Frustrated in Portland, OR

alex · 3-Oct-2011, 4:28 AM

Help!

Here's my report:
http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...60b586718be718

Just moved to a new house about a month ago, and have yet to get my TV signals coming in fully.

I have a home-made antenna I made at my last apartment from a video on YouTube....it actually worked surprisingly well.

It didn't work here at the new place, and I bought an antenna at ACE Hardware that was rated up to Red in the pie chart thingy. It's a ChannelMaster CM-4220MHD. I've got it set up in the attic, and I've angled it as close to compass 50 degrees that I can.

I can get everything except 8.1 (NBC) very well. 2.1 (ABC) is not 100% all the time, and 8.1 I can't get at all. This is strange to me from reading the report, because I can get 12.1 perfectly all the time, and it's in exactly the same direction as 8.1.

Anyway, I'm getting frustrated. Is it a crappy antenna? TVFool seems to indicate that a RED antenna would be fine, but AntennaWeb says I need a BLUE one for some channels (not 8.1, though, interestingly enough).

I just want it to work. And I want it to work all the time, if that's possible.

Thanks!

Alex

GroundUrMast · 3-Oct-2011, 5:33 AM

Your in a location that should offer easy, reliable (near 100%) reception.

Two issues...

First - Attic mounted antennas can work well, but can also be plagued with trouble. If your roof is constructed of wood and fiberglass reinforced asphalt shingles, you should usually do alright. If there is metal in front of the antenna, either part of the roof or part of the plumbing, electrical or heating system, you can expect trouble.

My experience with attic mounting has been, wait for bad weather to know what you can really expect. A load of wet snow or ice will absorb an awful lot of signal.

You can try experimenting with different locations in the attic... If you can't find a sweet spot in the attic, the compact CM-4220 would be quite unobtrusive mounted on a chimney or satellite J-pole mount. Any antenna will perform better if it is clear of obstructions.

Second - The CM-4220 is not designed to do much on real channels 7 - 13 and even less on real channels 2 - 6.

KRCW, real CH-5
KGW, real CH-8
KOPB, real CH-10
KPTV, real CH-12

You can add a VHF antenna such as the Antennacraft CS-600. The output can be merged with the UHF only CM-4220 with an inexpensive UVSJ (UHF / VHF Signal Joiner). Radio Shack Cat. # 15-2586 is a pricey example.

You could also replace the CM-4220 with a Channel Master CM3016, or an Antennacraft HD850... that would give you all UHF and VHF channel coverage with no UVSJ needed.

John Candle · 3-Oct-2011, 5:41 AM

Easier then easy , I recommend a Winegard HD7694P antenna mounted above the roof aimed at about 49 degrees magnetic compass. Here is how to aim antennas , http://www.kyes.com/antenna/pointing/pointing.html. Here some antenna mounts , http://www.ronard.com/909911.html , http://www.ronard.com/34424560.html , http://www.ronard.com/ychim.html. Here are places to buy antennas and etc. , http://www.solidsignal.com , http://www.amazon.com , http://www.starkelectronic.com , http://www.3starinc.com , http://www.winegarddirect.com

John Candle · 3-Oct-2011, 5:54 AM

Mount and aim the HD7694P in such a way that roof or chimney of the house does not obstruct the reception of antenna in the direction of about 49 degree magnetic compass. The tv stations at your location are very strong and will be easily received by the HD7694P.

John Candle · 3-Oct-2011, 5:56 AM

With the HD7694P antenna there is no need for a second antenna to receive the tv stations at about 49 degree magnetic compass. Because the receivable stations/channels are in the VHF high 7 thru 13 and UHF 14 thru 69 tv bands.

John Candle · 3-Oct-2011, 6:14 AM

KRCW is transmitting on VHF low channel 5 and KRCW is also transmitting on Real channel 33 in the UHF tv band. Also read and understand about , REAL Digital Broadcast Tv Channels , Virtual Digital Broadcast Tv Channels , Analog Broadcast Tv Channels , http://forum.tvfool.com/showthread.php?t=695

alex · 4-Oct-2011, 12:52 AM

Thank you GroundUrMast and John, the information is much appreciated!

Sounds like I need a different antenna, regardless of where I may end up trying to install my current one. Channels 7-13 include NBC, PBS, and FOX for us, and those are three channels we pretty much must have to be happy.

Looks like the Winegard HD7694 might be a good option for me. I just wonder if I'll be able to fit it inside the attic space. Saw a review on Amazon where a guy said he was able to do it.

One thing....it seems hard to find out if the antenna comes with any sort of mast to mount it to. My Channel Master came with a J-mount, but I can't seem to figure out if the Winegard does. I'm looking on Amazon.

Thanks again for your help guys, I appreciate it. Do you know if this antenna comes with a mount?

Alex

GroundUrMast · 4-Oct-2011, 1:23 AM

Most antennas are sold without accessory parts such as mast or cables.

The only caution I can think of regarding the Winegard is that once assembled, it can be difficult to fold back down. That would only be a problem if you put it in the attic and found you needed to move it outside.

Installed outside, it would be a premium solution, able to power many sets with no amplification needed.

You may want to 'test' your reception using the 4220 outside. There is a real chance you could find it capable when provided an unobstructed view.

alex · 4-Oct-2011, 4:03 AM

Yeah, I think I will try to test it out on the roof before returning it to the store. Why not save time in the long run, right? Thanks!

John Candle · 4-Oct-2011, 8:01 AM

Regardless of what antenna it is , put the antenna on/above the roof in such a way that the antenna has the clearest possible shot at the tv transmitters , not block by the roof not blocked by a chimney. Tv antennas receive the best when the antenna has elbow room.