Need help with antenna
 

I need help with an antenna. I bought a channel master CM-3010HD STEALTHtenna 50 and it's working good for most of my locals except CBS. I get pixelation and complete signal loss from time to time. I am splitting the signal to two tv's and I'm using a PCT-MA2-4P AMP.

Here's my signal analysis. http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...e6a4a6bf1b8d1d

Thanks for any help you can provide.

Welcome, gaw

With signals that strong you shouldn't need an amp, just as passive splitter.

Where is the antenna located?

How long are the coax runs?

Any trees or buildings in the signal path from the east?

Antenna is in the attic.

Coax runs are 50'

Yes...there are some trees that might be in the direct path.

Just curious why ABC & NBC never pixelate or lose signal?

Attics can be problematic reception environments... Even if there is no metal in the roofing materials or insulation, there will be some signal attenuation and reflections that would be avoided if the antenna was outside. Trees are notorious for causing rapid changes in signal level whenever the wind moves it's limbs or leaves so if possible, avoid aiming through them. (If there is metal in the roofing or insulation, it's not likely that you'll be able to ever get reliable reception from inside the attic.)

I would suggest you try an experiment; Try placing the antenna outside (preferably at or near the roof peak) starting in a location that has the least obstruction due to trees and buildings. For this test, use no amplifier or splitter, just a single piece of coax to one TV set. Once you have a reliable signal to work with in this configuration, you can decide how to get it to each TV...

Try moving the antenna around and try several different spots. A movement of as little as 6" might be all it takes. Or it might take 6'.... or 16'. One never knows, patience and persistence are required. The amplifier should not be needed but its unlikely to be causing your particular station to have dropouts.

Attics can harbor seemingly random "dead spots" that can affect single channels. I see it seemingly every day.

The signal path for CBS is different, because its transmitter is in a different location.

http://forum.tvfool.com/attachment.p...1&d=1489763344

I've run into the exact issue even when the problem transmitter is on the same tower and even when it emanates from the same antenna as a station that is not having problems. Every frequency is affected differently ever-so-slightly by impairments in a given path.

The final few hundred (or dozen) feet can make or break reception. It's usually a mistake to assume that ALL of the incoming signals will arrive perfectly in the particular spot that looked convenient for the placement of a receiving antenna.

So you think my current antenna is ok and just try moving it around? The thing is...I cannot have the antenna outside...must be in the attic.

Why?

Continue trying different locations in the attic for your antenna as suggested above.

If that doesn't work, you can upgrade your antenna to one that is more directional to reject multipath reflections in the attic, but I can't guarantee that it will solve the problem. I suggest the Antennas Direct DB4e. It is primarily a UHF antenna; if it doesn't pick up WFAA ABC, you will need to add a VHF-High antenna like the MCM 30-2475 and combine it with the DB4e using a UVSJ UHF/VHF combiner.
http://www.mcmelectronics.com/produc...-2475-/30-2475

https://www.antennasdirect.com/store...Combiners.html

https://mjsales.net/products/tru-spe...ant=1198505857

If that doesn't work, you will have to go outside or give up.

Can you show us a photo of what the antenna "sees" (like the trees) when it is aimed east?

As rabbit73 already asked, Why?

The FCC has rules in place that protect your right to install and use an antenna for over the air television reception. https://www.fcc.gov/media/over-air-r...n-devices-rule