Which aplifier will give me the strongest TV signal?

[lbbs]

I am trying to improve my TV signal. right now I have an old (made in
1995) amplifier that is connected to an TV antenna (aprox 25feet high)
mounted on my house. My amplifier is rated at 2.5w and 0.025amp. I
would buy a newer amplifier if I thought it would help my signal. Fist of
all I am not sure if you can get a more powerful amplifier and whether it
would help my signal. Also, I am having trouble understanding the rating
system. I looked at a new amplifier at Radio Shack and the rating system
seamed to be different now. It was rated at 10dB and I believe it mention
something about frequency. Is it better to have a higher or lower dB
number in an amplifier? Can someone clarity these points to me. They
could not explain it to me at the store.

Second question is about buying one of those omnidirectional TV antennas
that look like a flying saucer. I believe they have a built in
amplifier. If I bought one should I use it in combination with my old
indoor amplifier? Thanks a lot for your help.

 

[Andre]

I'd try a new antenna on a rotor. amps just amplify noisey signals.


In article <1fSwb.11$87.2242@read2.cgocable.net>, lbbs@dadffo.ca says...

I am trying to improve my TV signal. right now I have an old (made in
1995) amplifier that is connected to an TV antenna (aprox 25feet high)
mounted on my house. My amplifier is rated at 2.5w and 0.025amp. I
would buy a newer amplifier if I thought it would help my signal. Fist of
all I am not sure if you can get a more powerful amplifier and whether it
would help my signal. Also, I am having trouble understanding the rating
system. I looked at a new amplifier at Radio Shack and the rating system
seamed to be different now. It was rated at 10dB and I believe it mention
something about frequency. Is it better to have a higher or lower dB
number in an amplifier? Can someone clarity these points to me. They
could not explain it to me at the store.

Second question is about buying one of those omnidirectional TV antennas
that look like a flying saucer. I believe they have a built in
amplifier. If I bought one should I use it in combination with my old
indoor amplifier? Thanks a lot for your help.

 

[Richard Clark]

On Tue, 25 Nov 2003 19:20:10 -0500, "lbbs" <lbbs @dadffo.ca> wrote:

I am trying to improve my TV signal. right now I have an old (made in
1995) amplifier that is connected to an TV antenna (aprox 25feet high)
mounted on my house. My amplifier is rated at 2.5w and 0.025amp.

That rating is for how much power the amplifier USES. There is no
point in trying to improve upon that (it's pretty good as numbers go).

Old or new, if it works, it pretty much works like it came off the
shelf.

I would buy a newer amplifier if I thought it would help my signal. Fist of
all I am not sure if you can get a more powerful amplifier and whether it
would help my signal. Also, I am having trouble understanding the rating
system. I looked at a new amplifier at Radio Shack and the rating system
seamed to be different now. It was rated at 10dB and I believe it mention
something about frequency. Is it better to have a higher or lower dB
number in an amplifier?

Larger number means more amplification. Odd as it may seem (this is
technical stuff) 13dB has twice the gain as 10dB. 16dB has four times
the gain of 10dB and twice the gain of 13dB. Basically, each time you
add 3dB (to any number for gain) you get twice as much as before.

Can someone clarity these points to me. They
could not explain it to me at the store.

Second question is about buying one of those omnidirectional TV antennas
that look like a flying saucer. I believe they have a built in
amplifier. If I bought one should I use it in combination with my old
indoor amplifier? Thanks a lot for your help.

Deep-six that idea and stick with an amplifier with more gain.

However, before that, make sure you have
1. good, clean connections at ALL connections EVERYWHERE;
2. the antenna pointed in the right direction (turn it 360 degrees,
you might be surprised the signal comes from a direction you didn't
think would work).
or
3. add height if that is an option.

73's
Richard Clark, KB7QHC

 

[lbbs]

thanks for the info. Just not sure what you mean by "Deep-six that idea"

"Richard Clark" <kb7qhc@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:5vs7sv8m1dvclg26cmijocg5dghmn8fkjt@4ax.com...

