Still Can't get WITI - Any Suggestions?

[gobble]

I went out today and bought the Winegard Square Shooter UHF antenna.  I'm in Germantown, 15.6 miles from the transmitter, and still can't get the WITI digital signal.

I've only tried hand holding the antenna outside my house pointed towards the transmitter.  The signal strength meter on my Samsung SIRTS160 bounces from 0-10-40-10-70-40-0.  I get them same readings on all the other channels.  However, WITI is the only one that doesn't come in.

I went to the store intending to buy the Channel Master 4228, but they talked me into the Winegard.  Would the 4228 do and better?  I saw the thing and it was huge.

What can I do?

[dlhoppe]

Getting it up in the air should make a huge difference. I assume you were standing on the ground when hand-holding it?

[gobble]

I just got off my roof, where  I mounted the antenna on a mast on the chimney.  I'm getting closer.  I can get a highly pixelized picture that blinks on and off.  This is frustrating because I can see their stupid antenna from my roof.

So my question now is:

a) do I buy the digital preamp that Winegard offers for this Square Shooter antenna, or

b) do I return the Square Shooter and buy the Channelmaster 4228

I'm a little worried that this Square Shooter is simply a stylish UHF antenna and not necessarily the most powerful solution.

Any thoughts are greatly appreciated.  I think I'm getting close.

[StarvingForHDTV]

I have experienced good luck with the Channel Master.  For me it was well worth the $65.

Good luck to you,

Starving

http://www.warrenelectronics.com/antennas/4228.htm

[Racer47]

I'll stand by my previous post. Buy a yagi or 8 bay. Don't spend money on a pre-amp for the square shooter.


http://www.milwaukeehdtv.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=4001

About 2/3 of the way down.

[gobble]

Ya.  I went to the store intending to buy the 4228 like you said, but they talked me into the Square Shooter.  I'm going to return it today and buy the 4228 like you said the first time.

[Racer47]

I helped a friend of mine who said he couldn't get fox or 18 or 24 digital. We bought an 8 bay and tried for a couple hours to find the best location.

We ended up with the antenna lag screwed to a tree about 5 ft off the ground. He also ended up with a Channel Master 7778 pre amp because of the long cable run to and within his house.

UHF antenna height is not not like VHF. Its a hard paradigm to get over. But the antenna does not necessarily need to be on the roof for the best signal.

At first he didn't like the big antenna stuck on a tree trunk. But he's gotten over that because now he gets all Milwaukee digitals on his new Samsung DLP. Plus this is only a temporary situation. Eventually they will boost the signal and these 4 foot square antennas will not be needed.

Good luck

[Racer47]

Ok one last post (I've been typing way too much for someone that "doesn't have much to say".)

I have an extra Radio Shack double bow tie antenna that you could borrow if you wanted to try it. I saw that Tom said it works for him. Plus as Greg said maybe you're getting too much signal from WISN on 34.

This deal is trial and error. More knowledge always helps but ultimately every location is slightly different.

If you want to borrow the double bow tie we could meet somewhere near 45 and Q or maybe 45 and 167. I drive by there everyday.

[gobble]

Thanks for the offer.  I would take you up on it, but you reminded me that my neighbor had a double bowtie before he switched to cable.  I just talked to him and he still has it.  I'm going to borrow his double bowtie and silver sensor tonight.

[gobble]

Problem solved.  The Channelmaster 4228 sitting on a chair in my front window did the trick.  I don't even need the attenuator.  When I move it to the garage or not by a window, it doesn't work.  

Other antennas unsuccessfully tried:
Radio Shack $30 VHF/UHF
Fleet Farm Zenith UHF "digital" antenna
Winegard Square Shooter
RS double bowtie
Silver Sword?

Thanks to everyone for their help.