High VHF problem
 

Hi there-

Hoping someone can help me. First, here's our TVFool report:

http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...46ae9379d62802

As you can see, we live in the NYC area (central NJ) and should have line-of-sight reception for most stations. I installed a Winegard HD7694P High Definition VHF/UHF Antenna matched with a RadioShack® High-Gain HDTV-FM Signal Amplifier (Model: 15-259). It is mast-mounted at the top of a gable, appox 25 feet AGL and the cable run is well below 100 feet.

TV model is an LG 37LK450 37-Inch 1080p 60 Hz LCD HDTV.

We used the TVFool report to position the antenna directionally (using a compass, of course). After a bunch of reading sounds I think I have what seems like a High-VHF reception problem.

We are near some high-voltage transmission lines (maybe 200 yards away), in case this info is helpful in that interference could be a problem.

Someone in one of the threads here indicated adding a second antenna, an Antennacraft Y5713 High VHF antenna. Anyone think this would help?

I greatly appreciate any insight anyone could provide!

Have you tried removing the amplifier and it's power supply? The stronger signals should do quite well without it, and if overloading, it may be making reception worse, not better.

What stations are giving your trouble? (call sign & real CH-#)

Sure have. Didn't help.

Here are the channels we should get but aren't:

WABC Ch7
WNJB Ch8
WBPH Ch 9
WNXY Ch 10
WPIX Ch 11
WHYY Ch 12
WNET Ch 13

Thanks much!

If you are not getting ANY high-VHF, then you've probably got a problem in one of the following:

Antenna incorrectly assemble or bad balun.
Defective coaxial cable.
Defective tuner in TV.
Electrical/electronic noise interference.

Start simply. Try a basic set of rabbit ears connected directly to the TV and run a scan. If still nothing is received, that rules out the first two items.

Try the rabbit ears on a different TV set or converter box. If still nothing, that likely rules out the third item and leaves you with the probability of interference/noise being the issue.

OK, tried those things ....
 

Thanks folks! Forgive the tardy follow-up, I've been traveling.

I have tried basic rabbit ears, and that didn't work.

By moving the TV to a diff area of the house, I have cut down cable run considerably. That helped me pick up many more channels but I'm still missing 7-13 ... EXCEPT for 9.1 and 9.2.

I should note: I thought perhaps the antenna's board went bad, so I replaced it. It had no impact on the problem. I have also tried re-locating the antenna to multiple points with no result on ther 7-13 HighVHF problem.

So ... do you all think at this point I should try a specialized High VHF antenna? Or, something else?

Channels 9.1 & 9.2 are not VHF, that's a UHF station operating on channel 38.

Based on my previous post, that leaves you with a probable case of interference.

OK - so if it is interference, what can I do about it?

Short answer: Find and eliminate the source of interference.

Long answer: Could take a whole book. This one's a bit dated but still useful: http://www.fcc.gov/ftp/Bureaus/Mass....ook.pdf‎

Also, see http://www.fcc.gov/guides/interference-defining-source

Unfortunately, unless you can get a spectrum analyzer and someone to operate it, there aren't too many other options.

Wish it were easier.

At a minimum, a tuner and portable antenna that has some directional capability is enough test equipment to begin looking for locations that have more or less reception or impairments. Your sleuthing skills will need to be used...