Can't receive 12, 18, 24, & 58

[havinfun]

Hello,

I am just setting up my new HDTV (Samsung TX-R3079WH) in Oconomowoc.  I did an auto channel search and it found the OTA 4, 6, 10, 36, 52, and 55 regular and Digital stations.  It found regular broadcast for channels 12, 15, 18, 24, and 58 but not their digital counterparts.  With the exception of channel 15 they all come in very watchable, not too much static.  I had heard that if you can receive the regular station, the Digital should be received as well.

At this point I'm thinking I should get a Channel Master 4228.  I've read great things about them and I think the problem is signal strength.  Before I spend $75 on one can anyone confirm my thoughts?

Thanks

[jfelbab]

Hello,

I am just setting up my new HDTV (Samsung TX-R3079WH) in Oconomowoc.  I did an auto channel search and it found the OTA 4, 6, 10, 36, 52, and 55 regular and Digital stations.  It found regular broadcast for channels 12, 15, 18, 24, and 58 but not their digital counterparts.  With the exception of channel 15 they all come in very watchable, not too much static.  I had heard that if you can receive the regular station, the Digital should be received as well.

At this point I'm thinking I should get a Channel Master 4228.  I've read great things about them and I think the problem is signal strength.  Before I spend $75 on one can anyone confirm my thoughts?

Thanks

FWIW, the 4228 is around $40 at Marmax on Rawson Ave in Franklin.

I'd try realigning the existing antenna first though.  If that doesn't work I'd highly recommend the 4228.

[wxndave]

If you pick up the analog stations clearly then I don't understand why you can't pick up the digitals.  I can understand you might have problems with 18 and 24 since they are still lower power.  However both 12 & 58 are running full power.   You may want to reaim the antenna and see if you can pick them up.  What is you current antenna setup?  I like the 4228 antenna.  I picked up one for a friend of mine in Rockford and we were able to pick up Madison without a problem.

Dave

[havinfun]

Thanks for the tip on where to get a good price on the CM 4228.  I tried reaiming the antenna last week-end with no help.  I'm not sure of my current antenna,  it looks like a VHF antenna.  I will have a look tomorrow.

[jfelbab]

Thanks for the tip on where to get a good price on the CM 4228.  I tried reaiming the antenna last week-end with no help.  I'm not sure of my current antenna,  it looks like a VHF antenna.  I will have a look tomorrow.

That may be the problem as all the digital stations but Ch10 I believe are UHF.

[Mark Strube]

Your location (city) and the type of land around you (trees, hilly, flat etc) would be very helpful.

If your current antenna is just two metal rods that retract, that's a VHF antenna, and the wrong type for receiving HDTV signals.

If it's the other kind, commonly referred to as "rabbit ears" that's a UHF antenna and the proper kind, however most people seem to need at least an amplified indoor antenna... again this depends on location.

[Mark Strube]

(Did you edit your post? I didn't notice Oconomowoc in there before. )It looks like you're about 30 miles from all the channels you want to receive. That's fine for analog but for digital, you're going to need a powered antenna to receive those... and if there's a lot of trees or hills around you, I'd say you'll probably need an outdoor antenna... but I'd give an indoor amplified a shot first, as long as it's returnable.

[audiopile]

Go to antennaweb.org - input your address and see what comes back . GET A COMPASS and use it to align your outdoor antenna. Most people seem to work their way into 4228's by a series of increasingly desperate and unlikely alternatives. 4228's just plain work for Milw. area HDTV/DTV - get it high - outside and aligned via the compass heading and you should be good to go / with the exception of 18/24 and 30 which are still operating somewhere between imperceptible and flea power. You have some terrain issues where you are - but nothing works better than a 4228 with some properly terminated RG-6 feeding off of it. Make sure you use one continious piece of co-ax so you can add a pre-amp if you need to spread the signal amongst several TV's /TIVO/Computers ,etc. Start with one TV - if you can get that one working - the rest is doable.

[havinfun]

Thanks for the tips.

I can't find a name on my current antenna.  It is in the attic, about 6 ft long.  It looks nothing like the 4228.  I have a park to the east of me, with a couple trees about 20 yards north east and south east.

I think it is time for the 4228.  I was just thinking that if I can receive the analog then I should be able to get the digital as well.

[jfelbab]

Thanks for the tips.

I can't find a name on my current antenna.  It is in the attic, about 6 ft long.  It looks nothing like the 4228.  I have a park to the east of me, with a couple trees about 20 yards north east and south east.

I think it is time for the 4228.  I was just thinking that if I can receive the analog then I should be able to get the digital as well.

Most stations that are analog are on quite different frequency spectrum than the new digital stations.  Many analog stations are VHF while most (all but one) digital stations are UHF.  It is to be expected that a VHF antenna will not perform well with UHF signals.

[Den Mayer]

As for UHF TV reception there are two basic popular antenna types:

  Namely the Flat bow ties:  2 bay indoor, 4 bay, 8 bay units...

  The other possible UHF type is the Yagi.....

     which is a long V shaped wedge pointing to the Towers...

[havinfun]

I finally was able to get to Rawson on Friday.  I set up the antenna in the attic first.  It didn't help all that much (darn AL siding).  I could get 12, but it bounced in and out.  Soo, up to the roof I went.  Things look great!  I was getting a 1 to 3 bar reception for 12 from the attic.  Now I am getting 7 to 8 bars for the signal strength.  The 4228 is performing like a champ.

Thanks for your help everyone.

[StarvingForHDTV]

The 4228 is performing like a champ.

Yeah, it is a great antenna.  I don't recall ever hearing a negative experience from anyone using it.