On 2/27/2018 10:37 PM, Its Me wrote:
On Tuesday, February 27, 2018 at 9:13:10 PM UTC-5, wrote:
On Wed, 28 Feb 2018 01:37:19 -0000 (UTC), Bill
wrote:


Our problem is we are in a valley. I am about 140’ above the valley
floor, but still the hills limit a lot of signals.

I am not sure why OTA sucks so bad here. OI am 30 miles from the
towers and it is flat ground. Looking down the line on Google I don't
even see any big buildings, just trees. I do have one big live oak
right here. The antenna is 25 feet off the ground and I am afraid to
stick a lightning rod up much higher.

I am running this, with an amp
http://www.newark.com/stellar-labs/30-2440/vhf-uhf-hdtv-60-mile-fringe-yagi/dp/88W2140?st=UHF%20antenna

How long is the cable coming down from the antenna, and what kind of cable? You get a lot of loss in that cable.



I kinda doubt that's his problem. The RF amp will more than make up for
any losses and actually there isn't much signal loss in the RF signal
cable anyway unless he has miles of it.

I think it's more an issue of where the transmitter's antenna radiation
pattern has been optimized for. Greg is near the ocean and there's not
much point of the station wasting signal power out over the water.

On Wed, 28 Feb 2018 00:15:26 -0500, "Mr. Luddite"
wrote:

On 2/27/2018 10:37 PM, Its Me wrote:
On Tuesday, February 27, 2018 at 9:13:10 PM UTC-5, wrote:
On Wed, 28 Feb 2018 01:37:19 -0000 (UTC), Bill
wrote:


Our problem is we are in a valley. I am about 140’ above the valley
floor, but still the hills limit a lot of signals.

I am not sure why OTA sucks so bad here. OI am 30 miles from the
towers and it is flat ground. Looking down the line on Google I don't
even see any big buildings, just trees. I do have one big live oak
right here. The antenna is 25 feet off the ground and I am afraid to
stick a lightning rod up much higher.

I am running this, with an amp
http://www.newark.com/stellar-labs/30-2440/vhf-uhf-hdtv-60-mile-fringe-yagi/dp/88W2140?st=UHF%20antenna

How long is the cable coming down from the antenna, and what kind of cable? You get a lot of loss in that cable.



I kinda doubt that's his problem. The RF amp will more than make up for
any losses and actually there isn't much signal loss in the RF signal
cable anyway unless he has miles of it.

I think it's more an issue of where the transmitter's antenna radiation
pattern has been optimized for. Greg is near the ocean and there's not
much point of the station wasting signal power out over the water.


This is the setup and that distance is 26 miles. (not sure why google
does not save the ruler when you save the picture)
http://gfretwell.com/ftp/Antenna.jpg

On 2/28/2018 1:57 AM, wrote:
On Wed, 28 Feb 2018 00:15:26 -0500, "Mr. Luddite"
wrote:

On 2/27/2018 10:37 PM, Its Me wrote:
On Tuesday, February 27, 2018 at 9:13:10 PM UTC-5, wrote:
On Wed, 28 Feb 2018 01:37:19 -0000 (UTC), Bill
wrote:


Our problem is we are in a valley. I am about 140’ above the valley
floor, but still the hills limit a lot of signals.

I am not sure why OTA sucks so bad here. OI am 30 miles from the
towers and it is flat ground. Looking down the line on Google I don't
even see any big buildings, just trees. I do have one big live oak
right here. The antenna is 25 feet off the ground and I am afraid to
stick a lightning rod up much higher.

I am running this, with an amp
http://www.newark.com/stellar-labs/30-2440/vhf-uhf-hdtv-60-mile-fringe-yagi/dp/88W2140?st=UHF%20antenna

How long is the cable coming down from the antenna, and what kind of cable? You get a lot of loss in that cable.



I kinda doubt that's his problem. The RF amp will more than make up for
any losses and actually there isn't much signal loss in the RF signal
cable anyway unless he has miles of it.

I think it's more an issue of where the transmitter's antenna radiation
pattern has been optimized for. Greg is near the ocean and there's not
much point of the station wasting signal power out over the water.


