HDTV Forum

Wondering what reception others are getting in Rochester MN and if they have any advice for me. Please post no matter how brief.

I live on the NE side of town higher up than average. I keep my antenna in the attic (3 stories up) but have tried on a 2nd floor deck with the same results.

I get:

10.1, 10.2, 15.1, 15.2 and 47.1 at signal strength 99%. They look great. 10.1 and 47.1 (NBC and Fox) look AWESOME on my 50" Sony SXRD 1080p. They frequently broadcast in 720p and 1080i.

I get CBS 3.1 at ZERO percent signal strength but PBS 24.1 at 41% signal strength which isn't good enough to see anything. I think those are both from the same tower so I'm not sure why the different results.

So I get great reception from a tower that is 28 miles away and poor/none from one that is 41 miles away. Any advice?

I use:
Channel Master 4228 UHF 8-Bay HDTV Antenna (Long-range)
Channel Master 7777 Titan High Gain Mast-Mount Preamp

Hello -

I'm sure that you've already been told that better results would be had w/ set-up outside, on the roof.
But, I agree that bad weather, etc., make the inside desirable, too. To your question....
Try...www.antennaweb.org...., which will give you exactly the compass headings needed + other info
in case a rotor is needed.

It may be that your PBS/CBS are broadcasting in VHS, whereas the antenna is UHF. Another good
source of help is...www.antennasdirect.com....

In any case, I agree with your efforts to get all that's possible via antenna - it is MUCH preferred to any other source.

Good luck. eli whitney

I was using my antenna for local channels at Saint Louis and were several analog signals (2,4,5,9,11,24 and 30)for my old TV. I bought Olevia model 227V and used the antenna for same analog channels. I expected some reception of digital signals, at least 2, 4 and 5 have HDTV programming, but there is only two channels, 24.1 and 30.1. I wonder why I couldn't receive those 2, 4, and 5 signals. I have service with Charter Cable but I am reluctant to PAY MORE HDTV service. John
I

'Morning--

Try www.antennaweb.org to see what channels , distances from you and at which compass directions as well. There's a chance that your current antenna may not provide sufficient "gain". This same web will suggest how "strong" an antenna , also.

IF, it may be another is needed ( stronger UHF, example ), try
www.antennasdirect.com for suggestions / modest prices.

Do make sure that the COAX is sound, without splitters - one single run - and lastly, you may need an amplifier if the COAX run is quite long. Before you disturb your existing setup, run on each of the digital signals you now get a diagnostic test for signal strength--it should be available with your TV remote under " settings" & will show a variety of data... frequency, signal-to-noise ratio....one will be % & needs to be above 65 and the higher, the better. Good Luck.
eli whitney

I live in Waseca, MN just 50 miles straight west of you. Fairly high location as Waseca locations go. I would strongly recommend that you bite the bullet, put up a roof antenna on a small tripod type tower, add an antenna rotor. And probably be amazed. I got a reputable installer from Mankato to do my installation. You might also need a small booster if you have a long lead from antenna to receiver - say 100 feet or more. The installation was not cheap at about $700 but then, when you've already bought a 50 inch plasma way back when, as we did, it's a small price to pay for lots of choices......

If you have any kind of shot to the NNW, you should get most of the Twin Cities stations - I think you are about the same distance as we are. Here's what we get - the digital channels for 2 (PBS) and they do the national PBS feed - 4, 5, 6 (Austin - you should be getting this now 6.1 or try 33), 9, 10, 11, 23, 29,17,45. Plus we get your 10 and 47 loud and clear, also 15 in Austin. We also get KEYC 12 from Mankato (and this is so strong it comes in when the antenna is pointed almost any direction). I have had no success in getting Mason City's 3 - although I used to get their VHF signal very well back when the Vikings were blacked out in MN and before the NFL discovered how far into So. Minny the Mason City channel extended......- nor have I had any luck with Iowa Public Televisions channel 24. And with a higher antenna like I recommend and rotor, you might very well get LaCrosse channel 8. Possibly Eau Claire 13 but it is over 80 miles away....

Folks in So. MN. if they have a good shot in all directions, are VERY blessed with options. Go to www.antennaweb.org and check out the list for your zip code.

Oh one other thing, you may experience varied levels of signal strength from time to time. Some of these stations are still in the experimental stages and are not up to their 1 million watt maximum strength all the time.

If you have any questions or comments, my email is [email protected]

Jerry

thanks for your posts so far. I was waiting till I could try a few things to reply but if I keep waiting it could take forever (we just had our second baby last week).

I tried antenna web a long time back and will post the results below. I get the channels it says I should get, I was just hoping and wondering what additional channels I can get as well, since I already get some they don't list. My antenna is UHF and pointed west. I pointed it based off a compass and antennaweb.org.

3.1 (cbs) and 3.2 (weather channel) just started coming in. I don't think I did anything to the antenna to get that to happen. Jerfilm, do you get that now if you try? Maybe they just started broadcasting or maybe leaves falling off the trees within the last month made the difference. As I said, I'm higher up than most of the city but I'm not at the very top of my hill so I'm not sure how that affects things. I still don't get 6.1. I plan to try and eliminate a couple splitter connections on the way from the antenna to the TV. It be nice to verify that the long cable I'm using it still an good shape, and I crimped on some cheap connectors myself. Are there any cheap coax cable testers out there? I'd love to try and tower on the roof but doubt I can swing that one with my wife. Possibly since I get multiple stations at 99% I should rule out my connections and a possible problems? Or can it work perfect for some stations and still affect others?

I'll update this with my experience when I get to try out some changes and I'd still love to hear what others in this area are experiencing.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

* yellow - uhf KSMQ-DT 15.1 PBS AUSTIN MN 189

Hi unterhol -

I do not live in your group's area but to your ...since I do get some stations @ 99 %, do I still need to change those old hand-crimped terminals...?

A lovely phenomena about our (new) digital, it's either there or it is not at all.

Don't mess with whatever you do have - except for that specific antenna, all is as good as it needs to be.
eli whitney

Yes, I tried 3 Mason City after reading your post and yes, they are finally on the air and I can get them. What's more amazing, I get a HUGE signal from about the same direction from Iowa Public Television 24 in Mason City. And even more amazing, turning my antenna a little more to the southwest, I get a pretty fair signal from Iowa Public TV in Fort Dodge!! Wonders never cease.

Jerry

I'd go to Radio Shack and get a signal booster. You are doing everything possible, a signal booster would do the trick.

Hello okiesteveus64 -

Certainly, an excellent quality, legitimate amplifier is necessary at times, but these also "boost" eveything as well as the HD for which one's looking .

Perhaps it is better to just buy a new Channel Master #3016 ( CM # 5646 same antenna) or, if only UHF , a DB-4.