Help in Roswell, GA

[travel_rob]

Hi everyone:

I've been reading the forum posts for about three months now, getting inspiration from the successes of others, as I try and plan out how to keep my family from going crazy after I cancel our Dish Network subscription this fall.

I'm in Roswell, GA, and except for just two stations, all of the tv stations I am looking for are clustered together in Atlanta, just South of Roswell, about 20 miles away.

Here is my TVFOOL report:

http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%3d99001c09e5e0c2

I'm really lucky that my house is up on a slight ridge, without other houses blocking my view South, but due to some homeowner's restrictions I am going to have to place my antennae in the attic. My attic space is about 20 feet above the ground, and the roof is plywood decking and asphalt shingles (no brick or large amounts of metal). Every station that I need to pull in is 30 miles or closer, so I think I can get away with an attic setup.

The easy (and closest) stations, clustered to the South, that I need are:

Digital VHF-HIGH
10 - NBC

Digital UHF
19 - CBS
20 - P'TREE - local programming and Braves games :D
21 - PBS
25 - MyATL
27 - FOX
39 - ABC
43 - CW
69 - UPN


I don't need any of the outliers EXCEPT two:

Digital VHF-HIGH
8 - PBS (but different programming from the other PBS at 21), marked as Low Power on some transmitter maps, and LOS blocked by the house next door.

Digital UHF
51 - ION - No structures near by, but this station is the farthest away at 28 miles, over hilly terrain.


My big issue is that there will be four televisions on, probably all tuned to four different channels, so I can't get away with a rotor.

So......

I was thinking of using a HD Stacker from Dennys pointing South for the bulk of the stations, and making a single channel Yagi for 51 pointing slightly up and in the direction of ION. Haven't got a clue what to do about 8.

Any help and suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

[GroundUrMast]

One of the first items that come to mind is, the FCC is on your side... have you read http://www.fcc.gov/guides/over-air-reception-devices-rule? HOA rules are not enforceable if they prevent you from receiving over-the-air television signals reliably.

Some times, 'less is more'. A smaller antenna such as the Winegard HD7000R or RCA ANT-751 aimed at the ION affiliate (Real CH-51) has a very good chance of reviving the rest of you 'must have' list, provided the antenna is outside and unobstructed by trees, buildings, etc.

Should that fail to give you reliable reception on one or more 'needed' channels, a more complex antenna system is possible.

[travel_rob]

Yes, I have heard that the FCC had rules. The HOA had to let give in a couple of years ago and let everyone put DISH receivers up. I will keep this in my thoughts, but right now I'm not itching for a fight with the HOA or raising the ire of the neighbors if I can easily avoid it.

Moving things up onto the roof would give me some additional height in my attempt to pull in 51, but it would not be high enough to see over the house next door blocking my path to 8 - and I would not win approval in my own home to put up a tower with guy wires tall enough to really make a difference. Sadly, channel 8 may just have to be a loss I accept in this conversion to OTA.

Never having worked with multiple antennae, is combining a South-facing general purpose antenna with a North West-facing single channel, directional Yagi a reasonable way of dealing with 51?

Thanks for the fast response!

[GroundUrMast]

I would try the single antenna solution first. It's the easiest to install and maintain. And it's going to be easy on the budget. If after installing the 'main' antenna, you can't find an aim point that provides reliable results for every thing you 'need', then a multiple antenna solution can be considered.

The Antennacraft Y10713 is a specialized antenna designed to cover real channels 7 through 13. (Your chances of finding an aim point that 'gets' CH-8 with the 'main' antenna is quite good.)

There are many UHF only antennas that would be viable options for the ION affiliate.

www.tinlee.com is one of a few options for effective antenna combiners. Their AC-7 model is likely the item they would recommend. You would need to contact them for price and availability.

[teleview]

A one antenna solution.

If you have been reading for several months then you know that Hoa's can not delay or prevent you from installing antennas above the roof. And you can install any size antenna to get reliable reception.
And you can install the at the location that gets you reliable reception. The Hoa can not make you hide the antenna.
And you know that this Federal Antenna Law is in effect for 16 years. http://www.fcc.gov/mb/facts/otard.html.

Hoa's are well aware of the Federal Antenna Law and they know that they must comply with it.

If you will like to receive ALL The Channels that you have requested.

Then install a Antennas Direct Clear Stream 2 Complete UHF/VHF antenna above the roof in such a manner that the Clear Stream 2 Complete UHF/VHF antenna has a good shot at the Tv stations/channels to the , north west , south , south east. http://www.antennasdirect.com/store/ClearStream-C2-VHF-Combo.html

Remove the Reflector Screen from the Clear Stream 2 Complete UHF/VHF antenna , and aim either side of the Clear Stream 2 Complete UHF/VHF antenna at about 145 degree magnetic compass.
With the reflector screen removed the Clear Stream 2 Complete UHF/VHF antenna will receive the Tv stations/channels to the , north west , south , south east.
Here is how to aim antennas , http://www.kyes.com/antenna/pointing/pointing.html.
http://www.antennasdirect.com/store/ClearStream-C2-VHF-Combo.html.

Install a Channel Master CM3414 , 4 way distribution amplifier.

The Clear Stream 2 Complete UHF/VHF antenna is connected to the CM3414 distribution amplifier and the 4 outputs of the CM3414 distribution amplifier go out to the 4 TV's.

Here are some above the roof antenna mounts , http://www.ronard.com/909911.html , http://www.ronard.com/34424560.html , http://www.ronard.com/ychim.html , http://www.ronard.com.

Buy the ronard antenna mounts at solidsignal by typing the word ronard in the solidsignal search box.

Here are some places to buy antennas and etc. , http://www.solidsignal.com , http://www.antennasdirect.com , http://www.channelmasterstore.com , http://www.amazon.com.

[teleview]

The Tv's Must Channel Scan for the Broadcast Tv Channels sometimes named the 'Air Channels' or 'Antenna Channels' in the Tv setup menu because the Tv transmissions travel through the air from the transmitting antenna to the receiving antenna.


DO NOT channel scan for cable tv channels.

[travel_rob]

That's a great idea - get a good, general purpose (inexpensive) antenna (like the Winegard HD7000R you suggested), point it between ION and Atlanta, and worry about improving the VHF-High signals at a later time (if necessary).

I know that items blocking the horizonal front and back of the antena affect performance, but what about items above or below the antenna? Is there some minimum clearance an antenna needs between the roof and the boom? Half wavelength magic numbers?

[travel_rob]

Thanks teleview! I really would like to get ALL of the channels on my list.

I'll pull up your links when I get home tonight, and will give some serious thought to moving out of the attic.

THANKS!