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Old 18-Dec-2012, 3:08 AM   #1
ALXFreeTV
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Join Date: Dec 2012
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Maximizer in Virginia

Hi Forum,

I live in an older two-story apartment with trees and other apartments as signal obstacles. I purchased a Mohu Leaf (non-amplified) antenna as an alternative to the Radio Shack rabbit ears that did not work. The Leaf worked great when I held it while standing to the side of my television (a few feet away from my south-facing window). When placed directly up against the window no channels were visible. I could tuck the leaf onto the bookshelf to the side of the TV and get most of the networks but it did not pick up PBS and at all. That channel, along with the basic networks, is a must have. I don’t feel like moving the TV to the dining area so it is closer to the north window—it would be sort of a pain and there are large trees outside. Also, my television is analog so I have the converter box from Mohu that worked well (I kept the converter box and returned the Leaf). I am not sure what happened with the Radio Shack gear but I did not even get a picture.

I am frustrated with buying stuff and want to ditch the cable already. I don’t want to move the TV closer to the south window but that may be the next best option. I am thinking I should have kept the Leaf and changed the furniture layout. I was thinking of getting the amplified Leaf Plus but that is no longer and option on the website. The only other choice now is the Leaf Ultimate and I don’t even know if I should spend $89 instead of $39 to get this working. I am a maximizer (Paradox of Choice) and am trying to find the best deal that works, but now it has become paralysis by analysis. I am now considering buying one or two from the antenna quick reference and trying them all at once. Any thoughts? All suggestions appreciated.

Here is the link to my TVFool report: http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...cc49404bc8464c
Thanks in advance
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Old 18-Dec-2012, 8:26 AM   #2
GroundUrMast
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The best antenna location would be one with an unobstructed view to the north. From your description, I gather you have a north facing window but it's not as convenient to use as an antenna mounting location...?

For those limited to indoor antennas, I often suggest the Terk HDTVi (not HDTVa) which supports both UHF and VHF reception. The UHF section of the antenna has a bit more directivity than most other indoor antennas, making it capable of reducing the effects of signal reflections (multipath interference) to a limited degree. Reliable reception of DTV signals is more an issue of signal quality than strength. Amplifiers will not fix a signal that has been distorted by reflections off of buildings or passing through vegetation.

(Amplifiers and well pumps are analogous in a way; If you were seeking clean drinking water, you would not expect a high pressure pump to make dirty water from a ditch drinkable... just high pressure dirty water... you would dig a well deep enough to get clean, clear water... the pump's job is to push the water through the pipe to the faucet. So likewise, an amplifiers job is to push signal through coax and splitters... but you have to give the amplifier a signal worth 'pushing' to begin with.)

http://www.amazon.com/Terk-Technolog.../dp/B0001FV36E

Is it possible to place the antenna at the north window and extend the cable to the desired location for the TV? Local big box home centers and electronics stores have the parts in stock.

http://www.homedepot.com/Electrical-...1#.UNA0-qw4R74
http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/cata...ll#/?c=1&lo=lo

http://www.radioshack.com/product/in...ductId=2103648
http://www.radioshack.com/family/ind...w=Coax%20cable

Last edited by GroundUrMast; 18-Dec-2012 at 8:36 AM.
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Old 18-Dec-2012, 5:04 PM   #3
teleview
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The tvfool radar plot report shows that the Main groups of Digital Broadcast Tv stations are to the north.

With No Tv stations to the south.

Tv antennas receive better when nothing is in the way of reception.

Is there a window or patio/balcony window to the north??

If so , put a Terk HDTVi (not the HDTVa) at the window or at the patio/balcony window.

And run a Looong coax to the Tv.

Aim the antenna north , here is how to aim indoor and outdoor antennas , http://www.kyes.com/antenna/pointing/pointing.html

_______________________________________________

What directions do the apartment windows face??

What directions do the patios/balconies face??

_______________________________________________

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

______________________________________________

The least obstructive building construction for reception of Digital Broadcast Tv is , wood with wood or vinyl siding and composition single roof.

The following is a - non complete - list building constructions that will further reduce or block Digital Broadcast Tv reception.

Concrete , concrete blocks , bricks , big rocks for walls , metal siding , metal roof , solar panels , metal backed insulation , stucko Wire , and etc. .

As always trees and tree leaves do a real fine job of reducing or blocking Digital Broadcast Tv reception and so do buildings and other obstructions including the apartment building.

It is best to install antennas at a location that has the least amount to no amount of obstructions of any type or kind in the directions of reception including the apartment building.

The Tv must Channel Scan for the Digital Broadcast Tv Channels , sometimes named the 'Air Channels' or 'Antenna Channels' in the Tv setup menu because the Digital Tv transmissions travel through the air from the transmitting antenna to the receiving antenna.

Digital Tv tuners can develop - Digital Glitches - that are not cleared out with a simple channel scan.

Do a Double Channel Scan.

http://www.fcc.gov/rescan.html.

_________

DO NOT channel scan for cable tv channels.

Last edited by teleview; 18-Dec-2012 at 10:00 PM.
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Old 19-Dec-2012, 3:19 AM   #4
ALXFreeTV
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Thanks for your answers GroundUrMast and teleview. So fast on the response! I have north and south facing windows. No balconies unfortunately. The Terk with a cable sounds like my best bet. Will try to order antenna and get things working during a slow work week. Will keep you posted on results.
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