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Last reply · posted in Over the Air Television By RabbitEars.Info
Hi everyone,
I need help in getting full signal of OTA digital signal in Centreville, VA 20121. I've tried a lot of things, but either I'm missing something or it just isn't possible in my area.

Here's what I have tried with 5 different antennas:
1.) DB4 Antenna I've had this antenna for years when I first tried to go OTA a few years back. I first tried it in the attic. My goal in all of this is to get the main 4 networks (NBC, Fox, ABC, and CBS). In the attic I was able to get ABC and CBS, but no NBC or Fox. I mounted it outside on the roof and was able to get NBC and Fox, but not ABC or CBS. The run from the attic begins with a 20 feet RG59 run and then probably 50 feet of RG6 into the house and then another 20 feet to the TV. The run from the roof begins with 50 feet of RG6 and then 20 feet of RG59 to the TV.

2.) Mohu Leaf Antenna I tried both Mohu Leaf antennas amplified and not amplified. Both antennas only received NBC and Fox and NOT ABC and CBS. These I tried indoors so I didn't need a cable run and plugged them directly to the TV on my second floor

3.) AntennaCraft HBU33 I figured since I wasn't getting all of the signals maybe I needed a bigger antenna. So I picked this one from Radio Shack. It states the range is 70 miles and I'm only 20 something miles from the tower, so this should be overkill right. I didn't want to get on the roof again, so I tested this one first indoors pointing it through my second floor window. I figured it should do at least better than the Leaf and DB4 antenna, but no luck it still only picked up NBC and Fox and not the other two stations. I checked signal strength on my TiVo box and it ABC still never got over 33 and on average stayed in the 20s. I forgot to mention I tried this amp (Motorola Signal Booster 484095-001-00 Bi-Directional RF Amplifier) with the HBU33 and was able to pick up CBS, but no ABC. Oh one more thing cable run from the second floor window is 50 feet RG6 and 20 feet of RG59 to the TV

4.) AntennaCraft HBU55 I decided to go even bigger and got the HBU55 with a range of 100 miles. Still no dice. Same two channels NBC and Fox and the signal strength either remained the same or weaker. When I tried the Motorola amp with the bigger HBU55, I did get CBS again, but the signal was weaker and the picture kept going in and out. Again this is 50 feet of RG6 and 20 feet to the TV.

I'm not really sure what to make of all this. Any suggestions or ideas I can try. I'm willing to move the Antennas to the roof and try my tests again. It's just a lot of work to get those big antennas up there and I want to make sure I have a reasonable chance of success.

Other ideas I had was to get a real antenna amplifier like this an AntennaCraft DG201 pre-amplifier.

I also thought maybe my signal is too strong and perhaps a variable attenuator would help

Lastly here's my information when I ran my address on AntennaWeb.org and as you can see I'm less than 25 miles from the antenna.

Thanks in advance for your help!!!

Stations Antenna
WNVT-DT 30.6 IND
RF Channel: 30
13 miles at 176°Yellow
WFDC-DT 14.1 UNI
RF Channel: 15
22 miles at 67° Blue
WJLA-DT 7.1 ABC
RF Channel: 7
22 miles at 66° Blue
WNVC-DT 30.1 IND
RF Channel: 24
13 miles at 73° Blue
WUSA-DT 9.1 CBS
RF Channel: 9
22 miles at 66° Blue
WDCA-DT 20.1 MNT
RF Channel: 35
22 miles at 65° Violet
WRC-DT 4.1 NBC
RF Channel: 48
22 miles at 67° Violet
WTTG-DT 5.1 FOX
RF Channel: 36
22 miles at 65° Violet
20 Replies · 7647 views
T
I am in a neighborhood in the suburbs of DC, so I'm not completely clear. I have houses around me as well as trees. How much interference is there from trees when I'm 22 miles from the tower and using a 100 mile antenna?

Also just an FYI I ran a TV fool report: here's the ID Number since I can't post URLs. Itemid=29&q=id%3d2df9e3f28c112e

You mentioned obstructions should I get mast extender to make sure that's not the issue?
johann12
Putting an antenna in the attic is a bad idea, since the roof will/could reduce the signal strength. Any object that is closer then about 4- 5 feet to the antenna actually become part of the antenna and since those objects are not tuned can eliminate some if not all signals. A shingle roof for example can hold a lot of moister for weeks between the layers and could act like a sheet-metal roof.

Trees will not give you a direct line of sight, the trees will block the signal as well as a building. When the leaves are gone in the winter season than the signal increases.

Most folks put there amplifiers right there where the TV set is and that will not do any good.
For amplifiers to work properly they should be as close as possible to the antenna. A amplifier can only amplify a signal that is there, it can not amplify a signal that is to weak or a signal that is not there anymore because of losses in the cable run etc. etc. . In case of weak signal or signal loss the amplifier will only amplify noise and that is bad.

