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Old 25-Mar-2015, 12:12 AM   #1
funlovintv
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 1
Antenna Help Near Hartford Connecticut

Hi folks,

Here is my TV fool report: http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...f1f09acfcec268

Here is a rundown of the channels I have success and issues with (it's a screenshot of a spreadsheet): http://s7.postimg.org/h7g0enf3f/Channels.jpg or if that doesn't work, http://postimg.org/image/uocyxipev/

My TV is located in our family room against a wall which is shared with our garage. The antenna is mounted on the wall of the garage about 7 feet off the ground. I am currently using an AmazonBasics 50-mile ultra-thin antenna. It comes with a built-in powered amplifier, which helps. (Previously used an Amazon Basics 35-mile unamplified ultra-thin antenna but I had reception problems.) Anyway, the flat sides of the antenna face generally north and south.

The wiring is simply the antenna's built-in coax to a wall plate connector, and then from the wall plate connector to the TV. The wall plate and coax from wall plate to the TV were provided by my old cable company about two years ago (the brand of the cable and plate is "brightwire", the cable is labeled 9900963... but in any case that run is only about 3 feet of cable.)

I could theoretically mount the antenna in my garage's attic which could be perhaps 9 to 10 feet off the ground.

A note about my house... it's a split level with the front door and garage doors facing approximately north. The garage is on the east side of the house. From the TV Fool plot, it appears as though most of the relevant channels are coming from the west. This means that signals will have to pass through all of the house before making it to the garage. Even the garage's attic is blocked by the rest of the house. Unfortunately, due to the layout of the house, I don't have access to any other attic space aside from the garage, and a roof-mounted antenna is out of the question if I want to keep the wifey happy (which I do).

I'm open either to alternate ways to mount my antenna OR a better antenna so that I get the best signal possible for the channels that are important to me.

Many thanks,
FunLovinTV
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Old 21-Apr-2015, 1:45 PM   #2
StephanieS
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Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 442
Greetings,

Apologies about no one chiming in on your post. Let's see if we can dial your situation in.

Generally, the Amazon basics antenna is not ideal. If you have the amplified version, it is even less ideal. The problem with this type of design is that one, it's primarily UHF. You have VHF signals in your market, thus making this antenna inappropriate. Second, the Amazon Basics compensates for its lack of gain by amplifying the signals it receives. Normally, a traditional TV aerial uses gain to gather the signal as much as possible. This is done via elements and the antenna itself. The Amazon Basics has no gain so therefore it "cheats" to make the signal stronger electronically. The result is that you are amplifying a weak signal that is marginal. The result is you have plenty of signal in the coax but you are amplifying a crappy signal, thus the signal still breaks up.

In short, toss (or return) the Amazon Basics. Further, indoor or attic antennas are something that generally aren't favored. Television signals work best when you aren't asking them to go through walls and overcome household electrical interference. Good clean signal reception starts at an antenna that is outside and has a line of sight to the transmitters you want to receive. From there, getting that clean signal indoors is your goal.

Now that I've picked on the Amazon Basics, the good news is that your reception plot is fantastic. You have plenty of excellent signal available for your local affiliates.

If I were you with this report, I would purchase an Antennacraft HBU11k. This is a smaller footprint antenna that comes with a J-Pole style mount similiar to the type that you see satellite dishes on. Mount on the side of your home, eave or roof to where the antenna has a clear shot to the WSW (magnetic 260). With your level of signal, this antenna ought to be more than enough for you. If WGGB is a goal, play around with your aiming. Orientate closer to the N to see if you can find a sweet spot that all signals come in at. I recommended magnetic 260 as to split your strong signals. (Splitting is when you 'split the distance' between two towers of different headings)

How many TVs do you want to feed?

Cheers.

Last edited by StephanieS; 21-Apr-2015 at 1:52 PM.
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