Reception in and out…

[jcrock88]

Here is my report:http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...e1c6a023dbc181

I just purchased a Amazon Basics High Performance Indoor Antenna. It is supposed to cover about 35 miles. All I really want is ABC, CBS, NBC, and FOX. I only have it about 7 feet off the ground and I've tried moving it around but nothing stable. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!!

[stvcmty]

Have you contacted Amazon’s tech support? When did you buy the antenna, maybe they will let you return it. The Amazon Basics High Performance Indoor Antenna you have has little chance of ever getting ABC. With channels on RF 2 and RF 6, that antenna is a very poor choice for the Philadelphia market.

Do you live in a single family house, an apartment, a condo, a town house? Do you rent or do you own?

Assuming you own your house, to reliably get reception of ABC, CBS, NBC, and FOX, the smallest I would consider would be an Antenna Craft HD1200 mounted on the roof pointed at 253 degrees true. The winegard HD7084P is only a little longer but it offers more gain.

[jcrock88]

Thank you for replying. I live in a single home that we own.

I literally just got it. I was going by the report, but admittedly I didn't understand all of it. It seemed to say I could get away with a indoor antenna.

Is there ANY option for an indoor antenna that you think would work? I wanted to have this working by tonight so I could watch the eagles haha. It seems that FOX is the one channel giving me the biggest headache so far.

I guess a directional instead of multi directional wouldn't help much?

[Tower Guy]

The poor reception of FOX suggests that most indoor antennas won't work well for you. The one indoor antenna that might work is the Terk HDTVI. Otherwise an attic install 5884 Antennacraft or roof mounted AC9 will work.

[StephanieS]

Greetings,

Indoors antennas are only an option in the strong signal areas. You have good strength of signal, however as it has been pointed out, your instability of reception with the current indoor antenna does not bode well. Secondly, also as has been pointed out ABC and MeTV broadcast on L-VHF which your antenna does not support. Philadelphia requires an all band antenna for full network coverage.

This disqualifies you from the smaller compact outdoor antennas like the RCA ANT751 or the HBU11. They are designed for channels 7-51. You need channels 2-51 which means larger antenna.

The good news is that you don't need one of the old 16 foot long channel master behemoths. An Antennacraft 5884 all band VHF/UHF antenna ought to serve you well. It is just under 5' long and is a suburban application all band VHF/UHF antenna. Its size is due to the larger elements needed for channels 2 - 6 support.

http://www.antennacraft.net/pdfs/5884.pdf

This antenna has a lovely wide "net" of receiving off the front. Pointing at about magnetic 225 (SW) I'd expect the majority of Philadelphia's broadcasts down to WFMZ at 22 db signal strength. You may do better, however if I were installing, this would be my baseline.

A chimney mount would be ideal due to the antenna's physical size. Make sure to mount free of obstructions and trees if possible. Trees are bad business for television signals. Even with the best antenna, trees or obstructions and reduce your reception to unreliable due to poor signal availability at the antenna.

How many TVs do you intend to serve?

Lastly, I'd return the amazon antenna. It is the wrong type of antenna for the Philadelphia market.

Cheers.

Originally Posted by jcrock88

Thank you for replying. I live in a single home that we own.

I literally just got it. I was going by the report, but admittedly I didn't understand all of it. It seemed to say I could get away with a indoor antenna.

Is there ANY option for an indoor antenna that you think would work? I wanted to have this working by tonight so I could watch the eagles haha. It seems that FOX is the one channel giving me the biggest headache so far.

I guess a directional instead of multi directional wouldn't help much?

[Ben Myers]

Originally Posted by jcrock88

Here is my report:http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...e1c6a023dbc181

I just purchased a Amazon Basics High Performance Indoor Antenna. It is supposed to cover about 35 miles. All I really want is ABC, CBS, NBC, and FOX. I only have it about 7 feet off the ground and I've tried moving it around but nothing stable. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!!

The instability may be caused by your proximity to the antenna. Try moving the antenna as far away from viewers as possible. You might even try putting it on the floor, or if that doesn't work, on top of a high shelf.

Ben

+=>

Antenna system #1.

A simple antenna setup that will provide good reception.

Install a.

http://www.antennacraft.net.

AC9 antenna.

Above the Peak of the Roof in such a manner that reception is not , obstructed , impeded , blocked , by the , attic , roof , building , in the directions of , West , South South West , South , North East , North West.

Aim the AC9 antenna at about 225 degree magnetic compass direction.

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Here is how to aim antennas , http://www.kyes.com/antenna/pointing/pointing.html.

Use a Real and Actual magnetic compass to aim antenna/s , do not trust a , cell phone , tablet and etc. compass.

Most Digital Tv's have a Signal Strength Meter and some Digital Tv's also have a Signal Quality Meter.

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Antenna system #2.

A improved antennas setup for better reception.

Do not install the AC9 antenna.

In place of the AC9 antenna.

Install a , Antennas Direct DB8e , current UHF channels 14 thru 51 antenna.

Aim 1 panel at about 265 degree magnetic compass direction.

Aim the other panel at about 190 degree magnetic compass direction.

And

About 3 feet below the DB8e antenna on the same antenna mast install a.

http://www.antennacraft.net.

CS600 , VHF channels 2 thru 6 antenna.

Aim the CS600 antenna at about , 225 degree magnetic compass direction.

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Combine the DB8e UHF antenna and CS600 VHF antenna with a.

UVSJ= UHF/VHF - Separator/Joiner.

#EU385CF.

http://www.amazon.com/Antennas-Direc...n/dp/B008PBTPN.

Connect the DB8e UHF antenna to the UHF connection of the UVSJ.

Connect the CS600 VHF antenna to the VHF connection of the UVSJ.

The remaining connection of the UVSJ , a coax goes out to the Tv/s.


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As a Test.

Antenna systems 1 and 2 can be Tested reception with a , Winegard ,

LNA100 Boost , antenna system amplifier connected and not connected.

http://www.amazon.com.

If only 1 Tv is connected Do Not use a splitter.

If more then 1 Tv is connected.

The amplifier will be connected -->Before<-- any splitter.


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Here are some Above the Peak of the Roof antenna mounts.

http://www.ronard.com/909911.html. Install the , ronard(911) , 5 foot tripod antenna mount.

http://www.ronard.com/34424560.html. Install the , ronard(4560) , eave antenna mount.

http://www.ronard.com/ychim.html. Measure around the chimney and use a , ronard(2212) , ronard(2218) , ronard(2224) .

http://www.ronard.com.

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Home Depot has , 10 foot 6 inch length , 1 and 3/8 inch diameter , TOP RAIL , chain link fence , PIPE , that makes good antenna mast/pipe , the price is low at about 12 dollars.


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Also Know this.

As always , trees and tree leaves , plants and plant leaves , have a Negative Effect on Broadcast Tv Reception and so do buildings and other obstructions including your own , attic , roof , building , in the directions of reception.

Some and not all Negative Effects are.

Absorbing and Blocking Reception.

Multi-Path Reflecting Tv Signals Bouncing All Around.

The Best Practice is to install the antenna/s at a location that has the least amount to no amount of obstructions in the directions of reception including your own , attic , roof , building , in the directions of reception.

At your reception location the directions of reception are , West , South South West , South , North East , North West.

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If the Tv antenna/s need to be installed at a location that provides better unobstructed reception in the directions of reception , that is not above the roof of the building , then might have to install the antenna/s at a better location.

Yes it is Ok to Test reception above the roof of the building first.