TV Fool  

Go Back   TV Fool > Over The Air Services > Help With Reception

Notices

Reply
 
Thread Tools
Old 7-Jul-2014, 3:03 PM   #1
lbs22
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 5
Intermittent signal

Currently using a very large, old antennae that came with the house. Also have a Clearstream 4 which doesn't work as well and has been disconnected.

WHP 21.1 comes in clearly most of the time but we experience audio drop and loss of picture several times a week for anywhere between a couple minutes and a few hours. Happens on clear days, rainy days, etc. WITF 33.1 also drops but much less frequently and more during bad weather. Interestingly enough WGAL 8.1 Real channel 49 comes in clear all the time and that's further down the list. I doubt we're getting the stronger WGAL signal based on positioning.

Antennae is pointed towards 76 degrees about 20 feet above ground next to metal roof. Analysis link below. What do we need to ensure the 21.1 signal more consistently?

http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...e1c6fd410fcc83
lbs22 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-Jul-2014, 5:21 PM   #2
GroundUrMast
Moderator
 
GroundUrMast's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Greater Seattle Area
Posts: 4,773
Your TV Fool reception report strongly suggests that you need to consider using the largest availble antenna or combination of antennas that cover the UHF and High-VHF bands.

Several choices I would consider are;

Winegard HD7698P
Antennacraft HBU-55
Antennas Direct 91XG + Antennacraft Y10713 + a UHF/VHF combiner (separate or built into the preamp)

An RCA TVPRAMP1R or Antennas Direct PA-18 would be the preamps I'd consider.
__________________
If the well is dry and you don't see rain on the horizon, you'll need to dig the hole deeper. (If the antenna can't get the job done, an amp won't fix it.)

(Please direct account activation inquiries to 'admin')
GroundUrMast is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-Jul-2014, 6:09 PM   #3
lbs22
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 5
Quote:
Originally Posted by GroundUrMast View Post
Your TV Fool reception report strongly suggests that you need to consider using the largest availble antenna or combination of antennas that cover the UHF and High-VHF bands.

Several choices I would consider are;

Winegard HD7698P
Antennacraft HBU-55
Antennas Direct 91XG + Antennacraft Y10713 + a UHF/VHF combiner (separate or built into the preamp)

An RCA TVPRAMP1R or Antennas Direct PA-18 would be the preamps I'd consider.
Since I'm just trying to boost a signal that comes in strong and clear 90% of the time, could I just try a preamp? Considering the Winegard LNA 200. The existing large antenna is very large like the links you provided but at least 20 years old. Do most antennas have model info on them somewhere?
lbs22 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-Jul-2014, 5:58 PM   #4
GroundUrMast
Moderator
 
GroundUrMast's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Greater Seattle Area
Posts: 4,773
Reliable reception starts with (and can end at) the antenna, it's selection and placement.

Amplifiers can not 'pull' signal from the antenna or the air. An amplifier is analogous to a pump. Placing a premium high volume/pressure pump in damp hole will not make the hole into a well that produces drinkable water. If mud is all that the pump is supplied with, expect mud at the tap. If the antenna is receiving a distorted or noisy signal, an amplifier will deliver a noisy distorted signal to the TV. The job of an amplifier is to overcome the losses in cable and splitters on the output side of the amps, it can not repair or fix signal quality issues such as noise and distortion. With that said, the cost of a preamp may be such that you want to try it. If so, I'd suggest the RCA TVPRAMP1R or PA-18. The LNA-200 lacks adequate internal shielding which makes it unacceptable to ingress of signals that result in higher noise output in some applications.

Last edited by GroundUrMast; 11-Jul-2014 at 6:01 PM.
GroundUrMast is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Go Back   TV Fool > Over The Air Services > Help With Reception



Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off




All times are GMT. The time now is 3:22 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2025, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Copyright © TV Fool, LLC