Need Improvement advice with OTA setup

[LSE]

Hi, I have a basic Antenna setup(RCA Rabbit ears from best buy) after i disconnected cable connection. I have Roku/Netflix to compensate for cable content but my primary goal is to get a stable Over the air programming.

I get around 25 plus channels when i scan but only few are stable(CBS, NBC, Fox etc). ABC reception (VHF) is problematic and is a hit or miss. Read about Antenna recommendations in this forum and extended the antenna close to a window. This improved the reception.

Read about Mohu leaf and Mohu leaf plus(Amplified) that are getting good reviews. Do i need to get an amplified antenna for better reception? Please recommend an antenna for my setup below. Still trying to stick to an Indoor antenna if possible. Thanks in advance

http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...cc493d642d301d

[GroundUrMast]

If we were next door neighbors, you'd see a Winegard HD7080P on my roof.

Amplifiers don't make a weak antenna stronger, they help overcome attenuation caused by cable and splitter loss. Amplifiers can also help overcome poor tuner noise figure. The Mohu Leaf will give you limited UHF performance, likely less than the RCA rabbit ears.

If you are only willing to use an indoor antenna, consider a Terk HDTVi (not HDTVa) or an Antennas Direct CS2 with VHF kit. In any case, you need a clear view toward the Empire State Bldg.

http://www.amazon.com/Terk-Technolog...rds=Terk+HDTVi

http://www.antennasdirect.com/store/ClearStream-2V.html

There are No Magic Tv Antennas.

Many question askers come here looking for advice to get better reception when they too find out that mohu leaf Is Not a magic Tv antenna.

Your best reception with a indoor type antenna will be with a Terk HDTVi (not the HDTVa) indoor antenna , at/in a window that is toward the , north east.

Aim the HDTVi antenna at about 35 degree magnetic compass. Here is how to aim indoor type antennas , http://www.kyes.com/antenna/pointing/pointing.html.
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When your are ready to go for reliable and stable reception.

I recommend a Winegard HD7082P antenna above the roof , installed in such a manner that the roof or house is not blocking reception to the , north east.

(I recommend the HD7082P antenna , it has better antenna gain - reception ability - on the VHF low band channels of 2 thru 6 where your reception situation requires more reception ability)

Aim the HD7082P antenna at about 35 degree magnetic compass direction.

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

No preamplifier is required.

For 1 Tv connected use no splitter.

For 2 Tv's connected use a common simple 2 way splitter.
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Here are some above the roof antenna mounts , http://www.ronard.com/909911.html , http://www.ronard.com/34424560.html , http://www.ronard.com/ychim.html , http://www.ronard.com.

Buy the ronard antenna mounts at solidsignal by typing the word ronard in the solidsignal search box.

Here are some places to buy antennas and etc. , http://www.solidsignal.com , http://www.amazon.com , http://www.winegarddirect.com.
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As always trees and tree leaves do a real fine job of reducing or blocking Tv transmissions and so do buildings and other obstructions including your own house.

It is best to install a antenna at a location that has the least amount to no amount of obstructions of any type or kind in the directions of reception including your own house.

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

DO NOT channel scan for cable tv channels.

[Stereocraig]

As high as possible and outdoors, is always your best bet.
Indoor antennae have a higher risk of picking up interference from household electronics.
Plus, indoor antennae look kind of ghetto.

[Billiam]

Yes, Virginia indeed there are Magic TV Antennas. :-)

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Magic-Circ...d=410662913858

However for this case, to the OP, you'd be best off using an outdoor antenna of some kind if possible. I've used both indoor and outdoor even in strong signal areas and the indoor models always serve up a healthy dose of multipath dropouts and receive less channels than even the smallest directional or multi directional outdoor antenna.

[Stereocraig]

[QUOTE=Billiam;33291]Yes, Virginia indeed there are Magic TV Antennas. :-)

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Magic-Circ...d=410662913858

Wow! Receives signals right through the sheet metal.

