Hey guys looking for recommendations
 

Hey guys, we solved my daughters problem now let's try mine.
I am 45 miles north of the madison wi transmitters and have occasional drop outs and pixilation mainly when it is windy.
I have trees 50 feet from the antenna and terrain about 10 miles away that prevents line of site to the stations.

http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...e2cbe4cc6c2618

I modified my combo antenna by cutting off the VHF portion and kept the yagi part. I am using a channel master 7777 amp and normally have awesome reception.
The problem comes when it is windy in the summer and the trees move around and then the drop outs seem too occur. I thought it might be cell phone interference because there is a tower 1/8 mile away so I grounded the mast and coax shielding to a 5 foot copper rod.
The mast is secured with guy wires and doesn't move in the wind.

Is there a better antenna I can use to keep the solid signal when the wind blows?

Thanks in advance,
Dan

The combination of non-LOS (weak UHF), trees, wet and/or windy weather are common reasons for reception failure. Replacing the antenna can only offer a small margin for improvement. Replacing the antenna's signal path with one not conducive to signal interruption is what's actually required if you want to ensure reliable reception.

Here are three ideas, all guaranteed to work, nothing else has that guarantee.

http://stewartsequip.com/wp-content/...90-300x101.jpg

http://www.carsbase.com/photo/Caterp...spic_64585.jpg

http://kc8ovz.com/Madison%20Tower/DSC02774-2.JPG

ADTech, thanks for the reply.
I happen to have that exact model Stihl chainsaw.
Not sure if I want to give up the summer shade for an occasional drop out.

Would one of the flat type antennas yield and better reception?
Like the Gray-Hoverman or an eight bay whisker type.

Thanks,
Dan

Problem is not the antenna, the signal getting to it is. Bigger antenna will get you more gain, but it will still have drop outs in summer wind.

That's why I went with two towers, was because I have a 200 yr old maple dead center in the yard and didn't have the heart to cut it down.

I do like ADTech's #3 solution, though. Maybe someday.

Based on my experience, and I've spent a LOT of time and effort trying to "fix" tree problems, I've concluded that it's going to be pot luck. I've not had any particular level of greater or lesser success when changing types of antennas. Usually, a simple movement of the antenna will "fix" a problem channel temporarily but it often breaks a different one now or when the trees grow or the wind blows from a different direction, etc.

I have the same chainsaw (MS290) but usually use my bigger MS361 w/28" bar for most jobs now.

Stereo Craig, I feel the same way. I like my shade in the summer and I for one believe that trees are beautiful along with the fresh air that they provide. Therefore, I installed my own unorthodox rooftop tower. I still have reservations about it. ;)