Calling on all you OTA geniuses- Newbie

[zestokasis]

Hey guy's I've been considering getting into the fun of OTA channels, not because I have to but because I think that it seems like a pretty interesting hobby. I would greatly appreciate it if some of you would take the time and tell me how many channels that you think I could receive? and what kind of equipment I should purchase? Here is the link for my signal analysis.

http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%3d990024cda28371

I own my own home and live in the country so putting up a tower is not a problem. I want to be able to receive as many channels as I can but I don't know realistically how many channels I'll be able to receive. As far as equipment goes I'm not concerned about price, but I don't want to just throw money away either.

Thanks and I look forward to your replies.

[GroundUrMast]

Researching at http://www.rabbitears.info I come up with the following list of signals that are receivable without extraordinary measures needed;

Call Sign RealCH Network(s)
WOUB 27 PBS 1080i, PBS Encore, MHz Worldview
WTAP 49 NBC 1080i, Fox, Jewlry TV, MyN, Radar
WQCW 17 CW 1080i
WSAZ 23 NBC 1080i, MyN, ThisTV
WVAH 19 Fox 720p, The Country Network
WHIZ 40 NBC 1080i
WOWK 13 CBS 1080i, Weather
WIYE 47 Silent/Off the Air
WCHS 41 ABC 720p, The Cool TV
WLPX 39 ION 720p, qubo,IONLife
WWHO 46 CW 1080i
WSFJ 24 TBN, Church Channel, JCTV, Enlance USA, Smile of a Child

As you can see, most channels carry more than one program feed. NBC and CW seem to be well represented, though I don't know if there is a significant difference in local productions, news or sports coverage.

A single fixed aim antenna such as the Winegard HD7696P or HD7698P would be able to cover the signal to the south, WOUB, WQCW, WSAZ, WVAH, WOWK, WCHS & WLPX.

A larger system using a rotator could be expected to add the signals that lie in other directions.

[zestokasis]

Thanks for the reply GroundUrmast!

I'm thinking that I would like to go with a larger system, like I said before I'm doing this for a hobby so I really want to get into this. What antenna and rotator would you recommend? Also how high would you recommend that I put up my system?

[teleview]

For reception of the main group of Digital Tv stations/channels to the south.

Install a Winegard HD7698P antenna aimed at about 180 degree magnetic compass direction.

For 1 Tv connection use no splitter.

For 2 Tv's connected use a simple common 2 way splitter.

For 3 or 4 Tv's connected use a Channel Master CM3414 distribution amplifier.

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

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

As always , trees and tree leaves do a real fine job of reducing or blocking Tv reception and so do buildings and other obstructions.

The Tv 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.

[teleview]

For Hobby DX Tv Reception.

Type , tv dx , in the google search box.

-->Hobby Tv DX does not require a big out lay of money. <--

-->Does not require tall towers and multipul antennas. <--

For the Hobby Tv Dx part of the Tv reception.

I recommend a Second antenna that is used for the Hobby part of the Tv reception.

I recommend a Winegard HD7084P antenna.

The HD7084P antenna receives ALL the TV channels.

VHF low band channels 2 thru 6.

VHF high band channels 7 thru 13.

UHF band channels 14 thru 51.

A Channel Master CM9521A antenna rotator.

I recommend a separate antenna mount.

At least 8 feet separation between the antennas.


Here are Ultra Low Noise amplifiers.

http://www.kitztech.com.

http://www.researchcomms.com/hdtv.html.

[GroundUrMast]

A premium system would place the antenna(s) above tree top level. So a tower or telescoping mast may be needed. If you don't have tall trees close in, a tripod and standard 10' TV antenna mast section mounted at the roof peak may do well. Your report was based on 30' AGL so I'm assuming you'll mount at that level or higher.
http://www.3starinc.com/telescopic_masts_and_more.html
http://www.3starinc.com/rohn_25g_towers.html

A single fixed aim High-VHF antenna pointed at WOWK, real CH-13, 190° compass takes care of the one VHF signal. An Antennacraft Y10713 or Winegard YA1713 would be the options I would choose from.
http://www.antennacraft.net/Antennas/AntennasVHF.html
http://www.winegarddirect.com/viewitem.asp?d=Winegard-YA-1713-Prostar-1000-10-El.-HiBand-VHF-TV-Antenna-%28YA1713%29&p=YA1713

A High gain directional UHF antenna such as the Antennas Direct 91XG mounted on a rotator gives you access to the UHF signals. A premium rotator such as the HyGain AR-40 is worth considering, though a consumer grade NTE U-106 and TB-105 thrust bearing is also an option.
http://www.antennasdirect.com/store/91XG_HDTV_Antenna.html
http://www.hy-gain.com/Product.php?productid=AR-40
http://www.3starinc.com/antenna_rotors.html

The two antennas would combine using a UVSJ close to the UHF antenna, then followed by an Antennas Direct CPA-19 preamp.
http://www.antennasdirect.com/store/antenna_combiner.html
http://www.antennasdirect.com/store/clearstream_pre_amplifier_kit.html

Of course, shop other retailers for best pricing.

[zestokasis]

Holy Smokes I'm like a kid in a candy store! Thanks guy's for all the info, even if most of it sounds like Chinese to me :)

I've been doing a lot of reading and rereading on all of the different topics in the forums, still not entirely sure what DX or DXer is but I'm sure after a little while I will be up on all the lingo. I can't wait to get started and I will be sure to let you know how it goes.

Thanks again!

[elmo]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DXing