This is the setup and that distance is 26 miles. (not sure why google
does not save the ruler when you save the picture)
http://gfretwell.com/ftp/Antenna.jpg



Strange. At 26 miles as the crow flies you should get very good
reception with the antenna you described, trees or no trees. The TV I
used in the garage with the rabbit ears had a signal strength meter in
the setup and I could peg it when I adjusted the antenna for Boston
station. Most of the stations that were viewable registered "70" out of
100. I remember if the signal strength dropped to under 60 I'd get drop
outs sometimes. We were surrounded by big trees as well and they didn't
present a problem.

I wonder if your stations are utilizing the maximum power authorized by
the FCC or if there's a restriction. Doesn't make sense.

On 2/28/2018 1:57 AM, wrote:
On Wed, 28 Feb 2018 00:15:26 -0500, "Mr. Luddite"
wrote:

On 2/27/2018 10:37 PM, Its Me wrote:
On Tuesday, February 27, 2018 at 9:13:10 PM UTC-5, wrote:
On Wed, 28 Feb 2018 01:37:19 -0000 (UTC), Bill
wrote:


Our problem is we are in a valley. I am about 140’ above the valley
floor, but still the hills limit a lot of signals.

I am not sure why OTA sucks so bad here. OI am 30 miles from the
towers and it is flat ground. Looking down the line on Google I don't
even see any big buildings, just trees. I do have one big live oak
right here. The antenna is 25 feet off the ground and I am afraid to
stick a lightning rod up much higher.

I am running this, with an amp
http://www.newark.com/stellar-labs/30-2440/vhf-uhf-hdtv-60-mile-fringe-yagi/dp/88W2140?st=UHF%20antenna

How long is the cable coming down from the antenna, and what kind of cable? You get a lot of loss in that cable.



I kinda doubt that's his problem. The RF amp will more than make up for
any losses and actually there isn't much signal loss in the RF signal
cable anyway unless he has miles of it.

I think it's more an issue of where the transmitter's antenna radiation
pattern has been optimized for. Greg is near the ocean and there's not
much point of the station wasting signal power out over the water.


This is the setup and that distance is 26 miles. (not sure why google
does not save the ruler when you save the picture)
http://gfretwell.com/ftp/Antenna.jpg



Greg, I was just thinking about something. Don't know exactly what type
of antenna you are using but maybe it was designed primarily for the old
VHF frequencies that analog TV used. Most of the digital broadcasts are
now on UHF. Unless your antenna is designed to receive UHF freqs, that
may be part of your problem.

On Wed, 28 Feb 2018 07:05:32 -0500, "Mr. Luddite"
wrote:

On 2/28/2018 1:57 AM, wrote:
On Wed, 28 Feb 2018 00:15:26 -0500, "Mr. Luddite"
wrote:

On 2/27/2018 10:37 PM, Its Me wrote:
On Tuesday, February 27, 2018 at 9:13:10 PM UTC-5, wrote:
On Wed, 28 Feb 2018 01:37:19 -0000 (UTC), Bill
wrote:


Our problem is we are in a valley. I am about 140’ above the valley
floor, but still the hills limit a lot of signals.

I am not sure why OTA sucks so bad here. OI am 30 miles from the
towers and it is flat ground. Looking down the line on Google I don't
even see any big buildings, just trees. I do have one big live oak
right here. The antenna is 25 feet off the ground and I am afraid to
stick a lightning rod up much higher.

I am running this, with an amp
http://www.newark.com/stellar-labs/30-2440/vhf-uhf-hdtv-60-mile-fringe-yagi/dp/88W2140?st=UHF%20antenna

How long is the cable coming down from the antenna, and what kind of cable? You get a lot of loss in that cable.



I kinda doubt that's his problem. The RF amp will more than make up for
any losses and actually there isn't much signal loss in the RF signal
cable anyway unless he has miles of it.

I think it's more an issue of where the transmitter's antenna radiation
pattern has been optimized for. Greg is near the ocean and there's not
much point of the station wasting signal power out over the water.


This is the setup and that distance is 26 miles. (not sure why google
does not save the ruler when you save the picture)
http://gfretwell.com/ftp/Antenna.jpg



Greg, I was just thinking about something. Don't know exactly what type
of antenna you are using but maybe it was designed primarily for the old
VHF frequencies that analog TV used. Most of the digital broadcasts are
now on UHF. Unless your antenna is designed to receive UHF freqs, that
may be part of your problem.

