Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!yale!mintaka!ogicse!milton!amigo
From: amigo@milton.u.washington.edu (The Friend)
Newsgroups: sci.electronics
Subject: TV Antennas
Keywords: Antenna TV
Message-ID: <12765@milton.u.washington.edu>
Date: 11 Dec 90 08:13:14 GMT
Organization: University of Washington, Seattle
Lines: 53


     Anyone have some hints to improve TV reception from a TV Antenna?

     I bought a Rat-Shack 100 mile antenna, and set it up properly (avoiding
     things like the in-bound cable(s), power lines, etc.). Its fully
     grounded, and static discharge surpressed.

     My problem is that it won't pick up much at all. Well at least it seems
     "picky" about what it does want to pickup. I've compared its results
     to a old rabit ears antenna, and I can get some stations (especially
     UHF ones) that won't even show up on the outdoor antenna. I've
     tried to point it in the right direction for viewing (having
     someone watch the TV), and yet I still can't get anything... 
     
     I know UHF is very directional over VHF, but yet I've had
     some stations that are much further away (say 125 miles) come in
     clean, while the one I'm trying to get is only 30 miles away, and I don't
     get anything- both are UHF channels that should pickup in the same
     general direction.
     
     Some things I'm looking at:
     
     1. antenna rotator - gets to be a hassel rotating the antenna.
     2. amplifier for VHF/UHF/FM - generally the one I have in mind
          has something like 25 dB gain...I'm wondering if this will
          help at all?
     3. Definitely reading some books on TV Antennas.


     I'm wondering if some gizmo like that of the rabbit ears's "dial"
     that helps pull the signal in exists for outdoor antennas as well..
     Seems like this could be the key to locking the station in or not.

     My main goal is to get two major stations in the Seattle area in:

  [   KVOS - CH 12 Bellingham. This station has some great shows,
     and being by the border, you see some Canadian stuff that's real
     different. >not to mention being the one recognized Dr. Who station
                    in the country<.
     RANGE: by maps standpoint, as the crow flies it should be near
             straight to the tower over much lower terrain then the
               hill I'm on (tower's on a 2,000 ft mtn), or less then 75 mi. ]

  [   KTPS - CH 28, Tacoma. Unknown exactly where this is, but
     its due south-east, all downhill from my place, about 35 mi away ]

     (my biggest problem? both are in opposite directions!)
     Our cable service has closed both of these channels off thier service,
     so I've since went to my own means to tune in..

thanks for any help anyone can provide. I've invested enough in this that
I'm sort of bummed out that nothing works (didn't expect miracles, but at
     least it could have one of the two stations I was after up).