Attic Install Slate roof?

[bbgamer]

I am planning on installing a Radio Shack 75XR antenna in my attic. I have a very sloped slate roof that the antenna will have to go through. I know that you lose some reception in the attic but does anyone know what effect the slate roof will have over asphalt roofs. The antenna will just have the slate and wood to go through, no brick or siding. Thanks

[LeeS]

bbgamer,

Welcome to HDTVoice!

So far I haven't come up with any info on slate roofs. I don't want to guess so I will keep looking.

Have you checked www.antennaweb.org for distance and pointing info?

I have a medium directional (Channel Master) in my attic, composite roof. My antenna is something like the antenna you are looking at. I'm 12 miles from the transmitters and I get 85-90% on my Dish 811. My coax run is about 75' with no splitters etc. It is standard RG6.

A small directional mounted outside would pull a good 100% for me.

If you have the antenna already, give it a try. Just make a temporary mount. My antenna is actually supported by 'string' from the rafters. :)

There are two good FAQs on OTA and Antennas in the FAQ section.

Lee

[bbgamer]

Yes, I am in Pittsburgh, 15229, close to NBC, CBS,and Fox. The ABC , channel 4, is now channel 51 and uhf, it is 20 miles. Trying to get 51 one in better. Was told that a small directional would pass by the close stations because I am to close. I get pretty good reception with rabbit ears except for 51 but do not want to have to adjust all the time.

[LeeS]

The antenna you are looking at is a medium directional.

It might get the 20 mile station through the roof. Really depends on the slate material and other factors such as:

1. One or two story home?

2. Tall trees and buildings in the area between you and the stations.

The other stations being about 2 miles away is a concern. You may have too much gain for the receiver.

Lee

[kevinw]

I am planning on installing a Radio Shack 75XR antenna in my attic. I have a very sloped slate roof that the antenna will have to go through. I know that you lose some reception in the attic but does anyone know what effect the slate roof will have over asphalt roofs. The antenna will just have the slate and wood to go through, no brick or siding. Thanks

I am going to guess no reception, since radio wave do not go through stone. I'd plan on a chimney mount.

[bbgamer]

Ok, in Pittsburgh, 15229, outside antenna, VU75XR and small UHF directional from Radio Shack. 75' good cable,about 23 foot high, a tree that is not very dense about 60 feet away that I may be going through partly, then open air. Samsung TS360. I can pick up all the channels I want but signal fluctuates between 10 and 75%. CBS holds fairly steady at 45%, it is 2.5 miles away. Picture looks good and does not fluctuate. The UHF antenna picks up all stations, the 75XR is not as good. How can I increase signal strength or do I need to if my picture looks OK. No matter where I move it the signal remains about the same. Thanks

[LeeS]

How can I increase signal strength or do I need to if my picture looks OK. No matter where I move it the signal remains about the same.
You may be having just the opposite problem, too much gain for those close in signals. Try using an attenuator, something like this variable one from RadioShack.

http://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=CTLG&category%5Fname=CTLG%5F003%5F001%5F003%5F002&product%5Fid=15%2D678

My guess is too much signal.

Lee

[bbgamer]

I tried the attenuator, actually made it worse. I talked to a tech at Samsung, thought my receiver may be bad. I was watching a channel that would go from 0% to 45% and it had a perfect picture. The tech said that digital was all or nothing, as long as I had a good picture that the percentage made no difference.He said that Analog that you needed 70 or 80% but digital was you get the picture or not. Asked in I would lose picture at times since it was fluctuating and he said I shouldn't if the antenna doesn't move.

[Ratman]

Although the "tech" is partially correct, I would tend to debate some of his points.

Try a new receiver... if you have the same problems then you can address the multipath issues by getting an antenna outdoors.

[kevinw]

I have yet to hear of anyone having a consistent solid digital picture with a signal under 60%. I think the Bos has a bad signal meter.

[bbgamer]

My best reading is 45% now, some of the readings go to 0% and then jump around, but I am getting great pictures with no breakup. Do I need the signal meter if I have a good pic? Getting every station that I should get. My antenna is outside now. Hate to get a new box when everything seems to be working good except for the meter reading.

[Ratman]

Just a point to add in regard to Sammy STB's.

From most of the comments I've read in my travels, the Sammy's are noted for their ability/quality for pulling in digital stations. Also, many have stated that usually signal strength meters rarely go above 60-70% FWIW.

So, based on that assumption... it's back to a bad receiver or poor antenna placement IMO.

[bbgamer]

I just got off with direct tv. I was watching a CBS station with a perfect picture and a signal meter reading between 0 to 10% and they told me I had a bad antenna. I said how could I get a great pic at that reading? After many conversations they said it might be a problem with the box reading the signals correctly and are sending me a new box. I am getting almost every station in perfect with a box fluctuating between 0 to 45%. From what I can assume the reading on the box has to be bad.

[Ratman]

Well... if the antenna is outside and you're getting stable picture, that's good. Apparently it's not a 'bad antenna'.

The meter may be bad...
but otherwise, if the meter read 0% and you get a stable signal, oh well!

[bbgamer]

Now my question is if most of my channels look good should I forget that my signal meter is bad? I could probably aim my antenna to the best position if I knew the signal readings. Will this affect me later on? I think I will try to get Direct TV to let me activate both receivers for a day to test. I do not like not knowing what signal strength I have. I am still trying to tweek 2 stations in while keeping a strong signal in the others and the meter would help.It is very strange to watch a good channel and see a 0% meter reading. Does anyone know if this has been a problem with the TS360? Thanks

[kevinw]

I just got off with direct tv. I was watching a CBS station with a perfect picture and a signal meter reading between 0 to 10% and they told me I had a bad antenna. I said how could I get a great pic at that reading? After many conversations they said it might be a problem with the box reading the signals correctly and are sending me a new box. I am getting almost every station in perfect with a box fluctuating between 0 to 45%. From what I can assume the reading on the box has to be bad.

I am going with signal meter is bad. You could replace the box or live with it. I would replace it so you can work on the harder to get stations. IMO I want a signal meter that works.