How do I improve my local TV channel receptions?

[JAD]

nope nothing your gonna be able to remove, as the number 1 component of interference is the Power supply.

You all are beating a dead horse , cause in ca there is never a single solution to the TV reception thing. That's why cable and sat
are in use far more here than in many other populous area....anywhere there are mountains.....the thing that kills him and me is
that we are local to the transmitter atop mount Wilson. The signal goes right over the top of us..

 

[ANTant]

Darn, I didn't mention that I had two different powersupplies (unrelated to
my TV tuner issue). I had an Enlight PS 340 watts before, but I was having
HDD problems because ATI card suck up much more power! So, I got a more
powerful PS: Antec Model SL400 (400 watts; 80mm and 92mm fans). I did
not notice any differences between them with receptions.

I guess the only workarounds are:
1. Get cable or satellite (spend money for it) even for local stations.
2. Use the VCR and video in to my ATI card for the problematic channels.
Less quality, but clearer picture.

I just thought of an idea to test the interference theory. Can I get
a portable TV (the pocket size) and see if that will show the
symptoms? I know someone who has one.

I was wondering, is the interference because of the ATI card too close
to the powersupply or is it the antennaes. I have the rabbit ear
antennaes on the left side of the case next to the desk. Basically the
desk and case hold the antenna standing up. I have tried holding the
antennaes and aiming to get clearer images for the problematic
channels, but that does not work. However, the cable is short so I
wonder if I need to get a longer cord away from the computer system.

nope nothing your gonna be able to remove, as the number 1 component of interference is the Power supply.

You all are beating a dead horse , cause in ca there is never a single solution to the TV reception thing. That's why cable and sat
are in use far more here than in many other populous area....anywhere there are mountains.....the thing that kills him and me is
that we are local to the transmitter atop mount Wilson. The signal goes right over the top of us..

--
"Really. And do these lions eat ants?" --John Cleese in Monty Python's
Flying Circus
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[ANTant]

Sorry--I gave you a bad address--it's dot org, not dot com,
<http://www.antennaweb.org/>. I knew I should have cut and pasted the
link instead of typing it from memory.

Places to go for antenna prices--<http://www.starkelectronic.com/> and
<http://www.solidsignal.com/>. Your local supplier will probably be a
bit higher but there won't be any shipping.

ATI has for some reason not included the tuner requirements in the spec
sheet for the 9800 Pro AIW. If you go to their site though and search
on <amplified> you'll find spec sheets for the 9700 AIW and many earlier
models, all of which require cable or amplified antenna. The same is
true for the 9600 AIW, which is newer than the 9800, so presumably the
9800 uses the same type of tuner (I don't have a 9800 AIW yet--I'll be
putting together a new machine for Christmas with a 9800). With the
original Radeon AIW, which I got to replace an older AIW model, I found
that I needed to get a signal amplifier to get any picture at all.

Hmm, I will have to try that. I probably can borrow it from downstair's
TV, but its connector is recetangle shape and doesn't fit the tuner's
port because of the other two connectors. Sheesh! Does the round shape
version exist?

Now, that said, you've commented that you get white dots--if they're
tiny white dots all over the screen, that could be too much signal
overpowering the tuner.

Simple, cheap thing to try--go down to Radio Shack and pick up a signal
attenuator model 15-678--you'll also want a short piece of RG-6 cable
(15-1590 is the shortest and cheapest--get a longer one if you think you
need it) with"F" connectors on both ends in order to connect it. Put
that between the antenna and the AIW and turn the knob and see if the
signal improves as you increase the attenuation. If it doesn't, that
pretty much rules out excessive signal, so you know you need more
antenna--if it does, problem solved.

If it turns out you need more antenna go over to Antennaweb and find out
what they say you need, and then it's generally best to get one size
bigger in my experience. Their FAQ also discusses your legal rights with
regard to antennas--basically though it's a Federal law that you can put
up a reasonably sized TV antenna (my words, not the law, which is more
detailed) on any property that you own or have exclusive use of, and
that the property owner, condominium association, town, or anybody else
cannot prevent or unreasonably delay your installation. Before you cite
the law though, ask the owner politely if it's all right for you to put
up a TV antenna--who knows, he may decide to put one up for you.