On Tue, 25 Nov 2003 19:20:10 -0500, "lbbs" <lbbs @dadffo.ca> wrote:

I am trying to improve my TV signal. right now I have an old (made in
1995) amplifier that is connected to an TV antenna (aprox 25feet high)
mounted on my house. My amplifier is rated at 2.5w and 0.025amp.

That rating is for how much power the amplifier USES. There is no
point in trying to improve upon that (it's pretty good as numbers go).

Old or new, if it works, it pretty much works like it came off the
shelf.

I would buy a newer amplifier if I thought it would help my signal.
Fist of
all I am not sure if you can get a more powerful amplifier and whether it
would help my signal. Also, I am having trouble understanding the
rating
system. I looked at a new amplifier at Radio Shack and the rating
system
seamed to be different now. It was rated at 10dB and I believe it
mention
something about frequency. Is it better to have a higher or lower dB
number in an amplifier?

Larger number means more amplification. Odd as it may seem (this is
technical stuff) 13dB has twice the gain as 10dB. 16dB has four times
the gain of 10dB and twice the gain of 13dB. Basically, each time you
add 3dB (to any number for gain) you get twice as much as before.

Can someone clarity these points to me. They
could not explain it to me at the store.

Second question is about buying one of those omnidirectional TV antennas
that look like a flying saucer. I believe they have a built in
amplifier. If I bought one should I use it in combination with my old
indoor amplifier? Thanks a lot for your help.

Deep-six that idea and stick with an amplifier with more gain.

However, before that, make sure you have
1. good, clean connections at ALL connections EVERYWHERE;
2. the antenna pointed in the right direction (turn it 360 degrees,
you might be surprised the signal comes from a direction you didn't
think would work).
or
3. add height if that is an option.

73's
Richard Clark, KB7QHC

 

[Impmon]

On Tue, 25 Nov 2003 20:05:55 -0500, "lbbs" <lbbs @dadffo.ca> typed:

thanks for the info. Just not sure what you mean by "Deep-six that idea"

Translation: forget about it. Deep-six refers to dumping into deep part
of the water body.

Indoor antenna don't usually work well unless you're close to a local
station (about 50 miles would be the limit) and the reception is even
lower if you live in paprtment, near big buiuldings, or have lots of
noise devices like vaccuum cleaner and refridgerator.

External attena offers better reception than any indoor antenna. If
your antenna doesn't rotate, consider a rotator. Reception greatly
improves if you aim the antenna toward the TV station.

A signal amplifier sometimes help with weak signal but keep in mind it
only amplify signal and doesn't clean up signal so you would still get
noisy picture, just not as hard to see.
--
space for rent.
To reply, change digi.mon to tds.net

 

[lbbs]

This antenna I saw at the Radio Shack is $200 Can ($150 US). This is not
one of those cheap indoor antennas. I is called an indoor/outdoor
Omnidirectional antenna. I it suppose to replace the old style antenna,
but it can also be mounted on the old antenna tower. The nice thing about
it is if you don't have a tower you can put it in your attic and at least
get better reception then good old rabbit ears. The nice thing about it
is you don't have to always rotate it in order to get ideal reception (I
find that a pain to always rotate the old antenna). That is why it is
called omnidirectional antenna.

"Impmon" <Impmon@digi.mon> wrote in message
news:av38svkj1ek5u6noc9dodov2sr195mpea4@4ax.com...

On Tue, 25 Nov 2003 20:05:55 -0500, "lbbs" <lbbs @dadffo.ca> typed:

thanks for the info. Just not sure what you mean by "Deep-six that
idea"

Translation: forget about it. Deep-six refers to dumping into deep part
of the water body.

Indoor antenna don't usually work well unless you're close to a local
station (about 50 miles would be the limit) and the reception is even
lower if you live in paprtment, near big buiuldings, or have lots of
noise devices like vaccuum cleaner and refridgerator.

External attena offers better reception than any indoor antenna. If
your antenna doesn't rotate, consider a rotator. Reception greatly
improves if you aim the antenna toward the TV station.

