Help in LaSalle county IL

Markm · 23-Jun-2011, 3:32 AM

Here is my tvfool report:
http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...001bcdb0827a8c

I only receive 1 channel the local ind channel, on certain nights I can get a channel or two out of Chicago. I don't know what model antenna I have the biggest roof mount antenna from Menards, with a rotor around 30' in the air. I used to get alot more channels before the switch to HD. I was thinking of installing a ChannelMaster 7777. Will this help in my situation. I used to get stations from Chicago, Rockford, Quad Cities, Peoria, and even Champaign, IL.

Thanks,
Mark

John Candle · 23-Jun-2011, 11:04 AM

How many Tv's are/will be connected??

Markm · 23-Jun-2011, 11:57 AM

Right now only 1 but possibly 2 in the future. The antenna is an RCA 43 element ant3038xr to the best of my knowledge the biggest one from Menards.

Thanks again

Markm · 24-Jun-2011, 2:49 AM

Looking at my report what does the stuff under path mean?

Additional info my antenna is in a clear path of trees and tall buildings live in a town of 7000, so nothing real tall. I also have about 70-90 feet of coax to a Zenith converter box which used to pick up about 24 HD channels but that changed from night to night and weather. Usually nothing during the day other than the local ind station.

There are at least one or two splitters in the line that go to no tv's at the present time. I ran a shorter line from the antenna to the converter box no difference in signal or channels.

Thanks again,

Mark

John Candle · 24-Jun-2011, 10:28 AM

So is this the antenna or similar? http://www.rcaaudiovideo.com/search/?sku=ANT3038XR or http://www.rcaaudiovideo.com/search/?sku=ANT3036XR Connect to the antenna a Winegard HDP269 preamp. The preamp part is to be mounted close to the antenna. Use a new matching transformer to connect to the antenna. New coax to connect the preamp to the matching transformer http://www.summitsource.com/advanced...caw100&x=7&y=9, and new RG-6 coax from the preamp to inside the house. Here are places to buy preamps and etc. , http://www.solidsignal.com , http://www.starkelectronic.com , http://www.amazon.com . Here is how to aim Tv antennas , http://www.kyes.com/antenna/pointing/pointing.html . Read and understand about , REAL Digital Broadcast Tv Channels , Virtual Digital Broadcast Tv Channels , Analog Broadcast Tv Channels , http://forum.tvfool.com/showthread.php?t=695

Markm · 24-Jun-2011, 11:48 AM

John

Thanks again! Yes, the antenna is similar it is the 100 mile radius one. I will try your suggestions and keep you posted.

Thanks again,

Mark

John Candle · 24-Jun-2011, 9:40 PM

Evaluating the directions and stations and digital channels , it looks like all of the digital network channels can be received by aiming the antenna two directions , 75 degree magnetic compass and 204 degree magnetic compass. Most of your receivable digital Tv channels are very weak. If one Tv is connected , do not have any splitters in the line , splitters reduce the strength of the signal.

Markm · 24-Jun-2011, 10:37 PM

John,

Yes I will run new coax to the one tv with no splitter.

Is it best to put the preamp above or below the rotor?
I know as close as possible.

The winegard matching outdoor transformer you suggested comes with a 4' coax cable use that not the 6' that comes with the preamp right.

If I get channels in, what are my options to adding a second tv?

Thanks again,

Mark

John Candle · 24-Jun-2011, 11:42 PM

I provided the picture of the matching transformer and the 4 foot cable so you will know what it is , many question askers do not know. It is customary to put put the preamp unit below the antenna. Use what fits the best for length , a 4 foot coax or a 6 foot. All of the digital network channels can be received in these two directions , about 75 degree magnetic compass and about 155 , 185 , 204 , degree magnetic compass. Aim the antenna at about 204 degree magnetic compass and the stations at 155 - 185 degree magnetic compass will be received because they are stronger signals.

Markm · 24-Jun-2011, 11:59 PM

Thanks again John

I am getting ready to order the Winegard HPD269 and the matching transformer and RG-6 cable.

Is there any difference in RG-6 cable?
Also do I need the 1296f gain adjuster?

