Hi, here's my plot:
http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...5b9494feea1f07
I have a Clearstream 2V antenna mounted about 35' above ground and aimed at about 308 deg, connected to a PCT-MA2-2P preamplifier (I also tried a more powerful 30dB preamp, but it made no difference, so I'm assuming I'm amped enough and the problem is the signal the antenna is, or isn't receiving). From there one run goes about 60' to a Panasonic TCL42U25 42" 1080p TV. I'm not yet using the other run, but will eventually run it about the same distance to another TV (currently and old Sony, but will either be replaced or use a converter box).
MY GOAL: To have ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX and PBS. I don't care where they come from, and to be able to record programs from those stations. That's it, that's all I want.
WE LIVE: Against tall (75' woods) which are directly in the way of the current aim of the antenna. They would block the view from around 270 - 030. The leaves have not yet come out, I anticipate this will further degrade my signal.
WHAT I CAN GET: (Note, this is all before the leaves have come out) I can receive ABC on 2-WMAR and 47-WMDT. Both are usually good, though, 2 can be flaky at times. I can receive NBC on 11-WBAL if conditions are good, but it degrades rapidly to unusable (I'm assuming this will go away entirely when the leaves appear). I can get FOX on 21.2 strong through WBOC (WBFF 45.1 rarely comes in). I can get CBS on WJZ 13 rarely, but well on 16-WBOC which is my strongest station. PBS is good on 22-WMPT and 64-WDPB.
So NBC is my real Achilles heel.
I have tried an AT-163 converter/PVR to record, but when I run the signal through the box I lose signal and even 16 WBOC is barely watchable. Apparently their tuner is not as good as the one in my TV. I tried two boxes, neither worked. I'm getting an iview box today and will see if that's better. I know Channel Master has a DVR box, but it's about $300 which is more than I'm willing to spend to go that route I think.
My concern is that when the leaves come out I'll be screwed. I REALLY don't want to go to one of the 10' antenna's due to aesthetics, and more importantly I assume I'd have to get a mast to support it - which I'm assuming the installation of would cost so much I might as well stick with the DISH $27 economy package and call it a day?
There's another NBC station in another direction but I've never been able to pick it up - I think it's over 60 miles away.
Any suggestions on either a different "compact" antenna, advice on how to economically mount a ginormous antenna (and will it work anyway?), or PVR/DVR recording devices with tuners that are at least as good as the one in my TV?
Thanks so much for any help, I really appreciate it!
Frank