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Update: Got the Winegard LNA-200 amplifier and split the cable using 2 2way splitters (it was something I had on hand, and the way my house is wired I needed to do it this way). Haven't gotten the antenna yet (money is a little tight) but since I bought the amplifier I wated to try it with the Clearstream CSM-1 I originally had. Results were better-I now get 14 channels (WCBS-HD, CBSNY+, WFSB, WFSB-3, WFSB-4, WTNH-DT, Bounce, WTNHSD, WVIT-HD, COZI-TV, WLNY-DT, WCTX-DT, WEDY-1, WEDY-2, WEDY-3, WFTY-DT,WXTV-DT), but the signal is weak-very weak on the following:WLNY, WEDY 1.2.3 (seems like I can only get them in the morning) and the sound rarely comes through on WTNHSD (it shows the exact same programming as WTNH-DT so it's not really a problem). Also, the following stations occasionally drop out (They are also usually better in the morning: WCBS-HD, CBSNY+, WFSB, WFSB-3, WFSB-4. I assume this to be due to the small, highly directional antenna.
I'm fairly impressed with the performance of the CSM-1 antenna. I certainly wouldn't have wanted to pay the full retail price for it (I got it for free) but for someone in a better reception area I certainly would recommend it. I still plan on getting the Winegard HD7694P when finances allow. I do have a few questions though.
Can I improve my reception at all (besides moving the antenna) with what I have? I would like to shorten the cable lengths a bit (I used pre-assembled lengths I had on hand). The cables are older. Is there a better type of cable (RG-6, RG-59, or others) for my application? The cable runs are no greater than 100 feet. Because of the way the antenna is located, I have my cable runs/splitters configured as follows:
Main cable from antenna to amplifier 5 foot
Amplifier to power source for amplifier 6 inches
Power amplifier to splitter 1 6 inches
Splitter line 1 to RCA DTA800B1 converter 2 feet
Converter to TV 1 (upstairs) 3 feet
Splitter line 2 to splitter 2 75 feet
Splitter 2 line 1 to DTV 20 feet
Splitter 2 to TR 40 CRA 30 feet
Converter to TV2 3 feet
The splitters are nothing special, just what I had had on hand from previous cable and/or satellite installations. The converters work well....the TR40 CRA does have an advantage of having a channel guide, whereas the RCA DTA800B1 does not. The RCA unit seems to be slightly better at picking up the weak stations, though - but the difference there is almost insignificant. Both units outperformed the digital tuner on my HDTV.
I will post up any changes. Please let me know what you think.
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