A signal amplifier sometimes help with weak signal but keep in mind it
only amplify signal and doesn't clean up signal so you would still get
noisy picture, just not as hard to see.
--
space for rent.
To reply, change digi.mon to tds.net

 

[Yukio]

question QTH ? What is your location !!
If your are more than 15 miles or less than 100 miles from your TV
transmitter a good antenna system is required, At these distances you must
point your antenna with an accuracy of +/- 5 degrees to get a good signal.
An Omnidirectional antenna works well up to about 10 miles but then so would
a coathanger . I would have to assume that you are outside or beyond a cable
TV, COGECO ? service area else why would you want to put up an expensive >
$200 antenna to get one station when you can get a satellite setup for ~
$100.00. If you live in a Metropolitan Area., I can understand trying to
avoid cable fees. Your question about amplifiers fails to recognize
something called Signal to Noise Ratio a weak signal usually implies low
SNR, further amplification will bring in a stronger signal but also much
more NOISE or snow. A better antenna will improve SNR ie. a stronger signal
with the same amout of noise, noise being background atmospheric static
which is always present in any signal. I would have to assume that you must
be using a dial-up MODEM because this question doesn't make much sense if
you are using a Cable MODEM and already have access to a Cable Service


yukio


. They

could not explain it to me at the store.

Second question is about buying one of those omnidirectional TV antennas
that look like a flying saucer. I believe they have a built in
amplifier. If I bought one should I use it in combination with my old
indoor amplifier? Thanks a lot for your help.

 

[Richard Clark]

On Tue, 25 Nov 2003 22:21:05 -0500, "lbbs" <lbbs @dadffo.ca> wrote:

That is why it is called omnidirectional antenna.
comparing with your earlier statement
I am trying to improve my TV signal. right now I have an old (made in
1995) amplifier that is connected to an TV antenna (aprox 25feet high)
mounted on my house.
means that you LOSE gain by the substitution (and add ghosts with the

amplifier).

If an external antenna, 25 feet high, is having a hard time, this
"omni" is NOT your answer even if it went to the top of the mast. An
"omni," by definition, has no gain compared to one with tuned elements
(presumably what you currently have). However, Radio Shack is
probably hedging their bets calling ir an "omni" as long as you turn
it 'round and 'round.

The meaning of "deep six it" is to heave it into Davey Jone's locker.

73's
Richard Clark, KB7QHC

 

[Tarmo Tammaru]

Omnidirectional also means that it will work equally poor in all directions.
You don't say how many TVs you run off the antenna, or how far you are from
the TV stations and if they all are in the same direction. If you have more
than one TV, you need a distribution amplifier if there is no amp at the
antenna Do *not* connect a cable amplifier to the antenna; it won't work
with low level signals like what you get off the antenna.

BTW the 2.5W rating you mentioned refers to how much power the amp draws,
not how much gain it has.

Tam/WB2TT
"lbbs" <lbbs @dadffo.ca> wrote in message
news:EUUwb.48$87.5319@read2.cgocable.net...

This antenna I saw at the Radio Shack is $200 Can ($150 US). This is not
one of those cheap indoor antennas. I is called an indoor/outdoor
Omnidirectional antenna. I it suppose to replace the old style antenna,
but it can also be mounted on the old antenna tower. The nice thing
about
it is if you don't have a tower you can put it in your attic and at least
get better reception then good old rabbit ears. The nice thing about it
is you don't have to always rotate it in order to get ideal reception (I
find that a pain to always rotate the old antenna). That is why it is
called omnidirectional antenna.

"Impmon" <Impmon@digi.mon> wrote in message
news:av38svkj1ek5u6noc9dodov2sr195mpea4@4ax.com...
On Tue, 25 Nov 2003 20:05:55 -0500, "lbbs" <lbbs @dadffo.ca> typed:

thanks for the info. Just not sure what you mean by "Deep-six that
idea"

Translation: forget about it. Deep-six refers to dumping into deep part
of the water body.

