New Install - What to do next ?

[gbjbany]

Newbie on the OTA side, i just installed a CM 4228 in the attic of my 2 storey home , i really didnt want it outside.

It is connected to a Dish 622, and i only get 2 channels channel 31 and channel 13. both around 60 strength.

I tested the setup downstairs and received all my local channels with around 70 signal strength.

So my question is this. Do i try a pre-amp first or do i try moving the antenna.
There isnt a lot of room in the attic but i could move it back 3 or 4 feet. Could it be a deadspot ? but then do deadspots occur channel by channel ?
If im not getting any reception now is a pre-amp going to help, i thought i read a pre-amp will only help with a weak signal.

Anyway's any advice would be welcome, my primary goal was to get fox in HD and that is evading me !

Attached is the tvfool image so you can see what im looking at.

 

[dodge]

Have you tried moving the antenna around in the attic???
WHat kind of coax are you using, I hope it is rg 6???
Also are you pointing the 4228 in the correct direction of the transmitters??

 

[gbjbany]

I havent tried moving yet, it's a little crampled so moving it is a major exercise so i thought id ask here first.
Yes RG6 and Yes aimed at the transmitters.
Thanks

 

[ciwsguy]

I havent tried moving yet, it's a little crampled so moving it is a major exercise so i thought id ask here first.
Yes RG6 and Yes aimed at the transmitters.
Thanks

What kind of roofing is on your house? My guess is you're losing too much signal thru the roof since you had plenty of signal strength inside the house on the first floor. You're not going to want to hear this, but your best bet is to move the antenna outdoors. You can try a preamp, but I bet you're still going to have some problems.

 

[gbjbany]

Your right it wasnt what i wanted to hear
It's composite shingles, but it's aimed out the gables which are stucco and wood.

I have managed to manually add fox and nbc but the signal strength is only 57, so it keeps dropping out. I think i'll try the pre-amp and then maybe look to see if there is somehwere i can hide it (4228 is pretty large) outside. Off to frye's tomorrow.

Thanks

 

[ciwsguy]

Your right it wasnt what i wanted to hear
It's composite shingles, but it's aimed out the gables which are stucco and wood.

I have managed to manually add fox and nbc but the signal strength is only 57, so it keeps dropping out. I think i'll try the pre-amp and then maybe look to see if there is somehwere i can hide it (4228 is pretty large) outside. Off to frye's tomorrow.

Thanks

Stucco, you say? That is likely your problem. Stucco usually has a metal lathe nailed to the sheathing underneath. Your signal from the towers is likely being blocked by the metal lathe. An amp would likely not fix the problem.

 

[digiblur]

I'd say the same thing to. For those 30 mile hops I'd also recommend outdoors to let the antenna "catch some fresh air". Putting it in the attic kills the antenna's power by about 40%. Adding amp will sometimes help but not always since they just amp the noise too.

 

[gbjbany]

ok guys thanks, I will save myself the trip and look to see where i can place it outside if i can get permission from the missus.

 

[dodge]

Can you place it under an eve near the peak of the roof, that way it wont be on the roof and is hidden a bit.

 

[gbjbany]

Dodge,

Exactly my thoughts. Im just getting it out of the attic (stopped for lunch) as i have to disassemble it to get through the attic access. Will hopefully ahe good news in a couple of hours.

 

[dodge]

You'd better hurry up,
Daytona is starting shortly.

 

[gbjbany]

Well it's outside, getting all the channels now, some a little low still though. But fox and PBS are coming through in the high 60's so that's good.

Will need to fine tune a little i think as just moving a couple of degrees brought CBS in but i may need to mess with something in the middle, to get a balance thanks guys.

 

[ciwsguy]

Well it's outside, getting all the channels now, some a little low still though. But fox and PBS are coming through in the high 60's so that's good.

Will need to fine tune a little i think as just moving a couple of degrees brought CBS in but i may need to mess with something in the middle, to get a balance thanks guys.

great, gbjbany. Glad you're up & running.