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Ji Yoo
New member
Username: Helper94
Post Number: 1
Registered: 11-2009
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, November 13, 2009 - 11:37 pm: | 
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Hello,
Just wanted to get some advice about an area of south Carlsbad, close to Olivenhain - Tvfool data as follows:
http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%3dbc27c24f5ee331
In short, I've been trying to just use an indoor antenna for now - the TV is also located in the middle of the house, not in direct LOS to a window.
However, with a Terk HDTVa antenna or a Winegard SS-3000 antenna, I get several UHF channels, 15.1/2, 39.1/2/3, 51.1, 69.1 at moderate strength, and the signal moves up to high strength if I bring the antenna within LOS of a south-facing window. However, I'm not able to get 6.1, 8.1, or 10.1, except I get a little of 10.1 with the SS-3000, next to a south facing window, and only a weak signal at that (not stable.)
The TVfool thing seems to imply that least 8.1 and 10.1 should be readily viewable, and that an indoor antenna is not suppposed to be able to pick up the UHF channels, but I'm basically getting the opposite result.
My goal would be to at least get 8.1 and 10.1, to cover all four major networks. Any advice?
Thanks, |
JimboG
Intermediate Member
Username: Jimbog
Post Number: 51
Registered: 03-2008
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, November 14, 2009 - 10:56 am: |
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Both of the antennae that you listed have pretty poor VHF performance. Amplified antennae tend to increase noise at least as much as they increase signal. Generally, good amplifiers aren't cheap and cheap amplifiers aren't good.
If you want to try an indoor antenna, try the $12 un-amplified Radioshack rabbit ears and UHF loop. http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2103077 Rat Shack has an excellent return policy if it doesn't work.
You want to position the rabbit ears horizontally and extend them to about 37". Place the antenna in a south-facing window with a relatively unobstructed view to the south southwest.
Based on your tvfool radar plot, it looks like you may have some terrain issues at your location. Common southern California building materials like cement and clay tiles and chicken wire and stucco construction do a heck of a job of blocking radio and TV signals. Try to get a decent unobstructed view to the south and position the antenna away from TVs, computers, microwaves, blenders, and other sources of electronic noise. A moderately long RG-6 cable may give you a lot more flexibility to try positioning your antenna in different locations in your home.
If you need an outdoor antenna, Fry's has a pretty good selection. Don't give up too quickly, you should be able to get acceptable reception from your location; you just might have to work a bit for it. |
Phil- La Costa
Intermediate Member
Username: Prg
Post Number: 39
Registered: 01-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, November 14, 2009 - 11:21 pm: |
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Ji, where are you located? I am at La Costa and Cadencia. Have tried a few different things (you can find previous posts) and am having fairly good luck with a 4228 about 15 feet above the roof. I am surprised you are getting much of anything with an indoor antenna. phil |
Ji Yoo
New member
Username: Helper94
Post Number: 2
Registered: 11-2009
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, November 16, 2009 - 01:36 pm: |
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Hello all - thanks for the feedback. I'm at Calle San Blas, in Summerwalk, close next to LCC's baseball field. It's in a bit of a swail, so maybe that's why the reception is bad. I too am surprised that I'm getting UHF channels with an indoor antenna. I don't know if my HOA would appreciate a outdoor antenna, and I'm trying to keep it simple if I can, with an indoor antenna. I'll shoot down to Radio shack and get that antenna and see if it changes things, |
Phil- La Costa
Intermediate Member
Username: Prg
Post Number: 40
Registered: 01-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, November 16, 2009 - 09:57 pm: |
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You might be a bit higher than I am. I found that I needed a pretty decent antenna, with amp, and raising the antenna higher off the roof helped also. If you want to put up an exterior antenna your HOA cannot regulate it as the FCC rules specifically prohibit regulation of terrestrial TV antennae. phil |
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