DT UHF Help needed - only 7.5 miles from towers

Ransack

SatelliteGuys Pro
Original poster
Supporting Founder
Nov 13, 2003
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Virginia
I live in a highly wooded area in N.E. PA, but am less than 8 miles from the towers. I have no problem getting the 2 OTA VHF stations (CBS & NBC), but can't even get a picture for the UHF. I have bought 2 different $30 amplified antennas (radio shack and an RCA one from wal mart) with no success on the UHF side. My viewing area is in a basement (concrete foundation) with a lot of windows and a walk out so i am not totally in hole! I thought that being so close i would at leaste be able to get some type of signal on the UHF stations but can't (i have an HR10-250 HD Tivo).

I am not opposed to buying something like a winegard squareshooter and mounting it on the side of my deck, but would rather have an indoor antenna if at all possible.

Does anyone have a suggestion (different indoor antennas, etc)




Antenna Type Call Sign Channel Network City State Live Date Compass Orientation Miles
From Frequency
Assignment
* red - vhf WYOU-DT 22.1 CBS SCRANTON PA 67° 7.6 13
* red - uhf WVIA-DT 44.1 PBS SCRANTON PA 68° 7.6 41
* red - uhf WOLF-DT 56.1 FOX HAZLETON PA 67° 7.8 45
* red - uhf WNEP-DT 16.1 ABC SCRANTON PA 67° 7.8 49
* red - vhf WBRE-DT 28.1 NBC WILKES-BARRE PA 67° 7.6 11
 
Antennaweb.org is telling you you need a medium directional, which is an outdoor antenna, not the indoor type you have used. No amount of amplification can create a signal that is not being received.

The woodlands around you do a very good job of absorbing UHF TV signal so an indoor antenna is very doubtful for your location.
 
I think you are too close to the towers to use anything with a pre-amp. Here are some 4-bay UHF antennas to consider: http://www.antennasdirect.com/DB4_HDTV_antenna.html; http://www.winegard.com/offair/pdf/pr-4400.pdf; Channel Master 4221 - http://www.channelmaster.com/images/3021_4221.jpg. They are meant for outdoor but can be adapted to work indoor.

The absolute best consumer outdoor UHF antenna is: http://www.antennasdirect.com/91XG_HDTV_Antenna.html. The best-for-money outdoor UHF antenna is the Channel Master 4228 - http://www.channelmaster.com/images/4228.jpg

If you don't have a local Winegard/Channel Master dealer, you can order from: http://www.warrenelectronics.com/Antennas/antennas_acc.htm
 
What about that square shooter? it's a lot more pleasing to the eye if it will work in my case. I didn't think i will need a conventional outdoor uhf antenna being so close to the towers, but i am not that knowledgeable about VHF/UHF ota signals.
 
Ransack said:
What about that square shooter? it's a lot more pleasing to the eye if it will work in my case. I didn't think i will need a conventional outdoor uhf antenna being so close to the towers, but i am not that knowledgeable about VHF/UHF ota signals.
Do you want pretty, or do you want results.

The square shooter is for non-problematic situations, which you evidently do not have.

Buy one and try it, if it works GREAT, but be sure you can return it if it does not work.

I recommend the CM 4228, while you are fairly close, you are in a medium directional area, and the 4228 is one step up from that and the price is 1/2 that of a Square Shooter.
 
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