrow. Let me ask you this. Since I'll have 2 preamps the same with 2 coaxs coming to the tv, could I combine the 2 antennas after the preamps on the inside and not use the A/B switch?

[signals unlimited]

Combinding antennas that are aimed in different directions in the same band will always have a negetive effect on some of the channels. To get the best results from your investment and all of your hard work, use the A/B switch.

[Electron]

The answer of combining antennas for your reception situation is one single word , NO .

Antennas can be combined in the same direction to increase gain.
Antennas can be combined such as Separate UHF and VHF antennas using UVSJ.
Separate antennas can be combined such as VHF low band and VHF high band using a LHSJ. However for your reception the one word answer is , NO .

Yes you can connect the antennas you have together with out the amplifiers to prove a point , use a splitter in reverse.

[samve33]

Got the hint, USE the A/B switch. The antenna came in today and I was going to put it together, but the rain vetoed that. The wind finally died down, so weather premitting I'll have plenty to do tomorrow and hopefully let you know something tomorrow evening. Anything else you can think of?

[samve33]

Let me ask you this, the picture for the 98P shows the short boom at the top. I thought it was suppose to be on the bottom. Does this make any difference? Should I put the short one on the 55 at the top too?

[No static at all]

The short boom of the 7698 goes on top. Otherwise it will be in the way of the snap on cartridge the coax connects to on the bottom.

The HBU-55 support boom should stay as is on the bottom.

[samve33]

I seen that as I was putting the 98P together. I just wasn't sure if I had it right on the 55. I wasn't sure if that short boom had any effect on signal or support as to where it was mounted. I suspect is for support and has little if any effect on signal.

[No static at all]

Correct, the boom keeps the antenna sturdy & prevents sagging.

[samve33]

So far I've been disappointd with my test runs. I've seen no improvement over the HBU55 and the radio shack preamp. Seems to be about the same. I'm slightly lower because I'm doing these test without the rotor in place. I did catch WSB off the side one time but I lost it and haven't been able to get it back. I was at 335 then. Was only about 40%. About to try it 10 foot higher.

[No static at all]

Are both antennas on the same mast? If so, how much vertical separation?

[samve33]

As of now I'm only dealing with the 98P. THAT 10 foot made a world of difference. The very best I had been able to do was75%, I'm at 86% now. Before I was 20 feet. At 25 feet I lost WSB altogether. I'm at 30 feet now. Must had got over something.

[samve33]

I do plan to put the 55 on the same mast. How far would be good? Think I'll try to add that 5 foot section also. It getting a little hairy doing this bymyself and the wind has picked up.

[No static at all]

How far would be good?
4 feet of vertical separation with those 2 antennas would be my recommendation. You can then fine tune vertical height once both are installed for overall best performance.

I have found just a few inches can make a substantial difference with UHF frequencies.

[samve33]

This has been interesting. I ended up having to get some help. Kinda figuered it would be too much for me when I got everything mounted. Still ended up with a sexy looking mast, got a little curve to it. I've got the HBU55 on top as sugested and the 98P mounted 5 or 6 feet below. I'm going to try to go another foot or two up when I get the other ladder on the roof. At the moment the 98P is not connected or aimed. I'll go in the attic in the morning when it's cooler to run the coax. From what I'm seeing so far I think I did better when I was testing the 98P on the 30 foot mast. The HBU55 is at about 32 feet right now. I was able to get WAGA on the 98P at 30 feet, so far I've been unable to get it with the HBU55. Think I should put the 98P at the top?

[Electron]

The plan is/was to have the HD7698P antenna aimed at the north group of stations and the HBU55 rotate to look to the south west and south east. The antennas can be put on different mounts. You install the antennas the way you think is best.

[samve33]

That should work best really. I already know WSB won't come in at the height the 98P is/will be at, so north would be better for it. Got a great signal on WSB at 86% on the HBU55 right now. Got my lost stations back plus some. Haven't checked north much yet. I've got the 98P pointed in the general direction but it's not zeroed and didn't pick up much when I tested. Now I've got to play with the tv and rotor and see what all I've got. Let you know soon.

[samve33]

Well, it's looking more and more as if the plan is going to be the way to go. The extra height has greatly helped me on the Atlanta stations, but it's hurt the weaker chattanooga stations. Right now the 98p is at about the height they came in better. I really would like to get good signal on channel 61 since tha will be my FOX station. I think the 98P can do that the best. Guess I wanted my cake and to eat it too. Hard to get all the stations guess I better take what I can get.

