Some 622/OTA questions...

[bairdjc]

I just got my OTA setup on my 622 and after just a few hours of watching (all that I could last night), it's GREAT. Before the questions, let me elaborate on the situation.

E* does not carry Hartford locals, unfortunately. I am subbed to AEP + HD (includes SD locals). Stations are in roughly 2 directions - 240 and 325-345 deg. which are between 10 and 18 miles away. All but 1 station is in the 325-340 range.

I have a DB2 (knockoff actually) which supposedly has a beam width of 90 deg.

Last night I put up the antenna (on the roof of a 2 story structure) and aimed it roughly at 335 using a compass (between 325 and 345). To my suprise I picked up 15 channels right off the bat including the station at 240! Most of the channels are in the 80 - 90's range (signal) but a few are in the 60's (including the 240).

So here are the questions:

1) What signal strength is "good" or "OK" - e.g. what strength can I be confident that I wont get a significant amount of dropped picture, etc.

2) What are the signs of crappy signal strength? Will the picture fade or just blank out?

3) Originally I was planning on getting the 1 DB2, testing it out, then getting a second one for the 240 station. To my suprise, I am pulling HD off of that 240 station without even tweaking the antenna. So, is it worth it?

4) When I have the 622 scan, 15 stations show up, not all of them HD and there are even some "weather" channels (it's like local news and weather all the time). I don't see any easy way to hide the channels I dont care about (e.g. SD OTA's that I already have SD from E*) - is there a more streamlined version than just hiding those channels like I hide some E* channels?

5) How does weather affect reception? Is it similar to (or worse or better) than it affects the Dish signal?

6) There are a couple stations that have 3 stations show up in the scan - often two of the stations will show the exact same programming/quality (The 3rd is the weather station I mentioned before) - is this normal? What's the purpose of this?

7) I've read somewhere that the 622 sometimes doesn't see all the stations - I have 1 station that's not showing up but is in the same location as the towers that I get 90+ signal from - why isn't it showing?

8) The signal strength questions are a concern of mine if, say, I have a timer set to record an OTA signal and say the signal craps out but the E* local feed is still alive and well - I'd rather have a SD version of a program (E* locals) than no feed at all (e.g. the only reason I'd record off of OTA is because I can get the program in HD off of OTA). Will the 622 "switch" to record the E* version of the program instead?

TIA

[saltrek]

Here goes - I'll try my best

1) Around 70 and below is when you'll start to see problems.
2) Picture will start to pixellate and freeze on a weak signal. Then a yellow error screen pops up if you completely lose signal lock.
3) If your channels come in fine, I wouldn't mess with it.
4) You can add the channels you want to a favorites list. Also, if you don't ever want to see the channels, I think there is a way to delete them from the same screen you go to scan for the channels.
5) Weather will usually cause a drop in the signal level. So, if you're borderline around the 70 mark, you will probably lose it. If you're around 100, you should be OK in bad weather.
6) They might use one to show HD and the second channel is SD.
7) Could be any of a number of reasons. Station could be in the same location, but broadcasting at a much lower power than the others.
8) No, the receiver will not automatically switch. If you are that concerned, set up 2 timers. One on the OTA station and one on the Sat station.

[Jeff McClellan]

On a clear, windless day, I can hold a station with a signal of around 63. On windy days, I have seen signals of 95 drop. If you are having issues with your spread, I would invest in one of these (http://www.starkelectronic.com/cmmatv.htm).

[bairdjc]

uggh no rotors...