What happened to DTV channel 7 to 13 ?

[SingSing]

This has happened in many places.

After the 6/12 U.S. DTV switch over, many viewers including me loose one or more channels in the range of 7 to 13.

What the F~<k happened ?

[MysticE]

There is some channel reassignment going on. You are talking about OTA? If so is your antenna a VHF/UHF model? Channel 2 and 7 in Chicago are on VHF now. 5, 9, and 11 are UHF. Having you tried re-scanning the channels? Not all moves where instananeous, you'll probably want to re-scan again later.

You can check on your channels at:

http://www.antennaweb.org/aw/welcome.aspx

Hopefully they are staying up to date on the reassignments.

[edDV]

This has happened in many places.

After the 6/12 U.S. DTV switch over, many viewers including me loose one or more channels in the range of 7 to 13.

What the F~<k happened ?

Channel 7-13 are still there but they are now ATSC digital. Give me a Zip code for more detail.

[SingSing]

The missing channel 7 in Boston Area re-appear again, this sunday! With a weaker signal.

What are the better large DTV antenna that I can buy ? I am working towards a attic mount antenna.

Like this one at $59.00 unit

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_05797331000P?vName=Computers+%26+Electronics&...me=Accessories



Do I need a $149.00 amplified antenna like this ?

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_05797334000P?vName=Computers+%26+Electronics&...criptionAnchor

[SingSing]

I found this on the an Antenna maker's web site:

Q: Getting VHF stations are a problem for me. I get everything else fine.

A: Many stations that have reverted to VHF assignments have dramatically cut their transmitter power, in some cases by over 90%! Some stations mistakenly thought they could save money by cutting their power while reaching the same number of viewers. In other cases the FCC imposed reduced power limits to stations that reverted to their old VHF assignments in order to prevent interference with adjacent markets. There has been a misperception among some station owners that while dramatically lowering DTV transmitter power, they could serve the same coverage area as analog, and this has turned out to be incorrect. Many stations who have reverted back to VHF are now finding themselves with significantly reduced coverage areas and fewer viewers after switching to VHF. Many stations realizing their mistake have applied for higher power assignments (or UHF channel assignments) from the FCC, but the process could take over a year.

[drjtech]

This happened to me as well, in area code 22712.

Before June 12 I received 7.1 (ABC) and 9.1 (CBS) sharp and clear. Post June 12 I cannot receive 9.1 at all and 7.1 comes through with major macro blocks. So much for the "you receive it perfectly or not at all" theory. I have a rooftop VHF/UHF antenna. Channels 4.1 (NBC) and 5.1 (Fox) still come through sharp and clear.

-drjtech

[edDV]

The missing channel 7 in Boston Area re-appear again, this sunday! With a weaker signal.

How far are you from the Ch7 transmitter? It is near Newton.

You have VHF stations in Newton, Providence and Maine that you might reach. Be specific.

A zip would give complete info.

The antennas you showed are not VHF.

[edDV]

This happened to me as well, in area code 22712.

Before June 12 I received 7.1 (ABC) and 9.1 (CBS) sharp and clear. Post June 12 I cannot receive 9.1 at all and 7.1 comes through with major macro blocks. So much for the "you receive it perfectly or not at all" theory. I have a rooftop VHF/UHF antenna. Channels 4.1 (NBC) and 5.1 (Fox) still come through sharp and clear.

-drjtech

DC area...22712

Pre transition ABC (digital) was on 39. Now it is on RF 7.

Pre transition CBS (digital) was on 34. Now it is on RF 9.

In both cases you need a VHF antenna. You are 45 miles out, 51 degrees and not "line of sight", so you will need a good size outdoor VHF antenna to reach these stations.
http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%3d618a596a0d3e00

PS: This useful plot shows that you are in river lowlands and have a hill between you (right) and the transmitter (left). VHF signals will bend over the hills but will lose strength.
http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%3d618a596a0d3e00%26t%3dALLTV2%26n%3d11

[SingSing]

The antennas you showed are not VHF.

That was my first reaction. But the maker claims it will also pick up higher range VHF signal. I don't really belive this claim, because they are frantically working to put out a VHF antennas.

Two large array antennas will be tough to mount in most attics!

[edDV]

The antennas you showed are not VHF.

That was my first reaction. But the maker claims it will also pick up higher range VHF signal. I don't really belive this claim, because they are frantically working to put out a VHF antennas.

Two large array antennas will be tough to mount in most attics!

Zip?

Choice of antenna depends on distance, transmitter power, line of sight or behind a hill, etc. etc.

[SingSing]

Zip = 01720

[SingSing]

http://www.antennasdirect.com/uhf-vhf.html

states

Most of our UHF Antennas will pick up high VHF stations like channels 7-13 depending on your distance from the transmitters and a few other variables.

