Over Air HD Reception in SF East Bay?

I live in Hercules (94547) and have been trying to get HD reception over the air. I've tried 3 antennas already and have had no luck whatsoever, not even a single digital channel. I've got DirecTV HD, but want to use the PIP feature on my TV. That's why I'm trying to get OTA reception. Anyone out there in my area (SF East Bay from Berkeley to the Carquinez Bridge) with success stories? What type of antenna are you using? How many channels can you pick up? Thx!

I used a couple of different tools to determine why you are having problems with TV reception, and it appears that you have a severe signal blockage between you and the transmitters. Although most of the SF transmitters are only 20 miles from you, it appears as if you have some big hills in the way, which are going to create havoc with off-air reception. Your best bet would be to try a deep-fringe antenna like an AntennasDirect XG-91 and a preamplifier like a Channel Master Titan 7777 aimed at Mt. Sutro, or a Channel Master 4228 8 bay UHF antenna using the same preamplifier AND as much antenna height as you can possibly manage. Even with all that equipment, the signals are weak enough where you are as to allow for no guarantee that you will get an acceptable signal.

I live in Hercules (94547) and have been trying to get HD reception over the air. I've tried 3 antennas already and have had no luck whatsoever, not even a single digital channel. I've got DirecTV HD, but want to use the PIP feature on my TV. That's why I'm trying to get OTA reception. Anyone out there in my area (SF East Bay from Berkeley to the Carquinez Bridge) with success stories? What type of antenna are you using? How many channels can you pick up? Thx!
If this is just for testing and you don't care which channels you get, then your best bets are probably KTLN and KRCB since they broadcast from across the bay near Petaluma. KTLN broadcasts on channel 47 and gets mapped to channel 68.1. KRCB broadcasts on channel 23 and gets mapped to channel 22.1. Since Hercules has lots of hills, it's hard to say whether you will get a clear shot at these channels unless you know your exact latitude and longitude.

Also, if you're testing the PIP feature on your TV, are you using the tuner built into the TV? If so, make sure that it is configured for cable-mode=off.

If you're looking for more OTA channels, then tigerbangs is right. Your location will make it fairly difficult to get any of the main broadcasts from Sutro, San Bruno, or Monument Peak/Mt. Allison.

If this is just for testing and you don't care which channels you get, then your best bets are probably KTLN and KRCB since they broadcast from across the bay near Petaluma. KTLN broadcasts on channel 47 and gets mapped to channel 68.1. KRCB broadcasts on channel 23 and gets mapped to channel 22.1. Since Hercules has lots of hills, it's hard to say whether you will get a clear shot at these channels unless you know your exact latitude and longitude.

Also, if you're testing the PIP feature on your TV, are you using the tuner built into the TV? If so, make sure that it is configured for cable-mode=off.

If you're looking for more OTA channels, then tigerbangs is right. Your location will make it fairly difficult to get any of the main broadcasts from Sutro, San Bruno, or Monument Peak/Mt. Allison.


Thanks you guys! I will look into it further. To clarify, this is not just for testing. I need another source besides my DirecTV for PIP. And yes, tuner is set to "Air". I live on the west side of I-80, towards the bay. I can actually SEE the bay from my street, so there are no hills around my area.