What to do with the stations in the wrong direction?

[huhl118]

I installed a Channel Master 3016 in the attic, pointing it to 280°.
I thought I would be super happy because I didn't think I would care about the 3 or 4 stations in the wrong direction. But then I found I do miss KTEH (PBS) channel 50 at 104°.

What can I do? Will a multi-directional antenna do the job? One like the DB4 here?
http://www.antennasdirect.com/MediumRangeAntennas.htm

I still could return the Channel Master (I bought it at Lowe's) if I had to but would really hate to do so because it's already installed.

* yellow - uhf KCNS-DT 38.1 SAH SAN FRANCISCO CA 285° 23.2 39
* yellow - uhf KCSM-DT 43.1 PBS SAN MATEO CA 285° 23.2 43
* yellow - uhf KICU-DT 36.1 IND SAN JOSE CA 105° 13.7 52
* yellow - uhf KKPX-DT 65.1 PAX SAN JOSE CA 275° 20.3 41
* yellow - uhf KBHK-DT 44.1 UPN SAN FRANCISCO CA 285° 23.2 45
* yellow - uhf KGO-DT 7.1 ABC SAN FRANCISCO CA 285° 23.2 24
* yellow - uhf KTVU-DT 2.1 FOX OAKLAND CA 285° 23.2 56
* yellow - uhf KSTS-DT 48.1 TEL SAN JOSE CA 102° 13.2 49
* yellow - uhf KTEH-DT 50.1 PBS SAN JOSE CA 104° 13.7 50
* yellow - uhf KFSF-DT 34.1 TFA VALLEJO CA 285° 23.2 34
* yellow - uhf KQED-DT 9.1 PBS SAN FRANCISCO CA 285° 23.2 30
* yellow - uhf KMTP-DT 33 IND SAN FRANCISCO CA FCC Ext 285° 23.2 33
* yellow - uhf KRON-DT 4.1 IND SAN FRANCISCO CA 285° 23.2 57
* yellow - uhf KDTV-DT 14.1 UNI SAN FRANCISCO CA 102° 13.2 51
* yellow - uhf KPIX-DT 5.1 CBS SAN FRANCISCO CA 285° 23.2 29
* yellow - uhf KTSF-DT 26.1 IND SAN FRANCISCO CA 275° 20.3 27
* yellow - uhf KBWB-DT 20.1 WB SAN FRANCISCO CA 285° 23.2 19
* green - uhf KTFK-DT 62 SAH STOCKTON CA TBD 9° 22.2 62
* red - vhf KNTV-DT 11.1 NBC SAN JOSE CA 143° 35.5 12
* blue - uhf KTLN-DT 47.1 IND NOVATO CA 309° 47.7 47
* violet - uhf KSMS-DT 31.1 UNI MONTEREY CA 139° 41.2 31
* violet - uhf KRCB-DT 22.1 PBS COTATI CA 318° 59.0 23

[Ratman]

Add a rotator. (better option IMO)

Or an additional antenna and run of coax. Use an A/B switch to select the desired antenna/direction.

[huhl118]

Add a rotator. (better option IMO)

Or an additional antenna and run of coax. Use an A/B switch to select the desired antenna/direction.

Thanks for the reply.

A rotator is not an option since the attic space is tight. A/B switch is pain in the ...

Do you think a multi-directional antenna would work? Practically all the stations that I want are yellow or green, they are just in different directions.

[Ratman]

Multidirectional will only provide an approx. 40 degree spread.
(optimistic... especially in an attic).

An omnidirectional is not worth the price/effort. They are not forgiving with digital reception.

Without a rotator or two antennas, IMO you have two options:
Slim and None.

Actually there is one more option... on the roof with a rotator.

[huhl118]

Multidirectional will only provide an approx. 40 degree spread.
(optimistic... especially in an attic).

An omnidirectional is not worth the price/effort. They are not forgiving with digital reception.

Without a rotator or two antennas, IMO you have two options:
Slim and None.

Actually there is one more option... on the roof with a rotator.

Thank you very much for the replies.

