can't get certain stations in range...

[eridani]

Hi all. I'm new to the air-HDTV scene, and I just had a quick question. I bought a rather inexpensive indoor antenna, a Philips SDV2710/27 (I live in a duplex sorta house, so I can't get an outdoor one). The box says it has an effective range of 20 miles. On the GeoSelector, NBC and CBS are 37 miles away from where I live, yet strangely enough I receive them very clearly, so something must amplifying my antenna signal (I don't have a booster or anything)... Now, according to the GeoSelector, the same distance away, and at the exact same spot, is Fox and ABC, the two stations I really want, yet I don't receive them at all. The antenna doesn't even detect them. Why can't I receive the stations that are the same distance away and in the same location from the stations I can receive? Thanks in advance.

[tigerbangs]

Without your zip code, I have no way of knowing your reception conditions, or the stations available to you: please include your zip code or your coordinates and repost your question.

[eridani]

Ah, of course, I apologize. Zip code 12901. Coordinates: latitude- 44°41'56.66"N; longitude- 73°27'39.89"W

[tigerbangs]

Plattsburgh, eh? TV is pretty easy and pretty good where you are: everything comes from the top of Mt. Masnfield in VT, which is over 4,000' tall, so that's why CBS and NBC come in so well. Both are on UHF, and are high-power. We pick up those same stations in our family cabin in Malone, quite a bit further away that you are from Mt. Mansfield. WVNY, your ABC stations is on channel 13, and is much weaker: Fox is just plain weaker than the other stations, but should still be available with the right antenna. If oyu are in a duplex, you have the right to mount an antenna on the roof, per the FCC: I would suggest that you do it, as you have other stations available to you if you do, like PBS and CW. You don't need a large antenna, hust one designed for your area. Talk to your landlord: show them the link that I will post for you, and put up the antenna: it is the only way to insure that you can see all of the TV stations available to you.

I would suggest that you look at a Winegard HD-7694P or an AntennaCraft HBU-33, mount it so it sees over the highest part of your roof, and aim it 125 degrees by your compass: you'll see all the Burlington-Plattsburgh stations perfectly if you do.

http://www.winegard.com
http://www.antennacraft.net
http://manuals.solidsignal.com/AntInstallGuide.pdf
http://www.fcc.gov/mb/facts/otard.html

[eridani]

Wow, small world huh? Anyway, thanks. I least know where to point my antenna now.