[edDV]

http://www.antennasdirect.com/uhf-vhf.html

states

Most of our UHF Antennas will pick up high VHF stations like channels 7-13 depending on your distance from the transmitters and a few other variables.

That depends how close you are.

For 01720
http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%3d618ac78e69bd04

Your ABC station WCVB is on 20, not VHF. All Boston stations except WHDH NBC 7 are UHF.

www.Antennaweb.org shows you are in a red to blue zone for Boston reception.

WMUR 9 is in NH
WMTW 8 is in Maine
WWDP 10 is down by Bridgewater MA
WNAC 12 is in Rhode Island

[edDV]

This is approximately what you will need for NBC 7
http://www.hdtvantennalabs.com/antennas/Winegard-YA-6713.html

Attic mounting may require something larger
http://www.hdtvantennalabs.com/antennas/Winegard-YA-1713.html

[MysticE]

This is approximately what you will need for NBC 7
http://www.hdtvantennalabs.com/antennas/Winegard-YA-6713.html

Attic mounting may require something larger
http://www.hdtvantennalabs.com/antennas/Winegard-YA-1713.html

Some thoughts on attic mounting:

When you go to find the best location for the antenna in your attic it is very important to find a location where the antenna will be able to point towards the desired TV station(s) so the incoming signal will not be blocked by aluminum siding, foil-backed insulation, metal roofs, chimneys, ducts, or other metallic objects that could have a huge impact on how well your stations are received. The antenna should also be kept as far away as possible from electrical lines in the attic or else the VHF-LO channels 2-6 could end up with interference on the picture.

As mentioned before, the further you get from the source of the signal, the weaker those signals get. This is especially true for attic mounted installations, since the average asphalt shingled roof will reduce the incoming signal by at least 3 dB. Because of this, nearly every attic mounted antenna that is more than 10 miles away from the broadcast antennas will need a pre-amplifier. This inexpensive, easy to install part is as important to good TV reception with attic mounted antenna installations as the quality of the coaxial cable.

[edDV]

And -3dB is a 50% loss.

Another useful RF fact is signal strength drops as a square of the distance.

Therefore 2x distance means 25% signal strength

3x distance works out to 11% signal strength.

This explains why antennas need to narrow directional focus and get larger as you move out in distance.

[MJA]

is this antenna good enough to pick up Chicago stations

Winegard HD-1080 http://www.buy.com/prod/winegard-hd-1080-vhf-uhf-fm-antenna/q/loc/111/208503801.html

zip 60115

[edDV]

Not at 58 miles*. You'll need a blue level and maybe an amp.

The pre-amp goes up on the top of the mast. It may be difficult to add as a second step.

Something along these lines.
http://www.solidsignal.com/prod_display.asp?PROD=HD7698P

Yes it is 168 inches long and 53 inches wide. The taller the mast the better.

TV Fool
http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%3d618ad8e4a26d7f

Antennaweb is more pessimistic. You will need to add your exact address.

Zip code usually gets you the post office location.


* It would be different if you were on a hill with line of site but TVFool shows your zip behind a small hill.
http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%3d618ad8e4a26d7f%26t%3dDIGITAL2%26n%3d16

[DarrellS]

I took my homemade indoor UHF antenna apart and replaced the ground wire (was using speaker wire) with a thicker solid copper wire and am now able to get all of my channels except for FOX 10. Could not get any PBS channels before but am now able to get 8-1, 8-2, 8-3 and 8-4.

WinTV's Digital Signal Monitor shows all of my channels with a Signal to Noise ratio of at least 24 except for PBS and NBC which show 15 to 20 SNR. The signal works fine above 17 but is choppy when drops below that. FOX 10 shows no SNR at all.

Hopefully after August 30th (when FOX is supposed to have their antennas fully operational) I'll be able to get FOX 10 also.

What pisses me off is that the Philips powered UHF/VHF antenna that I paid $35 for will only pick up a handfull of channels while the 2x4 and wire attached to it picks up 25 channels. I live in a stucco house with foil insulation over the windows about 23 miles from the antennas in Phoenix.

[SingSing]

What pisses me off is that the Philips powered UHF/VHF antenna that I paid $35 for will only pick up a handfull of channels while the 2x4 and wire attached to it picks up 25 channels. I live in a stucco house with foil insulation over the windows about 23 miles from the antennas in Phoenix.

How do you construct a home made UHF antenna with 2x4 and copper wire ?

[freebird73717]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWQhlmJTMzw

Here is a pdf of the same thing


edit these things should only pick up uhf and not vhf

[MJA]

Not at 58 miles*. You'll need a blue level and maybe an amp.

The pre-amp goes up on the top of the mast. It may be difficult to add as a second step.

Something along these lines.
http://www.solidsignal.com/prod_display.asp?PROD=HD7698P

Yes it is 168 inches long and 53 inches wide. The taller the mast the better.

TV Fool
http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%3d618ad8e4a26d7f

Antennaweb is more pessimistic. You will need to add your exact address.

