Signal Loss Suggestions

[jpursell]

Having some signal loss issues and need some advice.

This is my report:
http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...2df94baa072f42

Summary: I’ve compromised on the antenna direction to try an pick up the most channels I could. We primarily watch(ed) channel 13.1, and since that was the furthest away, I pointed the antenna in that direction ~330°. I still have issues occasional issues with almost all the channels I’m receiving with the picture freezing, dropping out, and then coming back on. I’m assuming that antenna’s direction is causing the issues with the channels other than 13.1.

1) Would a Pre-Amp would help, or do I just need to give up on channel 13.1 and settle for the channels from the south?
2) Should I have purchased a different antenna?
3) Would a rotor help with being able to receive 13.1?

Antenna:
I purchased and installed this antenna 2 months ago: Winegard HD7694P High Definition VHF/UHF Antenna

Install Details:
I mounted the antenna on my roof (2-story house) to an existing J-bracket mounted about 1/3 of the way down from the peak. The J-bracket was previously used for a Dish Network dish. Used the same existing wiring which was installed for the dish, which goes from antenna to a combiner, and then a homerun to the main TV. There is a ground wire running from the combiner to the main ground pole for the house.

Primary channels we watch:
ABC – prefer channel 13.1 over channel 41.1
Fox – 17.1
NBC – 8.1
CBS – 3.1

Thanks in advance!

Jason

[GroundUrMast]

In it's current location, does the antenna point into the roof, another building or trees when pointed at WZZM?

Is the dish still active?

[jpursell]

Yes, it does point at the roof, as the existing mast wasn't tall enough to get the antenna above the roof. Dish isn't active, took the dish down when I put up the antenna. Maybe a few trees in LOS of the WZZM direction, but only a few tree tops.

[GroundUrMast]

The HD7694P has plenty of gain in your application. If you get it above the roof that's blocking the view toward 330° I expect the results will improve quite a bit. Can you consider a tripod or gable/eave mount?

Don't be too hasty about adding a preamp... the antenna needs to receive a usable signal before the amplifier will have anything worth amplifying. If you are driving many TVs, a distribution amplifier with high signal level capacity or a preamp with the same capability may be needed.

Given the fact that your signals of interest are scattered around the compass, you may want to consider a few options. http://forum.tvfool.com/showthread.php?t=2882 and http://forum.tvfool.com/showthread.php?t=820. If only one set is connected, a rotator may work for you. A/B switches are easy to understand and operate. An auxiliary tuner is one of the most channel surfing friendly options in my opinion. Network attached tuners are not for folks who are technology adverse.

If I were in this situation, I would be using at least two antennas:

A simple option would be the HD7694P aimed south. and an Antennacraft Y10713 pointed at 330°. I would look at the current cost of an AC-7 tuned for real CH-13 (tinlee.com) vs. an HD tuner.

There are quite a few other ways to go about this, particularly if you wanted to go after the weaker distant signals.

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

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

Here are some but not all 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. http://www.solidsignal.com.
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