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Solution to television reception problem

Until a few weeks ago, I had line of sight to several local TV
transmitters. Then someone put up a large building in between me and
the transmitters. Suddenly, my VHS reception has gone from excellent
to poor or terrible. I can't find a good antenna position where I
don't get lots of interference. Cable in my area is way too expensive,
so I don't consider it to be a good solution. I am currently using a
Radio Shack amplified antenna with two telescoping antennae, a VHF/UHF
switch, what appears to be a loop antenna that can be placed in a
vertical or horizontal position, and a rotating knob that changes the
fine tuning. What can I get to replace this that will solve this
problem?

Thanks!
 
B

Boris Mohar

Jan 1, 1970
0
Until a few weeks ago, I had line of sight to several local TV
transmitters. Then someone put up a large building in between me and
the transmitters. Suddenly, my VHS reception has gone from excellent
to poor or terrible. I can't find a good antenna position where I
don't get lots of interference. Cable in my area is way too expensive,
so I don't consider it to be a good solution. I am currently using a
Radio Shack amplified antenna with two telescoping antennae, a VHF/UHF
switch, what appears to be a loop antenna that can be placed in a
vertical or horizontal position, and a rotating knob that changes the
fine tuning. What can I get to replace this that will solve this
problem?

Thanks!

One time in my junior years I went on a antenna installation job. The TV
reception was shadowed by a hill. The solution was to put two antennae
connected to each other on top of the hill. One was aimed at the station and
the other at the receiver antenna.




Regards,

Boris Mohar

Got Knock? - see:
Viatrack Printed Circuit Designs (among other things) http://www.viatrack.ca
 
C

Chuck Reti

Jan 1, 1970
0
Until a few weeks ago, I had line of sight to several local TV
transmitters. Then someone put up a large building in between me and
the transmitters. Suddenly, my VHS reception has gone from excellent
to poor or terrible. I can't find a good antenna position where I
don't get lots of interference. Cable in my area is way too expensive,
so I don't consider it to be a good solution. I am currently using a
Radio Shack amplified antenna with two telescoping antennae, a VHF/UHF
switch, what appears to be a loop antenna that can be placed in a
vertical or horizontal position, and a rotating knob that changes the
fine tuning. What can I get to replace this that will solve this
problem?

Thanks!

-plant an antenna on the tall building and run a long cable.
-move.
-get a directional antenna and aim at a building or other surface that
provides a usable reflection of the main signal.
 
R

Rich Grise

Jan 1, 1970
0
Until a few weeks ago, I had line of sight to several local TV
transmitters. Then someone put up a large building in between me and
the transmitters. Suddenly, my VHS reception has gone from excellent
to poor or terrible. I can't find a good antenna position where I
don't get lots of interference. Cable in my area is way too expensive,
so I don't consider it to be a good solution. I am currently using a
Radio Shack amplified antenna with two telescoping antennae, a VHF/UHF
switch, what appears to be a loop antenna that can be placed in a
vertical or horizontal position, and a rotating knob that changes the
fine tuning. What can I get to replace this that will solve this
problem?

By "Radio Shack amplified antenna" are you talking about a little gimmiick
that sits on top of the TV? If so, then the first thing you need to do is
get a real TV antenna, and put it on a mast, on the roof.

Then check back if you can't find a direction to point it where you get
good reception.

Good Luck!
Rich
 
Ok. I should probably point out some design constraints to go with my
original question :) :

I live in a high rise apt building. I can not mount anything on the
exterior of my building, nor do I have line of sight to a satellite
(especially since the 15 story building was put up in front of me).
This includes roof antennae

I can not modify the building in front of me. That building is still
under construction, and I do not own it, nor do I have access to it.

I am not looking to subscribe to any sort of pay service, such as cable
or satellite. It's too expensive. Likewise, I am not looking for a
replacement for my TV right now.

In other words, anything I do needs to be inside my own apt, and should
not be very expensive.

Thanks,
michael

Get a proper roof mounted aerial. It should look something like this....
http://www.abcaz.com/5_1160279/aeri...ers/masterplug-gold-52-element-tv-aerial.html
 
J

John Woodgate

Jan 1, 1970
0
I read in sci.electronics.design that [email protected]
In other words, anything I do needs to be inside my own apt, and should
not be very expensive.

