New to OTA and need help with antenna

[Mo_Diddley]

Hi there, I am new to OTA and require help with antenna selection, mounting height and directional placement. I am not electronically savy, or handy-manish, and have a fear of heights so I probably won't be climbing a ladder anytime soon, so I either need an indoor antenna solution or advice on what I need to be asking for help from someone else for an outdoor solution mounted on the house. I am in a residential neighbourhood so no big exterior towers would work on the roof.

Here is my link: http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%3d99009b30fd9e80

I currently have an HDTV with a standard pair of rabbit ears and currently receive channels 11 and 6 (although channel 11 comes in clearest). I believe I have this set on a VHF setting right now. I would be happy to have the first 4 channels in clearly, but if at all possible, I would really like to receive clear reception of channel 41 (PBS) which is approx. 51.5 miles away.

The tv is located on an east (brick exterior, drywall interior) wall in a south facing room. The ground floor of the house is all brick with some windows and patio door glass. The 2nd floor above is a vinyl siding exterior. The attic is standard wood frame with asphalt shingles. The south part of the house has numerous trees that slopes down to a ravine.

I appreciate any advice that you can provide me on antenna models, height placement and positioning. I look forward to your responses. Cheers, Mo.

[teleview]

The radar plot is at the default 10 feet antenna height.

Please make a tvfool radar report plot with the antenna height at 25 feet.

There are several USA Digital Tv stations to the south south east that look like will be received with higher antenna height.

And improved reception of the Canada stations will happen with a out side antenna mounted higher.

An antenna mounted above the roof will do it.

[Mo_Diddley]

Here is the 25 foot height link: http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%3d990086fe8782c8


Is there a certain antenna or system you recommend I try for on the roof?

Thanks, Mo.

[Billiam]

Would you like to receive Analog signals from Canada or are you only interested in digital signals? If you want to receive the Analog signals you will need something like a Antennacraft HD1850 to receive Ch. 6.

[teleview]

To receive BOTH the Analog and Digital Canada Tv stations/channels.
Above the roof , install a Winegard HD7000R antenna with a Antennas Direct CPA-19 preamp aimed at about 320 degree magnetic compass reading.

Here is how to aim antennas , http://www.kyes.com/antenna/pointing/pointing.html.


To receive the USA Tv stations/channels Install a Winegard HD7696P antenna with a Winegard AP8700 preamp aimed at about 150 degree magnetic compass reading.

These are 2 Separate antenna systems and Will Not be connected to geather on to one coax.

The 2 Separate antenna systems and coaxes will be separate all the way to the location of the Tv where the 2 separate coaxes will connect to a remote control A/B antenna switch , http://www.radioshack.com , #15-1968 , or , http://www.mcmelectronics.com ,
, #32-4425 . . Saveandreplay also has the same A/B switch that mcmelectronics has. http://www.saveandreplay.com.

[Billiam]

He's also got a weak Global Network on Ch. 2. That Winegard antenna likely won't be able to receive it. He needs a Deep Fringe antenna if he is going to receive Ch. 2 and also reliable reception of Ch. 6. Weather conditions in that area from Lake Ontario will require stepping up to a much larger antenna. I know because I lived near Lake Ontario at one time.

[teleview]

A chimney mount , tripod antenna mount , eave antenna mount , work well for most antenna installations.

Both antennas can be mounted on the same mast pipe , separate the antennas by about 3 feet.

Here are some places to buy antennas and etc. , http://www.saveandreplay.com , http://www.trentondistributors.com , http://www.canadapost.ca/shopper , http://www.amazon.ca , http://www.solidsignal.com , http://www.winegarddirect.com , http://www.antennasdirect.com , http://www.amazon.com.

For your reception situation the Tv/s Must Channel Scan for both the Analog and Digital channels. Sometims named the 'Air Channels' or "Antenna Channels' in the tv setup menu because the Tv transmissions travel throught the air from the transmitting antenna to the receiving antenna.

DO NOT channel scan for cable tv channels.


Here is information about the Canada , Analog / Digital , Tv transition.

http://forum.tvfool.com/showthread.php?t=8783.


Both.

CIII-TV 2 GTN.
and
CJOH-TV 6 CTV.

Are VHF low band Analog Tv transmissions and as is for 70 years and counting , the analog picture will stay on the Tv screen even during storms.

[Mo_Diddley]

Thanks for the detailed information back so quickly.

Just wondering if these antennas on the roof for the chimney mount, tripod antenna mount, and eave antenna mount all need to be specially grounded for electrical strikes? If so, is there a link to information on that as well? Appreciate all of the advice.

Cheers, Mo.

[GroundUrMast]

My stock answer is, Grounding the mast and coax shield are prudent and relatively inexpensive steps that limit the buildup of static-electricity which can damage the tuner. When done correctly, grounding can also reduce the risk caused by a nearby lighting strike.

http://forum.tvfool.com/showthread.php?t=901

Grounding in a basic system is a two step process:

1) Connect a #10 gauge copper wire to the antenna mast. A bronze ground clamp such as the Halex #36020 is well suited for this application. Run the wire directly to the electrical service ground. Avoid sharp bends in the wire. (If the ground wire between the service panel and ground rod is accessible, an Intersystem Bonding Termination devise (http://www.homedepot.com/Electrical-Breakers-Distribution-Load-Centers-Accessories-Other/ERITECH/h_d1/R-202194170/h_d2/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10053&langId=-1&productId=202194170&storeId=10051#.UB9y8qCOyzo) can be placed onto the ground wire without cutting or disconnecting it. This provides a means to connect the #10 mast ground wire to the existing ground wire close to the ground rod outside the building. If possible, avoid running the new ground wire inside the building, energy from static or electrical storms is best directed to ground before it has any path into the building. The mast ground wire can be bare or insulated, your choice.)

2) Run the coax from the antenna to a location close to the electrical service ground. Install a ground block (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001I5610E/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_1?pf_rd_p=486539851&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B000BPEZKK&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1C90NDN0N2CS08266D7Q) and with another peice of #10 wire, connect it to the electrical service ground at the same point you connected the mast ground.

I don't recommend short-cuts such as driving a new ground rod that is not connected to the existing electrical service ground. An isolated ground rod often has a high resistance that provides very limited ground connection. The goal is to connect to the same ground system that protects the rest of the home.

Surge protectors located inside outlet strips at the TV, computer or similar devises are worth consideration. A surge protector with a high joule rating is able to absorb more fault energy than a unit with a lower joule rating. Some surge protection units include phone jacks and F-connectors to enable protection of a phone line, coax cable and the power cable(s). However, in the case of an outdoor mounted antenna, this type of protection should not be considered a 'first-line of defense'.