Indoor antenna don't usually work well unless you're close to a local
station (about 50 miles would be the limit) and the reception is even
lower if you live in paprtment, near big buiuldings, or have lots of
noise devices like vaccuum cleaner and refridgerator.

External attena offers better reception than any indoor antenna. If
your antenna doesn't rotate, consider a rotator. Reception greatly
improves if you aim the antenna toward the TV station.

A signal amplifier sometimes help with weak signal but keep in mind it
only amplify signal and doesn't clean up signal so you would still get
noisy picture, just not as hard to see.
--
space for rent.
To reply, change digi.mon to tds.net

 

[lbbs]

Basically I looking for ways to improve my signal. I am satisfied with the
12 channel or so
that we are presently getting and I don't what to pay for more channel with
cable or dish.
All I want is to get a 15% improvement or so in my TV signal. I get a fair
TV signal now, but I have a couple of channel like 49 that my parents better
then us. I received a few suggestions like replace my coax with RG6 wire
and get an preamplifier at my old tower antenna. The antenna is 35 years
old at most (that is the age of our house), 15 years at best). Anything
else I can do to improve signal. I don't mind putting some money into it
since it is a long term investment. Thanks.

get better that we do.
"Yukio" <yano@shaw.ca> wrote in message
news:nrWwb.497117$pl3.470263@pd7tw3no...

question QTH ? What is your location !!
If your are more than 15 miles or less than 100 miles from your TV
transmitter a good antenna system is required, At these distances you must
point your antenna with an accuracy of +/- 5 degrees to get a good signal.
An Omnidirectional antenna works well up to about 10 miles but then so
would
a coathanger . I would have to assume that you are outside or beyond a
cable
TV, COGECO ? service area else why would you want to put up an expensive

$200 antenna to get one station when you can get a satellite setup for ~
$100.00. If you live in a Metropolitan Area., I can understand trying to
avoid cable fees. Your question about amplifiers fails to recognize
something called Signal to Noise Ratio a weak signal usually implies low
SNR, further amplification will bring in a stronger signal but also much
more NOISE or snow. A better antenna will improve SNR ie. a stronger
signal
with the same amout of noise, noise being background atmospheric static
which is always present in any signal. I would have to assume that you
must
be using a dial-up MODEM because this question doesn't make much sense if
you are using a Cable MODEM and already have access to a Cable Service


yukio


. They
could not explain it to me at the store.

Second question is about buying one of those omnidirectional TV antennas
that look like a flying saucer. I believe they have a built in
amplifier. If I bought one should I use it in combination with my old
indoor amplifier? Thanks a lot for your help.

 

[carl]

Hi,

Do check the coax connections at the antenna and amplifier.
If the coax you have is as old as the antenna, 10+ years,
I would replace it with rg-6 coax and cleanup the connections
at the antenna. The connections will get dirty and that give you loss
and poor signal at the start of the coax run.

How long a run do you have from antenna to your amplifier ?

Just replacing the coax can help your signal.

You also may want to verify your antenna is pointed in the proper
direction of the tv station. Over time, winds can move the antenna off
the desired direction and weather can cause the clamps to get loose.

Regards,

carl


lbbs wrote:

Basically I looking for ways to improve my signal. I am satisfied with the
12 channel or so
that we are presently getting and I don't what to pay for more channel with
cable or dish.
All I want is to get a 15% improvement or so in my TV signal. I get a fair
TV signal now, but I have a couple of channel like 49 that my parents better
then us. I received a few suggestions like replace my coax with RG6 wire
and get an preamplifier at my old tower antenna. The antenna is 35 years
old at most (that is the age of our house), 15 years at best). Anything
else I can do to improve signal. I don't mind putting some money into it
since it is a long term investment. Thanks.

