Best way to boost reception?

[nicjimbass]

As a favorite pasttime in my house, I like to try and get as many OTA channels to come in as I possibly can, but it seems like I've hit a brick wall. I currently use a ChannelMaster CM-3020 antenna coupled with a ChannelMaster CM-7778 preamp, and a ChannelMaster CM-9521A rotor. I'm located in east Lancaster, and I can consistently get the following channels- 4.1,4.2,6.1,6.2,10.1,10.2,18.1,19,20.1-20.3,23,28.1,32,34.1-34.3,48,51.1,53.1. On a really clear day a couple weeks ago, I was pulling in all the Dayton and Cincinatti stations on top of all of these, but that lasted for a couple hours then vanished into thin air.

So, what can I do to get channels that are >80miles away? Is there an amplifier I can add? Will more height help? Am I stuck with what I have? Thanks!

[bspvette86]

What type of Coax are you using to connect it all together?
How many devices (tvs, dvrs, etc) are you connecting?
How many splitters/combiners are you using?
Where is the antenna installed? Inside/Outside / Any obstructions
Can the antenna be raised higher?

Make sure all cable runs are kept only as long as necissary.

[hdtvnewbie]

As a favorite pasttime in my house, I like to try and get as many OTA channels to come in as I possibly can, but it seems like I've hit a brick wall. I currently use a ChannelMaster CM-3020 antenna coupled with a ChannelMaster CM-7778 preamp, and a ChannelMaster CM-9521A rotor. I'm located in east Lancaster, and I can consistently get the following channels- 4.1,4.2,6.1,6.2,10.1,10.2,18.1,19,20.1-20.3,23,28.1,32,34.1-34.3,48,51.1,53.1. On a really clear day a couple weeks ago, I was pulling in all the Dayton and Cincinatti stations on top of all of these, but that lasted for a couple hours then vanished into thin air.

So, what can I do to get channels that are >80miles away? Is there an amplifier I can add? Will more height help? Am I stuck with what I have? Thanks!

This thread should help:
http://www.highdefforum.com/local-hdtv-info-reception/14818-tigerbangs-prescription-deep-fringe-reception.html

Here's what is recommended

OK, once again, for clarity: the deep-fringe perscription is as follows,

1 Channel Master 4228 UHF antenna
1 Wade-Delhi VIP-306 VHF antenna
1 Channel Master Titan 7777 preamp
1 Channel Master 9521a rotator
30'+ antenna height from the ground

install carefully, avoid bodily injury

scan your digital tuner.

sit back and enjoy all-channel analog and digital reception

Do NOT substitute!

[hdtvnewbie]

This link may also help:

http://www.highdefforum.com/167968-post43.html

[nicjimbass]

Yeah, been to HiDef forum a bit. I have a 4228, but replaced it with the 3020 thinking a bigger antenna was better... but the gain is way less. I don't really have a need for the VHF antenna, but have everything else. Maybe I'll swap antennas again, raise it higher and see what happens. Thanks!

[hdtvnewbie]

Yeah, been to HiDef forum a bit. I have a 4228, but replaced it with the 3020 thinking a bigger antenna was better... but the gain is way less. I don't really have a need for the VHF antenna, but have everything else. Maybe I'll swap antennas again, raise it higher and see what happens. Thanks!

I have a typical suburban style VHF-UHF-FM rooftop antenna and I'm in Far East Columbus (near Main & 270). I haven't invested in any of the recommended hardware yet.

I know it's tropo season, but for what it's worth, I've had good success lately getting WDTN (NBC), WHIO (CBS) and WBDT (CW), especially overnight. I don't think WPTO (PBS), WKEF (ABC) and WRGT (Fox) have enough juice, because they come in very rarely. I'm in a low-lying area so I don't have a lot of luck with WOUB (PBS) and WHIZ (NBC), either. (WHIO is working on their tower right now, so maybe this will translate into a better picture.)

Except for the geek factor (it is kind of cool to be getting crystal clear pictures from Dayton), this has been a pretty useless exercise. It's not like the old days when there was actually something different on stations in other markets. Now they all show the same syndicated or network crap at basically the same time. From what I've seen, all you get out of it is double Conan O'Brien, double David Letterman, double AccuWeather, double Sex in the City, double Everybody Loves Raymond and double This-TV (that is, when WRGT comes in). Dayton also has this odd kink where they are showing the SD versions of WDTN and WBDT on their subchannels, so no variety there, either. If only there were local movies or sports showing (like in the old days), then it might be worth it. But as it stands now, I'm not really feeling inclined to invest in either the 4228 or the amp.

I actually get a bigger kick out of the low-budget old movies and the rock bands on WDEM-TV than I do from anything I've been seeing on those Dayton stations.

[nicjimbass]

What type of Coax are you using to connect it all together?
How many devices (tvs, dvrs, etc) are you connecting?
How many splitters/combiners are you using?
Where is the antenna installed? Inside/Outside / Any obstructions
Can the antenna be raised higher?

Make sure all cable runs are kept only as long as necissary.

Let's see...

I'm running current coax, not sure what kind though. One TV, no splitters or combiners, antenna is outside, and est. about 25-30 feet off the ground. My neighbor has a huge tree in their fron yard, which is the direction most of the Columbus stations are located. I've been working on raising the antenna, and I have a spot on my house that would be perfect, but it's too high for me to fel safe climbing on a ladder. The only other thing is that the coax cable is pretty long... not sure exactly how long, but there's a bunch coiled up on the pole the antenna is on, as well as in the attic. I could probably trim it a good 10-15 feet I would imagine. I've been curious as to whether that will do anything.