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View Full Version : Buying New Antenna - Recommendations


DustB
23-Jan-2013, 7:16 PM
TV Map Report: http://snag.gy/UKi0k.jpg
TV Fool Report: http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%3d1ddae461cdf223
Exsisting Antenna: Mono Price MDA-5600 (http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=109&cp_id=10901&cs_id=1090102&p_id=7976&seq=1&format=2)
Channels Most Care About:
1. CBUT-DT (CBC): Doesn't show up on TVFool... Maybe it knows something I don't, but, this is one I'd like the most. Various sources say it should be broadcasting in Vancouver BC as ch2.1, aka link (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CBUT-DT)
2. The 5 "Greens" (9.1miles away) in the report.
3. Less important, but, CHEK-DT if I can get it.

Existing Problems:
My apartment is ground floor, and on a hill. One side of the apartment (~20feet off ground) has the main living-room window (or covered deck) and is facing the water; south-west. Other side of apartment (north-east) has a single small window but not close to the tv room; this window is also kinda facing a hill (aka have to walk up steep steps to get to road, which is about 25 feet up, shortly after leaving the front door).

With my current antenna I cannot seem to get any channels in the living-room/window/porch (all facing south-west). If I take it across the apt to the small window I can get CHAN-DT. If I take the monoprice antenna outside my front door into the middle of the courtyard (aka where the small window views, and hill/steps start), then I get ~8 channels (down to PBS in report).

I'm looking into buying a new antenna, but unsure what is best for me. Ideally I'd be able to put the antenna in my living room, livining-room window, or porch (which is covered/kinda built into building so maybe not the best location); roof-mount is not an option for me. I was thinking about the following:

1. RCA ANT1650R (living room or window); omni indoor antenna
2. Mohu Leaf (living room window); omni indoor antenna
3. I also notice a lot here reccomend "ClearStream™ 4" or "ClearStream™ 5", would they be best for me?

Or is there a better/stronger choice for me (ideally one that can best handle indoor+building wall environment)? Should I try an outdoor antenna indoors (maybe cut threw walls better?). I read on-line that the "RCA ANT751" (directional) cuts through walls/mountains/etc better than typical antennas, but, would it be able to cut through an entire building if I put it on my porch at the south-west of building (and face it north-east into the building?).

Many thanks.

teleview
24-Jan-2013, 7:06 AM
Is your Apartment on the , ~ north , end of the building??

Is your Apartment on the , ~ south , end of the building??

Is your Apartment on the , ~ east , end of the building??

Is your Apartment on the , ~ west , end of the building??

In the middle??

How many floors are above your first floor??

I am fishing for a way to have a antenna situated for better reception to the , north east.

DustB
24-Jan-2013, 9:20 AM
Apartment complex is two building, a north-east building, and a south-west building (courtyard between them). I'm in the south-west building. There are 4 floors above me. But ground level only has 2 apartments for my building (east apt, west apt). I'm in the west apt.

North-east wall of my apartment only has 2 outlets (main door, then a 5 foot tall x 1 foot wide bedroom window). Aiming from the window could be iffy since I'm actually aiming into the other building/hill (but there is a semi open courtyard between the two buildings which does allow for some aiming (mostly up)).

However, I could accommodate larger antennas (~ 6'x6' +) in the living-room than I could in the bedroom (ideally bedroom would be a ~ 2'x1' window type, aka, thinner). Living-room has 11' ceilings so there is lots of head space there, also living-room window is much larger if it helps; again living-room is located south-west, and facing south-west though.

Let me know if there are any other questions.

teleview
26-Jan-2013, 7:12 AM
Your current reception location is between a Rock and a Hard Place.
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In the Current Plus Pending Applications Included Digital tvfool radar plot report and channel list , CBUT-DT REAL UHF Digital channel 43 , virtual number (2.1) CBC , is listed.

The tvfool report shows the , Real channels , and , (Virt) virtual numbers.

All receivable Digital Tv stations/channels are UHF channels at your current location.

The current UHF Tv channels are , 14 thru 51.

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Try this.

For reception of the Canada Digital Broadcast Tv stations.

Put a Antennas Direct , Clear Stream 2 UHF antenna , in the 5 foot tall by 1 foot wide bedroom window.

Tipping / aiming , the antenna up in the window , might help with reception.

It is experimental aiming to find the best reception.

The Canada Digital Tv transmissions to the , north east , are strong signal strength , so do not use a signal amplifier.

Use a loooong coax to connect the antenna to the Tv.
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http://www.antennasdirect.com/store/C2-Clearstream-HDTV-antenna.html.
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Try this.

For reception of the Canada Digital Tv stations channels to the , north east.

If there are any buildings or something to get a reflected Tv signal to the , south west , west.

Put the CS2 UHF antenna in the living room window or out on the patio/porch , and aim the CS2 UHF antenna , toward the buildings if there are any , might be able to get some useable signal reflections , tilting the antenna up might help with reception.

It is experimental aiming to find the best Tv signals.

Use a loooong coax from the antenna to the Tv.

The Canada Digital Tv transmissions to the , north east are strong signal strength so do not use a signal amplifier.

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If you find a good , antenna aim/adjusted direction , with simple channel scans.

Then can help to do Double Channel Scan.

Digital Tv tuners can develop - Digital Glitches - that are not cleared out with simple channel scans.

http://www.dtv.gov/rescan.html.
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Here is how to aim antennas.

http://www.kyes.com/antenna/pointing/pointing.html.

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Here are some places to buy antennas and etc. ,

http://www.saveandreplay.com.

http://www.trentondistributors.com.

http://www.solidsignal.com.

http://www.amazon.com.

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As a Test of reception for the USA Digital Tv stations/channels.

Try aiming the CS2 UHF antenna the best you can , to a south east / south direction.

A Double channel scan can help with reception.

If some USA Digital Broadcast Tv channels are receivable.

Then I recommend a 2 antenna setup , 1 CS2 antenna for the Canada Digital Tv stations and 2nd. CS2 antenna for the USA Digital Tv stations/channels.

For reception of the USA Digital Tv stations channels a Antennas Direct CPA-19 preamplifier might help with reception.

DO NOT use the CPA-19 preamp for reception of the Canada Digital Tv stations/channels.

If using 2 Separate CS2 antennas , Do Not connect the 2 antennas on to 1 coax.

The 2 Separate antenna systems are Separate all the way to the Tv/s locations.

If 1 Tv is connected use No splitter.

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

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

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

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A remote control A/B antenna switch will be used to change antennas , Canada and USA antennas , and Keep on Channel Surfing.

Saveandreplay has the remote control A/B antenna switch.

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Moving to a top floor / 4th floor apartment will help with reception to have reliable reception and most likely more Tv stations and channels.

Select a apartment higher up that has good views to the , north east , south - south east , at a minimum.

And a apartment with good views in all directions will also help with reception.

DustB
27-Jan-2013, 4:56 AM
Thank you, I see CBC now. I'll try that antenna.