West Central Florida area; antenna needs

[rivernut]

I'm very new at this and don't need to pay for TV. I grew up in the days when it was and still is free. These are my stats: http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...8d1707f4ae3500

I'm currently using an old, old antenna, probably been on the pole out there since the 80's. But, guess what, it works. Or it has. Now I'm starting to lose stations. The pole is about 20 - 22' off the ground with no major obstructions immediately around and relatively flat terrain. I receive several channels sets: 8(WFLA), 10(WTSP), 13(WTVT), 3.1-3.4(WEDU), 66.1-66.3(ION), 44(WTOG), 16.1-16.4(WUSF). For some reason, we do not receive ch. 38 at all (WTTA) and would like to. My co-ax off the antenna runs to a splitter, then a converter to the older set. From there it hits a signal amp that says 15db on it. I presume that's the boost(?). Then on to the newer flat screen. Great picture. But occasiuonally, the signal is lost. Then I go outside with a pair of channel lock pliers and physically turn the pole slightly, and the signal is back.

I think my real question deals with an antenna with a wider range of reception, where I do not have to adjust that pole direction every other day? Do they make them so you can just aim them and leave them and still pick up station locations that vary from, say, 140 degrees to 215 degrees?

Thank you in advance for you help!!

[John Candle]

I suggest a Winegard HD7698P antenna. No preamp or inline amp. The HD7698P will provide plenty of signal to drive 2 Tv's. For a 2 Tv hook up use a 2 way splitter. Use known to be good coax for ALL connections. Aim the antenna at about 163 degree magnetic compass and turn adj. the antenna for best reception of stations to the south - south east. Here is how to aim Tv antennas , http://www.kyes.com/antenna/pointing/pointing.html . Read and understand about , Real Broadcast Digital Tv Channels , Virtual Broadcast Digital Tv Channels , Analog Tv Channels , http://forum.tvfool.com/showthread.php?t=695 . Here are places to buy Tv antennas. http://www.3starinc.com , http://www.solidsignal.com , http://www.starkelectronic.com , http://www.amazon.com . . Lowes has a good selection of splitters , connectors , RG-6 coax and etc. . .

[John Candle]

Tv antennas receive the best when the antenna has a clear shot at the Tv transmitters. To start with aim the antenna at about 163 degree magnetic compass and adj. the antenna south - south east for best reception of the stations.

[Dave Loudin]

Before you spend any money, (if you have to, John's suggestion will certainly work) a check of your current system is in order. Let me see if I understand you correctly:

- reception of the channels you listed is satisfactory, save for occasional drop outs.
- the drop outs are only fixed by repositioning the antenna.
- WTTA is not received by either the converter box or TV.
- the antenna's feed is split, with one side going to the diverted box and the other side going to the TV via a booster.

First thing: check to see if the antenna is securely fasted to the mast. You should not have to continually reaim the antenna (be sure to aim like John suggested.) Next, check the balun (the device that connects to the antenna that accepts coax connections) and all coax cable and connectors for tightness and integrity. If all that is ok, then completely remove the booster. Not picking up the strongest UHF points either to a defect somewhere in your feed system or you are subject to multipath interference. Your description of your location would rule out multipath.

If all else fails, the Winegard should pick up the Fox affiliate.

Good luck!

[John Candle]

Only use known to be good coax and splitters and connectors from the antenna to the Tv's. Do not have multipul splits in the coax and antenna system. Each time a split takes place the signal strength is reduced. For 2 Tv's at your location the set up will be like this , antenna , known to be good coax , known to be good 2 way splitter , known to be good coax connected to one output of the known to be good 2 way splitter and coax connected to the Tv , and the other output of the know to be good 2 way splitter is connected to known to be good coax that is connected to the converter box.

[ADTech]

A 14' antenna is hardly needed (severe overkill). A medium range 7-69 antenna is all that is required. No amplifier should be needed with predicted NMs in the 40s. A pre-amp or distribution amplifier won't hurt anything but there should be no need for one if that TVfool forecast was accurate.

With only one exception, all of your TSP stations transmit from the same area (Riverview). That exception is WTSP which is currently broadcasting from a tower location at Holiday/Tarpon Springs. It should be the only reason you would need to change the aiming point of your antenna. WTSP will be relocating their transmitter from the Holiday area to the same area as everyone else sometime this spring or summer. Once that move is complete, re-aiming the antenna should not be needed. At a distance of only 8 miles, I'd suspect an overloaded amplifier or tuner or FMI before anything else.

If you'd like to try to salvage your current antenna, start with the basic maintenance that Dave L mention: Clean connections, new balun transformer, new down-lead cable, etc. Also, relocate that existing amplifier to a point on the antenna side of the splitter as it will do much better there. Locate it as close to the antenna as physically possible meaning the shortest cable run that you can achieve.

[Tower Guy]

Originally Posted by rivernut

From there it hits a signal amp that says 15db on it.

WTSP is too strong for the amplifier. The signals are strong enough without the amplifier. Try removing it.