>If you mean that the splitter/amplifier will be between the preamp power injector, then yes, the splitter amplifier will block the preamp power.
I was planning it to flow in this order: Antenna < PreAmp < Ground Block < PreAmp Power < Splitter/Amplifier > TV. That being said, I just re-read the instructions on the splitter/amplifier, and it sends power in both directions, so I will remove the PreAmp entirely.
>The Clearstream 4 is not intended to receive VHF-high band signals. Most areas in the USA have one or more popular networks in that band.
I noticed that this morning :(. I did find that Clearstream makes an adapter for that antenna that can receive VHF bands.
&& Thank you for the grounding diagram! That was really helpful.
This VHF add-on kit worked wonders for me to help pull in three Hi-VHF channels that are a similar distance away.
You're right.. I didn't read the product description carefully enough to see it's UHF only. But Antennas Direct also has a VHF add-on for their antennas. I ordered one and it should be here Wednesday. The station is channel 12 in Portland, and indeed it is apparently a VHF channel. The others that are coming in more easily now are UHF channels.
VHF low channels require a dedicated antenna, in my experience. I use this: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00LHFRCMG/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
As others have said, height of the antenna is the most important thing. Also, those flat antennas you nail to a wall are cheap and hard to point into a specific direction. I would go with an Antennas Direct Clearstream if possible.
I have a cable wire going from the attic through the outside of the house to the basement, I use two different amplifiers and link to 8 tvs.
No problem, you're actually in a really good situation for the most part, AntennasDirect can sell you a VHF add-on so you don't have to worry about trying to fabricate one yourself. It includes the UVSJ and the jumper cable, you can literally attach it to the top of your current UHF antenna's reflector screen. I think they run 20 bucks.
That will definitely be the easiest and cheapest solution, and I'm 98% sure given your signal strength, that should remedy your problem.
Edit: antennas direct is out of stock but you can buy them for the same price new on Amazon and be covered by the return policy, just incase there is some unforeseen reason from my understanding of your situation that causes my recommendation not to work.
https://www.amazon.com/Antennas-Direct-VHF-1-VHF-Retrofit/dp/B00LHFRCMG
You can easily pick up vhf with an indoor antenna. It's just some consumer antennas don't have vhf elements any more. It's not hard to get a vhf antenna.
CBS is at 25 kW while NBC is 30 kW. They are about 4 miles apart. I'm guessing the power difference is the reason. Maybe adding the VHF Retrofit Kit as someone else suggested?
It's almost 27 miles to the WLUK transmitter. I'm not sure the VHF Retrofit Kit would work at that range on channels 11/12.
It depends a lot on where you intend to mount it. Indoors? Attic? Roof? Aimed out a second floor window? Facing northeast I hope.
Without more knowledge I'd say call DishNetwork and have them install an outdoor TV antenna for $150. Problem solved.
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I have that antenna. It works well for me at 65 miles with edge 1 and 2 signals on UHF. But it does not pick up VHF at all ... I needed to get the retrofit VHF kit as well ... https://www.amazon.com/Antennas-Direct-VHF-1-VHF-Retrofit/dp/B00LHFRCMG/ref=pd_sim_23_2?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=Y0QHPA5YPG445Z8270Y4
With the VHF kit it worked fine outdoors. It did not work in the attic at all. It is going to my brother in law this weekend as I upgraded to a larger antenna for higher VHF gain.
I would suggest a solid signal 8bay since most of your stations are UHF and you can open the two sides to let you get a wider path to catch signals coming in..
then as warpseven said NBC is a problem on channel 11 so you need VHF .. the cure for that is a VHF retrofit kit that will plug into your 8bay antenna and you can point it in the direction of channel 11
https://www.amazon.com/Antennas-Direct-VHF-1-VHF-Retrofit/dp/B00LHFRCMG/
should get you what you want if you point it right and place it in an area where there is no obstructions if you can't put it in an attic or on the roof or balcony then ..
amplified bunnyears antenna might get you much of it.
this is not the best price but its a good picture of it http://www.amazon.com/Antennas-Direct-VHF-1-VHF-Retrofit/dp/B00LHFRCMG
ClearStream VHF addon antenna has a Coax Connection .. you run your UHF to this and then the out side connector goes to your TV
It should get you channel 7 and above within that 25 mile range but not any channel lower than that...
Low price is like $19 but that may require shipping .. so
You have a cheapo antenna that probably has trouble getting VHF signals. You might have success with this: (shop around - this one looks overpriced) https://www.amazon.com/Antennas-Direct-VHF-1-VHF-Retrofit/dp/B00LHFRCMG
This might be just the thing if NBC is the only station causing problems. NBC appears to be the only VHF station. It's a simple dipole with a joiner to combine with your other antenna. You can aim it independently of your other antenna. VHF Retrofit Kit
Or you could probably do as well with a new antenna in the attic. Not sure if you'll get CW with it.
Quite a few places carry this. RCA ANT751E
Or you could go even cheaper with STEALTHtenna. Amazon keeps raising the price of this. I got one at $21.
