OTA Antenna reception

fishnugget · 22-Mar-2010, 6:31 AM

Hi guys,

I live in an apartment on the second floor (highest) and probably cant add an antenna to the rooftop. However, I think I can add an antenna to my balcony which oversees the south area. I just bought a terk hdtva indoor antenna and get the following channels,

15.1 KPBS HD
15.2 V-me
39.1 KNSD HD
39.2 NBC+
39.3 US NBC
51.1 KUSI HD
69.1 KSWB-DT HD
46 Univision (weak but viewable)
42 Azteca America (weak but viewable)

However, I would like to get CBS and ABC. What can I do or buy to get them? Thanks.

I own a Pioneer PDP-5071 720p or 1080i. Here is my info, from TVfool,

http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...b7c8e36678808b

Tigerbangs · 22-Mar-2010, 1:48 PM

The two channels with which you are having trouble, channels 8 and 10, lie in a different direction from the UHF transmitter location in San Diego. if you click on those channels in your TVFool.com report, you'll see that there is a large mountain blocking the VHF signals from your location. Without a fringe-area, roof-mounted antenna, I doubt that you'd be able to see those channels. If you don't have the ability to mount an antenna on the roof, I'm afraid that your only other options would be cable TV or satellite service: sorry about that!

fishnugget · 22-Mar-2010, 4:40 PM

Dope! So many hills in my area.

Oh well, what about the VHF channels, it seems my antenna is not picking any of them up. I don't understand why since it is vhf ready too.

Tigerbangs · 22-Mar-2010, 4:54 PM

VHF stations operate on much lower field strength than comparable UHF stations, so they tend to not penetrate buildings as well. You will never see a decent signal with an indoor VHF antenna in your location if you are looking for channels 8 and 10

fishnugget · 22-Mar-2010, 5:12 PM

What if I place it outside my balcony? I had it outside yesterday but I didnt pick up any vhf channels. I'm also thinking about raising the indoor antenna higher in my balcony by sticking it to some pole. Would that work?

Tigerbangs · 22-Mar-2010, 5:18 PM

the VHF signals are VERY weak where you are because they are blocked by mountains. I would not hold out hope that an HDTVa would see them

fishnugget · 22-Mar-2010, 5:52 PM

Thanks for the encouraging words Tigerbangs. I am going to play with the antenna and try and mount it to some pole thats higher. Hopefully I dont get flamed by my landlord, haha.

Dave Loudin · 22-Mar-2010, 6:07 PM

Does that antenna have integrated rabbit ears? That's the active part for VHF. Be sure that those elements are extended fully and are both horizontal. You won't be able to do much better than that without jumping to some sort of bow-tie antenna or Yagi-style.

fishnugget · 22-Mar-2010, 6:39 PM

Dave,

this antenna does have the integrated rabbit ears. I will extend them and try again this afternoon. Thanks.

Tigerbangs · 22-Mar-2010, 10:40 PM

I wish you good luck!

fishnugget · 23-Mar-2010, 7:49 PM

Thanks Tigerbanger. I tried extending the rabbit ears and it didnt work.

Also, I went out and bought a EZHD antenna because someone recommended I buy it for its stronger vhf signals but I was still unable to get cbs and abc even after mounting it to a 10ft pole on my balcony. The EZHD did give me two more channels than the HDTVa but I think it was because it was higher. I am going to try placing the HDTVa antenna higher by mounting it to a telescoping painters pole from home depot to see if I can get better channels. I think I am going to stick with the HDTVa at this point since its smaller, cheaper, and gave me pretty much the same channels.