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PICS: Don't you love it when things just fall into place? (Home theatre)

A

acemcmac

Lifer
NBC and CBS's DTV channel are WAAAY high up in the UHF channels in my market. NBC is on 67 and CBS is on 64. I am <5 miles from the transmitters, but even with a 50" roof-type antenna, I can't get either of them reliably... I get DTV on 26, 34 and 45 just fine... it's these upper ones that are killing me. Anyone have any tips to improve UHF reception?

My antenna is in my basement, but near the back windows (and a door to grade), pointed at the horizon where the transmitters are.

Update: 9/18
I mounted the antenna with a little jerry-rigging on my deck. The mast is only friction fit so I can move it later without leaving behind any unsightly holes or anything. Thankfully, I was able to do this without any new drilling sice I have some really crappy basement windows 😱

Pics...

Antenna
Free HD 1
Free HD 2
Free HD 3
Free HD 4

The screen is a Da-lite glass bead-reflective drop down (~78" diag)
The tuner is the Viewsonic HD12
The projector is the Optimal EP716 (native 800x600)
Full Dolby surround via RCA S/P-DIF and Logitec z680's

49 ATSC and NTSC channels... now if I was only rooting for a team better than the eagles 🙁
 
Originally posted by: acemcmac
NBC and CBS's DTV channel are WAAAY high up in the UHF channels in my market. NBC is on 67 and CBS is on 64. I am <5 miles from the transmitters, but even with a 50" roof-type antenna, I can't get either of them reliably... I get DTV on 26, 34 and 45 just fine... it's these upper ones that are killing me. Anyone have any tips to improve UHF reception?

My antenna is in my basement, but near the back windows (and a door to grade), pointed at the horizon where the transmitters are.
Click to expand...

The higher the frequency the more trouble the signal has getting around / through obstacles. So if you have a hill between you and the xmitter, it may kill your signal.

Either go higher or get a different antenna, but it sounds like you're in good shape on count #1.
 
UHF Preamplifier...though that could actually worsen your problem, as you are going to amplify your noise too. Ask an expert?
 
Originally posted by: flyboy84
UHF Preamplifier...though that could actually worsen your problem, as you are going to amplify your noise too. Ask an expert?
Click to expand...

Well, all a 'tuner' is is an amplifier and a tuned filter, it might work, but you're right, the noise will go up too.

I'd say work on your LOS.
 
Your antenna may not be suitable. I have some cheap indoor Radio Shack thing and get all the channels.

EDIT: In West Chester
 
Originally posted by: So
Originally posted by: flyboy84
UHF Preamplifier...though that could actually worsen your problem, as you are going to amplify your noise too. Ask an expert?
Click to expand...

Well, all a 'tuner' is is an amplifier and a tuned filter, it might work, but you're right, the noise will go up too.

I'd say work on your LOS.
Click to expand...

Well, it's not the NTSC channels that I'm having a problem with. This is ATSC... there is no noise. You either get it or you don't. MPEG2. I have This tuner, a Viewsonic HD12. It reports "10% signal stregnth" when I try to manually scan the UHF channels where I know the ATSC signals are, but it won't lock...

hmmm...
 
Originally posted by: acemcmac
Originally posted by: So
Originally posted by: flyboy84
UHF Preamplifier...though that could actually worsen your problem, as you are going to amplify your noise too. Ask an expert?
Click to expand...

Well, all a 'tuner' is is an amplifier and a tuned filter, it might work, but you're right, the noise will go up too.

I'd say work on your LOS.
Click to expand...

Well, it's not the NTSC channels that I'm having a problem with. This is ATSC... there is no noise. You either get it or you don't. MPEG2. I have This tuner, a Viewsonic HD12. It reports "10% signal stregnth" when I try to manually scan the UHF channels where I know the ATSC signals are, but it won't lock...

hmmm...
Click to expand...

Well that's the thing about digital -- you still have noise, but it either works or it doesn't -- noise will stop your signal from locking.
 
go to any of the 9/11 threads and see if any of the conspiracists have any extra foil they can give you....seriously...you be doing yourself and them a favor...classic win-win scenario!!!!
 
Originally posted by: acemcmac
My basement exits to grade. I don't want to put it on the roof since I'd have to fish the equivalent of 4 stories 🙁
Click to expand...

Drill a hole to the outer wall of the basement and run it up to the roof on the outside of the house...

they have clamps that nail into wood or mortar to keep the cable attached to the surface...
 
Originally posted by: acemcmac
My basement exits to grade. I don't want to put it on the roof since I'd have to fish the equivalent of 4 stories 🙁
Click to expand...

Trust me, you'll get WAAAY better signal if you put it up high. It may suck doing it, but your signal will thank you.
 
Originally posted by: spacejamz
Originally posted by: acemcmac
My basement exits to grade. I don't want to put it on the roof since I'd have to fish the equivalent of 4 stories 🙁
Click to expand...

Drill a hole to the outer wall of the basement and run it up to the roof on the outside of the house...

they have clamps that nail into wood or mortar to keep the cable attached to the surface...
Click to expand...

Adjoining housing. It's a lot more complicated than that.
 
Originally posted by: acemcmac
Originally posted by: spacejamz
Originally posted by: acemcmac
My basement exits to grade. I don't want to put it on the roof since I'd have to fish the equivalent of 4 stories 🙁
Click to expand...

Drill a hole to the outer wall of the basement and run it up to the roof on the outside of the house...

they have clamps that nail into wood or mortar to keep the cable attached to the surface...
Click to expand...

Adjoining housing. It's a lot more complicated than that.
Click to expand...


Well then you better get moving...
 
Channel master 4228 or 4221 in your case (Close in)

It's what the pro's use.

(<---Pro)

But you have to get the antenna up in the air.
Not in the basement.
 
Originally posted by: acemcmac
Exactly... They want $117/mo for cable internet and digital cable with HD programming.
Click to expand...
If you ever feel like watching the HD goodness that is ESPN HD, Discovery HD, INHD, HDNet, etc...Dish Network. It sure isn't perfect (HDLite) but they'll give it to you for some $30 a month. Beats the hell out of Comcast.
 
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