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Last reply · posted in Over the Air Television By RabbitEars.Info
Hi, I am new to receiving OTA HD signals and I have bought an antenna and set it up in my back yard. I have not mounted it or anything yet and gotten great results just putting it in my daughter's backyard little tikes plaything. Anyway, the stations I'm trying to receive are about 65 miles away and I wondered if I would benefit from an amplifier. If so which amplifier specifically? One station I can't get but I think (NBC- WAAY48) it's because they haven't started transmitting the digital signal yet. All the others are fine but I don't think they are as strong as they could be. Also, could someone explain grounding the antenna and the best way of going about it. Any help would be appreciated!!

Thanks,
4 Replies · 5837 views
navychop
Yes on the preamp. I'll leave the grounding to others, as there seems to be some difference of opinion.

Mounting - the higher the better. Consider a rotor also, if there's much spread between the stations you want to receive.
B
Actually, it's a case of "if it ain't broke, don't fix it"...! You say you are already getting "great results". If so, then I'd say adding a preamp isn't likely to help anything, and could possibly impair your signals. The only time a preamp makes sense is in marginal conditions (like mine!) when signal reception is spotty at best, and addition of a preamp makes enough boost in the signal received at the set to improve the chances that I receive a nearly "error-free" signal that the set can resolve to a usable picture and audio a higher percentage of time. Things were a lot easier with analog signals where you could see for yourself if changes you made were improving or hurting the signal. Now in the digital age, it's pretty much all or nothing. You either have a rock solid picture, or you have nothing. In between you may have pixelations and drop-outs, but you are really hard pressed without sophisticated equipment to know whether or not those are due to poor/variable signal strength or multipath interference, or a combination. And the difference is important.

In your case, I would do like navychop mentioned and raise the antenna as high as practical, possibly needing guy wires for support. I'd also use a good quality RG-6/U coax cable from the antenna into the house. But I would not add a preamp unless I have spotty signal strength, leading to the results mentioned above. And then, which one becomes somewhat of a crapshoot unless you know exactly why the signal is spotty. You might do well with a medium gain amp, but one with a very low noise figure, like the Winegard HDP-269. If you need higher gain, the Channel Master CM7777 is a good choice. You might also need high overload protection and/or an FM trap if the signal(s) you're trying to get are distant and being overridden by local channels or FM stations. Noise generated in the preamp is the enemy for a clean digital signal, which is the primary reason I say not to add any preamp unless you know for sure you need one. Even then, get the lowest gain unit that will meet your needs because higher gain always equals higher added noise. DON'T get a preamp from a place like Radio Shack. They're marginal best. BTW - Installing a superior antenna (higher gain in the bands of choice) is a better idea than adding a preamp. Getting any antenna pointed to the best position is also a challenge, and critical. A good rotator helps with that, also as mentioned before.

Here's a good resource to see what stations are available to you, their relative bearings and distance, etc.: AntennaWeb

My grounding recommendation: an 8' ground rod driven into the soil at the base of the antenna, 8 ga. or (better) 6 ga. solid copper wire attached to the antenna itself (the grounded parts) and the mast via a ground clamp(s), running unbroken to, then attached to that ground rod, and then ultimately running unbroken to the ground at your electrical entrance panel inside your house. All coax cables need to run through a grounding block installed near the point of entry to the house to ground the shield parts of the cables, and those ground blocks are also attached to your ground wire. Check the NEC and local codes for exact requirements in your area. IMPORTANT NOTE: NO economically-viable residential grounding scheme is going to protect you from a direct lightning hit. But it will protect you from static buildup that will affect performance and could damage your equipment, and it will probably protect you from the EMP of a nearby strike. Make sure to also have surge protection for your equipment, and it's still best to remove power and antenna connections during thunder storms! Your homeowner's insurance will also want to know that your system was properly grounded before honoring a claim for lightning damage!

Install your antenna first without a preamp and properly ground it. Try it that way for a while before you decide to add a preamp, then do some research to see what you really need for your situation.

Welcome to the forum and good luck with your project...!
navychop
My recommendation for a pre-amp was based upon the possibility of that station in fact being on the air, but not received. Of course, as stated by bhelms, if you are in fact getting the available stations just fine- be happy and save the cash.

Grounding. Some folks recommend, and some codes require (or so I'm told) that all grounding be to the same central point- probably located very close to the power entry point.

As I've never had or seen a dish or OTA antenna grounded, I have not grounded my current OTA antenna. I probably should. But my guess is that most folks don't.
zaxxon
I have a CM4228 antenna and received excellent results. I installed a CM7777 pre-amp and picked up more stations and my quality went up.

