Official Fox6 New Location Technical Report Thread

[stvnce]

I still can't get 6-1, and I'm a stones throw away from the tower.

Why in the world are people in West Bend and Germantown getting a higher strength signal?

Can someone please explain this to me?

[borghe]

if you are a stones throw away you'll probably have to attenuate that signal big time. I'm 6 miles away and need a 20dB attenuator on my antenna for any signals.. also if you are running an amplified antenna, don't. though even without amplification you will still probably need to cut signal strength.

[stvnce]

But then won't I lose signal strength on the other channels also?

[stvnce]

I tried what you suggested and it didn't work. I actually think I may need an amplified antenna because the signal is just flying over my location.

[Talos4]

stvnce, what type antenna are you using?

Where is it mounted, Outside, Top set, attic etc...?

[stvnce]

I have an indoor antenna by my set. I can't afford a new rooftop model. I'll have tofind some way to upgrade to an amplified antenna and hope for the best.

[Talos4]

Typically with "amplified" antennas you end of amplifuing whatever bad signal you already have. Just makes it stronger.:bang:

I literally lived just 3 blocks from the base of the TV-24 tower in Riverwest for many years.

After trying all sorts of remedies including attenuators, tin foil, amplifiers, ghost eliminators, swearing, etc.

The best solution I found was a medium range roof top antenna with a rotor.  I could tweak the aiming just enough to pull in a decent signal on all the stations.

At that close of range to the towers I think the signal was effectively going over my head. Like alot of other things.

BUT, that's another post.

[StarvingForHDTV]

Originally posted by stvnce
I have an indoor antenna by my set. I can't afford a new rooftop model. I'll have tofind some way to upgrade to an amplified antenna and hope for the best.

A nice 8 bay Channel Master:

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

Is about $65 delivered.  You might be better off throwing that in your attic or garage, rather than buying a new indoor antenna.

Good luck,

Starving

[Tonys]

Just installed a channel master 8 bay bow tie along with rotor.  I get 6.1 but only at about 10 to 20% with a lot of picture freezes and pixalization. But the good news is I can pull in Fox 11 out of Green Bay at around 50% signal strenth and that is more than enough for my reciever to lock on.  Go Packers!!

Go figure, I am 27 miles from Milwaukee and 57 miles from Green Bay.

53021:confused:

[sajanisch]

Tony

I am in Port Washington, can't seem to lock onto Fox-6 MKE either.  Guess I'll try green bay also -  that's channel 11.1 (or 51) correct?

Scott

[No-Muzak-Al]

Scott,

You might want to give this a try...

I live in the northeast lakeshore area of Sheboygan, about 50 miles from the Green Bay towers, and 54 miles from the Milwaukee towers.   We have Charter cable but no HDTV service available from them as of yet.  I, like you, cannot receive Fox 6 with their low power and directional signal.  Fox 11 in Green Bay comes in at about 85% signal strength for me, using a rotor, Radio Shack UHF only antenna (Catalog #: 15-2160) and an old "all band" antenna pre-amp that I had laying around collecting dust.  I had read a few posts here and on the AVS forums about this antenna working fairly well for HDTV reception, even in nearly "deep fringe" reception areas.  Of course I was concerned that such a little antenna would work for me in Sheboygan, but I figured it was cheap ($23.99) and worth a try.  I have been very satisfied with it so far, and yes, even my wife doesn't have a problem with its look or size.  She was worried about me installing a giant "eye-sore" of an antenna on our roof, as most wives are...  Yes, but when they see that first Packer game or CSI show in Hi-Def, how they quickly change their minds!

Fox 11 has had transmitter power problems in the last several weeks, but I'm hoping that they are getting a handle on those problems since I've noticed that in the last few days, my signal strength has been very good and reception has been pixel free.

When Fox 6 finally decides to spend some money and go full power, I'm sure that I'll receive them alright, but in the mean time, Fox 11 is working out fine for me.

By the way, when the TV reception "band" was open last week, I not only had a few of the frequently receivable Grand Rapids DTV stations, but several Detroit DTV stations nearly full strength as well with this antenna set-up.  Two channel 4-1's on my LG receiver.  That was interesting and both were watchable.  Quite a difference from the old analog days of interference and ghosting!

Al

[Tonys]

Scott

Its chanel 51. I use a rotor to fine tune the signal strenth. Good luck.

[byteme]

I was finally able to get FOX HD out of MKE yesterday.  We're on the south west side of West Bend, actually in the town not the city, about 30 or so miles.  It took a 91XM antenna, change in mounting position from the garage to the chimney of our 2 story and a 10' mounting pole from Menards.  I'm pulling FOX in at between 60 - high 60's strength and was able to get the Pack in HD and 5.1.  In the low 60's it locks up quite a bit so I called Fox today to talk to an engineer.  

According to him (and I'm sorry if this is old news) since ABC - Digital is the channel right next to them digitally and ABC is broadcasting with more power the best way to increase the FOX signal is to somehow decrease the ABC signal by messing with your antenna.  Short of that, they are planning on upping power, but he said "not near term".  When I asked what that meant he said expect more power by June.

So, hopefully, for the next few months we'll still be able to get Packers in HD and then in June maybe the boost in juice will help lock it in better.

[PatM]

I was getting a  marginal signal earlier in the summer from WITI_DT.
Ever since the Packer games have started, I am getting NOTHING!
Location is in SW Wauwatosa.

[Mags]

At the beginning of the season, I was able to get a consistent signal from Fox - now I can't even get it to register...

CBS has also been spotty in the last 6 weeks - and it used to be solid...

Are there weather/atmospheric differences that do not allow the signal to travel as far in the fall/winter?