get better that we do.
"Yukio" <yano@shaw.ca> wrote in message
news:nrWwb.497117$pl3.470263@pd7tw3no...
question QTH ? What is your location !!
If your are more than 15 miles or less than 100 miles from your TV
transmitter a good antenna system is required, At these distances you must
point your antenna with an accuracy of +/- 5 degrees to get a good signal.
An Omnidirectional antenna works well up to about 10 miles but then so
would
a coathanger . I would have to assume that you are outside or beyond a
cable
TV, COGECO ? service area else why would you want to put up an expensive

$200 antenna to get one station when you can get a satellite setup for ~
$100.00. If you live in a Metropolitan Area., I can understand trying to
avoid cable fees. Your question about amplifiers fails to recognize
something called Signal to Noise Ratio a weak signal usually implies low
SNR, further amplification will bring in a stronger signal but also much
more NOISE or snow. A better antenna will improve SNR ie. a stronger
signal
with the same amout of noise, noise being background atmospheric static
which is always present in any signal. I would have to assume that you
must
be using a dial-up MODEM because this question doesn't make much sense if
you are using a Cable MODEM and already have access to a Cable Service


yukio


. They
could not explain it to me at the store.

Second question is about buying one of those omnidirectional TV antennas
that look like a flying saucer. I believe they have a built in
amplifier. If I bought one should I use it in combination with my old
indoor amplifier? Thanks a lot for your help.

 

[jakdedert]

I think an even 15 year old antenna could stand replacement. In any case,
the connections--especially those out in the weather--should be inspected
and probably redone, just on general principal. As other posters have
mentioned, twinlead has less loss than coax, but all of the antenna
preamplifiers that I've seen are set up for coax. A preamp mounted *on the
antenna* before the transmission line might be indicated...given that all
other components of the installation (antenna, feedline, all connections,
alignment) are up to snuff. These are readily available and generally work
well.

Back when antennas were more common, a professional would have evaluated
your situation with attention to details such as:
1) How far are you from the transmitters? (A high gain antenna is not
indicated if the stations are close by.)
2) What direction are they from your location? (If there are several
stations in several directions, an antenna rotator is indicated, even if the
distance is not great. If they are in only a couple of directions,
sometimes it's simpler to mount a second antenna to pick up the off-axis
stations. There used to be antennas available which were cut--IOW,
optimized--for a single channel. Sometimes they were available from the
station itself--not likely these days.)
3) How high is the tower on which your antenna is mounted? (Generally the
higher the better.)
4) What are the characteristics of the surrounding terrain. (You're gonna
have trouble receiving a station which is on the other side of a
mountain...or any other obstruction which interferes with direct 'line of
sight' signal transmission between the antenna and transmitter, including
buildings.)
5) What is the condition and alignment of the current installation? (It's
entirely possible that the existing antenna can be better aimed to receive
the problem station(s) more reliably. See above for condition caveats.)

jak

"lbbs" <nonex@nonee.com> wrote in message
news:1069869804.484910@news.vaxxine.com...

Basically I looking for ways to improve my signal. I am satisfied with
the
12 channel or so
that we are presently getting and I don't what to pay for more channel
with
cable or dish.
All I want is to get a 15% improvement or so in my TV signal. I get a
fair
TV signal now, but I have a couple of channel like 49 that my parents
better
then us. I received a few suggestions like replace my coax with RG6
wire
and get an preamplifier at my old tower antenna. The antenna is 35 years
old at most (that is the age of our house), 15 years at best). Anything
else I can do to improve signal. I don't mind putting some money into
it
since it is a long term investment. Thanks.

get better that we do.
"Yukio" <yano@shaw.ca> wrote in message
news:nrWwb.497117$pl3.470263@pd7tw3no...
question QTH ? What is your location !!
If your are more than 15 miles or less than 100 miles from your TV
transmitter a good antenna system is required, At these distances you
must
point your antenna with an accuracy of +/- 5 degrees to get a good
signal.
An Omnidirectional antenna works well up to about 10 miles but then so
would
a coathanger . I would have to assume that you are outside or beyond a
cable
TV, COGECO ? service area else why would you want to put up an
expensive

$200 antenna to get one station when you can get a satellite setup for ~
$100.00. If you live in a Metropolitan Area., I can understand trying
to
avoid cable fees. Your question about amplifiers fails to recognize
something called Signal to Noise Ratio a weak signal usually implies
low
SNR, further amplification will bring in a stronger signal but also
much
more NOISE or snow. A better antenna will improve SNR ie. a stronger
signal
with the same amout of noise, noise being background atmospheric static
which is always present in any signal. I would have to assume that you
must
be using a dial-up MODEM because this question doesn't make much sense
if
you are using a Cable MODEM and already have access to a Cable Service


yukio


. They
could not explain it to me at the store.

