help with hdtv reception in rural western ny

[dlkl]

I have an RCA TV with an analog to digital converter. I made the bowtie antenna and I only get 3 channels, NBC, CBS, and ABC affilates from Buffalo. We are located in 14737 Lyndon NY. Can anyone help with antenna ideas, it is a seasonal place, also there is a metal roof on cabin. The roof seems to impact reception.

[elmo]

In order to get good responses to your question(s), please include a link to a tvfool report (looks like "http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx") for your exact address.

http://www.tvfool.com/index.php?opti...pper&Itemid=29

[dlkl]

http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...cc495ca58ed7f0

sorry here is the link for help with reception.

The tvfool radar report you provided is not showing a antenna height above ground.

Please make a tvfool radar plot report with the antenna height 25 feet above ground.

[dlkl]

here is the plot with the 25ft antenna height.

http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...cc492c92f2bb4d

[elmo]

You mentioned a metal roof. It's not reception friendly obviously. Can you get an antenna on the roof? Since it's a cabin, how close are the trees, and what type and height are they? Looks like regardless, you won't get a clean shot. The more details you can give, the better the analysis that can be done. This might take a particular configuration to work for you. Also, what other specific channels are you trying to get?

Here are Digital Tv stations/channels to the , north , north west , at your location.

The following are receivable at 25 feet antenna height.

WVIB-DT REAL UHF channel 39 , virtual number (4.1) CBS.

WGRZ-DT REAL UHF channel 33 , , virtual number (2.1-2) NBC and Antenna Tv.

WKBW-DT REAL UHF channel 38 , virtual number (7.1) ABC.

WNYO-TV REAL UHF channel 49 , virtual number (49.1) MyNetwork.

WUTV-DT REAL UHF channel 14 , virtual number (29.1-2) FOX and Country Net.

WNLO-DT REAL UHF channel 32 , virtual number (23.1) The CW , is very weak of signal strength at 25 feet antenna height and may or may not be received.

For reception of the Digital Tv stations/channels to the , north west , north , at 25 feet antenna height , install a Channel Master CM4228HD antenna and a Channel Master CM7778 preamp , aimed at about 345 degree magnetic compass direction.

Here is how to aim antennas , http://www.kyes.com/antenna/pointing/pointing.html.

Install the CM4228HD antenna about 3 feet or more above the metal roof in such a manner the the metal roof is not blocking reception to the , north , north west.

Here are some strong and sturdy antenna mounts , http://www.ronard.com/Trapods%200703/4712.html , http://www.ronard.com/909911.html , http://www.ronard.com/ychim.html , http://www.ronard.com.

Buy the ronard antenna mounts at solidsignal by typing the word ronard in the solidsignal search box.

Here are some places to buy antennas and etc. , http://www.solidsignal.com , http://www.amazon.com , http://www.channelmasterstore.com.
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As always , trees and tree leaves do a real fine job of reducing or blocking Tv reception and so do buildings and other obstructions.

It is best to install the antenna at a location that has the least amount to no amount of obstructions in the directions of reception including your own house.

The Tv/s Must Channel Scan for the Digital Broadcast Tv Channels , sometimes named the 'Air Channels' or 'Antenna Channels' in the Tv setup menu because the Tv transmissions travel through the air from the transmitting antenna to the receiving antenna.

DO NOT channel scan for cable tv channels.

I reverse engineered your location to close to your location.

To see what increased antenna height will make the signals stronger.

The next meaningful antenna heights for signal strengths are , 75 and 100 feet.

75 feet.

http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...cc4909da2296a8.

100 feet.

http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...cc496af2869b07.

75 feet will increase the listed Tv station signal strengths. And make WNLO more receivable and reliable.
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The following is a try it and see if it works type of situation.

75 feet antenna height will also make WPXJ-DT REAL UHF channel 23 , virtual number (51.1) ION TV receivable to the point that can try turning the CM4228HD antenna in the direction of 34 degree magnetic compass direction to receive WPXJ with out losing the reception of the listed Digital Tv stations to the , North , North West.

75 feet will bring WXXI-TV Real UHF channel 16 , virtual number (x) PBS , up to a weak receivable signal strength of minus -4.6 NM (dB) in the Red reception zone.

WXXI-TV PBS is a little further to the north east at 45 degree magnetic compass direction and can try turning the HD4228HD antenna to get it also but I do not think it will work. Its a 65 degree spread from WVIB-DT CBS to WXXI-TV PBS and that's realy streching the ability of the CM4228HD to receive at such a wide angle of weak Digital Tv signals.

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If you choose to mount the antenna at 75 feet.

I expect will be better to install 2 - Different - SEPARATE Antennas Systems.

The CM2448HD antenna / CM7778 preamp will be aimed at the , north east , digital Tv stations.

And a Antennas Direct , Clear Stream 4 UHF antenna -> with the reflector screen removed <- will be aimed at the , north west , north , Tv stations aimed at about 355 degree magnetic compass direction , a CM7778 preamp is also installed with the CS4 antenna setup.

Having the reflector screen removed will allow the CS4 antenna to receive in 2 directions , the , north west , north , group of Tv stations and also WVTT-CA UHF channel 25 , CBS and MyNetwork , W30BW UHF channel 30 Retro Tv Network to the south.

Aim the CS4 antenna system at 355 degree magnetic compass direction and the second CM7778HD Separate antenna system at about 40 degree magnetic compass direction for reception of WPXJ ION and WXXI PBS.

The 2 separate antenna systems are separate all the way to the location/s of the Tv/s , were will be connected to a Remote control A/B antenna coax switch.

http://www.radioshack.com , #15-1968. , or , http://www.mcmelectronics.com. #32-4425.

A/B antenna switching is Channel Surfing Friendly , press the button on the A/B remote control , change antennas and keep on Channel Surfing.
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With the antenna/s height at 100 feet above ground , signal strengths are improved a little more.
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Here is a way to get the heights to 75 and 100 feet above ground. A light weight , aluminum , Lay Over tower , no climbing to do antenna installation and do all adjustments standing on the ground.

Even the fine tuning antenna direction adjustments , standing on the ground.

http://www.palcoelectronics.com/pe300.aspx.

[dlkl]

thanks for the reply. It will be difficult to put the antenna up 75 feet. I had another idea, we have a telephone pole on a hill that is clear of obstructions for 100 feet to the north, north east direction. I was wondering about mounting antenna to pole with an extension to get a height of at least 35-40 feet. I would have to run wire underground from antenna to tv. But, will I lose signal strength from antenna to tv, the distance is about 75 feet. Will I need heavier gauge coaxe cable? The property has pine tress and silver maple. The pole does have a sodium light on it, will that affect it.

[elmo]

Good idea to get the antenna in a location that's higher up and more clear. I don't expect you'll have much problem with a 75' run of cable. Make it a single drop of RG-6 with good connections and you should be good. You can always add a pre-amp later if needed.

As for the telephone pole, if it's not yours, you may want to reconsider mounting on it. If it's yours, you're good to go.

If you own the pole and light , then it is your choice to install antenna on pole.

I do not recommend it , it is your choice.

As to the sodium light effecting reception , I do not know. My guesstimation is there will be no interference to Tv reception.

Use the CM4228HD and CM7778 preamp. Aim the antenna at about 345 degree magnetic compass direction.

Use Direct Burial RG-6 coax.

If the coax is under a area where there is bare ground and vehicle traffic , then I recommend putting the coax in ridged plastic pipe.
It is better to use plastic pipe that has a ->Larger Diameter<- then a smaller diameter that the coax will just fit in.

Here is a place to buy direct burial coax. http://www.3starinc.com.