[LSE]

Thank you Groundurmast, teleview, stereocraig and Billiam. I appreciate all your feedback. I live in a condo complex. I do know that i may be able to install a outdoor antenna legally but i am just trying to avoid the hassle/issues with my neighbors.

Yes I also recognize that indoor antenna is not good aesthetics and that's one reason i was considering Mohu leaf and hiding it behind a frame.

I will also get a magnetic compass to check the correct direction. I have been experimenting with different locations, direction and height to the extent that i can and we recently found a spot that picked up several channels(pbs, abc, live well etc) that was not in the radar before.

I do appreciate your input and it appears that i need to seriously consider an outdoor antenna with professional installation or a better indoor antenna (Terk HDTVi)

Does your condo unit have a , Patio/Balcony , to the , north , north east , east??

If so , I recommend install a CS2 V Complete VHF/UHF antenna on the Patio/Balcony aimed at about 35 degree magnetic compass direction.

http://www.antennasdirect.com/store/...VHF-Combo.html.

[LSE]

Sorry for the late response. Yes, I do have a patio/balcony but i am not 100 % on the direction. I believe its facing west based on the sun.

Question, i have access to small part of the attic where the heating unit is kept (most of the attic is closed/sealed off due to regulations). Do you recommend an antenna for the attic? Is it easy to install? The distance from attic to tv is approx 30 to 35 feet.

I recommend get a compass. When using a compass it is best to be outside because inside of buildings can effect a compass reading , the metal and wood and concrete structure effect the compass reading.

I do not recommend a antenna in a Small attic space with the metal of the HAVC heating and cooling units in there because the metal , reflects , reduces, blocks , Tv reception.

If you look at the tvfool Current Plus Pending Applications Included Tvfool radar report and channel list , you will see that the main groups of Tv stations are to the north east.

If your unit that you live in has a window or windows to the , north , north east , east , put the HDTVi at/in the window.

A , north east , window will be the best because the main group of Tv transmitters is to the , north east.

Put a Terk HDTVi antenna at/in a , north , north east , east , facing window.

Aim the HDTVi at about 50 degree magnetic compass direction.

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

I recommend do a Double Rescan , Digital Tuners can develop - Digital Glitches - that are not cleared out with a simple channel scan.

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

Yes it is Ok to try the HDTVi in the small attic space.

Postion the HDTVi so that any metal and ducting in the attic is not blocking reception to the , north east.

Also keep the HDTVi antenna away from metal in the attic as much as possible.

Higher is usually better.

Also if the attic has metal backed insulation the reception will be reduced or blocked.

[LSE]

Thanks again for your help Teleview. I plan to buy a HDTVi and a 50 foot cable to run it to a window or the attic. If i need to keep the cable length to a minimum i will go for a 30 feet cable. I will keep you posted after i finish the setup. Thanks a ton!


http://www.amazon.com/Mediabridge-Co...pr_product_top

[LSE]

Thanks again for your help teleview and others. I have now a terk antenna setup and it works much better than the rabbit ears. The connection is much more stable. Thanks again for the tips and advice. Much appreciated.

LSE

Well there ya go.

Tv antennas receive better when nothing is reducing or blocking reception and the antenna is aimed at the transmitters.

And as always , the antenna can be adjusted for best reception.

Most Digital Tv's have a signal strength meter and some Digital Tv's also have a signal quality meter.

Here is the Federal Antenna Law that provides rights for , house , town home , condo , apartment , mobile home , motor home and etc. .

http://www.fcc.gov/mb/facts/otard.html.

Federal Antenna Law , over rides , All , hoa's , housing coven-nuts , dead restrictions , and etc. .

Hoa's , and etc. are well aware of the Federal Antenna Law that Says Yes you can install a Broardcast Tv antenna.

The Federal Antenna Law is and has been written to be on Your side.

The point of the Federal Antenna Law is --> Yes you can.