Zip code usually gets you the post office location.

so basically i need a pro to iinstall one.


* It would be different if you were on a hill with line of site but TVFool shows your zip behind a small hill.
http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%3d618ad8e4a26d7f%26t%3dDIGITAL2%26n%3d16

[edDV]

Not at 58 miles*. You'll need a blue level and maybe an amp.

The pre-amp goes up on the top of the mast. It may be difficult to add as a second step.

Something along these lines.
http://www.solidsignal.com/prod_display.asp?PROD=HD7698P

Yes it is 168 inches long and 53 inches wide. The taller the mast the better.

TV Fool
http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%3d618ad8e4a26d7f

Antennaweb is more pessimistic. You will need to add your exact address.

Zip code usually gets you the post office location.

so basically i need a pro to iinstall one.


* It would be different if you were on a hill with line of site but TVFool shows your zip behind a small hill.
http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%3d618ad8e4a26d7f%26t%3dDIGITAL2%26n%3d16

You should call a pro installer and ask what might work at your location. As reported on TVFool, you have other stations that are closer than Chicago. You have ABC and CBS 34 miles away in Rockford, IL.

[edDV]

What pisses me off is that the Philips powered UHF/VHF antenna that I paid $35 for will only pick up a handfull of channels while the 2x4 and wire attached to it picks up 25 channels. I live in a stucco house with foil insulation over the windows about 23 miles from the antennas in Phoenix.

How do you construct a home made UHF antenna with 2x4 and copper wire ?

Note that it is a UHF only antenna so it won't pick up NBC on Channel 7.

I made a similar two bow tie UHF antenna out of a pizza box.
https://forum.videohelp.com/topic369371.html

[SingSing]

Here is a pdf of the same thing

edit these things should only pick up uhf and not vhf

Thank you.

I wonder the maker did not add a mesh reflector ? I will.

Maybe this plus a Fracture anntena will do.

[DVWannaB]

I live in the DC metro area as well and after the digital conversion date I lost all my channels. I did a rescan and got all but a few. Antennaweb.org estimates I am about 12 miles from signal, but yet I cant get digital 15 (Univision 14.1) or digital 27 (WETA PBS 26.1, 26.2, 26.3, 26.4). I use a CM4228 90% of the time. I also on occasion use a DB4.

Anyone thinks I need a pre-amp to get 14.1 and 26.1 even though I am relatively close and no tall buildings to block signal?

zip 22151

[edDV]

I live in the DC metro area as well and after the digital conversion date I lost all my channels. I did a rescan and got all but a few. Antennaweb.org estimates I am about 12 miles from signal, but yet I cant get digital 15 (Univision 14.1) or digital 27 (WETA PBS 26.1, 26.2, 26.3, 26.4). I use a CM4228 90% of the time. I also on occasion use a DB4.

Anyone thinks I need a pre-amp to get 14.1 and 26.1 even though I am relatively close and no tall buildings to block signal?

Do you have line of sight to the transmitters? No hills or buildings?

What antenna are you using?

Consider a directional antenna before amplification.

Zip 22151 shows a strong signal for WETA and WFDC. Better to enter your exact addess at www.TVFool.com
http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%3d618acbd90765da

An antenna like this one would give upper VHF coverage plus a 36 degree directionality for UHF. Good for 12-30max miles.
http://www.solidsignal.com/prod_display.asp?PROD=SS3000&xzoom=Large#xview

[DVWannaB]

thanks ed. I use a Channel Master CM4228 antenna. There are no hills or buildings. Washington national airport is not in the direct line of sight, but close. it is east of the signal towers. The antenna stands on my deck and is pointed directionally where it should. Although my house sits between the antenna and the direction it is pointed.

Thanks for the antenna suggestion. I wonder if it would work in my attic? Looking forward to the challenge.....I think

[DarrellS]

Here is a pdf of the same thing

edit these things should only pick up uhf and not vhf

Thank you.

I wonder the maker did not add a mesh reflector ? I will.

Maybe this plus a Fracture anntena will do.

I put aluminum foil on a 1/4" thick piece of pressed board an tacked it to the back of mine and lost a few stations. That was before I rebuilt it with better ground wire so I don't know if it would help or not. Mesh would probably work better.

I drew these plans up from a drawing I found on the net. The guy had a smaller version tied to a big piece of cardboard with bread ties.

[edDV]

thanks ed. I use a Channel Master CM4228 antenna. There are no hills or buildings. Washington national airport is not in the direct line of sight, but close. it is east of the signal towers. The antenna stands on my deck and is pointed directionally where it should. Although my house sits between the antenna and the direction it is pointed.

Thanks for the antenna suggestion. I wonder if it would work in my attic? Looking forward to the challenge.....I think

The CM4228 should be picking up 15 and 27. More likely you would be having issues with VHF (7.8.9.11,13) with that antenna.