rtnlsltn
10-11-2009, 08:47 PM
Out of desperation to watch one of my favorite shows after moving an hour south, I went out to what I thought was a higher end TV/Electronics shop. The only digital antenna they had was the Terk "rake" directional. I ensured I would be able to return it and picked it up, knowing I'd end up not being satisfied. The channels I am able to get are: 2-1, 2-2, 26, 38-1, 38-2, 38-3. Depending on how I position it I can pick up 1 or 2 more, total of 8 channels max. The only ones I really want are WLUK (Fox) and WACY (CW) so I can watch cartoons and 2 And A Half Men :-P, but I'm unable to get either of these. I believe Time Warner offers a $10 a month option to receive most of the reasonably local channels, but free is always better. I've pondered going free to air, but I'd like to hold off on spending that much right now.
Any ideas on what I can do? I live in an apartment complex on the lower of 2 floors, so external antennas are not allowed. Satellite dishes must be approved and mounted a certain way.
Here is my TV fool chart
?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%3dbefb98802c2b02 (won't let me post the full link)
Thanks,
Justin
IDRick
10-11-2009, 09:19 PM
Welcome to the forum Justin!
Here is the link for your tvfool: http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%3dbefb98802c2b02
Your local stations are predominantly to the east/northeast. Is your apartment on the east side of the building? Do you have a window where you can aim the antenna to the east/northeast?
Wally
10-12-2009, 07:00 AM
According to the records, WLUK, Fox, is broadcasting on Channel 11, has a Maximum ERP: 17.190 kW. This will be a challenge. You will need a dedicated VHF antenna outside to pick this one up. You might want to watch Bart Simpson on the Internet. www.hulu.com
NonMcTubber
10-12-2009, 11:53 AM
Given the fact Justin gets virtual channels 2, 26. and 38, we have to note all of that set are at or above 7 NM(DB) stronger than the channels Justin wants because all five of them are at basically the same heading.
So statistically, if Justin wants that set of channels, he has to find some sort of indoor antenna with a gain at least 7 DB better than the indoor antenna he tried. And given the short coax run, I doubt an amp would help.
JB Antennaman
10-12-2009, 12:52 PM
As in previous posts, I have said about the fact that reception is dependent on a good antenna mounted properly on the outside of the house / building.
Maybe it was nonmctubber that said about how some people moves from one home to another - with no consideration of reception - until they get there and then they find out that they cannot watch television with nothing more then a simple set of rabbit ears.
My advice is to either pay the cable bill or move into a home where you can do as you please or move closer to the transmitters.
You have so many signals from so many directions that you would need a good directional antenna and some sort of antenna rotor to get as many as possible.
Just that your location prohibits a outdoors antenna and indoors your reception is next to nothing, your only other option is to get a boyfriend / girlfriend and go to their house when you want to watch television.
aka.Hooper
10-12-2009, 12:54 PM
...And given the short coax run, I doubt an amp would help.
I wouldn't be so quick to say that NMT. When testing my DIYs in my driveway with a TV & DTV Pal+ in the garage, and only maybe 20' of cable I saw quite the difference when adding an amp. (Both with a RS 10dB gain inline and later the HDP-269.)
otaota
10-12-2009, 03:58 PM
given the short coax run, I doubt an amp would help.
I wouldn't be so quick to say that NMT. When testing my DIYs in my driveway with a TV & DTV Pal+ in the garage, and only maybe 20' of cable I saw quite the difference when adding an amp. (Both with a RS 10dB gain inline and later the HDP-269.)
An amp might have a slight benefit if the Noise Figure of the amp is lower than the Noise Figure of the tuner + the loss from coax. Most receivers these days have NF in the range of 6 to 9 dB. A "good" amp will have a NF of around 3 dB or less.
The purpose of the amp, in this case, is to overcome the poor NF of the receiver more than anything else. It can improve things, but not by much (~3-5 dB?), so don't expect it to overcome big deficiencies in SNR.
Cheers,
Welcome to the forum Justin!
Here is the link for your tvfool...
TVFool is a great site - never realized there were so many potential stations.
Great forum!
john
