Antenna near Seattle

[Jocko]

Here's my report: http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%3dcc494e470563e2

I live about 15 miles east of Seattle, where hilly terrain and trees present reception problems.

Ideally, I'd liked to get major networks: CBS, ABC, NBC, FOX, and PBS. CBS and ION are close and I was able to receive them with a low-end (lower-end?) Best Buy indoor (non-directional) antenna. I returned that earlier this year.

I started reading several mail-order sites, Amazon, and now this one thinking there's something more powerful that would help with my situation. The more opinions I read the more confused I become regarding what the best antenna might be to try.

Today I hired an antenna installer and he tested an 8-bay rig from a second story bedroom that picked-up CBS and ABC, but not FOX, NBC, or PBS. The plan was to install it in the attic, but we agreed I didn't want to spend hardware plus installation for what was being offered. He felt strongly that I wouldn't be any better off shopping for a more powerful antenna.

I'm still thinking about an attic installation, although I understand this compromises performance. I live in a neighborhood with strict guidelines regarding antenna placement, so I'd say an antenna mast is out of the question. In addition, while walking a couple miles through our neighborhood(s) the other day I didn't see one rooftop antenna. The installer told me he installs most antennas in the attic.

Can you help with a recommendation? Is fiddling with direction of critical importance? I was surprised that he aimed the unit without a compass and tweaked it a couple times before determining there wasn't adequate signal available.

I value your input. Thanks,

Jocko

[Stereocraig]

Sorry, but whoever told you that you are not allowed to put an antenna on your roof, is either grossly uninformed, or lying to you.

Attic installs, are inferior and unpredictable.

Sounds like a lot of other people in the neighborhood(s) fell for this line of horse puckey, too.

http://www.highdefforum.com/local-hdtv-info-reception/400-over-air-reception-devices-rule.html

[GroundUrMast]

The FCC trumps the HOA: http://www.fcc.gov/guides/over-air-reception-devices-rule. I'm not a lawyer and I don't play one on TV... that said, my understanding is that you can mount an antenna up to 12' above your rook peak if such effort is needed to receive the desired signals... and, if needed, you can install more than one antenna... and, the 1 meter size limit does not refer to TV antennas, just satellite and broadband reception antennas.

Your TV Fool report strongly suggests you'll need to mount outside to reliably receive KOMO, KING, KONG, KCTS, KSTW, KZJO, KCPQ and several other lesser known network affiliates.

The smallest single antenna I can suggest is a Winegard HD7696P. The slightly larger HD7698P is not overkill. If there was no contention re. the need for two antennas, I would opt for two antennas, a UHF and a High-VHF. UHF options include the Antennas Direct 91XG and the Winegard HD9095P. H-VHF options are the Antennacraft Y10713 or the Winegard YA1713. The UHF and VHF antennas can be combined using a UVSJ.

It looks like a preamp with overload resistance is indicated, the Antennas Direct CPA-19 is my choice.

http://www.winegarddirect.com/viewitem.asp?d=Winegard-HD7696P-High-Definition-VHFUHF-HD7696-Series-TV-Antenna-%28HD7696P%29&p=HD7696P
http://www.winegarddirect.com/viewitem.asp?d=Winegard-HD-7698P-High-Definition-VHFUHF-HD769-Series-TV-Antenna-%28HD7698P%29&p=HD7698P
http://www.antennasdirect.com/store/91XG_HDTV_Antenna.html
http://www.winegarddirect.com/viewitem.asp?d=Winegard-HD-9095P-UHF-Yagi-Style-HDTV-TV-Antenna-%28HD9095P%29&p=SHD9095
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
http://www.antennasdirect.com/store/UHF-VHF-Antenna-Combiners.html
http://www.antennasdirect.com/store/clearstream_pre_amplifier_kit.html

[elmo]

I'm confused. The upgraded installer antenna didn't pick up as much as the inferior BB antenna?

As for the neighborhood, when I walk around mine, I don't see any antennas either, but I do see a fair amount of sat dishes. Some are neatly installed in the lowest profile southern facing spot and then others are stuck just past the gutter on the front of the house. My Winegard HD7696P install is pretty low profile but then, I am aiming across the backyard and didn't have to go to the roof peak. And we are chock full of restrictions too.

[teleview]

Here is the Federal Antenna Law that says Yes you can , install and use Tv antennas above your roof that are Any Size.
So as to have Reliable Digital Tv Reception.

http://www.fcc.gov/mb/facts/otard.html.

HOA's , housing coven-nuts , and etc. , are well aware of this Federal Antenna Law , some keep there mouth shut about it , others will straight out Lie , and a few will tell the truth that Yes you can install a Tv antenna above the roof.

Above the roof install a Winegard HD7696P antenna with a Antennas Direct CPA-19 preamp , aimed at about 260 degree magnetic compass direction.

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

Install the HD7696P antenna above the roof in such a manner that the roof or house does not block reception to the , west and south east.

Here are some above the roof antenna mounts , http://www.ronard.com/909911.html , http://www.ronard.com/34424560.html If using a eave mount use the #4560 , http://www.ronard.com/ychim.html.

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.amazon.com , http://www.winegarddirect.com.
__________________

For 1 Tv connected use no splitter.

For 2 Tv's connected use a , HFS-2D , 2 way splitter.

For 3 Tv's connected use a , HFS-3D , 3 way splitter.

Buy the HFS splitters at , http://www.solidsignal.com , or , http://www.hollandelectronics.com.

____________________

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

It is best to install the antenna at a location that has the least amount to no amount of obstructions of any type or kind in the directions of reception including your own house.

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

DO NOT channel scan for cable tv channels.

[Jocko]

Thanks for reponding:

All:
Thanks for your comments with reference to FCC and antennas, and I had read about this somewhat elsewhere.

GroundUrMast and teleview:
I appreciate your feedback with respect to the Winegard HD7696P and pre-amp. I'll research.

elmo:
I also see plenty of Dish and Direct TV. Given my signal direction to Seattle I think I may be able to install an eave setup, which takes the antenna out of the acttic. I'd consider strapping the unit onto my chimney above the roofline but cannot honestly see myself climbing onto a second story shake roof this time of year; I'll see how far my extension ladder reaches from the side of the house, and think a low-profile install is possible pointing towards the back of the house.

Any installers in the Seattle area interested in this kind of work? :)

Thanks,

Jocko

[teleview]

Do not underestimate the desire that trees have to , reduce , block , Digital Broadcast Tv reception.

Aiming the HD7696P antenna into the back of the house is not a good idea , the roof and house will reduce and block Digital Broadcast Tv reception.

Thinking in terms of 'low profile' , mostly results in poor Digital Broadcast Tv reception.

Tv antennas receive the best with elbow room and a good view of the Digital Tv transmitting antennas.

[Jocko]

I said, "...and think a low-profile install is possible pointing towards the back of the house."

And, instead, meant to say, "I'll first attempt a low-profile mount on the eave, with the antenna pointed away from the house towards the Seattle transmitting antennas."

There are trees and hills in that direction. After some intial testing, I'll have to determine whether I'm able to mount a unit on the rooftop (or chimney) to evaluate if there's improvement with a raised set-up.

Jocko