OTA signals

[scribbleink]

We got rid of DTV because it was getting too expensive and our ONLY other option is OTA (cable companies won't come to our house). We're on the edge of both Milwaukee and Chicago broadcasts. Is anyone else near Lake Geneva/Genoa City having problems? Here is a list of what we can/can't get (with the antenna pointing 33º)

ABC:
12: (50% of the time)
7: 0%

NBC
4: 100%
5: 100%

CBS
58: 100%
2: 0%

PBS:
10: 0%
36: 80%
11: 50%

FOX
6: 0%
32: 90%

CW
18: 100%
9: 100%

MeTV
24: 100%
50: 0%

ION
55: 100%
38: 0%

I just think it's odd that the minor channels (MeTV, CW & ION have a better broadcast than the MAJOR networks (ABC, FOX & PBS specifically).

Are WISN, WLS (O&O), WITI & WMVS having problems getting the frequency they need from FCC to broadcast to everyone in their markets?

[Jimboy]

How old is your antenna and cabling? As stuff weathers and ages outside in the elements the response of the antenna and related components can degrade the performance. This can affect some frequencies more so than others. If it's a new installation check your connections and make sure your antenna is right for your location.

[WPXE ION]

I just think it's odd that the minor channels (MeTV, CW & ION have a better broadcast than the MAJOR networks (ABC, FOX & PBS specifically).

Guess were not so minor.

[scribbleink]

We have a brand new C4 antenna and new wiring as well. We have cable throughout the house but it's hooked up directly to the TV.

[Jimboy]

We have a brand new C4 antenna and new wiring as well. We have cable throughout the house but it's hooked up directly to the TV.

I would call antennasdirect (assuming that's where you bought it from) and ask a few questions.

Are you down in a valley? Or surrounded by trees? Higher is always better.

[techguy1975]

Direction also plays a important role..  What direction is the antenna pointed?  All the Milwaukee stations (with the execption of ch. 6 i believe) are now at their full authorized DTV power.  Ch. 6 will be as soon as they end nightlightng on their analog channel, and get a chance to move the DTV antenna to the top of the tower

[scribbleink]

We have the antenna pointed to 33º. We are in wooded area (to the north) and corn fields to the south of us. Not much of a valley. And we're not allowed to install the antenna on the roof so it's in the attic. I realize that would affect it but then why are we getting awesome reception on some (from Chicago even) and nothing on others. Would a booster help? What would you recommend? According to antennaweb and the fcc maps we're in the "moderate" viewing area.

[troyriley]

I'm in Genoa City and receive all Milwaukee stations 100% of the time. The only marginal one is 49 until they crank up their power (and low power 41 and 63). I have my antenna outside on my two-story house with an amplifier though. I did use one in my attic before that one though, and received all Milwaukee stations with an amplifier.

How is your reception of Rockford channels? You may get those off the back of your antenna with the way it is pointing (amplifier may be needed  for that).

[Jimboy]

Do you own the place you're living in? Or is it a Condo or Apartment?
An amplifier may help but if you're receiving crap (multipath) you amplify crap.

[ArgMeMatey]

And we're not allowed to install the antenna on the roof so it's in the attic.

Just wondering if you rent or if this is a requirement of a condo association agreement.  You might want to take a look at the FCC statements on the issue to see if you might be able to use the roof or move the antenna somewhere else.

http://www.fcc.gov/mb/facts/otard.html

[scribbleink]

We can't get Rockford at all. What's really odd is that we can get all of the 36 channels but not 10. Of the entire list above the two channels I'm most concerned with are 10 and 12. Fortunately (for the most part) if I can't get it from Milwaukee, I can get it from Chicago. Only NBC and 11 sub-channels I can get from both.

[troyriley]

Is it a UHF-only antenna you have? Channel 10 is broadcast on channel 8. 36 is broadcast on channel 35. I am able to receive 10 with my UHF antenna, but again, it's outside and amplified.

[scribbleink]

As for installing the antenna on the roof...all I can say is that we've painstakingly recreated an 18th century house and having an antenna up there would ruin it. Therefore we're "not allowed to" by the architect/designer and us. :rolleyes:
As for the roof itself, it's a gambrel roof (like a barn roof) with cedar shake shingles and spray foam insulation. It's pointing to an exterior wall which is the same insulation and cedar lap board siding.  

Last night 12 was coming in fine...this morning, maybe every 15 minutes it would come in for about a minute. We didn't do anything different. Does weather affect the signal at all? It was overcast this morning.

[scribbleink]

The antenna is an Antennas Direct C4 ClearStream4 Outdoor Digital HD TV Antenna (C4)

• Beamwidth (Horizontal Plane) 470 - 700 MHz: 70 degrees
• Includes hardware for mounting to a mast; antenna has a 75 ohm coax connection
• VSWR: Typical 2:1 or better, Max 3:1, typical less than 2:1 from 470MHz to 700 MHz
• Size Assembled: 20"H by 24"W by 5"D
• For High-band VHF 7-13 and UHF 14-69
• Range: 65 Miles VHF & 65 Miles UHF
• Gain of 14.8 dBi
• Consistent gain through the entire DTV channel spectrum

[troyriley]

Personally, I think a beautiful antenna outside would give the nice 18th century style home a quaint modern feel. Since that's not an option, I would say the next step would be to try an amplifier. It sounds like that antenna is capable of picking up all local Milwaukee stations. I'm not sure I'd get my hopes up on the Chicago or Rockford stations you're missing though, but you never know.