Second question is about buying one of those omnidirectional TV
antennas
that look like a flying saucer. I believe they have a built in
amplifier. If I bought one should I use it in combination with my
old
indoor amplifier? Thanks a lot for your help.

 

[Asimov]

"lbbs" bravely wrote to "All" (25 Nov 03 22:21:05)
--- on the heady topic of "Re: Which aplifier will give me the strongest TV
signal?"

lb> From: "lbbs" <lbbs @dadffo.ca>

lb> This antenna I saw at the Radio Shack is $200 Can ($150 US). This is
lb> not one of those cheap indoor antennas. I is called an indoor/outdoor
lb> Omnidirectional antenna. I it suppose to replace the old style
lb> antenna, but it can also be mounted on the old antenna tower. The
lb> nice thing about it is if you don't have a tower you can put it in your
lb> attic and at least get better reception then good old rabbit ears.
lb> The nice thing about it is you don't have to always rotate it in order
lb> to get ideal reception (I find that a pain to always rotate the old
lb> antenna). That is why it is called omnidirectional antenna.

IIRC an omni has a 3 dB loss compared to the standard dipole. It makes
up for this 1st loss by supplying pre-amp gain but it's still an initial
penality. Another loss is in picture quality from possible ghosting due
to the ability to pickup reflections from all directions. There is also
pre-amp noise which also degrades quality, not to mention possible
strong channel desensitizing. The best strategy is to get the most gain
practical in the antenna itself and only then consider a pre-amp. I
think an omni antenna is ok in an RV or boat but not optimal at home.

.... Techs would rather pee on an electric fence for the light show

 

[Roger Halstead]

On Wed, 26 Nov 2003 00:37:35 GMT, m@d.com (Andre) wrote:

I'd try a new antenna on a rotor. amps just amplify noisey signals.

That all depends.
I have an antenna mounted preamp. I get very good signals.
Without the amp there is barely a signal there let alone one worth
watching. Actually that is preamps. I have two. One on a UHF antenna
pointed NW and one on the other pointed south. They have separate
cables that are switched at the receiver.

And indoor preamp OTOH only creates more noise.

In article <1fSwb.11$87.2242@read2.cgocable.net>, lbbs@dadffo.ca says...

I am trying to improve my TV signal. right now I have an old (made in
1995) amplifier that is connected to an TV antenna (aprox 25feet high)
mounted on my house. My amplifier is rated at 2.5w and 0.025amp. I

The old amp might be OK and it might not. Typical amps now run 15 to
20 db gain, but you do need a good antenna. A good antenna alone may
be a lot better than a poor antenna with a preamp. Then again a good
antenna with an antenna mounted preamp *may* be even better.

would buy a newer amplifier if I thought it would help my signal. Fist of
all I am not sure if you can get a more powerful amplifier and whether it
would help my signal. Also, I am having trouble understanding the rating

As has already been explained db is a gain. Higher is better...to a
point and I don't think there are any commercial ones with too much
gain. As was stated each 3db is a doubling of the signal. db is a
ratio between two signals in this case. (input and output) 3 db is
double, 6 db is 4 times and it just works out that 10 db is 10 times.
(They aren't exactly but these are within a few decimal places. so
it's very close)

system. I looked at a new amplifier at Radio Shack and the rating system
seamed to be different now. It was rated at 10dB and I believe it mention
something about frequency. Is it better to have a higher or lower dB
number in an amplifier? Can someone clarity these points to me. They
could not explain it to me at the store.