Given that constraint, there is no solution.

But do other people in the building have the same problem? If so, a
joint approach to the landlord might get you an antenna on the roof, and
a distribution system to each apartment. You may have to contribute some
$$, but shared out, the cost should not be unsupportable.

In Japan, it used to be a legal requirement that if a new building
created a TV shadow, its owners had to provide a remedy free of charge,
but I don't think it applies in any other country, and maybe not even in
Japan now.
 
J

Jerry G.

Jan 1, 1970
0
You have 4 possible options:

1) Put up an antenna at another location, and run a feed wire to your
location.
2) Subscribe for cable TV service.
3) Subscribe for a satellite TV service.
4) Pack up, and move to a new location where TV reception is good.
5) Buy the new property, and have the new building demolished, in
order to clear the way for you.

For simplicity, I would prefer option 2 or option 3.

Option 4 is also very good, especialy if you don't get along with the
neighbors.

Option 1 can be viable, but may be inconvenient.

Option 5 is not impossible, but may be expensive, and not practical.
Jerry G.
=====
 
D

Dimitrios Tzortzakakis

Jan 1, 1970
0
Yoroshiku onegai shimasu!Watashi wa koko ni imasu yo!Mizu tsumetai
desho?Iie, sonnani tsumetaku arimasen yo.
(Mean:I need you to be in favour with me,Here am I,is the water cold?It's
not that cold.)
 
S

Sal M. Onella

Jan 1, 1970
0
Ok. I should probably point out some design constraints to go with my
original question :) :

I live in a high rise apt building. I can not mount anything on the
exterior of my building, nor do I have line of sight to a satellite
(especially since the 15 story building was put up in front of me).
This includes roof antennae

I can not modify the building in front of me. That building is still
under construction, and I do not own it, nor do I have access to it.

I am not looking to subscribe to any sort of pay service, such as cable
or satellite. It's too expensive. Likewise, I am not looking for a
replacement for my TV right now.

In other words, anything I do needs to be inside my own apt, and should
not be very expensive.

Considering all that went before ...

I don't think I got where you live. If you are in the US, you may
get what you want by going digital. I'll assume that.

Most areas of the US have begun the digital cutover and a few
areas are complete, meaning all stations are available on both
digital as well as traditional analog. A digital tuner (set-top-box --
STB for short) costs $200 and up. It will usually work, even
with blockage, if you don't mind fiddling with the antenna a little
bit. With digital, if the STB can make out most of the 1's and 0's,
the picture will immediately be perfect. I have had pretty good
luck with an antenna indoors (experimentally only, since
I usually use a roof-top antenna; yes, I know you said
your antenna must be indoors).

Wal-Mart sells a digital STB. If your Wal-Mart stocks it, then
there are digital signals in your area. If you find it doesn't
work, you will probably be able to return it if you unpack it
carefully. Others will likely have recommendations for an
STB. Not all STB's are created equal; I recommend you
check that the INPUT required for your TV is one of the
OUTPUTS of the STB you want to buy.

The Internet has info about digital TV & STB's. Please
return here or subscribe to the "alt.video.digital-tv" group
if you have more questions, which is kinda likely ;-)

Good luck.
 
P

Paul Hovnanian P.E.

Jan 1, 1970
0
Jerry G. said:
You have 4 possible options:

1) Put up an antenna at another location, and run a feed wire to your
location.
2) Subscribe for cable TV service.
3) Subscribe for a satellite TV service.
4) Pack up, and move to a new location where TV reception is good.
5) Buy the new property, and have the new building demolished, in
order to clear the way for you.

For simplicity, I would prefer option 2 or option 3.

Option 4 is also very good, especialy if you don't get along with the
neighbors.

Option 1 can be viable, but may be inconvenient.

Option 5 is not impossible, but may be expensive, and not practical.

I think the Earth Liberation Front offers their services for this sort
of thing for very reasonable prices.
 
M

Mark

Jan 1, 1970
0
you need a directional antenna, like a yago or log periodic i.e a
larger antenna with many elements.

Mark
 
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