OTA Antenna Understanding?

[FlyingJ]

This may be silly but here goes. When my HD (3LNB) was installed about a year and a half ago the installer told me that the OTA that D* included in the deal would not work for me. Didn't understand then, don't now. Anyway so I go out and get a TERK indoor antenna hook it up to the HR10-250 and yup, there are my locals, damn nice too. Only about 5 miles away from towers. Here is the problem, my set up is truly in the corner of the den so the TERK is literally 1 foot away from the wall and looking right at it. 2 of the locals don't seem to ever break up but, 2 of them do on occasion. The question is, why wont the freakin outdoor antenna work? Is there anything that I can do with this or another indoor antenna to work better? Thanks!

 

[robbiee19]

Is the Terk power or not? I just run extra length of RG6 cable so I can move the antenna around to any position within the room I want. Also I have the Winegard Sharpshooter Model SS-3000 with great results. It's a bit pricey, but worth it. I get all the locals. I live off Alton-Darby and Roberts in Hilliard.

 

[newsposter]

the problem is, with HDTivo, you can't be changing antenna positions all the time. You need to find a happy medium where you get all in.

I know that close you 'may' be overpowering the unit and can fix that. I'm not an expert but these people are:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=381623

 

[FlyingJ]

I don't thingk the TERK is power,it's a HDTVi . Will a "power" one make a difference? Thanks to both of you, Robbie,I am right on Broad Street 5 miles east of Downtown.

 

[packfan909]

Hi J:

I ran into similar issues with the D* installer and his company as well. They will install an OTA Antenna but do not guarantee the ability to view your locals. I also, don't believe they spend the time to fine tune the antenna to get everything in. Being five miles from the transmitters, you are in a great situation to receive signal from in your house. I am 34 miles away from my receivers and can pull in most with fine tuning. I am getting anywhere from 45-70 percent on the OTA tuning menu on the TIVO.

My neighbor and I attempted to diplex an outdoor antenna throught the existing satellite cable without much success. And there is still doubt that diplexing will work when we have to upgrade to 5lnb. I gave up about a month ago and simply have a directional UHF antenna sitting behind my plasma that I adjust to get everything in.

The signal going out may be when the local channel is changing format from 480p to 720p or 1080i. For example, I record Letterman on our CBS affiliate. The local news is in 480p. Letterman is in 720 or 1080 the signal will pixelate briefly when format is changed.

I hope that helps.

packfan909

 

[johnml]

If your only 5 miles from the antenna farm you shouldn't have a problem at all receiving the locals. I had alot of trouble with the Directv supplied antenna, so I bought a UHF/VHF Channel Master outdoor antenna ($30.00) from Lowes and get every channel available down here ( South Florida ) My problem with the Directv supplied antenna was it was a UHF only, And my locals are split UHF/VHF. Outdoor antennas are superior to indoor antennas in my opinion. Although I'm only 15 miles from the antenna farm I had minimal luck with indoor antennas. :up

 

[robbiee19]

J. The D* antenna is crap. It's been discussed in many forms and boards. Like I said the one I have is a little pricey, but go to BB and buy a new one. They have some nice Jensens and RCA ones for a decent price. But I do recommened getting some extra length of cable to move your antenna around. It worked for me. Hey I know were you are at.

 

[damaged]

This may be silly but here goes. When my HD (3LNB) was installed about a year and a half ago the installer told me that the OTA that D* included in the deal would not work for me. Didn't understand then, don't now. Anyway so I go out and get a TERK indoor antenna hook it up to the HR10-250 and yup, there are my locals, damn nice too. Only about 5 miles away from towers. Here is the problem, my set up is truly in the corner of the den so the TERK is literally 1 foot away from the wall and looking right at it. 2 of the locals don't seem to ever break up but, 2 of them do on occasion. The question is, why wont the freakin outdoor antenna work? Is there anything that I can do with this or another indoor antenna to work better? Thanks!

When you are within a 5 mile radius of the towers, it is recommended that you install a attenuator (take any amps out, if any), that may solve your issue.

 

[FlyingJ]

An attenuator, okie dokie, I will look into that. Thanks everyone.