Advice Needed

[jtrippe77]

I live in zip code 36092. However, I was using an 8-bay antenna to pick up channels in Birmingham(35242) with some success but only at night. The primary channels I wanted to get were 21-1(CW), 23-1 (This TV) and 68-1 (MyNet) as my town does not have those in HD. The 8-bay could not pick up any VHF under channel 7. So I get a Winegard 8200HD thinking my results would be better because: 1. it has a better distance capability and 2. it can pick up the low-band VHF. I took down the 8-bay and put up the 8200. The signals were actually worse. I was very surprised. I was able to get 23-1(VHF 6) briefly one morning though. The results weren't that much less than the 8-bay so I put the two antennas next to each other and faced the 8-bay towards Montgomery and the 8200 towards Birmingham. Now I can only get 13-1(VHF 13) from the 8200. The other channels aren't coming in at all anymore. I used an inexpensive combiner to a pre-amp. Both antennas are in the attic and and almost touching each other. Shouldn't the 8200 out perform the 8-bay? Do I need to move the antennas away from each other? Any other suggestions to get better performance? Mounting outside is not an option. Thanks in advance for the help.

[winegard]

Good morning jtrippe77 -

The large issue in your situation is that you are attempting to pull in stations over 70 miles away using an antenna mounted in your attic. Mounting an antenna in your attic will reduce your signal from 50-90% depending on the materials used in your roof. You state that mounting the antenna outside is not an option but it must be said that the largest issue is the attic.

In terms of performance compared to another antenna there can be many factors, the greatest of which will also be the attic, the materials in your roof and the materials blocking the signal in a direct line from the tower to your antenna.

Mounting the antennas near each other and attempting to pull in the same stations will cause interference and multipathing so that the signal is being received at two seperate times and cannot be interpreted.

I would suggest you call our Technical Services number at 800-788-4417 and ask to speak with Hans for a more in-depth answer on combining antennas.

Here are also a few other responses concerning dual antenna setups...

http://www.winegard.com/kbase/kb_tip_results.php?tip_num=00000000380

http://www.winegard.com/kbase/kb_tip_results.php?tip_num=00000000488

[jtrippe77]

Thanks for the reply. I took out the 8-bay antenna, all splits and the distribution amp. I get great signals on most of the Birmingham stations between 6pm and 6am now. I'm going to try getting the antenna higher the attic in hopes of getting stronger signals. Wife won't let me put the antenna outside.