I am only about 45 miles from the stations but I am also picking up stations over 60 miles away with my pre-amp.
M
Last reply · posted in DISH Network Support Forum
Over the past few weeks, I have had problems connecting to streaming services (Netflix, HBO et al). When I go to the TV's native Channels, I have no problem. The Dish internet troubleshooter shows I have a good internet connection. I'm wondering whether it's an issue with my internet provider or a problem with the Dish software on the Hopper Plus. Anyone else seeing this?
5 Replies · 184 views
Almighty1
Over the past few weeks, I have had problems connecting to streaming services (Netflix, HBO et al). When I go to the TV's native Channels, I have no problem. The Dish internet troubleshooter shows I have a good internet connection. I'm wondering whether it's an issue with my internet provider or a problem with the Dish software on the Hopper Plus. Anyone else seeing this?
I have a DISH Hopper 3 (Software H713) with Hopper Plus (Software P15403). I have not tried streaming services but I primarily watch TVB Jadeworld international package which is only available by streaming and when I have an issue, I usually have to go to a non-streaming satellite channel first before the streaming channels will work again. What software versions do you have and what is the error message if any are showing on your screen? or is that Dish downloading logo just stuck and never finishes?
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M
I have a DISH Hopper 3 (Software H713) with Hopper Plus (Software P15403). I have not tried streaming services but I primarily watch TVB Jadeworld international package which is only available by streaming and when I have an issue, I usually have to go to a non-streaming satellite channel first before the streaming channels will work again. What software versions do you have and what is the error message if any are showing on your screen? or is that Dish downloading logo just stuck and never finishes?
I'm on H713 on the Hopper and P15403 on the Hopper Plus. It shows internet connection issues and doesn't finish loading the various services. I see the "loading circle going around. Sometimes I get a message saying that the service is having trouble loading my content and to check the internet connection.
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Almighty1
I'm on H713 on the Hopper and P15403 on the Hopper Plus. It shows internet connection issues and doesn't finish loading the various services. I see the "loading circle going around. Sometimes I get a message saying that the service is having trouble loading my content and to check the internet connection.
Did it ever work correctly before? Hard to say what the problem is. Usually for streaming, it will show the Dish logo with lines sweeping down to show downloading, never seen the circle issue. Did you try a manual reboot, red button reset, power cord unplug/replug to see if it makes a difference.
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S
Did it ever work correctly before? Hard to say what the problem is. Usually for streaming, it will show the Dish logo with lines sweeping down to show downloading, never seen the circle issue. Did you try a manual reboot, red button reset, power cord unplug/replug to see if it makes a difference.
Might be worth just to ditch the hopper plus. No issues here on h713
S
Over the past few weeks, I have had problems connecting to streaming services (Netflix, HBO et al). When I go to the TV's native Channels, I have no problem. The Dish internet troubleshooter shows I have a good internet connection. I'm wondering whether it's an issue with my internet provider or a problem with the Dish software on the Hopper Plus. Anyone else seeing this?
Buy a roku and dump the hopper plus you'll be better off. If you have a smart tv you don't need either one. No hopper plus here and no issues!!!
TWiT Tech Podcast Network
· posted in TWiT Tech Podcast Network
0 Replies · 3 views
TWiT Tech Podcast Network
· posted in TWiT Tech Podcast Network
0 Replies · 1 views
Scott Greczkowski
Staff member HERE TO HELP YOU! Cutting Edge
Last reply · posted in The Chit Chat Club
Sometimes a thread gets so many posts in it that is can cause issues for the server so that why today we introduce The Song Name Game Part 3!

So let the game continue!

The last song was added by Bobby who posted...

One Meat Ball - Andrews Sisters

CONTINUE ON AND HAVE FUN! WELCOME HOME TO SATELLITEGUYS.US!

Here are the original rules for the game as posted by WebbyDude back in 2006. http://www.satelliteguys.us/threads/68645-Song-Name-Game

Just name a song title and the band who performed it. The next person does the same thing, but needs to list a song title or band name which includes a word from the previous entry. Pick songs from any genre.

Example:

Long Live Rock and Roll -- Rainbow

Rainbow in the Dark -- Dio

Another example:

Ride the Lightning -- Metallica

Lightning Strikes -- Ozzy Osbourne


Get it?


