Can't receive local PBS station!

[Hydrographer1]

I live in Roseville, CA. I installed a Winegard MS2002 amplified antenna on a Dish Network mast on my 2-story roofline. I receive several of the local Sacramento station signals fine. However, I can't seem to pick up KTXL which is UHF & KVIE, the Sacramento PBS station, which is VHF. They both happen to be the only stations with the same azimuth, 204 degrees. All others that I receive have an azimuth of 202 or 203 degrees. Not sure if this is a coincidence, or the reason why they are not coming in. Note also that the power for KVIE is only 33. However, what is interesting is that the power for KTXL is a whopping 950 and I still can't receive a signal! In addition, KXTV, whose signal I am able to receive, has a very low power! So I don't think it's a power issue, seems to be in the direction of 204 degree azimuth. Since the MS2002 is good for 360 degree reception, I wouldn't think that this would be an issue. I have a tree near the antenna, and although the top of the tree is about 15 ft higher than the antenna, it's fairly open, so I don't think that it is creating any problems. There is a two story house behind mine, which is probably 10-15 ft higher, so not sure if this is an issue. Otherwise, no hills that would be in the path. Incidentally, I was able to pick up a few stations in the SF Bay Area, including KQED & KTEH (both PBS, in SF & San Jose, respectfully) but the signal is not available at all this morning! I'm assuming that these signals are stronger in the evenings. Not sure why though.

I'm not sure what else I can do. Would it be worthwhile to purchase an amplifier to be placed between the tv with the longest run of the 3 which are split at the house from the antenna? Would it be better to return this antenna and purchase another? I would like to continue to use the existing mast though.

Any advice greatly appreciated as I really want to be able to view PBS broadcasting!

[tigerbangs]

the MS2002, an onnidirectional antenna, is likely to have 2 issues that are causing your problems: a multipath issue: the result of reflected signal arriving at your antenna fractionally later than the main signal, causing a signal cancellation, and/or a preamplifier overload condition which is the sesult of ampifying strong signals that cause the preamplifier to go into overload distortion. I would have never recommended the MS2002 for you, even though you have two major cities from which you receive TV stations. I believe that you would have done much better with a highly directional antenna like a Winegard HD-7696P with NO preamplifier, possibly using a rotator to yourn your antenna if you were looking for the Chico_reading stations. If your antenna is mounted in your attic, you MUST get it out of there and mount it on the highest point of oyur roof, as multipath will be greatly increased when using an attic mounted.

[Hydrographer1]

the MS2002, an onnidirectional antenna, is likely to have 2 issues that are causing your problems: a multipath issue: the result of reflected signal arriving at your antenna fractionally later than the main signal, causing a signal cancellation, and/or a preamplifier overload condition which is the sesult of ampifying strong signals that cause the preamplifier to go into overload distortion. I would have never recommended the MS2002 for you, even though you have two major cities from which you receive TV stations. I believe that you would have done much better with a highly directional antenna like a Winegard HD-7696P with NO preamplifier, possibly using a rotator to yourn your antenna if you were looking for the Chico_reading stations. If your antenna is mounted in your attic, you MUST get it out of there and mount it on the highest point of oyur roof, as multipath will be greatly increased when using an attic mounted.

OK, do you think that I would be alright to mount the HD-769P w/ no preamplifier to the existing Dish Network mast where I currently have the MS2002? I'm only interested in the towers at Walnut Grove, so I would imagine that I can get by without rotating the antenna, do you agree?

[tigerbangs]

The antenna needs to have as close to a line-of-sight to the transmitters as possible: unless your dis is currently mounted at the top of your roof, then you will need to mount the new antenna there. Satellite signals come from 22,300 miles above the equator: local broadcast stations come from terrestial towers usually only 1000' or so above the ground, so your antenna really needs the best shot it cn ahve to see the TV signal: higher, and clear of local obstructions is essential for good local reception.