Amplifying OTA signal...
- Thread starter beelzerob
- Start date
v1rtu0s1ty
Senior Member
Oh, yep, you're only solution is to use an antenna. Keep us posted.
beelzerob
Senior Member
Well, I believe I've settled on the Winegard HD8800 (replaces the PR8800). From that graph at hdtvprimer, it seems to be highest right in the channels I care most about, 20-40. Plus, the box size it ships in guarantees I'll be able to get it into the attic.
Then for amp, I think I'll go with the ChannelMaster 7777 since that just appears by concensus to be the best.
Any other inputs before I do the almighty "Order"?
Then for amp, I think I'll go with the ChannelMaster 7777 since that just appears by concensus to be the best.
Any other inputs before I do the almighty "Order"?
Steve
Senior Member
My only input is "good luck". My limited experience has shown me that as much as you can study all the 'specs' until you are blue in the face, this is all very unscientific. All these numbers and specs are what I would call 'lab' conditions but when you get to the real world it can change the landscape dramatically. Anything and everything between the transmitter and your antenna comes into play - building height and placement, trees, hell even birds flying in a flock. So I would use all these specs as a simple guideline but you will have to try a few to see what actually works best. And lets say I'm not necessarily convinced you won't need VHF. So, I would hold on to the Rad Shack antenna and try it side by side to the other before you make a definitive decision.
beelzerob
Senior Member
Well, I'm leary about unfolding that radioshack antenna again. The little plastic tabs that lock the arms out are just as likely to break if I do that again enough times. And then it'd be the hassle of taking it up into the attic and then back down.
I think part of the appeal of getting one of the flat panel type antennas is just the greater ease of installing it somewhere in the attic. That radioshack antenna is so big, I'm not even sure how to thread it through the rafters. And if I did eventually decide to mount it outside somewhere, I think the flat panel would offer better aesthetics than the big old traditional shaped monster.
I understand what you're saying though..it is all theorhetical.
*grumble*
I think part of the appeal of getting one of the flat panel type antennas is just the greater ease of installing it somewhere in the attic. That radioshack antenna is so big, I'm not even sure how to thread it through the rafters. And if I did eventually decide to mount it outside somewhere, I think the flat panel would offer better aesthetics than the big old traditional shaped monster.
I understand what you're saying though..it is all theorhetical.
*grumble*
SnyperBob
Active Member
beelzerob
Senior Member
That was the current favorite, ya.
Is that yours, or is that just a publicity ad? Sky looks too perfect to be on someone's roof.
Here is where the quandry has come, though..... You see, several weeks ago, I put up our original (old) antenna that we had used for HD broadcasts in AZ. It's a really simple affair, shaped like the B-2 bomber. Well, I bought a signal amp, put that old antenna in the attic, and hooked it up to the TV. Well, I was disappointed in the result. Fox came in with occasional issues, and CBS had frequent issues. That's when I bought the 160" monster from radioshack, and I felt that I could tell a difference in the lack of dropouts.
This last weekend, because the 160" monster is still in pieces awaiting a final disposition, I hooked up my old HD antenna again, still in the attic. This time?? Fox was practically flawless and CBS only dropped out once.
Sooo...I think what I've decided is we're still going to return the 160" monster, then we're going to buy the better signal amp (channel master instead of radioshack), and then I'm going to stick that older HD antenna as far up in the attic as I can. And we'll see how it does. If it starts leaving me unimpressed, then we'll probably order a new antenna.
Is that yours, or is that just a publicity ad? Sky looks too perfect to be on someone's roof.
Here is where the quandry has come, though..... You see, several weeks ago, I put up our original (old) antenna that we had used for HD broadcasts in AZ. It's a really simple affair, shaped like the B-2 bomber. Well, I bought a signal amp, put that old antenna in the attic, and hooked it up to the TV. Well, I was disappointed in the result. Fox came in with occasional issues, and CBS had frequent issues. That's when I bought the 160" monster from radioshack, and I felt that I could tell a difference in the lack of dropouts.