The station in question is actually pretty close to my home -- 14 miles and up in the hills, I actually can see the tower on some spots in my backyard. With my current setup -- it's in almost exactly the opposite direction -- my STB (a Dish Network 811) is reporting 49% and instantly lose it. On the other hand, there is a station that the STB says is only at 21% but with good PQ and no breakups.

[mjones73]

You might want to look into two antennas and a Join-tenna to hook them together. I suggest you contact someplace that carries them to see if they can be used in this situation. I believe http://warrenelectronics.com/ has them.

[huhl118]

You might want to look into two antennas and a Join-tenna to hook them together. I suggest you contact someplace that carries them to see if they can be used in this situation. I believe http://warrenelectronics.com/ has them.

Thanks a lot. My understanding is that these Join-tenna may cause interference among adjecant channels, is it true?

[mjones73]

Yes, that's why I suggested you talk to someone who understands them to see if one would work in your situation or not... It's an option worth exploring at least.

[kevinw]

Thank you very much for the replies.

The station in question is actually pretty close to my home -- 14 miles and up in the hills, I actually can see the tower on some spots in my backyard. With my current setup -- it's in almost exactly the opposite direction -- my STB (a Dish Network 811) is reporting 49% and instantly lose it. On the other hand, there is a station that the STB says is only at 21% but with good PQ and no breakups.
Clarify here- 49% is DISH code for 2 things poor signal or multipath( which can be too much signal). Anytime you get a 49% it is because the 811 can not lock onto a signal.
I question the 21% because again with DISH 60% is the threshhold for a signal. Anything less and you have breakups and drop outs. Nothing below 49% will register.
You could consider the A/B switcher and a small indoor for the one channel

Also try this tune to the station and immediatly hit the guide button. Often a multipath plagued station will then be able to lock on the signal.

[huhl118]

Yes, that's why I suggested you talk to someone who understands them to see if one would work in your situation or not... It's an option worth exploring at least.

I will try it when I get a chance -- I prefer to buy it locally so if it does not work, I can return it. Thanks for the advice.

[huhl118]

Clarify here- 49% is DISH code for 2 things poor signal or multipath( which can be too much signal). Anytime you get a 49% it is because the 811 can not lock onto a signal.
I question the 21% because again with DISH 60% is the threshhold for a signal. Anything less and you have breakups and drop outs. Nothing below 49% will register.
You could consider the A/B switcher and a small indoor for the one channel

Also try this tune to the station and immediatly hit the guide button. Often a multipath plagued station will then be able to lock on the signal.

I think you are right on the 49% part, because all the channels that cannot lock are showing 49%.

The man who installed my Dish also told me I needed at least 60% to lock. So I was amazed to see this channel get a good lock at 21% consistently. Of course it could be illusional, because some channels do jump from say 9% to 55% then to 78% before they get a lock. This channel could be very well starting at 21% and moving to something above 60% before the locking.

[coyote]

I have a similar situation. I also have the ChannelMaster 3016, but on the roof. Most stations I want are in one direction (NYC) while two that I want are almost exactly 180deg opposite (and very close by)! When the snow melts, I'm gonna experiment a bit - I'm going to try folding in the UHF rear reflector element. Maybe it'll work, maybe not.... if not, I'll simply live without those 2 stations as I don't want to deal with a rotor.

[tigerbangs]

The Channel Master 9521a rotator is so easy to use that it makes sense to reconsider it: it has a remote control function that can be macroed into almost any home theater remote, making it's operation pretty transparent to the user.

[coyote]

I've since found out that the one station I really wanted does not broadcast in HD, and their digital feed is carried on my cable system. The other station ain't HD, an its programming is not quite as desirable.... and the current antenna config works well for my FM stereo so I don't wanna mess with it.
The Channel Master 9521a rotator is so easy to use that it makes sense to reconsider it: it has a remote control function that can be macroed into almost any home theater remote, making it's operation pretty transparent to the user.HOWEVER, I am curious about an antenna rotor that automatically points to the right spot for a given channel! Thanks 4 the heads-up; I'm going over to the ChMaster website to check it out.