Channel 58 HD

[jkane]

I'm in Thiensville (a little west of you) and I get 1-1 sometimes.  It seems to come and go.  One week it's great, and the next it's gone.  I have a small (3 element) attic mounted antenna pointed in the middle of getting 6 and 4 analog signals.  I haven't tried moving it to get HD better than analog.  I've been debating moving it on the roof to see if that helps.  I tried an amp at the TV end of the coax.  It just makes the analog signals worse even at lowest gain setting.  Catch 22!

You're not alone in having problems with CBS HD from the Mequon-Thiensville area.

[JSH]

Gregg,

I agree that indeed part of the problem is mine. Obviously I am unable to get a antenna on the roof this time of year, so I installed a ChannelMaster Preamp. It has improved the signal on ABC & NBC from 77 to 93, but CBS is still at about 30 and keeps cutting out. It looks like my only hope will be to get the antenna onto the roof after the big thaw, but I don't hold out hope that will solve the problem. It looks like I'm out of luck for Sunday, unless all the stars and planets align.

Let's all hope the NFL chooses another network next year.

[JSH]

Has anyone tried getting the Chicago CBS station (CH# 2) in the Racine using an off-air antenna?

[chure]

I'm still not able to receive 58-1. I have SIR TS160 and a roof mounted antenna. I don't have a problem receiving 4-1, and 12-1, but can't get 58-1. 1-1 doesn't show up on my guide so I can't even try that. I live in Tosa so I should be able to receive 58-1, right? I haven't really played around too much with the receiver menus, so any guidance on where to start would be great. It doesn't look like i'm getting any signal strength on 58-1....

Any help would be appreciated, I've got people coming over the game Sunday!

[Dan the Man]

What are you using for a antenna and other equipment?

I have a channelmaster antenna mounte outside and I always get  100% signal on WJDT.

Try adjusting your antenna position/direction.

[chure]

The antenna that I'm using is the antenna that was on the roof when I moved in to the house 5 years ago.  It looks like fairly old, I'm not sure of the name of it, but it is mounted on about a 6 ft. tripod and it's the kind that has a center rod and then rods extending perpedicular in a v shape (sorry about the terrible discription). The narrow end is pointed towards the towers on east capitol dr.

If i'm getting 90+ readings for 4 & 12, would I need to aim further north? (I live a block and a half south of Mayfair mall).  The reading for 58 goes from 0 to 45% and back and forth, but no picture.

This should be a good time with 6 in. of snow on the roof and the wind chill tomorrow! But it's all worth it for HD, though!

Thanks again!

[digdugm]

JSH,
I get every station out of Chicago except ch. 2. I think there another low power deal.

[Steve Mann]

Originally posted by chure
... it's the kind that has a center rod and then rods extending perpedicular in a v shape (sorry about the terrible discription). The narrow end is pointed towards the towers on east capitol dr.

If I understand you correctly, it sounds like you might have the atenna pointed backwards. The 'V' end of the atenna needs to point towards the source, as if to 'catch' the signal.

You might want to try adjusting it and seeing if that makes a difference. However, I doubt you're going to want to get on the roof in sub-zero temps. :rolleyes:

[JSH]

digdugm,

Ever try the Madison CBS station that I see people talking about?

Thanks
JSH

[Dan the Man]

Chure,

I have found that the best way to received the digital OTA signals is with a UHF only antenna. The antenna you described is a VHF/UHF antenna. They work good for the VHF channels, but only marginally for the UHF frequencies.

I suggest an antenna change. All DTV signals are UHF (except for channel 10). Because 58 is running at lower power, it can e tough to receive.

As always, I would recommend staying off the rof in this weather. A HDTV football game is not worth the medical bills if you bail off the roof.

[chure]

I did a little bit of research and I have an element antenna mounted on the roof.  Would I be better off with something different?  I have the boom (or tripod) up there already, so all i'd have to do is mount a new antenna on it if need be.

Aiming the element antenna a little bit better wouldn't do the job?  Because I go climbing up there, it would nice get a "sure geta  shot, it will work".  If I do aim it better, which direction is 58's tower compared to 4 and 12?

Again, i'm in Tosa near Mayfair mall.

[Gregg Lengling]

58's tower is right next to 12's.  
Here's the scoop.....
General area of Capitol Drive and Humbolt digital channels
4, 10, 18, 24, 30, 36, 55
General area of Hampton and Green Bay
12 and 58
General area of Green Bay and Brown Deer
6

[digdugm]

JSH,
Whats the channel # for the Madison CBS? I tried a scan with the antenna pointed west, but if its on the same number as a local station it won't pick it up.

[Gregg Lengling]

50 WISC-DT CBS Madison  
 

Took me all of 1 second to find it.....just "Google" it when you don't know...I just typed in CBS Madison Wisconsin and it came right up.

[digdugm]

JSH,
No I am not able to receive any stations from Madison, though I'm near the lake, if your in the county you might be able. You may just have to adjust your antenna, I notice that 46 (1-1) is the most sensitive of the Milwaukee stations. With the antenna pointing in the right spot I am getting a solid 81%. The pre-amp helps as does only having one cable (no splits).

WOW, just unpluged the pre-amp and the only stations I get is chan. 4 at 58% and 10 at 25%.