This last weekend, because the 160" monster is still in pieces awaiting a final disposition, I hooked up my old HD antenna again, still in the attic. This time?? Fox was practically flawless and CBS only dropped out once.
Sooo...I think what I've decided is we're still going to return the 160" monster, then we're going to buy the better signal amp (channel master instead of radioshack), and then I'm going to stick that older HD antenna as far up in the attic as I can. And we'll see how it does. If it starts leaving me unimpressed, then we'll probably order a new antenna.
Seems like a good plan.
As a way of explanation, RF signals are impacted by atmospheric conditions. What may work now, may not work when the seasons change, time of day, rain, etc.
beelzerob
Senior Member
Ya, I'm wondering if that was the issue. guess we'll find out during the first blizzard on a Sunday!
beelzerob
Senior Member
Well, sure enough, the reception just went back down to "sucky". So now that I have a spiffy channel master pre-amp, I'm going to go ahead and get the winegard 8800...it's GOT to be better than this basic antenna we have now.
I noticed this in the writeup though:
Do I have to worry about 300 ohm vs. 75 ohm? I'm used to always seeing 75 ohm. Is that a different connection or something? All I've got is RG6QS going to where it'll be.
I noticed this in the writeup though:
Do I have to worry about 300 ohm vs. 75 ohm? I'm used to always seeing 75 ohm. Is that a different connection or something? All I've got is RG6QS going to where it'll be.
Yeah, the 300 ohm lead is the old two wire solution. The 75 ohm F-style connectors are much better.
Also, have you tried out the old antenna with the amp and without the amp (ie taking both pieces out of the system)? Perhaps you were actually overdriving the signal. That can create droppouts and generally unwatchable TV as well.
Also, have you tried out the old antenna with the amp and without the amp (ie taking both pieces out of the system)? Perhaps you were actually overdriving the signal. That can create droppouts and generally unwatchable TV as well.
beelzerob
Senior Member
Ok, thanks Steve.
Hmmm...worth a try, I don't believe I ever did.
Now wouldn't that be funny, if the nice fancy best new pre-amp I just bought wasn't needed... HA HA AHHA!!! She'll love that.
Thank goodness I've made costlier mistakes...
Hmmm...worth a try, I don't believe I ever did.
Now wouldn't that be funny, if the nice fancy best new pre-amp I just bought wasn't needed... HA HA AHHA!!! She'll love that.
Thank goodness I've made costlier mistakes...
beelzerob
Senior Member
So, final update.....
I tried the old radio shack antenna without the amplifier...nothing at all. no signal on any channel. (I have about 80 or so feet from antenna to TV, and it goes through currently 3 barrel connectors). So, score 1 for the channel master amplifier.
I ended up buying the Wingard HD8800 from solid signal, and it is FANTASTIC. It is better than the humongous 160" radio shack antenna that cost twice as much as the HD8800 and ended up returning. The few HD channels I can get are clear and stuttering free. Of course, it was a good weather day....so it'll be curious to see how it fares in bad weather or with snow on the roof. I put it up in the attic with little difficulty because it's only about 4' square.
Anyway, thanks for the help and suggestions. A little research went a long way.
I tried the old radio shack antenna without the amplifier...nothing at all. no signal on any channel. (I have about 80 or so feet from antenna to TV, and it goes through currently 3 barrel connectors). So, score 1 for the channel master amplifier.
I ended up buying the Wingard HD8800 from solid signal, and it is FANTASTIC. It is better than the humongous 160" radio shack antenna that cost twice as much as the HD8800 and ended up returning. The few HD channels I can get are clear and stuttering free. Of course, it was a good weather day....so it'll be curious to see how it fares in bad weather or with snow on the roof. I put it up in the attic with little difficulty because it's only about 4' square.
Anyway, thanks for the help and suggestions. A little research went a long way.
