Seattle/Tacoma Metro Area OTA signal loss

[fischerms80]

I reside in a 2nd Floor APT with reasonable clear view of the major TV networks with exception of KCTS (Too low of transmission power). I have notice during the evening the 4 major TV stations have signal degredation with varying degrees of loss of signal. KIRO 7 is the worst offender with a complete loss of signal by 8pm and KCPQ 13 the least. Weather condition have no affect as this occurs in all weather condition. There is no time duration pattern when the signals start degrading. Using a Mohu Leaf Ultimate attenna & MonoPrice amplified antenna. Both antennas are place in the Loft window facing approx 72 degrees running thru a 2-1 signal connecter block then to a 1 in - 4 out distrubion block (powered but adjuster turn down to 0)

Signal analysis link:
http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...46ae1119b53512

Any ideas other then opening one's wallet to COMCAST? I'd swear the TV stations have reduced the transmitter power since 2009 and may even reduce transmission even lower in the evening.

As always , combining dissimler antennas with a reversed splitter in a random way , produces bad reception.

Connecting antenna system amplifiers / distribution amplifiers and amplified antennas in a random way produces bad reception.

Disconnect and Remove All of the antennas and amplifiers.

_____________

Recommend install a , --> Antennas Direct - Clear Stream 2 Complete Uhf/Vhf antenna <-- , in/at the window aimed at about 72 degree magnetic compass direction.

CS2 Complete Uhf/Vhf antenna at Amazon. C2-V-CJM .

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

______________________

For 1 Tv connected use no splitter.

For 2 Tv's connected use a simple common 2 way splitter.

For 3 Tv's connected use a simple common 3 way splitter.

For 4 Tv's connected use a simple common 4 way splitter.

______________________

Test reception Without a antenna system amplifier.

If a antenna system amplifier is required , use a , Winegard LNA-100 'Boost' antenna system amplifier.

_________________________________________

Here are some places to buy antennas and etc. .

http://www.solidsignal.com.

http://www.amazon.com.

http://www.winegarddirect.com.

http://www.antennasdirect.com.

[fischerms80]

I have tried the 2 antennas with combinations of amplifiers hooked to each antenna or not. Very hit & miss, sometimes monoprice antenna w/ amp & moho w/o amp will work, other times would have to pwer up the mohu. Noting is consistent. Pretty have given up on KIRO 7 over the air with ther nighttime issues.

Originally Posted by teleview

As always , combining dissimler antennas with a reversed splitter in a random way , produces bad reception.

Connecting antenna system amplifiers / distribution amplifiers and amplified antennas in a random way produces bad reception.

Disconnect and Remove All of the antennas and amplifiers.

_____________

Recommend install a , --> Antennas Direct - Clear Stream 2 Complete Uhf/Vhf antenna <-- , in/at the window aimed at about 72 degree magnetic compass direction.

CS2 Complete Uhf/Vhf antenna at Amazon. C2-V-CJM .

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

______________________

For 1 Tv connected use no splitter.

For 2 Tv's connected use a simple common 2 way splitter.

For 3 Tv's connected use a simple common 3 way splitter.

For 4 Tv's connected use a simple common 4 way splitter.

______________________

Test reception Without a antenna system amplifier.

If a antenna system amplifier is required , use a , Winegard LNA-100 'Boost' antenna system amplifier.

_________________________________________

Here are some places to buy antennas and etc. .

http://www.solidsignal.com.

http://www.amazon.com.

http://www.winegarddirect.com.

http://www.antennasdirect.com.

[GroundUrMast]

Did you try the antenna suggested by teleview?

Reliable reception depends more on signal quality than raw signal strength. Mixing the output of two antennas via a reversed splitter might produce more signal power, but the combination of signals is lower in quality due to an effect analogous to an echo.

While it's true digital format broadcasting is done at slightly lower power than analog, You have over 20,000 time more power in the air than needed for theoretical minimum reception levels. (KCTS, real CH-9 predicted NM >43 dB).

For connection to a single tuner, no amplifier should be needed.

Focus on signal quality, not strength. To improve signal quality, locate the antenna where it has no obstructions when aimed at Queen Anne and Capitol Hill (Downtown Seattle)... Use an antenna that has directional characteristics, so that reflected signals arriving from indirect paths will be attenuated as much as possible... Keep the antenna away from sources of interference.

As an aside, the Mohu leaf is a UHF only design, so not likely to offer good reception of real CH-9, a VHF channel. It's not clear what the other antenna is...

[randysvh]

Originally Posted by fischerms80

I reside in a 2nd Floor APT with reasonable clear view of the major TV networks with exception of KCTS (Too low of transmission power). I have notice during the evening the 4 major TV stations have signal degredation with varying degrees of loss of signal. KIRO 7 is the worst offender with a complete loss of signal by 8pm and KCPQ 13 the least. Weather condition have no affect as this occurs in all weather condition. There is no time duration pattern when the signals start degrading. Using a Mohu Leaf Ultimate attenna & MonoPrice amplified antenna. Both antennas are place in the Loft window facing approx 72 degrees running thru a 2-1 signal connecter block then to a 1 in - 4 out distrubion block (powered but adjuster turn down to 0)

Signal analysis link:
http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...46ae1119b53512

Any ideas other then opening one's wallet to COMCAST? I'd swear the TV stations have reduced the transmitter power since 2009 and may even reduce transmission even lower in the evening.

You are in the heart of the signal area. You should be able to pick up a strong signal for the following channels:
4, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 16, 20, 22, 31, 42, 44, 51 and maybe 46.
You may be able to get 24, and 28, but beyond that i am not sure.
First i would use one antenna, MOHU preferred over the other.
Second, i would only use a second antenna using a combiner, not a splitter reversed.
Third, you will find that using two amps, will destroy some of the signals rather than improve them.
Fourth, i found that in your area, you might find that laying the antenna horizontally will get you a more diverse signal than putting it in the window.
Fifth, try different areas of the room, as some areas will bring in better reception than others.
Sixth, keep the antenna away from other electronics and electrical components to gain a better signal, usually 3ft or more.

I live north of the city in Shoreline and get 4, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 16, 20, 22, 31, 42, 44, 51 with a MOHU ultimate.

[ADTech]

You do realize that post is almost a year old..... and that the poster hasn't visited the site since then.