[Electron]

Fox Virtual channel 61 is REAL UHF channel 40 and is in the gray reception zone and is Very Weak at minus -11.0 NM(dB).

Concentrate on receiving the Digital Tv stations of the Pending Applications Included in the , green , yellow and red reception zones , Reliably , and then go after the stations in the gray reception zone.

[samve33]

These radio waves are some strange critters. I was expecting the signals to be much better this morning and Atlanta is coming in very strong. Even got WAGA at 77%, but Chattanooga is a flop this morning. WRCB has always been one of my strongest stations, didn''t think I could hurt it, but it's not really watchable this morning. Came in fine last night. I believe once I get that lower antenna going they'll be ok. I did get several more Atlanta stations programmed in. This set-up is much better than what I had.I hope I can get 5 or 61 to be reliabe since those are my two FOX choices.

[No static at all]

Enhanced tropo activity (http://www.dxinfocentre.com/tropo.html) is likely responsible for some of the inconsistent reception you are seeing.

[samve33]

Inconsistant is the key word. I had some glowing numbers on WSB and suddenly it' dropped to 15%. Wonder if something else has went wrong. I tried that link you gave me, but it said not found.

[No static at all]

Type in "Tropospheric Ducting Forecasts" in your search box & you should be able to locate the website.

[Electron]

.We can do this step by step that way you are not going 60 directions at the same time.

Using the DIGITAL CHANNELS LIST - PENDING APPLICATIONS INCLUDED as a Guide.

The plan is/was to have the HD7698P antenna NOT Mounted on the rotor and aimed at about 355 degree magnetic compass to receive WKSY IND. to the north west , WNGH PBS to the north east and the Tv stations/channels in between WKSY and WNBH .

QUESTION NUMBER ONE --> are the Tv stations/channels being received and what Tv stations/channels are being received reliably .

QUESTION NUMBER TWO --> And also any Tv stations/channels being received reliably that are outside of the spread of Tv stations from WKSY to WNGH with the HD7698P ??

With the HBU55 out of the way you can raise and lower and turn the HD7698P antenna to to the left and right find the best one mounting position for reception day and night.

[samve33]

If I'm reading that right, doesn't it mean I shouldn't be having a problem with it. Let me tell you what's happening. Yesterday evening I was getting some great signals off of the HBU55 which is the highest antenna. That kelp up until early this morning. The 98P didn't do too well which I figured because it isn't aimed well. It's at about 325-330. Later this morning the HBU55 has became nearly useless and lower antenna has became hot. It's doing great now. Two examples, WRCB on the 55 last night was almost 90% it's 0% now, 73% on the lower 98P at present. WDEF was 100% last night on the upper antenna last night, about 40% now. 100% on the lower now. These channels did not do well on the lower antenna when I checked them yesterday evening. What do you think if I put the 98P on another lower mast with rotor so hopefully I can keep up with the atmospheric changes?

[Electron]

Is there any thing else but not limited to , that is reducing or blocking reception such as but not limited to a 15 story building across the street to the north or Big Trees that are reducing/blocking or any thing else that can be reducing or blocking reception??

On top of your house , is the HD7698P antenna mounted on a lower roof and aimed in to a higher roof of the house??

Any thing else??

[samve33]

I knew the HD7698P was not in the correct positon yesterday. Supper was waiting and I hurried and eyeballed it. It'll be tomorrow before I can aim it better. Suddenly WSB started coming in off the side of it. Of course WRCB dropped out. LOVE these atmospheic changes. At the moment I've got very few that are reliable. 7,9,12,14,18. That's about it. That's from one anteena or the other. WSB and WRCB I've got to have reliable or the womenfolk will kill me. I guess until I get that antenna aimed better I won't be able to give you good info. I'll work with the aiming tomorrow and get you better info. I'm concerned that if I get it aimed right that I won't be able to get WSB reliably off of it, the HBU55 isn't doing it now. This why I sugested mounting it on another mast. I had WSB reliably before I made these changes. Do you think I'll be able to get WSB reliably off the side? Be nice if I could. I had prefer that set-up.

[samve33]

I live in a rural area with only single story houses around, BUT, yes trees are a problem. I have them on two sides. Can you guess which two sides? Yep, Chattanooga and the Atlanta direction. I think the trees toward Chattanooga are far enough away that they don't bother me too much. The others are much closer and I did have to clear out some of the smaller leafy trees as I was having big problems with them. I've got my eye on a couple limbs now.