It says UHF/VHF Digital. I am starting to wonder if another antenna is
in my future myself. This really does not make any sense to me either.
I may try moving it away from the tree first since the canopy is right
there.

On Wednesday, February 28, 2018 at 11:01:31 AM UTC-5, wrote:
On Wed, 28 Feb 2018 07:05:32 -0500, "Mr. Luddite"
wrote:

On 2/28/2018 1:57 AM, wrote:
On Wed, 28 Feb 2018 00:15:26 -0500, "Mr. Luddite"
wrote:

On 2/27/2018 10:37 PM, Its Me wrote:
On Tuesday, February 27, 2018 at 9:13:10 PM UTC-5, wrote:
On Wed, 28 Feb 2018 01:37:19 -0000 (UTC), Bill
wrote:


Our problem is we are in a valley. I am about 140’ above the valley
floor, but still the hills limit a lot of signals.

I am not sure why OTA sucks so bad here. OI am 30 miles from the
towers and it is flat ground. Looking down the line on Google I don't
even see any big buildings, just trees. I do have one big live oak
right here. The antenna is 25 feet off the ground and I am afraid to
stick a lightning rod up much higher.

I am running this, with an amp
http://www.newark.com/stellar-labs/30-2440/vhf-uhf-hdtv-60-mile-fringe-yagi/dp/88W2140?st=UHF%20antenna

How long is the cable coming down from the antenna, and what kind of cable? You get a lot of loss in that cable.



I kinda doubt that's his problem. The RF amp will more than make up for
any losses and actually there isn't much signal loss in the RF signal
cable anyway unless he has miles of it.

I think it's more an issue of where the transmitter's antenna radiation
pattern has been optimized for. Greg is near the ocean and there's not
much point of the station wasting signal power out over the water.


This is the setup and that distance is 26 miles. (not sure why google
does not save the ruler when you save the picture)
http://gfretwell.com/ftp/Antenna.jpg



Greg, I was just thinking about something. Don't know exactly what type
of antenna you are using but maybe it was designed primarily for the old
VHF frequencies that analog TV used. Most of the digital broadcasts are
now on UHF. Unless your antenna is designed to receive UHF freqs, that
may be part of your problem.

It says UHF/VHF Digital. I am starting to wonder if another antenna is
in my future myself. This really does not make any sense to me either.
I may try moving it away from the tree first since the canopy is right
there.

You can get a better performing antenna, but don't rule out your amp. It could be defective and just not doing well at the upper UHF freqs. It have to cover a pretty broad band.

On Wed, 28 Feb 2018 08:33:20 -0800 (PST), Its Me
wrote:

On Wednesday, February 28, 2018 at 11:01:31 AM UTC-5, wrote:
On Wed, 28 Feb 2018 07:05:32 -0500, "Mr. Luddite"
wrote:

On 2/28/2018 1:57 AM, wrote:
On Wed, 28 Feb 2018 00:15:26 -0500, "Mr. Luddite"
wrote:

On 2/27/2018 10:37 PM, Its Me wrote:
On Tuesday, February 27, 2018 at 9:13:10 PM UTC-5, wrote:
On Wed, 28 Feb 2018 01:37:19 -0000 (UTC), Bill
wrote:


Our problem is we are in a valley. I am about 140’ above the valley
floor, but still the hills limit a lot of signals.

I am not sure why OTA sucks so bad here. OI am 30 miles from the
towers and it is flat ground. Looking down the line on Google I don't
even see any big buildings, just trees. I do have one big live oak
right here. The antenna is 25 feet off the ground and I am afraid to
stick a lightning rod up much higher.

I am running this, with an amp
http://www.newark.com/stellar-labs/30-2440/vhf-uhf-hdtv-60-mile-fringe-yagi/dp/88W2140?st=UHF%20antenna

How long is the cable coming down from the antenna, and what kind of cable? You get a lot of loss in that cable.



I kinda doubt that's his problem. The RF amp will more than make up for
any losses and actually there isn't much signal loss in the RF signal
cable anyway unless he has miles of it.

I think it's more an issue of where the transmitter's antenna radiation
pattern has been optimized for. Greg is near the ocean and there's not
much point of the station wasting signal power out over the water.


