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Old 4-Sep-2014, 5:29 PM   #1
bigdipofcope
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Antenna help

My report is here: http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...d243920e13678e

According to this I should pick up WJZY with ease, and I can pick it up, but it will break up at times. I have a Lava HD 2805 Antenna mounted on my roof. I do have a break in the cable where I used the existing cable under the house. Would that affect the signal that much? Also, the direction I point the antenna (SE) to try to pick up WJZY has a couple of tall trees about 50 yards away in my neighbor's yard. Another factor that I can think of is my roof. I have a split level and the antenna is on the lower level next to the chimney. I have it on a mast, but I'm still not too sure its higher than the upper level of my roof which is also the direction I am pointing it. The problem is if I mount it on the upper level, not only do I get closer to the trees, I get further away from the TV and thus have to use a longer cable (which I've read is not good). My questions are 1) what should I do to get better reception and 2) How long is too long when it comes to the cable getting to the control box.

Thanks!
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Old 4-Sep-2014, 6:25 PM   #2
GroundUrMast
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I would not have suggested the LAVA due to the widely reported quality issues, unbelievable ad claims re. 150 mile range and the built-in amplifier which may be overloading or generating harmonic interference.

To be fair, trees are a significant problem that can be troublesome when even the highest quality antenna is selected. Aiming through structures including your own causes plenty of reliability issues as well. If a chainsaw or dozer is not an option, you're left with mounting location and height as your tools to overcome the challenge.

Coax that has been wet, or physically damaged can produce trouble that seems to effect some, but not all channels. Loose or corroded contacts in connectors can be hard to spot, so substituting a known good cable is often the easiest and least expensive diagnostic method.

If I was starting from scratch, I'd make every reasonable effort to avoid aiming through tress and structures. I'd start by selecting a non-amplified antenna such as the RCA ANT-751R. I'd test reception with it, a 50' piece of new coax and one TV. From there I could determine if a secondary antenna or other solution was needed. (I prefer to avoid rotators. I have more than one TV in the house so I would like to avoid making one viewer loose there signal when the antenna turns.)
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If the well is dry and you don't see rain on the horizon, you'll need to dig the hole deeper. (If the antenna can't get the job done, an amp won't fix it.)

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Old 5-Sep-2014, 4:04 PM   #3
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Above the Peak of the Roof in such a manner that reception is not , obstructed , impeded , blocked , by the , attic , roof , building , in all directions.

Install a.

http://www.antennacraft.net.

HBU33 antenna.

Aim the HBU33 antenna at about 186 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 , do not trust a , cell phone , tablet and etc. compass.

To assist the best reception , most Digital Tv's have a Signal Strength Meter and some Digital Tv's also have a Signal Strength Meter.

As always , the antenna location can be adjusted for best reception.

As always , the antenna aim can be adjusted for best reception.

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Avoid aiming the antenna into trees and other obstructions in the directions of reception.

The Best Practice for Reliable Reception , is to install the antenna at a location that is not , obstructed , impeded , blocked , by trees and other obstructions of any type or kind including your own , attic , roof , building , in the directions of reception.

The Main groups of Tv stations are to the , South South East , South , South West , West , North West.

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Here are some and not all above the roof antenna mounts.

http://www.ronard.com/909911.html. Install the , 3 foot or 5 foot , tripod antenna mount.

http://www.ronard.com/712.html. Install the , ronard(712-50-10) , 10 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 excellent antenna mast/pipe. The price is low at about 12 dollars.

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A antenna system amplifier will most likely not be required for , 1 , 2 , 3 , Tv's connected.

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Replace outside coax with NEW RG-6 Coax that has the Compression type connectors on the ends of the coax to keep weather/water out of connections and coax.

Do not use coax that has the old type crimp type connectors on the ends of the coax.

Remove and discard coax boots , coax boots take in and hold water at connections. Holding water at connections is not good.

To make double sure that weather/water does not get in to , connections , coax , and the matching transformer (balun) connected to the antenna , wrap with.

http://www.coaxseal.com.
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