The Clearstream 2V would have been a good deal, but is no longer on clearance, so the 2MAX would work fine as long as it came with the dipole. Found all over.
Antenna should be as high as you can get it.
You can add a VHF kit to an antenna.
Antennas Direct has VHF Antenna Reception Kit for $35. Returns are free so it might be worth a try.
What about this one from Antennas Direct for channels 7-13.
I just realized the one I bought is for UHF. They have a VHF add-on that you can add to the antenna. They also sell a separate package that has both that antenna and the VHF add-on.
Hi anime_daisuki,
You’re in the right subreddit for this topic, by golly! Per chance have you found the sidebar guides, and particularly the Antenna Guide: https://www.reddit.com/r/cordcutters/wiki/antenna
It mentions some about VHF and UHF. I’ll add that for High-VHF reception (what is listed in TVFool’s “Real” column as values 7 through 13), an antenna needs one or more elements 3 feet wide. UHF wavelengths (“Real” 14+) are narrower, and smaller antennas do okay with those.
Thanks for the insight you’ve offered, in particular regarding that it’s only a 12’ coax feeding the HDHR alone. That means you’re not losing much signal—and there’s no need to try adding a pre-amp nor any amplification.
By wanting to stay in the attic, I’m like the others in being concerned about going too small, since the antenna’s gain and incoming signal strength have to overcome the roofing and construction materials density. Hence the mention of possibly losing 50%. To that end, I’ll second the suggestion of the 30-2475 added in via UHF/VHF combiner (note it’s not just a typical splitter).
However, if you’re up for experimenting, realizing that these two options may not work, I’ll offer the possibilities of:
* VHF add on ~$20: https://www.amazon.com/Antennas-Direct-VHF-1-VHF-Retrofit/dp/B00LHFRCMG
It has a UHF/VHF combiner already integrated. So you’d feed your existing antenna into it, then hopefully find a sweet spot in the attic to place/mount this VHF dipole to lock in ABC. Notice how it’s a single element, so it doesn’t have any gain. But might do better than the VHF capabilities of what you currently have.
* Replace with or add this ~3’ x 3’ RCA <$50: https://www.amazon.com/RCA-Mini-Yagi-Outdoor-Antenna/dp/B01N4UASN0
You’d point the narrow end toward the towers. This aerial does okay for many people, and has a better VHF design than what you currently have. If you try it alone and lose some channels, then link this to your current antenna with one of those special UHF/VHF combiners. (And if you’re going to stay under a roof, this combiner or similar would work, since weather won’t reach it: https://www.radioshack.com/products/radioshack-vhf-uhf-gold-plated-splitter-combiner .)
Lastly, a roof installation might not be hundreds (plural) of dollars. Perhaps call this service and see if the <$150 package would cover the channels of interest to you:
https://www.airtv.net/antenna-installation/
Good Luck! ~~ Statmanmi
Your cheapest solution may be this. https://www.amazon.com/Antennas-Direct-VHF-1-VHF-Retrofit/dp/B00LHFRCMG
(assuming the VHF stations are the problem) You don't state what your exact problem is. You should be able to get the Baltimore stations fairly easily if you position your antenna next to a window on north side of house.
Those are both VHF frequencies, so you may want to add the VHF Retrofit Kit. You probably want to avoid using the amplifier at such close range.
This MIGHT work. It's a simple VHF antenna that lets you plug in your existing UHF antenna. If it doesn't work you might need a better antenna mounted higher. VHF Retrofit
It's cheap anyway.
Higher is usually better. Aimed out a window (without screens or special treatment to retard heat loss) is better than a wall.
I suppose you could simply get a really good UHF antenna to pick up the channel 48 simulcast. I was surprised at the low power CBS operates at. I guess that's a problem when you have so many stations packed together.
As an alternative, you could stream Locast in Chicago. Locast now in Chicago!
Different city, but same situation for me. Needed a VHF boost to combine with my Mohu Leaf. I got this one: VHF Retrofit Kit https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00LHFRCMG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_ip4mBbEFAMAJ9
Works great for me.
Yes, which is why the VHF retrofit kit exists. If you get 2 of them and put one on each panel, you'll have a very decent antenna. The only difference between a CS4 and a CS4v is the presence of this adapter. There's also the option of running a dual stack with the Clearstream 5, and a VHF/UHF combiner
maybe buy one of these.. i have seen them for $19 https://www.amazon.com/Antennas-Direct-VHF-1-VHF-Retrofit/dp/B00LHFRCMG
> antenna direct ECL-A
nope
https://www.antennasdirect.com/store/ClearStream-Eclipse-Amplified-Digital-TV-Antenna.html
your antenna does .. 470 to 700MHz:
Real Channel mhz
I bought an antenna from amazon but I didn't get the vhf attachment for it, so i picked up this one. http://www.amazon.com/Antennas-Direct-VHF-1-VHF-Retrofit/dp/B00LHFRCMG?ie=UTF8&psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00
In a similar situation, I had good luck with a Clear Stream 2 and VHF Retro Fit Kit.
This comes with both I believe.
Its kinda pricey, but it worked well for me.
Thanks. So, would this work attached to my UHF antenna?