Signal strength

[dj1111]

Up here in Sheboygan I have an LG LST-4200A STB and receive Milwaukee 4, 10, 12, 18, 24, 30, 36, 55 (Still waiting for 6 and 58).  I also get Green Bay 2, 5, 11, 26, 32 and 38.  Although I never have any real problems with receiving all these channels, my strength meter never gets any better than about 60% on the strongest channels.

I'm not sure the exact model but I'm using a Radio Shack (about 13.5 foot long) antenna with a Radio Shack preamp/amp.  I further boost the signal through a 4-way distribution amplifier to go to the 5 other TV's in the house (Isn't that sad).  Anyway, I've tried disconnecting and bypassing and adjusting amps and generally just playing around with my configuration only to find what I have setup is the best for signal strength.

So, my question, is this about the best I can expect?  I know I could invest in a larger antenna and get it higher in the air, but would it gain me much?  Or is being 50+ miles away from most of these towers be my ultimate limit?

By the way all this stuff is around 10 years old.  Been using it for (free) local channels, switching between it and Satellite. The only upgrade I've done since going HD is recabling it with quad shield RG6 and weatherproof connectors.  It helped the signal a little but wasn't a showstopper.

Any advice, as always, is greatly appreciated.

[smack]

Couple of questions.

Why do you care if 60% is the highest they go?  Are you experiencing any A/V dropouts or something else?

There is not really an improvement in picture quality on a digital signal strength (60% vs 100% vs 75%).  You should either receive the signal or not.  Now if you are getting dropouts on various channels from time to time if the signal strength is varying from 60% down to  0 or 10% where you can not receive the station, then you could look into some things.  But.................I don't think you have much of a chance w/ Fox and Cbs in Milwaukee until spring/summer when they are required to boost their signal.  (How much and the exact date I am not sure.)

maybe someone else from up there can pipe in???

smack

[No-Muzak-Al]

DJ,

I also live in Sheboygan on the north-east side close to the lake.

I receive the same exact stations from Milwaukee and Green Bay that you mentioned.  I do not have any serious video / audio drop-out issues with any of the channels.  I am using a Radio Shack 15-2160 (UHF only) antenna with rotor, pre-amp and about a 60 foot run of RG-6 coax down to our basement rec room Panasonic projection HDTV.  I have two OTA receivers, a LG LST-3510 feeding the HDTV, and a Samsung SIR-T165 with firewire output feeding a JVC D-VHS recorder for HDTV recording purposes.  My signal strength readings on both receivers are very comparable to yours, with about a 60% to 70% reading on the Samsung receiver.  The LG receiver does show about the same signal strength as yours, although I do have nearly full strength readings on the signal "bar" for Channel 12 in Milwaukee, and Channel 2 in Green Bay.

I have measured the distance from the tower "farms" in both Milwaukee and Green Bay to our home in Sheboygan.  From the Capitol Drive towers in Milwaukee, the distance is about 54 miles, and from Green Bay, about 50 miles.

We certainly have had the advantage of receiving FOX 11 out of Green Bay this past Packer season for their games in HGTV, and the upcoming SUPERBOWL on FOX in HDTV, compared to the "low power" reception issues that have most of the Milwaukee suburb HDTV owners very frustrated.  We also can look forward to only a few more months before the FCC mandate for all the DTV signals to be high power, which will allow everybody to have stronger signals, or for you and I, to finally be able to receive the rest of the DTV signals from Milwaukee that we can't receive regularly now.

I agree with Smack though, about your concern about your signal strength not being strong enough...  As you know, DTV signals can be a bit tricky, and too much amplification can cause even more headaches.  Unless you are experiencing video / audio drop-out issues, I guess living where we do will have to do.  I expect no more signal strength problems or issues when the high power signals are ALL active, even up here in Sheboygan.

Just a little reception fun that you maybe want to try that I have had great success with, and to show just how weird and amazing DTV reception can be...  I can aim my antenna east, and on a decent weather day, I can receive many of the Grand Rapids DTV signals, especially 39-1 DTV, or Channel 13 normal.  I also had a day this past August that I was receiving many of the DETROIT DTV signals at nearly full strength.  I also have days, with the antenna aimed south, that I can receive many of the Chicago DTV signals.  It usually has to be one of those warm, humid "DXing" days that us TV and radio geeks just love!

I also noticed the FCC mandate (or panic!) of February 1st for the DTV channel guides to be active.  While most of the Miwaukee guides have been active for quite some time now, the majority of the Green Bay station guides have not been.  As of last night, I noticed that only FOX 11 in Green Bay did not have their program guide active.

I hope this similiar reception strength report from my Sheboygan location helps ease your concern about your signal strength levels!

Al

[superjfly]

I live in Sheboygan as well.  I am having Voom installed on the 21st, so I will be going to OTA for all my locals rather than DISH which I have now.  I am thinking of putting two antennas on the roof facing one towards GB and the other towards Milwaukee.  From there can I run both antennas into one coax?  Do I just use a splitter?   Do you suggest a signal amplifier? If so where do I put it inline?

I use a DVR regularly to record, so I don't want to use one antenna with a rotor.

Thanks!

[smack]

You may want to do some research on the Voom thing.

Here is a link to a thread on this site Echostar and Voom

Rumors have been flying around the industry that Vooms days may be numbered.

Just an FYI.

smack

[superjfly]

I realize that and appreciate the FYI.  I am going to ride out the storm though.  I don't have much to lose, plus should get some HD out of it and have an antenna mounted.

A side note:  Voom was two weeks out in scheduling, not one day (Dish).  I hear many rumors of them shutting down, and also many rumors of them being the most popular new activations.  Who knows for sure.

Where are Voom's satillites located in comparison to Dish and DirectTV?  I have had both and haven't had any problem finding a signal, but I do have a pretty big tree to the south.


Superjfly

[dj1111]

It's been a while since I checked this thread.  Yes I occasionally get some dropouts in picture.  But it hasn't been a major problem.  As soon as the weather improves and/or I find some time I plan to experiment.  I do enjoy the installation and experimentation more than watching the TVs.  Is that sick?  Thanks for your all your help.

I'd like to hear the results "superjfly" has with his dual antenna setup.  I often thought of doing the same.  But wondered if you'd get competing signals from two directions, and degrade the signal of the channel you want to receive.  I have picked up, especially UHF, two different stations on the same channel when changing North to South.  My plan was ultimately run 2 cables into the house then use my 2 antenna inputs to switch between Milwaukee and GB.  Or use a remote controlled A/B switch (because getting off the couch, well that's un-American). :wave: