Greetings rfox,
The first issue that jumps out at me is the use of the HDB8X. While claiming H-VHF support, it's a little more flimsy on that than what is touted by the literature and marketing. The HDB8X is not a VHF antenna, it is a UHF design. Thus, channels 7-13 aren't going to be it's strength. WLOS (ABC) is in the weak category, so the HDB8X is not your antenna for that signal. You ought to be able to receive WLOS, but I'll address that further down.
In looking at your TVfool plot, I see you have many directions that signals arrive at you from. The good thing is the nearby translators at magnetic 136 I see you can receive PBS, CBS and NBC via them. Are you currently receiving those networks via the translators?
Second issue is you have L-VHF (channels 2-6) in your area. Of interest special interest is W02AT-D, which reports rebroadcast of WSPA CBS.
Also, NBC WCYB I don't account for as it should be easier received via translator W09AS's rebroadcast of NBC WYFF.
Ironically, ABC WLOS does have a translator near you via W12AU at magnetic 136. However, it appears that translator is highly directional and pointing it's power away from you. Thus, RF 13 of WLOS is likely have a higher chance of successful reception.
If I were to re-evaluate your set up, I would change antennas. First I would at magnetic 136 point an AntennaCraft C290. This antenna will give you complete receiving coverage of your translators over channels 2 - 50. PBS, NBC, CBS would be received on this antenna.
For WLOS at magnetic 220 I would dedicate a Antennacraft Y10-7-13 H-VHF antenna exclusively for it. The Y10-7-13 is favored by many here for it's ability to focus on weak VHF signals.
This would provide you NBC, CBS and PBS on the first antenna. The second antenna would be ABC (WLOS).
FOX broadcast network is in extreme weak category. At -4.5db there is a possibility, however remote of reception. I would point your HDB8X at magnetic 27 to test reception with current set up. This will give you an idea if reception is feasible. The HDB8X is a good antenna to test WEMT due to 2-edge conditions and the large surface area of the antenna. Make sure both panels are orientated the same direction when conducting WEMT testing.
Lastly, I would run these as two separate antennas systems. Each one would have it's own dedicated coax line. In the house, they'd connect to an A/B switch to switch between antennas then you can split them off multiple feeds or just one TV. The Y10-7-13 I would suggest a RCA Preamp TVPRAMP1R or repurposing your current pre-amplifier. If running a RCA preamp, insert power supply on the coax right before the A/B switch. The Antennacraft C290 I would not run a preamp unless needed.
Sorry to blow your system up, but the above description should yield you reliable reception of most major networks. Fox is going to be a wildcard. You will just have to do some tests with your system. Negative db signals, some have gotten them with ease, some like me, have never locked on one.
Best of luck!
SS
Quote:
Originally Posted by rfox20
I have a Solid Signal Xtreme Signal HDB8X with a Antennacraft by RadioShack 10G201 Premium Grade VHF/UHF TV Antenna Pre-Amplifier. Its sitting on about 25 feet above ground and 50 foot of rg6 cable. Here is my Analysis Results http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...46aee167e62015. I get the channels 4.1-4.2-17.1-17.2-17.3-21.1-21.2-62-1-62.2. The antenna is pointed at 200 degrees. I would like 13.1-13.2-13.2. Is this antenna good for the 13 channels or is it too weak? Or is the another antenna I could add to the this channel? |