OTA in SF East Bay

[thewuzimu]

Hi, all. I recently cut the cord with DirecTV and I'm hoping to get some advice. Here is my Signal analysis: http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...c84f7790b2b333

We have an indoor Leaf antenna (non-amplified), but cannot find a place to receive all networks--when NBC comes in we lose Fox, and we have the most problems with ABC. Then, when we find a place which gets all channels, we eventually lose some again within a day or so.

Would getting the amplified version of the Leaf, or a different antenna altogether help, or is this just a case of finding the right spot? What about a signal booster?

Any help/advice would be appreciated.

Is this a , house , town home , condo , apartment , mobile home , motor home , or etc. ??

What floor??

What is the top floor??

What directions do the , windows , patios , balconies , face??

How many Tv's are/will be connected??

[thewuzimu]

Sorry for not being specific enough:

It is a single-story house and the closest windows to the (only) TV face south.

For reliable reception of Many Digital Tv Stations/Channels , above the roof in such a manner the roof and house do not block reception to the , west , north west , north east , south east.

Install a Winegard HD7000R antenna aimed at about 260 degree magnetic compass direction,
Here is how to aim antennas , http://www.kyes.com/antennas/pointing/pointing.html.

The HD7000R antenna does have some forward antenna gain and also receives to the , front angles and back and back angles of the HD7000R antenna to the Tv transmitters directions.

Here are some above the roof antenna mounts , http://www.ronard.com , http://www.ronard.com/909911.html , http://www.ronard.com/ychim.html , http://www.ronard.com/34424560.html if using the eave mount use the #4560.

Buy the ronard antenna mounts at solidsignal by typing the word ronard in the solidsignal search box or buy from ronard.

Can also use a Winegard DS3000 , J pole type antenna mount.

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

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No preamplifier is required.

For 1 Tv connected use no splitter.

For 2 Tv's connected use a simple common 2 way splitter.

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As always , trees and tree leaves do a good job of , reflecting , reducing , blocking , Digital Tv reception and so do buildings and other obstructions including your own roof and house.

It is best to install the HD7000r antenna at a location that has the least amount to no amount of obstructions of any type or kind in the directions of reception including your own roof and house.

The Tv/s Must Channel Scan for the Digital Broadcast Tv Channels , often nemed the 'Air Channels' or ' Antenna Channels' in the Tv setup menu because the Tv transmissions travel through the air from the transmitting antenna to the receiving antenna.

Some Digital Tv's automatic channel scan for cable tv channels.

Go into the Tv menu and select the 'Air Channels' / 'Antenna Channels'.

DO NOT channel scan for cable tv channels.

[thewuzimu]

Thank you for the reply.

What about indoor antennas?

[ADTech]

Indoor reception, especially when the signal path involves your being behind one or more hills, is going to be hit or miss, at best.

The Leaf and other small, compact antennas are too small electrically to be effective receivers of VHF signals. VHF signals on channels 7 through 13 usually require an antenna that's around 26-34 inches in width for the most effective reception. For an indoor antenna, that usually means "rabbit ears" as the most cost-effective reception element.

Please note that there are no operational TV station in San Francisco that are using channels 2 through 6, so using an all channel antenna won't get you anything different than will a 7-51 antenna.

Indoor Is Not a reception friendly environment and Never Will Be a reception friendly environment.

The best building construction for indoor reception is , wood with wood or vinyl siding.

The following is a - Non Complete List - of building construction that will further , reflect , reduce , block , Tv reception.

Stucko Wire , metal siding , metal backed insulation , metal roof , metal doors , metal beams , metal HVAC , solar panels , concrete , concrete blocks , concrete tile roof , bricks , rocks , and etc. .
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For indoor Tv antenna use a Terk HDTVi (not HDTVa) indoor type antenna aimed at about 260 degree magnetic compass direction , here is how to aim indoor type antennas , http://www.kyes.com/antenna/pointing/pointing.html.

If reception is not so good with indoor type antenna inside the building , move the HDTVi antenna to a window on the west side of the building.

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

[thewuzimu]

Thank you all so much for your expertise.

KTFK-DT , K14MW-D , KTVJ , have applications to transmit on the VHF low band channels 2 thru 6.

The HD7000R is a Small All channel antenna that receives ,

VHF low band channels 2 thru 6.

VHF high band channels 7 thru 13.

UHF band channels 14 thru 51.

Buy a All channel antenna now or buy one later , it is your choice.

The cost of the HD7000R antenna is less then a antenna that is designed for channels 7 thru 51.

Here is a antenna that is designed to receive channels 7 thru 51 , the ANT751.