UHF antennas have to be at a minimum of about 3 feet away from any object like roof etc.. and UHF antenna about 5 feet or the object will become part of the antenna which most objects are not tuned.
A second antenna that is mounted to close to the first antenna will become part of the 1st antenna and in most cases all antennas that are mounted to close will loose a lot of signal.

I live middle in the city, but I have 100 foot trees around me and it looks like I am in the middle of the forest. Also my house is in a hole and I ended up putting a 20 foot antenna pole on top of my house which gives me a height of 35 feet, but compare to the city streets my antenna is about ground level.
I use a rotor to move my antenna to the direction I need.

I have 2 yagi antennas pointed at the same direction. They are 4 1/2 feet apart since I only use UHF. I combined the 2 yagi antennas with an 300 ohm down-lead antenna wire, but I paid attention to polarity so they are the same. I connected 1 balun to one of the yagi antennas and then I used a RG 6 quad shield coax which is used throughout the house.
15 feet after the antenna I have my amplifier mounted. The amplifier has a gain adjustment and a switch for an FM trap, $20 with free shipment at ebay.
After the amplifier it is distributed throughout the house.

If you get a splitter, get a splitter for the exact number of ports that you need, since a splitter will also split the power according to the ports you have.

I am receiving 24 channels out of 26 channels, that are about 60 miles away.

I also noticed that I am missing some channels on my older TV's, while my new 36'' flat-screen will get more channels than my older my older TV's. I thought that I had problems with my cable run, so I swapped TV's and I found out that it was the kind of a TV that was used. Apparently newer TV's are more sensitive and can pick up signals better and will give you more channels.
Bob2011
Depending on where you live in Centreville the strongest LOS(line-of-site) signals are about 150 feet above the ground. That means the signal has to diffract or bend over objects between you and the transmitters to get to your antenna on the roof. As SatelliteAV said above, in this situation you will need to test different locations on your roof or even lower for optimal signal strength. With the HBU-33 or HBU-55 the VHF stations should be very easy. The UHF will be harder especially if your antenna points at trees or a building. Some people have luck with tilting the antenna upward a few degrees in 2edge diffraction areas. RG6 cable is cheap so I would replace everything with one cable to rule out any issues with the old cable.
T
Thanks everyone. It's been pretty rainy the last several days and I haven't had a chance to do some more testing. I'll let you know how it goes.
dishcomm
I am in a neighborhood in the suburbs of DC, so I'm not completely clear. I have houses around me as well as trees. How much interference is there from trees when I'm 22 miles from the tower and using a 100 mile antenna?

Also just an FYI I ran a TV fool report: here's the ID Number since I can't post URLs. Itemid=29&q=id%3d2df9e3f28c112e

You mentioned obstructions should I get mast extender to make sure that's not the issue?
I looked the signal profiles for the 4 major nets. You are no more than 21 miles from the most distant TX...They are all in the same direction. If you look closely at the profile, you'll notice "green" color near the surface.
I believe you may have terrain issues.
Look, if there's one thing in many years of installing OTA antennas, it's an inexact science for sure.
You may think this is nuts..From the town center of Centreville, you are about 5 to 6 miles from the TDWR for Dulles airport. The radar is located just off RTE 267 in sterling, just off the airport property.
Weather radars can cause all kinds of havoc with TV reception.
Just a theory. I think you may have terrain issues as well. And some terrestrial interference.
Jim5506
My 2 cents: Use the HBU55 and mount it at least 5 ft ABOVE the peak of your roof on a tripod or place a telescoping mast along the east eave at the peak and anchor it at the roof line and to the ground.

Point the HBU55 WNW and install a new run of RG-6 coaxial cable from the antenna to your TV.

You should not only get the 4 major nets but also CW, MYTV and several more.
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....
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sdfntx
Take It as It Comes - Steve Winwood
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long_time_Dish
Take The Money and Run - Steve Miller Band
EatMyVolts
Run Joe -- Louis Jordan and his Tympany Five
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long_time_Dish
The Long Run - The Eagles
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ClarkGable
Long Train Runnin' - The Doobie Brothers
meStevo
Lifetime Supporter
Last reply · posted in TV Shows
Starting a thread klang !

After an amazing first 2 seasons and an 8 episode 3rd season still coming this year, season 4 has now been greenlit.

Keri Russell Wow GIF by NETFLIX
12 Replies · 1019 views
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K
Finished season 3 last night. Still one of my favorite shows.

Anyone else wonder if there might be something else going on with Callum? Seems to me he has too much access to Russian intelligence.
meStevo
One episode into season 4 that dropped today...

Jon Stewart Popcorn GIF
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meStevo
Renewed for season 5.
K
Finished 4 last night. Great stuff.

They do like to end each season with a Bang!
KAB
KAB
Finished 4 last night. Great stuff.

They do like to end each season with a Bang!
Great ending, but it ran in circles most of the season.
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 · 208 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 · 10 views
TWiT Tech Podcast Network
· posted in TWiT Tech Podcast Network
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