antenna problems-help

[skilps]

I live in Hales Corners which is on the south west side of Milwaukee. I can only get channel 4-1 with my rooftop antenna. I get a very weak signal for channels 12-1 and 58-1.  I get no signal for 6-1, 10-1, 18-1,24-1 and 36-1. Can anyone help PLEASE?

[StarvingForHDTV]

Is your antenna UHF or VHF?  Is the cable(s) old or new?  Coax or two wire?  How long is the cable run?  Is there an amplifier installed?  Splitters?

People need more information to help you.

[skilps]

Sorry, it is a new Magnavox MANT901  UHF, VHF, FM Antenna. I am using new coax about 50' . No splitters and no amplifiers. I did try an amplifier and it actually made the signal worse.  Thanks for any help.

[Drummerboy]

I recommend first trying a good preamp (Channel Master) and then swap the antenna if the preamp doesn't help.  Also keep in mind height is important and that you are clear of all near by structures.

I had the Mant901 in combination with the Magnovox preamplifier from Menards and reception was terrible.  I returned the antenna and picked up the VU-120 from Radio Shack and reception was mildly better in some cases and worse in other cases.  I then returned the Magnovox preamp and bought a Channel Master 3041DSB preamp at a True Value store and the difference was night and day.  I now get all Milw and most Madison digitals and analogs occasionally from Chicago and Grand Rapids, MI.  If I was ambitious enough I would go back and try the MANT901 with the Channel Master preamp but I doubt there would be much of a difference.   I know I should be able to get more channels and will likely be back on my roof soon for some tweaking.

You may be able to find the Channel Master preamp at Ace or True Value stores in communities outside of the metro area (where there would be more of a need for one).  I picked mine up in Oconomowoc at True Value (last one).  I will warn you that I paid $70 at the store but I know online you can get them in the 50 dollar range.  I figured that if it did not work it would be easy to return but once I saw those crystal clear digital channels I felt quite vindicated.

[waterhead]

I just put up a ChannelMaster antenna that I bought at Marmax. They're located at 68th and Rawson. They'e not in the yellow pages, but it's pretty close to you. Maybe they have an amp too.

You can try their web site
Marmax Distribution Company

[jfelbab]

I just put up a ChannelMaster antenna that I bought at Marmax. They're located at 68th and Rawson. They'e not in the yellow pages, but it's pretty close to you. Maybe they have an amp too.

You can try their web site
Marmax Distribution Company

I buy my stuff there as well. A great place with good prices and knowledgeable people.

My experience is that Channel Master and Winegard products perform significantly better than all the others.

[dj1111]

How about the cables?  Did you make them yourself?  Do you have the right tools to make them yourself?  It is one of the most critical parts of your install.  My 10+ year old Radio Shack antenna pulls in all the Milwaukee and Green Bay stations just fine up in Sheboygan.  And I know the cables are one of the big reasons everything works so well, all the time.  

[audiopile]

With the exception of six DTV /hdtv - I think everybody else on your list is now at full licensed power - so your inability to pick them up means you've either got some fundemental equipment problem ( Antenna , pre-amp , badly terminated cable - you are using RG-6 or 6 QS ? , bad splitter , what STB or HD TV are you using?) or you've really got some horendious  terain problem - if you take a telescope or binicoulurs and look along the compass bearing that antennaweb.org gives you for the towers - what do you see?
   Basically you should be able to do better from Hales Corners - so somethings screwed up.

[wxndave]

I agree that you have something wrong with your set-up.  I'm east of you in Greenfield and have no problem picking up all the Milwaukee DTV stations witout a preamp.  If it isn't a cable problem then it is aiming.  Is your antenna aimed in the north east direction?

Dave

[skilps]

Thanks to all!! I put a preamp on the antenna and I am getting all the major networks(except 6-1). Otherwise get normal to good for the signal strength. But I still have a bad signal for al of channel 10, 18-1,24-1 and 36-1. Do you think that has something to do with the UHF part of the antenna?

