Quote:
Originally Posted by dbbriggs5
I don't understand, with towers so close (<15 mi), why the issues for a high-mounted outdoor unit? Do clouds make *that* a big difference?
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The towers are not that far away, but the "2Edge" indicators on your tvfool mean that the signals must diffract (bend) over the mountain tops to reach you. You are not getting a direct shot at the transmitters because there is terrain in the way.
Rain and fog (or water in general) can absorb a little bit of of RF energy. However, I suspect the bigger issue has to do with the trees or other objects along the ridge line that is affecting how the diffracted signal is reaching you.
I also suspect that the Philips antenna is simply not a very good performer. It's small, and based on the laws of physics, it just cannot possibly have that much raw gain in the antenna. The antenna might work under good weather conditions, but it might be operating near the borderline of signal dropouts.
Omni antennas are also more prone to multipath (multiple signal "echoes" or "ghosts" getting into your receiver, making the channel harder to decode). Omni antennas will take in RF energy from all of the signal reflections that are bouncing around in the environment (e.g., from other buildings, different spots along the ridge line, mountain sides, etc.). Directional antennas have a more limited "field of view" and tend to screen out more of the unwanted extra signal reflections.
The added gain and improved selectivity of a directional antenna will help out a lot. I think you will wind up with much better results if you switch antennas. Of course, it's your prerogative to strike a balance between antenna aesthetics and the quality of your TV viewing experience. All I can do is offer suggestions.