Upgrade from 10 year old system
 

Hi, we currently have a 10 year old system that I would like to make more reliable (improved signal/less pixilation) than I current enjoy. Here are some facts:
http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...60b57aeb0418a6
- Roof antenna -- unknown brand -- ~ 5 ft in length x 3 ft wide
- Rotary system
- Coax - 10 years old
- Amplifier split in basement going to ....
- ... 2 digital TVs and 1 analog TV w/converter

We currently get OK reception on all the channels coming from ~020 and ~105. I don't necessarily need more channels but I would like to avoid pixilation and loss of signal that I usually get during wet weather. Typically, the channels that seem to be the more weak are (virtual) 28.1, 38.1, 44.1 and 68.1. I would like to keep the antenna on the roof attached to the chimney.

We would appreciate any advice up to and including a complete tear out and re-install. i.e. Coax upgrade? Amp (if needed) placement..(move to attic?). Antenna type/brand, etc.

Thank you for any help.
Mike
PS..Great Forum

Tv Antennas and Reception
 

Is this the same reception situation as your past questions??

Hi John,

Almost... , actually, this post is for my non-tech friend's house about a mile away but ~ 130 ft lower AGL. So the reception is approx. the same but the hardware issues are different. I am helping her post the question in my user account. My apology... I could have clarified that up front.

In my friends case, she is willing to use a rotor and start from scratch on all the other hardware if you think it's warranted. In the case of the current rotor, is seems to me that it does not actually point consistently. i.e. when set to xxx degrees, it may undershoot or overshoot by 10 degrees.

Thank you again for your help.
Mike

If a rotator has not been a source of frustration in a three tuner household, a Winegard HD7694P or HD7696P on a rotator would offer both the Providence and Boston signals.

The larger antenna would reduce the likelihood that an amplifier would be needed.

Replacing 10 year old coax seems prudent to me. If the chimney mounting hardware is not compromised by corrosion, reuse it.

A two antenna system with A/B switching is another option. The local Providence signals can be received with a smaller antenna.

Tv Antennas and Reception
 

The two groups of tv stations are 96 degrees apart , that is a Very Wide angle of reception for most directional antennas to receive , a little too wide. There are a few antennas that do a better job of receiving tv stations at a very wide angle. Here is one I recommend give a try , Winegard HD7000R antenna , aim the antenna at about 48 degree magnetic compass , half way between the two groups of stations. Here is how to aim antennas , http://www.kyes.com/antenna/pointing/pointing.html. I also recommend a indoor distribution amplifier , A ChannelMaster CM3414 , 4 way distribution amplifier. Three of the outputs of the distribution amplifier go to the 3 tv's , the one output port that has nothing connected to it will have a 75 ohm terminator screwed on to the port. I recommend using new RG-6 coax on the outside and new RG-6 coax to replace any other coax that might be bad. Here are places to buy antennas and etc. , http://www.winegarddirect.com , http://www.channelmasterstore.com , http://www.solidsignal.com , http://www.amazon.com , http://www.starkelectronic.com , http://www.3starinc.com

Tv Antennas and Reception
 

A antenna rotor and antenna is a sources of conflict because other tv watchers will not agree where the antenna is pointed. A 2 antenna set up works very well , but will require triple the coax wiring and 3 A/B antenna switches for 3 tv's. Give the one antenna solution a try , if it does not do well enough , then the HD7000R antenna can be used to aim at the North East Group of Stations and an other antenna will aim at the south east group of stations and I will explain how to hook it all up with 2 antennas , 3 tv's and 3 A/B and 3 times the coax.

Tv Antennas and Reception
 

Do not use the amplifier that you have. When using the CM3414 with the one antenna set up.

Tv Antennas and Reception
 

I also ment to say if the HD7000R does not do well enough at receiving both groups of stations , then aim the HD7000R at the north east group of stations , has the largest number of stations and can just receive the north east group.

Thank you for the the ideas. 'Looks like Stark Electronics is within striking distance so I'll drive up there soon. I have a question:

-What is the practical application of the 2 Edge value? Does it simply imply the possibility of an antenna pointing error or does it tie in a consideration of the antenna beam width?

Best,
Mike

That's telling you how many times the signal is scattering off of terrain obstructions before it gets to you. It's a piece of information to help explain the signal level available and hint at the reliability of that signal. As you might guess, increasing the times a signal has to scatter over a hill increases the range of fading in that signal.

Tv Antennas and Reception
 

Hills and mountains are between the transmitting antenna and receiving antenna.