Thanks
Mark

John Candle · 25-Jun-2011, 12:19 AM

Having a antenna on a rotor is Ok for watch programs with one Tv , the person that controls the Tv remote control and controls where the antenna is aimed controls the programing to watch. Having the antenna on a rotor with 2 or more Tv's connected leads to disagreements about what Tv stations the antenna is aimed at. At your location all of the network stations can be received with 2 separate antennas , one aimed at 75 degree and one aimed at 204 degree. and separate coax from each antenna to the location of each Tv with a remote control A/B antenna switch at each Tv location. The 2 separate antenna setup will allow each Tv location to switch from one antenna to the other a watch the programs they will like to watch. First how ever lets see what can be received by aiming the one antenna on a rotor at 75 degrees and 204 degrees. At 75 degrees what is the reception like of these channels , WPRW (vc50) MyNetwork , WFLD (vc32) FOX , WSNS (vc44) Telemundo , WCIU (vc26) Indpendent , WGN (vc9) The CW , WMAQ (vc5) NBC , WLS (vc7) ABC , WCPX (vc38) ION. . And in the direction of 204 degree , WHOI (vc43) ABC , WMBD (vc31) CBS , WWTO (vc35) Indpendent , WTVP (vc47) PBS . . (vc) = Virtual Channel.

Markm · 25-Jun-2011, 12:23 AM

Right now all I get is the IND channel 10 or 35.1 to 35.5. On certain nights I can get an channel or two out of Chicago channel 2 CBS or channel 7 ABC.

I used to get all of these channels and then some. Maybe there is a problem with my antenna. But I could only get channels in the early to late evenings.

John Candle · 25-Jun-2011, 12:36 AM

Standard RG-6 coax will be fine. The HDP269 is a low gain , high input , preamp , so as not have the possibility of over load from the one strong channel WTTO - real channel 10 , virtual channel 35. . WYZZ - real channel 28 , virtual channel 43 is moderate of signal strength and all the rest are Very Low of signal strength so do not want to reduce the signal strength with a attenuator.

John Candle · 25-Jun-2011, 2:16 AM

Here is a list of some but not all free tv guides , http://tv.entertainment.excite.com , http://tv.yahoo.com , http://www.tvzap.com , http://television.aol.com , http://www.titantv.com , http://www.zap2it.com

Markm · 25-Jun-2011, 2:20 AM

Thanks John

I just ordered the Winegard HDP269 from Solid Signal.

Markm · 25-Jun-2011, 3:18 AM

http://www.p4c.philips.com/cgi-bin/d...scy=US&slg=AEN

John,

I was surfing the web and found the antenna that I have, the link is above. I don't know if that will make any difference.

I was just reading the info on this antenna and it says there is an amplifier knob. I don't recall seeing anything like that, must not look like a knob.
See all FAQs
Question
How do I use the amplifier knob?
Answer

There is an amplifier knob with this antenna. You may need to increase the volume when the air signal is weak, or decrease the volume while the air signal is too strong.

John Candle · 25-Jun-2011, 6:27 AM

The user manuals of these China antennas are poorly written. I do not think you will find a amplifier or a knob on or in the antenna. Page 7 of the user manual does not show any thing in the way of a amplifier or knob. The user manual does show , coax cable , matching transformer connected to the coax and the antenna. Do not reuse the matching transformer that is connected to the antenna now. Use a new matching transformer and new coax from the new matching transformer , in to the house. You can buy new RG-6 coax at Home Depot or Lowes.

John Candle · 25-Jun-2011, 6:56 AM

Order the matching transformer and 4 foot cable from Summitsource. Is the Philips antenna that you have , broken in any way?? These cheap antennas typicaly do not last very long out in the weather. Is the rotor still working??

Markm · 25-Jun-2011, 1:42 PM

John,

I ordered the matching transformer last nite too.

I repositioned the antenna last nite, did a rescan and got in 3 channels plus the extra couple that come with them. I did another rescan this mourning and got the following channels:
WBBM (vc 2) CBS , WLS (vc 7) ABC , WFLD (vc 32) FOX, WWTO (vc 35) IND, WSNS (vc 44)TEL, WPWR (vc 50) MyN, WYIN (vc 56) PBS, and WGBO (vc 60) IND.

I will pick up RG-6 coax at the local Menards or Home Depot.

Thanks again
Mark

Markm · 25-Jun-2011, 1:58 PM

John,

I planned on getting on the roof to check the antenna for damage today until I repositioned the antenna and got some channels, would like to have gotten WMAQ (vc 5) NBC. I will probably go check it anyway since it is very nice out today not raining yet but they are calling for another 2 to 3 inches tonight again.

If I do need a new antenna what would be your suggestion?

Thanks again,

Mark