Thanks for the feedback.
--
"Really. And do these lions eat ants?" --John Cleese in Monty Python's
Flying Circus
/\___/\
/ /\ /\ \ Ant @ The Ant Farm: http://antfarm.ma.cx
| |o o| | E-mail: (e-mail address removed) or (e-mail address removed)
\ _ / Remove ANT if replying by e-mail from a newsgroup.
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[DaveL]

Overloaded by rabbit ears? I think not.
Dave

 

[J.Clarke]

Sorry--I gave you a bad address--it's dot org, not dot com,
<http://www.antennaweb.org/>. I knew I should have cut and pasted
the link instead of typing it from memory.

Places to go for antenna prices--<http://www.starkelectronic.com/>
and<http://www.solidsignal.com/>. Your local supplier will probably
be a bit higher but there won't be any shipping.

ATI has for some reason not included the tuner requirements in the
spec sheet for the 9800 Pro AIW. If you go to their site though and
search on <amplified> you'll find spec sheets for the 9700 AIW and
many earlier models, all of which require cable or amplified
antenna. The same is true for the 9600 AIW, which is newer than the
9800, so presumably the 9800 uses the same type of tuner (I don't
have a 9800 AIW yet--I'll be putting together a new machine for
Christmas with a 9800). With the original Radeon AIW, which I got
to replace an older AIW model, I found that I needed to get a signal
amplifier to get any picture at all.

Hmm, I will have to try that. I probably can borrow it from
downstair's TV, but its connector is recetangle shape and doesn't fit
the tuner's port because of the other two connectors. Sheesh! Does the
round shape version exist?[/QUOTE]

I'm not sure what you mean by "its connector is rectangle shape". All
TVs sold in the US use F connectors, which are round and threaded. If
your TV is a very old one then it might have a connection for 300 ohm
twinlead which attaches by two screws and separate little box hanging
from them called a "balun" to connect to coax--if that's what you have
then you need to unscrew the coax from the balun.

 

[J.Clarke]

Overloaded by rabbit ears? I think not.

You might be surprised--I've got two boards in my machine, a Dvico
Fusion HDTV II and an 8500DV.

There's a local analog channel that the Dvico can barely pick up
with the amplifier is turned up all the way. The same channel
overpowers the 8500 DV unless I turn the amplifier all the way down
(can't disconnect it without taking the antenna down which I don't want
to do just now) and put in a 20 db attenuator besides. As for the other
local channels, that all have relatively strong signals,
fuggedaboudid--they're not going to happen on the 8500DV unless I
build a new antenna system around it and if I do that then no _other_
TV reciever in the house is going to be able to get signal.

So in a strong signal area it would not surprise me at all if a halfwave
dipole was able to overdrive an 8500DV.

 

[ANTant]

ATI has for some reason not included the tuner requirements in the

I'm not sure what you mean by "its connector is rectangle shape". All
TVs sold in the US use F connectors, which are round and threaded. If
your TV is a very old one then it might have a connection for 300 ohm
twinlead which attaches by two screws and separate little box hanging
from them called a "balun" to connect to coax--if that's what you have
then you need to unscrew the coax from the balun.

I believe this is what it is:
http://www.radioshack.com/images/ProductCatalog/ProductImage/15/15-1296.jpg
Rectangle shape with circle connection with thin cables to the rabbit ear
antennas. Is this the same thing you're talking about? The antennas I have
are old for sure. Since the connectors are so fat, I cannot seem to fit
between two other connectors on my ATI card. No room!
--
"Really. And do these lions eat ants?" --John Cleese in Monty Python's
Flying Circus
/\___/\
/ /\ /\ \ Ant @ The Ant Farm: http://antfarm.ma.cx
| |o o| | E-mail: (e-mail address removed) or (e-mail address removed)
\ _ / Remove ANT if replying by e-mail from a newsgroup.
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[JAD]

your using that push on connector....you need to make a patch cord if your going to use it. small cable with a male and female end.
or depending on your case design you can use a adapter like a screw on to push on 'f '. It will give you a inch extension on the
card coax connector.

 

[J.Clarke]

On Sat, 18 Oct 2003 04:47:40 -0500

I believe this is what it is:
http://www.radioshack.com/images/ProductCatalog/ProductImage/15/15-1296.jpg

That is indeed a balun--didn't occur to me that your antennas would be
that old.

