Is there a meter device that can measure the STD signal strength (mainly channel 2, CBS chicago) so I do not have to walk around my roof holding this big antenna to figure out the best location for my antenna? Is this something a TV service person can do?
I am want the best signal for OTA HD signal.
I currently get NBC, ABC, Fox and PBS great, I have problems with CBS.

There is no such meter available for what you would consider a reasonable cost. Professional meters only measure signal strength, ignoring potential multi-path problems. If there were a professional meter that could demodulate ATSC, it would still require the big antenna.

UHF antennas are often highly sensitive to position. Moving them 4 feet can sometimes make a huge difference. But the wavelength of channel 2 is ten times longer, so a 40-foot move would be required to make the same difference. There is no need to check out many spots on the roof. I recommend you check out 3 spots: one end of the roof, the opposite end of the roof, and the midpoint. Mount the antenna at the strongest of those three. There is nothing to be gained by more searching.

If you never get a digital lock on channel 2 then you are probably too far away and will have to wait for 2007.

If you get a lock but are troubled by dropouts then you need a better signal. If you have a good mast amplifier (Channel Master or Winegard) then you need a better antenna. A single-channel Yagi cut for channel 2 would be the best.

I have a Wingard Model HD7082P and I am about 27 miles from the Chicago (channel 2 CBS is broadcast from John Hanncock tower). The picture is there but pixels every 30 seconds or so....
The antenna is on the roof of a split level and about 60 feet of cable with one splice at the face plate on the wall.

how would I hook up the single uhf yogi? Would I an a/b switch to flip between the two antenna?



Any additional comments/advice is greatly apreciated.

A Jerrold 10Y2S yagi for channel 2 would solve your problem if you can figure out how to get one. An A/B switch would be required. Before going in this direction you might want to investigate whether your dropouts are caused by interference rather than a weak signal. You might be able to see the interference by looking at channel 3.

If you are going to do it yourself you need a second person near the TV, either within shouting distance or you need hands free phone or radio!!

1) I didn't see you mention an amplifier. Do you have one?

2) Is the antenna cable RG6? If it's standard RG59, you might need to upgrade - I did - and it helped tremendously.

1) no I do not have an amplifier, I have heard that it only makes the problem worse.
2) I believe it is RG6, not sure. I will check tonight. If it isn't I think I will upgrade.

I'd give a mast mounted preamp a shot. A preamp should at least help with any loses in the cable. A preamp wont fix multipath or a signal that is too week in relation to the noise floor. From the way it looks, this station is broadcasting their digital signal(Ch.3) at 1/10th the power of their analog signal (Ch.2). Reception for this station may not be possible with the lower power of the digital broadcast. I don't know but somebody else may know how well CH.3 @ < 4kW can be received across 27 miles.

http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/tvq?call=WBBM

If you want a mast mounted preamp, skip Radio Shack and go for Channel Master. The RS preamps can definitely make things worse. Especially if they begin to oscillate.

Carl

A mast-mounted amplifier is essential for anyone in a poor-signal area. You are probably losing more than half of the signal power by not having one. The rational for this is explained at http://www.hdtvprimer.com/ANTENNAS/basics.html . If you put up a Channel Master or Winegard amplifier you might not need the big Jerrold.