Reception Help, so close yet so far

[The Scientist]

Hello,

Here is my report...
http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...3cf41f28276f22

I just bought an indoor antenna and a USB tv tuner for my laptop, I set it all up with a splitter going to my tv and my tuner. I am able to pick up several channels at about 40 - 60 % signal power according to the signal meter on my TV. I get 5.1, 7.1, 9.1, 13.1, 14,1 and 26.1. I only get these channels if I point my antenna through my sliding door (I'm in a 3rd story apartment) which points west, and I point my antenna north west. If I point my antenna south west it goes through my wall. Oddly the report seems to show that I need to point it southwest, unless I am understanding it wrong.

I want to pick up 2.1 and 4.1, 2.1 is found when I scan, but has no picture, while 4.1 is not even found from scanning.

My questions are...
Why do I only get a few stations, when they all are supposed to be in the same direction?
Why does my USB tuner seem to get a better signal than my tv's tuner?
why does my tv's signal seem to decrease when I have the splitter on?
Does my antenna's amplifier have any effect on this? ( it can be set to 5,10 or 15) I currently have it to 15
Am I pointing my antenna in the right direction?

Here is my antenna...
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/CLEARSTR...&skuId=1343284


Thanks a bunch in advance

[John Candle]

Do you have a balcony on the west side , so as to put a Tv antenna outside?? The Tv signals are weak at your location , a Tv antenna Will Need To Go Outside. Is the third floor the top floor?? If not what is the top floor?? Are there tall buildings to the , north west , west , south west?? If so how many floors?? How bout big trees to the , north west , west , south west??

[The Scientist]

the third floor is the top floor and I don't believe there is any major obstructions, and yes I do have a balcony, I am just not sure how to connect an outdoor antenna and wire it inside without drilling.

Also, do you think I have my antenna pointing the right direction?

Thanks for your help

[John Candle]

Ok here we go . The plot is full of twists and turns . I must say this is a fun one to figure out. The outside antenna I suggest using is the Channelmaster CM2016 and the preamp I suggest using is the Winegard HDP269 high input preamp.. Mount the antenna and preamp outside on the patio railing with this J Pole mount CM3009. Here is how to get coax into the Apt. http://www.amazon.com/Parts-Express-.../dp/B0002KR74A or EagleAspen FC300XL. Be Nice to the flat cable DO NOT Slam Doors or Windows on it. Here is how to point Tv antennas http://www.kyes.com/antenna/pointing/pointing.html , point the antenna in the direction 194 magnetic compass or as close to that direction as the antenna will get. Here are places to buy antennas and etc.. http://wwwsolidsignal.com , http://www.amazon.com . . I will be back shortly with info of the channels you are reaching out to receive.

[John Candle]

Ok I have returned with more inflammation. It will be help full if the balcony is more in the direction of south west so the CM2016 can be adjusted to better receive the stations in the direction of 194 magnetic compass. Here is inflammation about Real Digital Tv Channels and Virtual Digital Tv Channels. http://www.forum.tvfool.com/showthread.php?t=695 . Display Digital Tv Channels and Virtual Digital Tv Channels are the same thing. Physical Digital Tv Channels and Real Digital Tv Channels are the same thing. Here is inflammation of the Networks that are on the Digital Repeater/Translators , and Low Power digital transmitters. . www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=127064 . K17II-D may or may not be transmitting. KCVB-LD the LD= Low Power Digital. The inflammation I found is KCVB is transmitting and here is whats on http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KCVB. . If the reception of tv station/channels can be received as far down as K18DL-D -- KJZZ you are doing well.

[The Scientist]

Ok, it worked great, I have not yet used the flat Coax Cable yet, but I tried the antenna outside pointing in the correct direction and I got all the channels I wanted, with my indoor antenna. I will return it today and pick up a proper outdoor antenna.

Thanks for all the help
Free TV is great

The Scientist

[John Candle]

You can use the antenna you have until you get the other antenna and etc.. You can put the antenna and the amplifier you have in a plastic bag with open side of the bag down if you think it will rain or snow.