Rectangle shape with circle connection with thin cables to the rabbit
ear antennas. Is this the same thing you're talking about? The
antennas I have are old for sure. Since the connectors are so fat, I
cannot seem to fit between two other connectors on my ATI card. No
room!--

Go down to Radio Shack and get the shortest RG6 cable they sell--15-1552
is the number I believe, and a "F" cable coupler 278-213 and you should
be set.

 

[ANTant]

Thanks. I will see what I can do.

your using that push on connector....you need to make a patch cord if your going to use it. small cable with a male and female end.
or depending on your case design you can use a adapter like a screw on to push on 'f '. It will give you a inch extension on the
card coax connector.

--
"Really. And do these lions eat ants?" --John Cleese in Monty Python's
Flying Circus
/\___/\
/ /\ /\ \ Ant @ The Ant Farm: http://antfarm.ma.cx
| |o o| | E-mail: (e-mail address removed) or (e-mail address removed)
\ _ / Remove ANT if replying by e-mail from a newsgroup.
( )

 

[ANTant]

That is indeed a balun--didn't occur to me that your antennas would be
that old.

You will be surprise how many old stuff I have here. I still use an
old PS/2 mouse with two buttons, old printers using parallel port, etc.

Go down to Radio Shack and get the shortest RG6 cable they sell--15-1552
is the number I believe, and a "F" cable coupler 278-213 and you should
be set.

OK!
--
"Really. And do these lions eat ants?" --John Cleese in Monty Python's
Flying Circus
/\___/\
/ /\ /\ \ Ant @ The Ant Farm: http://antfarm.ma.cx
| |o o| | E-mail: (e-mail address removed) or (e-mail address removed)
\ _ / Remove ANT if replying by e-mail from a newsgroup.
( )

 

[ANTant]

I am seem to having problems getting clear or decent channels near
Los Angeles, CA, USA: 2, 4, 5, and 11. Other channels are decent or
clear. I do not have cable or satellite TV (don't need the extra
channels and don't want to spend more money). Using the same antennae
near the TV (a desk away) has no problems with most channels. It even
works great through a VCR.

I read that you have to have specific cables and antennaes because the
TV tuner is sensitive? I am not a TV expert so I don't want know if
this is true or not. I am currently using the basic TV rabbit ears
(long ones that can be retracted) that you stick on the TV little
rotating thing (don't know the term). Do I need something better? If
so, then where (retail stores -- Best Buy, Radio Shack, Costco, etc.)
can I get a low cost one (needs the circle connector since ATI card has
limited space for those rectangle shape plug)? I also prefer one that
doesn't use power plug (ran out of available plugs).

OK guys! I think I fixed the problem. Since we mentioned interferences,
I tried moving the antennas to the top most bookshelf on my desk. The
pictures are MUCH clearer! I still have to rotate the rabbit ear
antennas though like my regular TV's. I did try moving this longer cable
antennas to the side so I don't have to stand up to adjust the receptions
but that didn't work. Antennas needs to be a lot higher! I am pretty
sure I can perfect pictures if I had a bigger antennas on the roof.

I'm happy now. I don't care about KCBS 2 since I don't really watch
TV much from it, but it is not too bad for reception. On the bright side,
I will have to exercise a little (I'm lazy!) to make the pictures for
specific channels. [grin]

Thanks all!! You guys rock.
--
"Really. And do these lions eat ants?" --John Cleese in Monty Python's
Flying Circus
/\___/\
/ /\ /\ \ Ant @ The Ant Farm: http://antfarm.ma.cx
| |o o| | E-mail: (e-mail address removed) or (e-mail address removed)
\ _ / Remove ANT if replying by e-mail from a newsgroup.
( )

 

[ky]

I was in the same situation a month ago. Because I like to
record/capture certain TV shows and wasn't too happy with the analog
picture quality, I decided to go digital. I didn't want to spend too
much money, so I bought the cheapest HDTV receiver a Samsung SIR-T151
and an indoor Zenith silver sensor antenna (total cost less than
$250).

Now I have it all setup and voilà! perfect digital picture. No more
snow, ghosting and airplane noise interference. And since I am
connecting it to my TV wonder card I can only get DVD quality for HD
shows ;-)