Antenna help for NW Houston

[tx_hdtv]

I recently purchased the Toshiba DST-3000 and hooked it up to my Toshiba 50" HDTV unit. I'm using a small multi-directional antenna which is the Jensen TV940A (http://www.jensen.com/home_electronics.aspx?ProductID=242&SubCategoryID=16&CategoryID=2).

The following are my results from antennaweb.org (edited for the channels that I care about):

* yellow - uhf KTXH-DT 19.1 UPN HOUSTON TX 151° 23.2 19
* yellow - uhf KTBU-DT 55.1 IND CONROE TX 151° 23.2 42
* yellow - uhf KPRC-DT 2.1 NBC Houston TX 150° 23.1 35
* yellow - uhf KRIV-DT 26.1 FOX Houston TX 148° 22.9 27
* yellow - uhf KTRK-DT 13.1 ABC Houston TX 148° 22.9 32
* yellow - uhf KHOU-DT 11.1 CBS Houston TX 150° 23.5 31
* yellow - uhf KHWB-DT 39.1 WB Houston TX 150° 23.1 38
* green - vhf KUHT-DT 8.1 PBS Houston TX 148° 22.9 9
* green - vhf KPXB-DT 5.1 PAX Conroe TX 151° 22.6 5
* red - uhf KNWS-DT 51.1 IND KATY TX 150° 23.5 52


I put in bold the stations that I can receive just fine. I have rotated that antenna 5 ways to Sunday and can't get any of the other channels to come in. In fact, when I do a scan, most of them don't even show up. The ones that are really important to me are 11.1, 13.1 and 26.1. Any idea why I can receive the ones I marked but not the others? They all seem to be the same distance away from me and within 3 degrees of each other.

It appears that I likely need to get another antenna, what would you recommend for a small, indoor antenna that will receive these additional channels?

Thanks.

[Ratman]

I'd highly suggest you contemplate a 'traditional' outdoor antenna mounted in your attic or on the roof.

Indoor antenna reliability/stability is usually slim.

[kevinw]

I am suprised you get anything. 20 miles is really stretching the ability oof that antenna. That said you should have great reception with a small VHF/UHF outdoor or attic mounted antenna. A traditional antena will have a wider path than the highly directional and underpowered set top antenna.

Mount it pointred at 149 degrees and you should be set..

[tx_hdtv]

No chance for the Zenith Silver Sensor (http://www.zenith.com/sub_prod/product_Display.asp?cat=49&id=131) or the Terk HDTVi (http://www.terk.com/HDTVi.html) ?

An outdoor antenna would be frowned on by deed restrictions and an attic antenna just isn't possible right at the moment.

[Ratman]

Not to 'gang up' on you, but I went through 4 different indoor antennas (amplified and non-amplified) with no success at ~20 miles from transmitters.

Attic mounted Radio Shack worked for me. YMMV

If attic or roof can't be done... you may try:
side of the house
porch
deck
balcony
etc.

Just being either higher and/or outdoors can make a big difference.

[tx_hdtv]

Not to 'gang up' on you, but I went through 4 different indoor antennas (amplified and non-amplified) with no success at ~20 miles from transmitters.

Attic mounted Radio Shack worked for me. YMMV

If attic or roof can't be done... you may try:
side of the house
porch
deck
balcony
etc.

Just being either higher and/or outdoors can make a big difference.

Which antenna did you get and how did you mount it in your attic?

[kevinw]

No chance for the Zenith Silver Sensor (http://www.zenith.com/sub_prod/product_Display.asp?cat=49&id=131) or the Terk HDTVi (http://www.terk.com/HDTVi.html) ?

An outdoor antenna would be frowned on by deed restrictions and an attic antenna just isn't possible right at the moment.
Frowned on but not illegal. It is against the FCC regulations for any HOA to prohibit an antenna. Depending upon you view the antenna can be mounted lower, at the roofline.

The Terk is French for crap. I have heard of peolple in the right circumstances using the Silver Sensor. I would not waste my time and go for a real antenna.

[tx_hdtv]

I am suprised you get anything. 20 miles is really stretching the ability oof that antenna. That said you should have great reception with a small VHF/UHF outdoor or attic mounted antenna. A traditional antena will have a wider path than the highly directional and underpowered set top antenna.

Mount it pointred at 149 degrees and you should be set..


Showing my complete lack of ignorance when it comes to direction, what's the best way for me to determine which direction is 149 degrees when standing in my attic?

[Ratman]

I use this one:
http://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=CTLG&category%5Fname=CTLG%5F003%5F001%5F002%5F000&product%5Fid=15%2D2160

The best and easiest tool to determine direction is .... a compass!! :)

[kevinw]

Showing my complete lack of ignorance when it comes to direction, what's the best way for me to determine which direction is 149 degrees when standing in my attic?
Print a map of the tower directions from antennaweb and line it up to match your position. Then point the antenna down the line towards the towers. In your case 149 was down the center.

[swimrick52]

tx_hdtv,

I'm in DFW area and got a Weingard HD Platinum antenna from TWEETER for $80 when I bought my MITS 2 yrs ago. They installed in my attic and I get all the local OTA HD channels up here.

[tx_hdtv]

I use this one:
http://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=CTLG&category%5Fname=CTLG%5F003%5F001%5F002%5F000&product%5Fid=15%2D2160

The best and easiest tool to determine direction is .... a compass!! :)

Ratman,

That antenna will receive all the digital channels in the 2-13 range? It claims it's only for higher channel numbers.

[kevinw]

You only have one VHF, well 2 PAX but it will never have HD, since it is a higher frequency numbered channel- closer to the UHF range and you may get it. If it was broadcastin at channel you would not have a chance.

I would get the one Swimrick recomended..or a ChannelMaster

[Ratman]

I can get channels 6-12 (analog) with very good quality. I can get channel 3, but it's pretty snowy.

[ngarcia]

I am also in the NW side of Houston about 30 miles from the antenna farm in SW Houston. I recently moved into the house and it already had a UHF antenna on the roof. Nothing fancy; the lady I purchased the house from used it to pick up the analog locals.

I consistently get 80 to 90% reception from that distance using a dishplayer 811 receiver. I was shocked how easy it was to get good reception with a roof mounted antenna. The HOA may not like it, but I would definitely recommend bypassing the indoor units and mount a good antenna on the roof.

[djfuller]

I'm in North Houston ~45 miles from the antennas. I have a DB4 from antennasdirect.com in the attic and get all channels except PBS (VHF) and KNWS. I don't think you need an outside antenna, just one with sufficient range.....

[tx_hdtv]

Thanks for all the tips and help guys. Went out and got this (http://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=CTLG&category%5Fname=CTLG%5F003%5F001%5F002%5F000&product%5Fid=15%2D2151) antenna on Saturday from Radio Shack and mounted it in my attic. Had an electrician friend come over and help me run the line down the wall in my living room. It's working like a champ. 100% signal on everything but the WB, which is at 72% - any idea why that is? My wife was very skeptical but now she's really impressed.

Thanks for the help, you guys ROCK. :rockon: :rockon:

[Ratman]

Just may be that that particular station is broadcasting at a lower power level than the others.

Or... maybe a slight antenna adjustment will help.

[Shinare]

You should post your success story in the OTA success story thread! :)

Could become a sticky. *grin*