[samve33]

I should add that I mostly shooting through some tall pines in the Atlanat direction and their limbs are up high. Any big, leafy trees are a ways off.

[samve33]

That isn't entirely accurate either. WSB likes to come in around 120 degrees. I'm skirting the edge of some larger, leafy trees. That's where those couple of limbs are coming from. If I went below 120 degrees I would be pointing at those trees.

[Electron]

Because of the trees to the north , More antenna height with the HD7698P antenna that is pointed to the north will most likley get more Tv stations. Also as I said before , the UHF reflectors that are in this - , > , - position , adjust them so are straight up and down , like this | .

With the starting position of HD7698P aimed to the north , turn the HD7698P antenna to the west and to the east to find a spot that gets the most amount of Tv stations to the north west , north , and north east and other directions such as , south west , south , south east and east .

HOWEVER AT NO TIME will the HD7698P antenna be pointed at the south west , south , or south east.

The HBU55 on the rotor is for reception of any stations/channels that are not received by the HD7698P that are in the directions of , south west , south , south east , east.

[Electron]

The game here is to get as many Tv stations as possible , even the stations to the , south west , south , south east and east , WITH OUT turning the HD7698P to the , south west , south , south east or east.

[samve33]

That sounds like a plan. I hope I am able to get the Atlanta and Chattanooga stations at the same time. The HBU55 is mostly useless during the day. For most of the day I've been getting several Atlanta stations off of it. The last I checked it had switched back to the Chattanooga stations. It's not getting both at the same time. The stations are strong. The HBU55 is trying to get 61 in all directions but it's not really watchable. I'm expecting the HBU55 to come back to life at any moment. I'll check it when I'm through with Netflix.

[samve33]

Oh, not likely I'll get over the trees without a 75 foot tower and the airport might not be too happy with that. They would probably want a light on top.

[samve33]

Well, the HBU55 never came back. Atlanta is 0%, Chattanooga is weak. Is is atmospheric or an antenna malfunction? I'm wondering about a malfunction. When I rotate the antenna there is little change in the signal. The tv is on 61 now. I picked it up with the antenna pointing to Atlanta at 35% and rotated the antenna to Chattanooga and the signal was 35% all the way around. Could I be picking up on the coax and not the antenna? When I was putting up the HD7698P I had a couple of the coax connectors to just fall off. Did this happen to the HBU55 after I pur it up?

[signals unlimited]

If I were you I would call an installer!

[signals unlimited]

Be sure that the installer has a field strength meter. All you need is one well tuned good antenna with a good pre-amplifier, on a rotor.

[samve33]

Sorry, this is DIY. I believe the HBU55 is DOA. About to try to get the HD7698P tuned in. Have to use it until I can get it back down. Those were new cables with factory ends.

[samve33]

Ok. Call me stupid. I deserve it! I thought I had put this nice, new cable with these real nice weatherproof ends on the HD7698P. Oh no! I put it on the HBU55. I was probably thinking those nice weatherproof ends would give less trouble so I stuck it on the one I couldn't reach. The HBU55 is fine. No wonder I couldn't get the other one tuned either. That was DUMB!

[samve33]

Now that I'm actually watching the antenna that I'm moving all is working well. No wonder when I turned the rotor it made no difference. I was hooked up to the one that wasn't moving. Let me check it out over the next day or two and see what I've got.

[Dave Loudin]

Hey, it's OK. At least you found out what was going on before taking anything apart. Having a chance to talk through the problem is always worth it.

[samve33]

It had more than once crossed my mind that I had the wrong cable and I had check, but I had thought I had put the HD7698P on that new one. I should had realized it when I mentioned about that connector falling off. The connector on that new cable isn't likely to fall off. I was switching the cables at the grounding block because I hadn't ran the second cable at the time. That's when I got crossed up. I think I'll need to aim the HD7698P just a little more. I've got a few jobs I need to get to first, so it might be a few days before I can get to it. Think I'll add a second set of guy lines too, don't really like the way the mast feels in the middle.