This is the setup and that distance is 26 miles. (not sure why google
does not save the ruler when you save the picture)
http://gfretwell.com/ftp/Antenna.jpg



Greg, I was just thinking about something. Don't know exactly what type
of antenna you are using but maybe it was designed primarily for the old
VHF frequencies that analog TV used. Most of the digital broadcasts are
now on UHF. Unless your antenna is designed to receive UHF freqs, that
may be part of your problem.

It says UHF/VHF Digital. I am starting to wonder if another antenna is
in my future myself. This really does not make any sense to me either.
I may try moving it away from the tree first since the canopy is right
there.

You can get a better performing antenna, but don't rule out your amp. It could be defective and just not doing well at the upper UHF freqs. It have to cover a pretty broad band.

This is the second amp I tried. I had one before and I thought it
might be bad so I got a new one.

On 2/28/2018 11:57 AM, wrote:
On Wed, 28 Feb 2018 08:33:20 -0800 (PST), Its Me
wrote:

On Wednesday, February 28, 2018 at 11:01:31 AM UTC-5, wrote:
On Wed, 28 Feb 2018 07:05:32 -0500, "Mr. Luddite"
wrote:

On 2/28/2018 1:57 AM, wrote:
On Wed, 28 Feb 2018 00:15:26 -0500, "Mr. Luddite"
wrote:

On 2/27/2018 10:37 PM, Its Me wrote:
On Tuesday, February 27, 2018 at 9:13:10 PM UTC-5, wrote:
On Wed, 28 Feb 2018 01:37:19 -0000 (UTC), Bill
wrote:


Our problem is we are in a valley. I am about 140’ above the valley
floor, but still the hills limit a lot of signals.

I am not sure why OTA sucks so bad here. OI am 30 miles from the
towers and it is flat ground. Looking down the line on Google I don't
even see any big buildings, just trees. I do have one big live oak
right here. The antenna is 25 feet off the ground and I am afraid to
stick a lightning rod up much higher.

I am running this, with an amp
http://www.newark.com/stellar-labs/30-2440/vhf-uhf-hdtv-60-mile-fringe-yagi/dp/88W2140?st=UHF%20antenna

How long is the cable coming down from the antenna, and what kind of cable? You get a lot of loss in that cable.



I kinda doubt that's his problem. The RF amp will more than make up for
any losses and actually there isn't much signal loss in the RF signal
cable anyway unless he has miles of it.

I think it's more an issue of where the transmitter's antenna radiation
pattern has been optimized for. Greg is near the ocean and there's not
much point of the station wasting signal power out over the water.


This is the setup and that distance is 26 miles. (not sure why google
does not save the ruler when you save the picture)
http://gfretwell.com/ftp/Antenna.jpg



Greg, I was just thinking about something. Don't know exactly what type
of antenna you are using but maybe it was designed primarily for the old
VHF frequencies that analog TV used. Most of the digital broadcasts are
now on UHF. Unless your antenna is designed to receive UHF freqs, that
may be part of your problem.

It says UHF/VHF Digital. I am starting to wonder if another antenna is
in my future myself. This really does not make any sense to me either.
I may try moving it away from the tree first since the canopy is right
there.

You can get a better performing antenna, but don't rule out your amp. It could be defective and just not doing well at the upper UHF freqs. It have to cover a pretty broad band.

This is the second amp I tried. I had one before and I thought it
might be bad so I got a new one.



Greg, If I were you I'd go to Walmart or Best Buy and buy a cheap,
amplified set of rabbit ears and try them before going to the trouble of
moving your current antenna around. I think you will be surprised.
Should only cost anywhere from $19 to $29 bucks. Just make sure the
amp is built into the antenna itself.

My brother, who lives 55 miles south of Boston, set up a TV and the set
of amplified rabbit ears I gave him in his shed. The antenna is sitting
on the shed rafters, about 7 feet high. He gets the three major
networks in Boston in HD with no problem along with a few other
stations. Was happy because he could go out to the shed to watch the
Patriots games.

On 2/28/2018 10:57 AM, wrote:
On Wed, 28 Feb 2018 08:33:20 -0800 (PST), Its Me
wrote:

On Wednesday, February 28, 2018 at 11:01:31 AM UTC-5, wrote:
On Wed, 28 Feb 2018 07:05:32 -0500, "Mr. Luddite"
wrote:

On 2/28/2018 1:57 AM, wrote:
On Wed, 28 Feb 2018 00:15:26 -0500, "Mr. Luddite"
wrote:

On 2/27/2018 10:37 PM, Its Me wrote:
On Tuesday, February 27, 2018 at 9:13:10 PM UTC-5, wrote:
On Wed, 28 Feb 2018 01:37:19 -0000 (UTC), Bill
wrote:


Our problem is we are in a valley. I am about 140’ above the valley
floor, but still the hills limit a lot of signals.

