Antenna Advice?

[cm0444]

We havent been able to get our local channels with the antenna we bought through DTV. Here is my information from the antenna site on which antenna we should use to get our local channels in HD. Can someone please give me some advice on which antenna I should use so that I can pick up CBS,ABC,FOX and NBC. The family hasnt been very happy withour their shows every evening.
Thank You
CM
DTV Antenna
Type Call Sign Channel Network City State Live
Date Compass
Orientation Miles
From Frequency
Assignment
lt green - uhf KLTL 18 PBS LAKE CHARLES LA 53° 25.2 18
lt green - uhf KFAM-LP 58 FMN LAKE CHARLES LA 88° 8.1 58
* red - vhf KPLC-DT 7.1 NBC LAKE CHARLES LA 54° 25.0 8
* red - uhf KLTL-DT 20 PBS LAKE CHARLES LA TBD 53° 25.2 20
red - uhf KVHP 29 FOX LAKE CHARLES LA 291° 14.5 29
* red - uhf KVHP-DT 29.1 FOX LAKE CHARLES LA 291° 14.5 30
blue - vhf KPLC 7 NBC LAKE CHARLES LA 54° 25.0 7
blue - uhf KITU 34 REL BEAUMONT TX 264° 32.9 34
blue - vhf KBMT 12 ABC BEAUMONT TX 265° 31.6 12
blue - uhf K51EC 51 TBN LAKE CHARLES LA 47° 8.5 51
violet - uhf KADN 15 FOX LAFAYETTE LA 77° 69.0 15
violet - vhf KFDM 6 CBS BEAUMONT TX 260° 37.4 6
violet - vhf KALB 5 NBC ALEXANDRIA LA 38° 77.2 5
violet - vhf KLFY 10 CBS LAFAYETTE LA 79° 64.6 10
violet - vhf KBTV 4 NBC PORT ARTHUR TX 262° 37.8 4
Note:

[Chris0009]

Hey there.

What antena did you buy. Not all are good. Read the reviews or suggestions in the other threads.

Did you use good coax RG-6. The $20 50' stuff from walmart is excellent IMO.

Is the antenna connected to the coax well with a good quality parts.

But I am sure we are eager to start with what antenna are you using and describe you setup.

There is a Tiger that prowls around hear and gives very valuable suggestions and priceless advice and you don't have to throw him a steak.

[Ratman]

From what I can see, your digital channels are very slim.


20 55kW KLTL-DT|r.WLPB-DT-25 PBS-LPB - Lake Charles (Calcasieu) LA US
.. 25-1: LBP TV
.. 25-2: LBP Kids & You
.. 25-3: LBP HD
30 1000kW KVHP-DT FOX - Lake Charles (Calcasieu) LA US

And... from antennaweb possibly NBC.

With that, you have two channels at ~54 degrees and one at 291 and worst case 25 miles.

With low power on one (not sure about NBC) and one being high VHF, you may be able to use a Channel Master 4228 (since the 4228 is usually good with high band VHF) on a rotor. Or... you could get a combo VHF/UHF antenna and a rotor.

Success will depend on your persistence and budget with the few digital channels available.

[cm0444]

Thanks...The antenna was purchased through DTV. It is an RCA Amplified Outdoor Antenna ANT3901.
CM

[Ratman]

"Clip on" antennas are generally not very good. That's probably a large part of your existing problem.

[tigerbangs]

Hey! I'll never refuse a steak...or a baked potato, or corn on the cob, or Boston cream pie...

[Chris0009]

"Hey! I'll never refuse a steak...or a baked potato, or corn on the cob, or Boston cream pie..."

I guess not lol

Just want to say I appreciate all the help youve given us. The soldering trick on the RS. 15-624 worked really well and I am enjoying my set up so much Im now looking into ways to rig up a good sound system. Your assistance has been very helpful.

Thanks

Chris

[cm0444]

what antenna would you suggest I pruchase? Are there any at Radio Shack that would help pick up our local channels?
Thank You
Courtney

[Ratman]

As stated earlier... a Channel Master 4228 and a rotor.

As for Radio Shack, if you can find a 15-2152 and a rotor, that may work.
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2103085&cp=&kw=antenna&parentPage=search

[tigerbangs]

OK, in his usual elegant and terse way, Ratman told you right, but maybe not everything you need to hear. Unfortunately, Antennaweb.com didn't give you the whole digital story for your area. You have many digital stations available to you, but you are going to need a good outdoor antenna to get them. Beaumont-Port Arthur has ABC, NBC and CBS available and Lake Charles has another NBC station, FOX and PBS. To make this all work for you, you will need a roof-mounted antenna, a rotator, and possibly a preamplifier. You didn't happen to mention whether or not you need analog as well as digital signals, but if you need to pick up everything, consider a Channel Master Crossfire 3671 or a Winegard HD8200. I have a strong predjuice AGAINST the Channel Master Advantage line of antennas, personally: they are cheap, but not as well-made or as powerful as the more expensive Crossfire line. As for a rotator, use a Channel Master 9521a remote-controlled rotator, and for a preamplifier, either a Channel Master Titan 7777 or a Winegard AP-8275 all-channel preamplifier will do the job. I know it sounds like a lot, but in this way, you can be sure that everything you are looking for will come in cleanly and solidly. If you only need digital reception, you can use the suggestion of the Channel Master 4228 8-bay UHF antenna, along with a rotator and preamplifier instead, but you will give up analog channels 4+6 in your area. The choice is yours. Here are some links for you to peruse:

http://www.channelmaster.com/pdf/AntInstallGuide.pdf
Antenna Installation Guide

http://www.channelmaster.com/
Channel Master

http://www.winegard.com/
Winegardhttp://www.hdtvprimer.com/ISSUES/erecting_antenna.html

http://www.hdtvprimer.com/ISSUES/erecting_antenna.html
Erecting an Antenna