reflectors questions

[bigdog4215]

I've been reading about homemade stuff and came across reflectors and am thinking about trying it out.Could someone breakdown how they work and what I could use to make them.I read something about using aluminin foyle or something metal and they prevent signals from bouncing.

 

[Fringe Reception]

Bigdog,

How about offering more details about the antenna you are concidering building.

The type of antenna determines the style/location/design of the reflector.

Jim

 

[bigdog4215]

I was trying to improve my signal with the antenna I'm currently using because I seem to be losing signals as it gets colder.This is what I'm currently using

Philips-SDV2210-17-Indoor-Antenna

 

[dkreichen1968]

An aluminum foil reflector 4" behind the loop on that antenna (from the direction your signals are coming from) may improve your signal strength for UHF signals, but it may also cause a reduction in signal strength of any VHF signals (picked up by the rabbit ears). It depends on the channels that your broadcasters are using. (Note: the display channel of your TV doesn't necessarily reflect the real radio frequency channel the broadcaster uses.)

You can use TV Fool to find the broadcast channels. If you post the URL for your report we can tell you more, or suggest a new antenna.

 

[bigdog4215]

Is the loop the thing that looks like a black handle and does the size of the reflector matter.Does it matter what I have the aluminum foyle on for the reflector.I would be happy if I could just get cbs back and here is my tv fool.

TV Fool

 

[dkreichen1968]

Yes, the loop is the thing that looks like a black plastic handle. CBS is on channel 10 though (Fox on channel 8), so the reflector won't help with that. Do you have an east facing window? If so, placing your antenna in that window will help. Also, make sure the antenna is pointed to receive signals from the east (the loop running north-south), and that it hasn't been damaged recently.

Let us know if that doesn't work and we can give you some suggestions on a replacement.

 

[bigdog4215]

I tried once and then follwed up with these steps I found at another site.At step 3 I powerd down the unit 1st,not if I was suppose to.

1. Disconnect the antenna from the box or digital TV
2. Re-scan the box or digital TV without the antenna connected. As with any scan
follow the on-screen instructions or owner�s manual for your device
3. Unplug the box or digital TV from the electrical outlet for at least one minute
4. Reconnect the antenna to the box or digital TV and plug the unit into the electrical
outlet.
5. Rescan the box or digital TV one more time.

I then tried to adjust the height of the antenna and spreading them with a rescan everytime I moved the unit.I was able to pick up 3.1,3.2,8.1 and 8.2.When I used to get cbs I had pointed to the south at a wall but ohio's crazy weather through everything off.

 

[dkreichen1968]

Do you live in a house or an apartment? If a house, has it been wired for cable? Has it been wired for satellite? If an appartment, what is to the east or you? If an appartment, do you have a deck or balconey with an eastern view?

 

[bigdog4215]

I live in a basement apartment surrounded by other buildings with no balconey or deck.I have 1 eastern window facing a building about 20 ft away.

 

[dkreichen1968]

I live in a basement apartment surrounded by other buildings with no balconey or deck.I have 1 eastern window facing a building about 20 ft away.

If the appartment ever had it's own satellite dish, and it was mounted in a location that would give you better access to the east I'd mount an antenna there (Winegard HD1080 might be good). Otherwise I'd join a longer piece of cable to the antenna (cable joiners are at your local harware store) and keep moving it around the appartment until I found a hot spot for reception. You may also be able to do better using a small outdoor antenna like the HD1080 indoors. I was able to get reception in a basement using a home built 4 bay antenna, but being below ground with obstructions is tough.

Good Luck!

 

[bigdog4215]

Is there anything I can add or modify to current antenna to try to improve it.