Using Terk FDTV2A Not Receiving VHF

Jeremy · 22-Apr-2012, 6:36 AM

In an effort to avoid needing cable service, I am trying to use an antenna. I just bought a Terk FDTV2A, and it's working well for UHF channels. However, I'm not receiving any VHF channels. Here are my TV signal analysis results:

http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...7fcff02f219682

For example, I am receiving CBS, Fox, and NBC (all UHF) but not ABC, which is WFAA real 8 virtual 8-1. My neighbor would also like to get rid of his cable service, so I'd like to resolve this issue before I give him any advice.

Electron · 22-Apr-2012, 7:47 AM

Is this a , house , town home , condo , apartment , mobile home , motor home or etc. ?? How many Tv's are/will be connected??

Electron · 22-Apr-2012, 8:05 AM

If the building is wood frame with wood or vinyl siding and standard composition singles. Then a Terk HDTVi Non Amplified antenna aimed at about 240 degree magnetic compass will receive the Real UHF and VHF digital Tv channels. Here is how to aim indoor antennas , http://www.kyes.com/antenna/pointing/pointing.html. If the building is , concrete , concrete block , cinder block , bricks from ground to roof , big rocks for walls , earth walls , metal framing , metal siding , stucko Wire , metal backed insulation , solar panels , then the reception with a indoor antenna will be reduced or blocked. Put the antenna in a window that has no metal screen toward the south west for better reception.

Based on the Current Plus Pending Applications Included Digital Tv Stations/Channels receive all the green and yellow reception zone stations/channels. Install a Winegard Hd7082P antenna above the roof aimed at about 240 degree magnetic compass. Here is how to aim antennas , http://www.kyes.com/antenna/pointing/pointing.html. Here are some strong and sturdy antenna mounts , http://www.ronard.com/909911.html , http://www.ronard.com/34424560.html / http://www.ronard.com/ychim.html , http://www.ronard.com . Buy the ronard mounts at solidsignal by typing the word ronard in the solidsignal search box or buy from ronard. Here are some places to buy antennas and etc. , http://www.solidsignal.com , http://www.winegarddirect.com , http://www.amazon.com. The HD7082P antenna will supply signal to , 1 , 2 , 3 , or 4 Tv's with no amplifier.

The Tv/s Must Scan for the Digital Broadcast Tv Channels sometimes named the 'Air Channels" or 'Antenna Channels' because the tv transmissions travel through the air from the transmitting antenna to your receiving antenna. DO NOT scan for cable Tv channels.

signals unlimited · 22-Apr-2012, 1:54 PM

If you don't mind a rather large antenna on your roof, the HD7082 surely will deliver all of the UHF and VHF channels to your South West and work on any Low VHF that may show up in future re-alighnment of spectrum or new LP station that could come on line.

If you have an attic and a roof that is not metal or tile, you may want to look at a simple installation of an RCA ANT751. No amplifier should be needed, however if you miss any desired channels you could add a low gain pre-amplifier such as the Channel Master 7778 (16 db ) UHF and VHF. This system should deliver all of the channels from the 240 degree magnetic direction with enough signal left over to run up to four sets, provided the cable runs are less than 50 feet in length.

MisterMe · 22-Apr-2012, 5:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeremy

In an effort to avoid needing cable service, I am trying to use an antenna. I just bought a Terk FDTV2A, and it's working well for UHF channels. However, I'm not receiving any VHF channels. Here are my TV signal analysis results:

http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...7fcff02f219682

For example, I am receiving CBS, Fox, and NBC (all UHF) but not ABC, which is WFAA real 8 virtual 8-1. My neighbor would also like to get rid of his cable service, so I'd like to resolve this issue before I give him any advice.

The Terk FDTV2A is an amplified antenna. You live in an area with line-of-sight (LOS) access to 32 very strong stations and excellent access to several others. Electron recommended a non-amplified antena. With the aggregate signal strength at your residence, it is easy to saturate an amplifier which will make things much worse. Removing power from your antenna will turn the amplifier into an attenuator. Replace the amplified antenna with one of the recommended ones.

Jeremy · 23-Apr-2012, 1:56 AM

This is a great forum. I appreciate your quick responses. Thank you all for the input.

It's a house with one TV currently. We might add one in the next few years, but it might be a long time before we have more than two. The frame is wood, the walls are part brick, part wood (masonite), and the roof is composition shingles.

My preference is not to put an antenna on the roof, so I'm opting for an attic installation. There is a good amount of attic space in the southwest side of the house, which has a wood wall. I returned the Terk FDTV2A and ordered an RCA ANT751. Hopefully it's all metal. If part of it is plastic, I'm not sure how it would do in the hot Texas summer. If the antenna alone isn't enough, I'll try a low-gain pre-amp.

By the way, if anyone has a recommendation for a digital TV converter box, please let me know. I bought a Coby DTV102. The brand probably doesn't have the best reputation, but it was all they had at Fry's, which is a major electronics store in Texas and where I bought the first antenna. I don't want to spend more than $40-$50.

Thank you!

BCF68 · 23-Apr-2012, 3:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeremy

This is a great forum. I appreciate your quick responses. Thank you all for the input.

It's a house with one TV currently. We might add one in the next few years, but it might be a long time before we have more than two. The frame is wood, the walls are part brick, part wood (masonite), and the roof is composition shingles.

My preference is not to put an antenna on the roof, so I'm opting for an attic installation. There is a good amount of attic space in the southwest side of the house, which has a wood wall. I returned the Terk FDTV2A and ordered an RCA ANT751. Hopefully it's all metal. If part of it is plastic, I'm not sure how it would do in the hot Texas summer. If the antenna alone isn't enough, I'll try a low-gain pre-amp.

By the way, if anyone has a recommendation for a digital TV converter box, please let me know. I bought a Coby DTV102. The brand probably doesn't have the best reputation, but it was all they had at Fry's, which is a major electronics store in Texas and where I bought the first antenna. I don't want to spend more than $40-$50.

Thank you!

With your signal strengths and only needing an antenna for one TV all you need is simple loop antenna with rabbit ears which you get can get for less than $15. Make sure it's not amplified.

Since you go to fry's

http://www.frys.com/product/6640944?...H:MAIN_RSLT_PG

For the channel 8 station have the rabbit ears parts almost perfectly horizontal and each "ear" extended about 15 inches.

signals unlimited · 23-Apr-2012, 4:10 PM

The ANT 751 is a great choice...doubt if you need an amplifier, but if you do, be sure that it is low gain.
My favorite converter box is a Zenith (not sure of the model #). RCA from Wal Mart is OK. Used some Magnavox, also OK.

Jeremy · 27-May-2012, 4:48 AM

Thought I'd post an update on the results.

I installed an RCA ANT751 in the attic. At first, it worked well, receiving over 30 channels. Then I took down an old satellite dish that was mounted outside on the roof close to where the antenna was inside in the attic. Immediately we lost all our channels, even though the dish wasn't connected to anything.

I tested the equipment by trying the antenna on the roof, and it worked. Then I put the antenna back in the attic and installed an amplifier. Now we receive 80 channels.

Maybe I'm crazy, but I have a theory: the satellite dish was reflecting signals into the attic.

Anyway, it's working now, and that's what matters.

Electron · 27-May-2012, 6:27 PM

Very good , thats a lot of channels!