An additional note: we all know that song titles, sometimes, use profane words. Because this is a family friendly website it is advised that you clean up that title up a bit. This is accomplished by using something like sh!t instead of the real word. Thanks....
68663 Replies · 2680606 views
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long_time_Dish
Take It Easy - The Eagles
sdfntx
Take It as It Comes - Steve Winwood
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long_time_Dish
Take The Money and Run - Steve Miller Band
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EatMyVolts
Run Joe -- Louis Jordan and his Tympany Five
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long_time_Dish
The Long Run - The Eagles
Gary Toma
Staff member Pub Member / Supporter Cutting Edge
Last reply · posted in DIRECTV Technical Resources Forum
The TPN Map Excel Presents all DIRECTV Channels:
​
National (50-States or wide/NAT+PR beams)
Local (Local-Into-Local or narrow/Spot beams)
​
Additional tabs provide:​
OTA the (Over-The-Air) Database
VOD (Video On_Demand) Records
Offline Records
Engr Records
Net Decoder a graphic presentation of all satellites and transponders
​
Domestic Satellites
@99W...... D11, D14
@101W.... D16
@103W.... D12, D15
@110W.... D5
@119W.... D8​

Understanding the TPN Map

Making Sense of the TPN Map Display Conventions
2171 Replies · 945971 views
D
Weekly Analysis for 10/28/2026:
K
ElectionHQ mixes testing with BBC News, CNBC, CNN, FBN, FNC, MSNOW, NewsMax and NewsNation

Some more reshuffles

Updating the TMSIDs for KSBI and KQCW to use the cable feeds with Thunder games instead of the OTA feeds

An additional commercial PPV channel is now on 9530
coolman302003
Monday 11/2 is a full slate for NBA League Pass as all 30 teams are playing and 14 out of 15 total games are on NBALP. Only one national TV game on Peacock/NBCSN (Thunder @ Cavs).

DirecTV is even having to use several MLB EI channels (from 745-748) and a NHL CI (770) channel to fit all of them in the guide close together. 5 games at 7:30 ET, 3 games at 8 ET, 2 games at 8:30 ET, 1 game at 9 ET, 3 games at 10 ET. Luckily NHL CI is light on Monday (3 games on CI).

DirecTV is providing both broadcast feeds for all League Pass games except Hornets, Magic, Bucks & Raptors that night. These are all teams that have local broadcasts via a OTA channel which is on spotbeams and have streaming deals (DTC) that are not exclusive DAZN teams which DirecTV just signed a deal with (à la Spurs, Grizzlies, Cavs, Pacers & T'Wolves). Its also very common that we don't get Raptors broadcast very often from TSN or Sportsnet Ontario on League Pass.

11/2/26 (MON) EASTERN7:00 PM7:30 PM8:00 PM8:30 PM9:00 PM10:00 PM
Peacock/NBCSNThunder @ Cavaliers
NBA League PassNonePistons (745) @ HornetsKings (755) @ Mavericks (756)Celtics (760) @ Rockets (761)Trail Blazers (764) @ Nuggets (765)Suns (769) @ Warriors (770)
Hawks (746) @ Pacers (747)Pelicans (757) @ Grizzlies (758)Jazz (762) @ Spurs (763)Raptors @ Clippers (766)
Nets (748) @ Knicks (751)Bucks @ T'Wolves (759)Heat (767) @ Lakers (768)
Wizards (752) @ Magic
Bulls (753) @ 76ers (754)
*No Hornets, Magic local broadcasts*No Bucks local broadcast*No Raptors local broadcast
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Only the Knicks, Nets, Wizards, Bulls, Celtics, Rockets, Lakers, Warriors, Avalanche, Sharks and Bruins feeds will be using remaps of 24/7 RSNs that night. The rest will be relying on the part time feeds, including the Nuggets, Blackhawks and Kings who will be on their alt/overflow channels, and MSG Western NY will be live on channel 635-1 to carry Buffalo area ads during the Knicks game.

The NHL Network alternate will be live on channel 215-1 with Red Wings @ Panthers for those blacked out of Golden Knights @ Bruins on the main feed.

The Thunder @ Cavaliers game will be on one of Peacock Game Pass channels that night for commercial customers, they'll also have the back to back U-Conn Women's and Men's Basketball. One of the part time feeds will also be in use for WWE Raw via Joe Hand promotions.
dtv757
I could be wrong but the only RSN we dont have is NBC SN Philadelphia .
Neutron
Supporting Founder
Last reply · posted in The Chit Chat Club
Patrick Stewart died yesterday, October 28th at the age of 86. We lost yet another great actor. :(

9 Replies · 101 views
long_time_Dish
Rest in peace. Wow, so many good roles, but Jean Luc Picard will always be my favorite...
M
R.I.P.
mc6809e
Rest In Peace
sdfntx
R.I.P., Jean-Luc.