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heathkat
09-21-2006, 05:01 PM
I need some help from the antenna gurus:

Vital Stats:

Columbia SC
2 story house
CM 4228 mounted in Attic

AntennaWeb info:

Call Sign Channel Network Comp. Miles Freq.
WLTX-DT 19.1 CBS 126° 5.4 17 (UHF)
WIS-DT 10.1 NBC 103° 5.4 41 (UHF)
WACH-DT 57.1 FOX 111° 5 48 (UHF)
WOLO-DT 25.1 ABC 111° 5 8 (VHF)

CBS, NBC, ABC are coming in beautifully (high 80's to low 90's solid signal strength). Fox's signal strength is in the high 40's and is unwatchable.

What I don't understand is that FOX and ABC are the same distance and direction but the signal strength for ABC is in the 90s and FOX is in the 40s.

Any suggestions on how I can improve reception for FOX?

litzdog911
09-21-2006, 05:03 PM
You're pretty close to the transmitters, so you might actually have a signal that's too strong. Try one of these to reduce the signal a bit and see if that helps ....
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2062022&cp=&origkw=attenuator&kw=attenuator&parentPage=search

JimSpence
09-21-2006, 05:21 PM
Also, both transmitters may not be sending the same power.

gladysb2
09-21-2006, 05:22 PM
antennaweb has me just 8.2 miles from my towers. I'll have to try this on my set up too. Similar problem, but that instead of FOX I can't get local PBS.

Radio Shack has an inline attenuator also. is that going to give me a comparable reult? Other than the little dial, my untrained eye does not see much of a difference. (I'd post a link to the item, but not enough posts)

heathkat
09-21-2006, 06:50 PM
OK. Tried the attenuator.......No dice.

I went from Min to Max and saw no difference in signal strength on any of the frequencies..............

Thanks for the fast replies, though.

litzdog911
09-21-2006, 07:35 PM
antennaweb has me just 8.2 miles from my towers. I'll have to try this on my set up too. Similar problem, but that instead of FOX I can't get local PBS.

Radio Shack has an inline attenuator also. is that going to give me a comparable reult? Other than the little dial, my untrained eye does not see much of a difference. (I'd post a link to the item, but not enough posts)

You want the version with the dial so that you can adjust the attenuation. Too much might affect the good channels, while not enough won't change anything.

gladysb2
09-21-2006, 08:15 PM
You want the version with the dial so that you can adjust the attenuation. Too much might affect the good channels, while not enough won't change anything.

thanks! Of course, the RS near me didn't have either one... the hunt begins!