GraysonPeddie
Active Member
I'm glad it worked for you. I have a Channel Master 4221 4-bay antenna, but I don't use my amp. I'm able to get ABC HD, CW HD (although only SD in Tallahassee), CBS HD, FOX HD, and PBS HD. Unfortunately, I don't get NBC HD because it broadcasts real channel 2. Call it absurd, but it's true! I do get stations 30 miles away from my apartment close to Tallahassee Community College) and CW is 6 miles behind my antenna. My antenna faces northeast and I made it stand on top of my suitcase. But of course, I'll get myself a mounting hardware to make it sit on top of my dresser. I'm located in first floor.
I do have basic cable with high speed Internet from Comcast, but I don't watch basic channels, only locals, so, that's why I have my atenna just to get away from watching basic cable. I do get MyNetworkTV (WCTV-DT2) and WTLF-DT CW.
Previously, I bought a SharpShooter SS-3000 from Amazon.com for $30 (but the original price is $130 if I remember right). I have problems arming at ABC due to low power, even though it's 30 miles away, so with Channel Master 4221, which is an antenna picking up 45 miles away. I do get a good signal from ABC, but it took me some time to arm the antenna to minimize dropouts as much as I can, just to get a hold of station's low transmitting power.
With Channel Master 4221, I did not care about the asthetics, as in my opinion, asthetics kills performance, which comes at a higher price (again, my opinion). I guess because when I bought the SS-3000, my expectations were set too high. With CM-4221, I expect my antenna to perform better than SS-3000 (knowing that I don't expect to get NBC HD and I hope I can get ABC HD with a few dropouts), and I'm glad I got it.
For now, I don't really care about receiving NBC until Feb 17th. Not unless I have an antenna that takes up my bedroom space!
So anyway, my antenna is inside my bedroom, facing directly at the window. So the next time I move to another apartment, I better have to choose 2nd floor, if I can.
I do have a question about my Channel Master 4221:
If I decide to live in Orlando, let's say that I'll be living in an area that's 22 miles away from the station transmitters, which face at a 78 degree angle. Will my antenna be overkill? What if I live 15 miles away from the towers? I know that Channel Master 4220 2-bay antenna will satisfy that, but I just thought I could keep my antenna that I have.
But of course, I'll get myself a mounting hardware to make it sit on top of my dresser. I'm located in first floor.I do have basic cable with high speed Internet from Comcast, but I don't watch basic channels, only locals, so, that's why I have my atenna just to get away from watching basic cable. I do get MyNetworkTV (WCTV-DT2) and WTLF-DT CW.
Previously, I bought a SharpShooter SS-3000 from Amazon.com for $30 (but the original price is $130 if I remember right). I have problems arming at ABC due to low power, even though it's 30 miles away, so with Channel Master 4221, which is an antenna picking up 45 miles away. I do get a good signal from ABC, but it took me some time to arm the antenna to minimize dropouts as much as I can, just to get a hold of station's low transmitting power.
With Channel Master 4221, I did not care about the asthetics, as in my opinion, asthetics kills performance, which comes at a higher price (again, my opinion). I guess because when I bought the SS-3000, my expectations were set too high. With CM-4221, I expect my antenna to perform better than SS-3000 (knowing that I don't expect to get NBC HD and I hope I can get ABC HD with a few dropouts), and I'm glad I got it.
For now, I don't really care about receiving NBC until Feb 17th. Not unless I have an antenna that takes up my bedroom space!
So anyway, my antenna is inside my bedroom, facing directly at the window. So the next time I move to another apartment, I better have to choose 2nd floor, if I can.
I do have a question about my Channel Master 4221:
If I decide to live in Orlando, let's say that I'll be living in an area that's 22 miles away from the station transmitters, which face at a 78 degree angle. Will my antenna be overkill? What if I live 15 miles away from the towers? I know that Channel Master 4220 2-bay antenna will satisfy that, but I just thought I could keep my antenna that I have.