[Jimboy]

Thanks to all!! I put a preamp on the antenna and I am getting all the major networks(except 6-1). Otherwise get normal to good for the signal strength. But I still have a bad signal for al of channel 10, 18-1,24-1 and 36-1. Do you think that has something to do with the UHF part of the antenna?

If the antenna isn't receiving the signal, a preamp can't amplify what is not there.

[Talos4]

I'm also on the SW side.  I have no problems with a Radio shack rooftop and a rotor.

It  was mentioned once already but i really think you need to check the alignment of the antenna.   In other words which way is it pointed.  

I know it seems silly to say that. but, it does happen.

In Hales Corners you should be able to pick just about everything with no problems. Your elevation is high enough that you should almost be line of sight to the tower farm from the rooftop.

[audiopile]

OK - of the channels you are having problems with - 18-1 and 24-1 are ( I believe) still operating as STA's at very low power levels - wouldn't worry about these or 6 digital which is the same situation. Once they do the power upgrade - you will almost certainly get them . 10-1 thru 10-7 ( this is what you are talking about? not 10 analog?) is actually transmiting on VHF chanel 8 - while 36-1 is on UHF 35. Both PBS chanels are at substantial power ( I think 10-1/8 is actually licensed at full power.) Because 10 digi is VHF it always comes in. This is a guess - but I  think it is possible that you have a very directional antenna that is mis-aligned. This would explain the  two strong  MPTV channels being a problem - they are on the same tower - which your antenna is not looking at..

Hate to give you the news - but it's time to get up on the roof : 1.) Use a compass and align per antennaweb.org . Don't guess on this - spend the 8 bucks or so on a cheap compass.. 2.) While you are up there - look at all the connections : a.) is the 300 ohm to 75 ohm balun still looking good - are the connections to it clean - not corroded?  How does the cable look? When in doubt replace with RG-6 or 6S co-ax.   I continue to be amazed at the standard for a OK outdoor antenna - it hasn't actually fallen off the roof yet! It should be solidly locked to the mast ,not looking into the ground at any distance , an even amount of elements - not 6 on one side and 5 on the other , no bent elements. Antennas are incredibly cheap -if you aren't sure replace the thing with a good VHF/UHF antenna - you'll spend a lot less time flailing around trying to trouble shoot without  test  instrumenbts and should then be good to go for the next 20 years or so.3.) If this still doesn't work - get a couple of cell phones or walkie talkies and have someone observe the signal strength (actually BER ) on your STB and move the antenna horizontally in small increments to improve the strenth on your STB display - then scan thru the channels to make sure you haven't lost any of the full power channels to get 10-1 and 36-1. My money would solidly be on misalignment being your fundamental problem.

[Jimboy]

If 18-1 & 24-1 can be received in Muskego,  Hales Corners shouldn't be a problem.
I live on the south side of Oak Creek which is equal to or greater than the distance to Hales Corners from the towers.  All stations peg the meter on my receiver (without a preamp) with the exception of 6-1 (channel 33) which hovers around 60% (no problems with its reception though).

audiopile has the right idea check the antenna or replace it (channelmaster 4228 comes to mind).  You should be able to receive all channels from that location, possibly even 6-1 with intentional misalignment to reduce signal from 12-1 (channel 34).

[John L]

If 18-1 & 24-1 can be received in Muskego,  Hales Corners shouldn't be a problem.
I live on the south side of Oak Creek which is equal to or greater than the distance to Hales Corners from the towers.  All stations peg the meter on my receiver (without a preamp) with the exception of 6-1 (channel 33) which hovers around 60% (no problems with its reception though).

audiopile has the right idea check the antenna or replace it (channelmaster 4228 comes to mind).  You should be able to receive all channels from that location, possibly even 6-1 with intentional misalignment to reduce signal from 12-1 (channel 34).

Jimboy,

I receive 18-1 and 24-1 with no problems here in SE Muskego as long as I have the antenna aimed right at your transmitter site.  If I turn the antenna just a little bit the signal strength meter indicates signal growing weak.  So therefore antenna aim is very important!

-John L.