Please tell me where to go!!!!!

[MikeN]

I have never posted to any forum before. At my age, 74, I'm astounded by all the information I can reap from the internet.

I don't know if this is the proper place to ask this question, but here it is. I live in Northern MI and have before the digital change was able to receive 6 or more channels via a on chimney antenna. Now I receive none. I have a digital converter.

This is my location and data according to your website: http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...e7793084bcee74

If I should post this elsewhere, please "tell me where to go" and what you recommend.

Thanks.

MikeN

[MikeN]

I also got 2 channels after using the converter box. Then, I've raised the house 50 inches, and now I get nothing.

What antenna, etc. should I use if I want to start from the beginning. I am mechanically inclined and have no problem getting up on the roof.

Thanks, again.

MikeN

[thom]

"raised the house 50 inches?"

If you look at the terrain profile, you can see you might benefit more significantly from more antenna height.
http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...dALLTV%26n%3d8

Try running a couple TV Fool reports with greater antenna height, and let's see what those look like.

In the analog days, you could generally get a usable signal with less power (though it would be snowy and fade in and out). Digital doesn't degrade as smoothly as power declines; it's more all or nothing.

The following is a Teleview - recommendation for broadcast Tv reception.

The Broadcast Tv stations/channels.

WCML REAL Digital UHF channel 24 , virtual number (6.1) PBS.

WFUP REAL Digital UHF channel 45 , virtual number (45.1) FOX , CBS.

WTOM-DT REAL Digital UHF channel 35 , virtual number (4.1-2) NBC and ABC.

WWUP-TV REAL Digital VHF channel 10 , virtual number (10.1) CBS , FOX.
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There are also 2 Analog Tv transmitters to the south west that are licensed to transmit , W34CR channel 34 and W41CK channel , however I find no programing listings or affiliation listing.

The best way to find out if transmitting is aim a UHF antenna at the transmitters and see if any thing is received.
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I am gathering more information and will return with reception and antenna recommendations.

To see if signal strengths improve , please make 2 more tvfool radar plot reports , 40 feet and 60 feet antenna heights.

[MikeN]

First, thanks for looking into my problem.

I did raise the house 50 inches(added a crawl space). So.....approximately four feet, plus the 1st floor, nine feet, the second floor, eight feet, the attic, another two feet, the chimney, five feet, and the mast about eight feet. I probably have my antenna approximately 38 feet from ground level.

There are tall trees around the house with the N, NE, E trees about 150 ft. from the antenna. The trees on the South are about 50 feet away, and the trees on the West are about 35 feet from the antenna. (All horizontal approximates)

Thanks again for taking on my problem.

MikeN

As I have requested , if you would please make those 2 radar plots at 40 and 60 feet to see if signal strengths improve.

So I can make antenna/s recommendation that are tailored to your reception situation.

[MikeN]

Here is the 40 foot plot:

http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...e7795395ddca17


And the 60 foot plot:

http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...e7798ba20d635b

Thanks.

MikeN

[thom]

I'm not a fan of rotators, but I think your situation demands it. I'd suggest a Winegard 8200U, a CPA19 preamp, and a rotator. You could try the first two without the rotator and assess your results, but you've got weak signals in too many directions. My first suggestion would be a 41 degree heading.

http://www.solidsignal.com/pview.asp...nna-(HD-8200U)

http://www.solidsignal.com/pview.asp...lifier-(CPA19)

The following is a teleview recommendation for broadcast Tv reception.

Antenna System Number 1.

For reception of ,

WTOM-DT REAL Digital UHF 35 , virtual number (4.1-2) NBC and ABC.

WWUP-TV REAL Digital VHF channel 10 , virtual number (10.1-2) CBS and FOX.

Above the roof install a Winegard HD7696P antenna with a Winegard AP8700 preamp , aimed at about 45 degree magnetic compass direction.

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 , HFS-2D , 2 way splitter.

For 3 Tv,s connected use a , HFS-3D , 3 way splitter.

Buy the HFS splitters at , http://www.hollandelectronics.com , or , http://www.solidsignal.com.

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.

The following is a Teleview recommendation for broadcast Tv reception.

Antenna System Number 2.

For reception of ,

WCML REAL Digital UHF channel 24 , virtual number (6.1) PBS.

WFUP REAL Digital channel 45 , virtual number (45.1-2) FOX and CBS.

Above the roof install a Antennas Direct DB4e antenna with a Antennas Direct CPA-19 preamp , aimed at about 155 degree magnetic compass direction.

For one Tv connected use no splitter.

For 2 Tv's connected use a HFS-2D , 2 way splitter.

For 3 Tv's connected use a HFS-3D , 3 way splitter.

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Antenna systems 1 and 2 are Not connected together on to one coax.

Antenna systems 1 and 2 are Separate antenna systems all the way to the location/s of the Tv/s.

At the location/s of the Tv/s will be a Remote control A/B antenna coax switch that is connected to the Separate antenna systems coaxes and then to the Tv.

http://www.radioshack.com , #15-1968 , or , http://www.mcmelectronics.com , #32-4425 .

Remote control A/B antenna switches are Channel Surfing Friendly , press the button on the hand held remote control , change antenna systems and keep on channel surfing.

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As always , trees and tree leaves do a real fine job of reducing or blocking Tv reception and so do buildings and other obstructions.

It is best to locate the antenna/s at a place where there is the least amount to no amount of obstructions in the direction/s of reception.

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The following is a Teleview recommendation for broadcast Tv reception.

There is no signal strength advantage to mounting the antennas at 60 feet.

Mounting the antennas at , 28 , up to 40 feet , will be Ok for reception.

Separate the 2 antennas by about ~ 3 feet on the same mast pipe.

Mount the HD7696P antenna below the DB4e.