So glad to have found this forum. Asking for antenna help generally these days seems like riding in on your horse to the car dealership…LOL
I live in a rural area, on the extreme edge of 2 larger cities’ broadcast areas. Definitely require an outdoor antenna to pick up “local” signals. Have Dish Network, but the FCC requires my local channels to be in city B, when I prefer city A, so I watch most Network TV on Dish from an old subscription to NYC and the west coast. But I would really prefer to pick up network TV locally from city A through my roof antenna. I get limited signals now, and they are waning.
My signal analysis reports are here:
http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...cc496f1a825e40
http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...cc49b3baea2e64
In the second one, used satellite imagery and moved the pointer over my roof.
This house originally had a large roof antenna. Picture attached. Blew over 2 years ago. Hated the looks of it, but it did pick up the first 12 stations listed on the above report fairly well. Spoiled, but have to admit my reception usually better than these maps suggest.
The house is fairly obvious on its hill location, so for aesthetics, had the antenna replaced with a shorter, narrower one, installed near a metal chimney. (Also, picture attached.) Chimney rarely used. Up until now, signal reception has been fine for my purposes. The new antenna does not pick up lo-V?, so the closest station suggested is not possible. Have regularly watched Channel 13 (IDed as “12” on the report), less so Channel 23.
About 2-3 weeks ago, one morning I turned on the TV and was able to pick up about 6 to 8 channels! Was awestruck! Assumed it was a meteorological anomaly. Or maybe some kind of transmitter test?
***HOWEVER, since then, I am having a difficult time picking up my go to Channel 13, only less favored 23 is consistent. And reception is usually much better in the fall, with the leaves off the trees. Not now. And getting worse daily.
Always suspecting a conspiracy, I am wondering if something has changed for City A’s transmitter, especially considering that spurt of great reception recently. Or something at the station I’m losing. Or do you think it’s weather/conditions impeding the signal lately? But it’s been clear for several days. And even in poor weather, I usually have had good reception.
Really missing this local station. (And the bonus of watching Perry Mason, or getting 24 hr weather on their added stations.)
Second part of this question: I do not wish to use another huge old ugly antenna on top of the roof. My house is on a hill facing City A. I have a lot of land with this house, and of course, the higher up the hill, the better the reception. I don’t have megabucks, but may decide to do something different if I have to replace this antenna, although very hard to find installers nearby with the know-how. Just getting this small antenna up was over $300, with no additional work inside.
Suggestions/guesstimates for installing an antenna away from the house? Methods? Pluses? Minuses?
Or could my current problem be some kind of weather issue in upstate NY?
Thanks in advance for any help. Love this site!!