[samve33]

Things aren't too shabby. I can get 24 transmitters which gives me 69 channels. 47 channels are reliable or 18 transmitters. With the height difference between the 2 antennas each is able to get channels the other can't. Some of the channels that aren't reliable now used to be with the antenna mounted lower. My guess is this is mostly because of the trees. Call me crazy if you like but I'm considering a third antenna to get those other channels back. Someone offered me a free one today. I'll take a gander at it and think it over. The mast is supported very well now and could hold a third one. First I'm going to look at the tree situation some more and see if I can poke some more holes through them. Can't do much with the pines but I might be able to do something with the leafy trees to the north of me. Maybe enough to eliminate the need for a third antenna. The signals are there, just got to get them.

[Electron]

More antenna height. http://www.ronard.com/Tripods%200703/4712.html , http://www.ronard.com. Buy ronard mounts at solidsignal by typing the word ronard in the solidsignal search box or buy from ronard. http://www.solidsignal.com.

Here are Light Weight Aluminum Towers the Lay Over , Do antenna installation and adjustments standing on the ground. http://www.palcoelectronics.com/pe300.aspx

[samve33]

I agree, height is what I need. I've got 50-60 foot pines around me and a tower is exactly what I need. You're going to set your satchel down for one. I think it would be difficult to get the heigth I need with a roofmount, still need about a 50 foot mast. Had a hard enough time with what I've got. I'm going to have to study this closer. For the moment shoting through the trees is my most practical option. Bet my reception will be great in the winter!

[samve33]

What kind of restrictions would there be for somone about 1/4 mile from airport property?

[GroundUrMast]

What kind of restrictions would there be for somone about 1/4 mile from airport property?

https://oeaaa.faa.gov/oeaaa/external/portal.jsp

[Electron]

Amateur radio operators and places that sell amateur radio equipment can put you in contact with a operator and or tower installer that will have answers and will most likley come to your place and you and him/her can size up the situation.

[samve33]

I've been studying the situation this morning and I think I can clear-up WAGA and some other Atlanta stations by taking out a few small trees and some limbs. Chattanooga is going to be a little different. I see a good bit of sky under some pines in that direction but I'll need to go lower to get under them which then gets me into some smaller trees closer to the house. I have no problem taking those out but I've got to get with the people next door first as they are very close to the property line. Not sure whose side their on. Think ours. Barring that I might be able to relocate one of the antennas to get around them. Let me work with this before I consider spending a couple thousand bucks to get over the trees.

[Electron]

WAGA-DT Real UHF Channel 27 FOX is Very Weak at minus -15.7 NM(dB).

Yes sometimes shooting under the trees can work. You are thinking fast and catching on quick , it gets ya to thinking about angles of reception , how strong the station is and etc.
So if it does or does not work , it is the fun of trying and learning . Also contact a Tv DXer , Tv Dxing is a popular hobby and a DXer can help you with the tower and antenna height situations.

[samve33]

I'e been busting my buns lately and haven't had time for the antenna situation. I took some time off today and cleared out the smaller trees. Those limbs I was looking at are a good bit higher than they looked from the sundeck. I decided I'll take that whole tree down. Got to get another saw first. My rinky-dink saw won't handle that big mama. BUT, what I did clear out today has been a big improvement. I think WAGA will be a reliable channel when I get done. Got a good signal now til the wind blows and then it breaks up. I'm shooting through a small hole in the limbs of that big tree. Never realized how much of a pain those leaves could be. Still on hold for the northern direction. Waiting to see what the people next door have to say. Thinking about relocating an anteena on that one. SLOWLY making progress.

[samve33]

There was a station I picked up one day and one day only that had 10 channels which some of them looked good. Since that day I haven't got a hint of it. I don't know where this station came from as the list doesn't show it. Channel 26.1 is labeled News 24. Is this something that skipped in and back out or is there any chance of getting it on a reliable basis? If I can get it where should I look for it?

[samve33]

It took me some digging but I found it. It's WTBS out of Atlanta. Looks pretty weak at 15kw. Doubt I'll be able to get that reliably. I did try it as an analog channel too with no luck. Too bad, I had hoped to get TBS.

[samve33]

I think I've got a pretty good idea of what I've got now. I have or have picked up a total of 73 channels and except for the 10 TBS channels the rest are reliable except for a handful and I expect to have those handful reliable once I get the trees or relocation done. I've had the others reliable at one point or another but by trying to get other channels those few became unreliable. So, I should end up with 63 reliable channels. After blocking out channels that we have no interest in and duplicate channels and spanish and so forth that left me with about 35 channels. Of these 35 I expect to use about 23 of them often. Probably as much or more than I used on cable. My job now is to get those last few reliable. Don't think I could had done this well without your help. Thanks for all of your advice.