I am not sure why OTA sucks so bad here. OI am 30 miles from the
towers and it is flat ground. Looking down the line on Google I don't
even see any big buildings, just trees. I do have one big live oak
right here. The antenna is 25 feet off the ground and I am afraid to
stick a lightning rod up much higher.

I am running this, with an amp
http://www.newark.com/stellar-labs/30-2440/vhf-uhf-hdtv-60-mile-fringe-yagi/dp/88W2140?st=UHF%20antenna

How long is the cable coming down from the antenna, and what kind of cable? You get a lot of loss in that cable.



I kinda doubt that's his problem. The RF amp will more than make up for
any losses and actually there isn't much signal loss in the RF signal
cable anyway unless he has miles of it.

I think it's more an issue of where the transmitter's antenna radiation
pattern has been optimized for. Greg is near the ocean and there's not
much point of the station wasting signal power out over the water.


This is the setup and that distance is 26 miles. (not sure why google
does not save the ruler when you save the picture)
http://gfretwell.com/ftp/Antenna.jpg



Greg, I was just thinking about something. Don't know exactly what type
of antenna you are using but maybe it was designed primarily for the old
VHF frequencies that analog TV used. Most of the digital broadcasts are
now on UHF. Unless your antenna is designed to receive UHF freqs, that
may be part of your problem.

It says UHF/VHF Digital. I am starting to wonder if another antenna is
in my future myself. This really does not make any sense to me either.
I may try moving it away from the tree first since the canopy is right
there.

You can get a better performing antenna, but don't rule out your amp. It could be defective and just not doing well at the upper UHF freqs. It have to cover a pretty broad band.

This is the second amp I tried. I had one before and I thought it
might be bad so I got a new one.

Try removing the amp. I have a homemade bowtie antenna 21ft high and
get one of my main stations 50.3 miles away without any problems.
Your antenna has plenty of gain, I would remove the amp and make sure
the aim is correct, using TV Fool and your address.
Mikek

On 2/28/2018 12:57 AM, wrote:
On Wed, 28 Feb 2018 00:15:26 -0500, "Mr. Luddite"
wrote:

On 2/27/2018 10:37 PM, Its Me wrote:
On Tuesday, February 27, 2018 at 9:13:10 PM UTC-5, wrote:
On Wed, 28 Feb 2018 01:37:19 -0000 (UTC), Bill
wrote:


Our problem is we are in a valley. I am about 140’ above the valley
floor, but still the hills limit a lot of signals.

I am not sure why OTA sucks so bad here. OI am 30 miles from the
towers and it is flat ground. Looking down the line on Google I don't
even see any big buildings, just trees. I do have one big live oak
right here. The antenna is 25 feet off the ground and I am afraid to
stick a lightning rod up much higher.

I am running this, with an amp
http://www.newark.com/stellar-labs/30-2440/vhf-uhf-hdtv-60-mile-fringe-yagi/dp/88W2140?st=UHF%20antenna

How long is the cable coming down from the antenna, and what kind of cable? You get a lot of loss in that cable.



I kinda doubt that's his problem. The RF amp will more than make up for
any losses and actually there isn't much signal loss in the RF signal
cable anyway unless he has miles of it.

I think it's more an issue of where the transmitter's antenna radiation
pattern has been optimized for. Greg is near the ocean and there's not
much point of the station wasting signal power out over the water.


This is the setup and that distance is 26 miles. (not sure why google
does not save the ruler when you save the picture)
http://gfretwell.com/ftp/Antenna.jpg

Have you tried TV Fool?
I don't know your exact location but I used Estero and got a map that
shows you have useful stations in three directions. Your antenna is
directional enough that you may need to rotate it to get a strong signal
in the other two directions.
http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...382b41e2ae7 c

Start here with your address,
http://www.tvfool.com/index.php?opti...pper&Itemid=29

For even more info start at the home page.
http://www.tvfool.com/index.php?opti...page&Itemid=75

Mikek