That's what you get for minimum wage help.

I've found that distribution amps (the ones that go at the TV end) are
next to useless you are running multiple sets, but you need a good
signal at the input of that amp. The one at the antenna works far,
far better.

Second question is about buying one of those omnidirectional TV antennas
that look like a flying saucer. I believe they have a built in

Waste of space. I tried one and it didn't even do a good job on local
stations. If you are sticking one on a motor home that might be
different, but I think I'd then go with crossed dipoles.

amplifier. If I bought one should I use it in combination with my old
indoor amplifier? Thanks a lot for your help.

I brought one home, hooked it up and took it back.

You'll have to fix the return add due to dumb virus checkers, not spam
Roger Halstead (K8RI & ARRL life member)
(N833R, S# CD-2 Worlds oldest Debonair?)
www.rogerhalstead.com

 

[BFriedl]

Yukio wrote:

which is always present in any signal. I would have to assume that you must
be using a dial-up MODEM because this question doesn't make much sense if
you are using a Cable MODEM and already have access to a Cable Service
hmm, further investigation shows that his email ends in shaw.ca Going to

www.shaw.ca shows its a cable provider. So you have HSI?
http://www.shaw.ca/narrowband/prod_shsi_speed.html

--
BFriedl
A+ Certified Technician
AIM: UACybercat
** Bear Down Arizona! **
******* Go Cats! *******

 

[James Sweet]

"BFriedl" <junk-remove-@bfriedl.com> wrote in message
news:z1gxb.13246$o9.2224@fed1read07...

Yukio wrote:
which is always present in any signal. I would have to assume that you
must
be using a dial-up MODEM because this question doesn't make much sense
if
you are using a Cable MODEM and already have access to a Cable Service
hmm, further investigation shows that his email ends in shaw.ca Going to
www.shaw.ca shows its a cable provider. So you have HSI?
http://www.shaw.ca/narrowband/prod_shsi_speed.html

It's understandable, we had cable internet for years without cable TV until
my roommate got a gf who nagged him about it. Personally though I think TV
is a waste of time, I only use mine for watching DVD's.

 

[Alex Batson]

Consider:

However, before that, make sure you have
1. good, clean connections at ALL connections EVERYWHERE;
2. the antenna pointed in the right direction (turn it 360 degrees,
you might be surprised the signal comes from a direction you didn't
think would work).

I think echos are doing me in. I have plenty of signal stregnth but it's
quite difficult getting my HDTV receiver to think it has enough signal to
build a picture. Let say I point to station "X", which is UHF. It's analog
signal is OK (some snow, but viewable, but with a few ghosts or echos..)
The same station X broadcasts HDTV from the same mast, but I can't get it.

I have found that I can pick up channels by NOT pointing the antenna
directly at the broadcast point; I can get the signal by being 90degrees to
it.

Do ghosts (echos) on a strong signal kill HDTV reception? If so, I need a
highly directional antenna (ChannelMaster 4228 8-bay)?

Alex
batsona<at>comcast<dot>net

 

[numeric]

Alex Batson wrote:

I think echos are doing me in. I have plenty of signal stregnth but it's
quite difficult getting my HDTV receiver to think it has enough signal to
build a picture. Let say I point to station "X", which is UHF. It's analog
signal is OK (some snow, but viewable, but with a few ghosts or echos..)
The same station X broadcasts HDTV from the same mast, but I can't get it.

8VSB digital transmissions can be received even in a strong multipath
environment; but there is a limit and also depend upon the receiver's
ability to handle multipath. It is not unusual to receive crystal clear
digital pictures even though the analog signal, close in frequency and
transmitted from the same tower site, is severely distorted by multipath.

Keep in mind that many digital TV broadcasters are operating under an
STA (special temporary authority) from the FCC. They are not running
full power and they often use a directional antenna mounted at a height
much lower then for their analog signal. One digital broadcaster in my
area, as an example, is running 130 watts ERP with their antenna at 89
feet. I guess that that qualifies for commercial TV QRP operation