Need advice to where to point signal?

[cityfool]

here is my radar map:
http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%3d46ae720a85f6df

I am thinking about getting an antenna direct C2 and debating on what you guys advise me, i might put it on the roof. The question would be which way to i point it? just SW (203)?

I also have a cheap RCA antenna from bestbuy that picked up 30 something channels on a tv upstairs but it didnt pick up channels in the room downstairs.

So I am thinking mounting mounting an outdoor antenna on the roof and split it from there to the rooms throughout the house.

or

The other option was to buy an amplified indoor antenna and split that to two or three tvs in the house.

thoughts?

[teleview]

The first 10 Tv stations in the tvfool , NM (dB) , channel list are So Strong signal strength that they are high lighted with a Red Warning , Over The Top Strong Signal Strength and the transmitters are 1.2 miles away.

DO NOT use any type or kind of amplified antenna.

DO NOT use any type or kind of antenna system amplifier.

A antenna system amplifier , built in or external , will overload and make reception worse.

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Install a Channel Master CM 5016 All Channel Antenna above the roof in such a manner that the roof and house are not impeding and blocking reception in the directions of , South , South East , East , North East , North , North West.

Aim the CM5016 at about 140 degree magnetic compass direction.

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

Use a Old School magnetic compass to aim the antenna.

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Can use a Winegard DS3000 J type antenna mount with the CM5016 antenna.

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Here are some places to buy antennas and etc. .

http://www.solidsignal.com.

http://www.amazon.com.

http://www.channelmasterstore.com.

http://www.winegardirect.com.

______________________

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[cityfool]

thanks for the help! I will do that, but what is the difference between the CM you recommended and the AD c2 antenna? I only ask because I have a friend that is selling his and I could pick one up on the cheaper end of things to try it out since the signal strength is coming up so strong.

[ADTech]

There is no need for a larger, all channel antenna. There's nothing receivable on channels 2-6 in San Francisco.

A ClearStream 2V is fine. Aim it at Mt San Bruno to your south (it's behind Sutro).

If your friend has the original ClearStream 2, it can be upgraded to the "V" configuration if you find you have problems with KGO or KNTV. It's on our website under Accessories > Reflectors.

Before spending anything with your friend, you might try a simple loop and rabbit ear antenna and experiment with that. Heck, I'd first play with a straightened paper clip just for the fun of it.

[cityfool]

I did purchase a pair of rabbit ears AND it did work on one upstairs tv. I am not sure if it were even possible to split the signal from the rabbit ears to 3 different tvs... thats why i figures I would just get one that I might mount to the roof OR if anything let it sit facing the window and split it from there.

*edit* i couldnt find the conversion for the clearstream2 to 2v. could you please link it?

[teleview]

Tv stations have approval to transmit on the VHF low band of channels 2 thru 6 and as the Tv band channels become more crowded with more Tv stations , Tv stations will use the low band channel permits and transmit on the low band channels.

A All channel antenna is ready to receive All the Tv channels.

[elmo]

Any GOOD friend will certainly let you try before you buy! :D

[cityfool]

just realized that I do not want to drill into my roof.

What are your thoughts about building a wood base and stacking some concrete blocks to hold down base from the wind?

thoughts?

[GroundUrMast]

I have no qualms about installing a Ronard #811 5' tripod on my roof. Use the correct size bolts, into rafters or backing blocks, and use sealant that's compatible with the type roofing material you're mounting to. (Silicone type caulking is incompatible with asphalt roofing materials.) When held securely and sealed correctly, the installation will outlive the roofing material.

Any motion of the base on the roofing material during windy events will do damage to the roof. Any damming of water will put you at risk of water backing up under shingle tabs. I'm not convinced you would be at lower risk using a non-penetrating mount

[cityfool]

@ groundurmast, I agree completely. the thought of having a nonpenetrating roof mount can lead to more damages if fallen over. But luckily in the area I live in, the average around of wind is about 10 mph. I am not sure how fast the wind is on a stormy day... but i do know the bridge will get 60 mph winds from time to time but thats pretty high up there.

[teleview]

Here are no holes in the roof mounts.

http://www.ronard.com/34424560.html.
Use the , ronard(4560) , eave antenna mount.

http://www.ronard.com/ychim.html.
Measure around the chimney and use a , ronard(2212) , ronard(2218) , ronard(2224).

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Put the pitch tar pads under the feet of a tripod roof mount and will not leak.

http://www.ronard.com/909911.html.
Use the , ronard(911) , tripod roof mount.

Buy the ronard antenna mounts at , http://www.solidsignal.com , or buy from , http://www.ronard.com.

[cityfool]

@teleview ... if the chimney mount wraps around the entire chimney... that might be solution to go. seems almost perfect. Although if I recall, my chimney is not brick but I think it maybe an aluminum shoot...not sure if that works.

[cityfool]

Sorry for double posting but i did a search and I couldnt find the answer and I want a definite answer but

SO i was thinking what the difference was between antennas being mounted on the roof as opposed to letting it sit in a room facing the proper direction. the obvious answer comes to mind is that there might be obstruction between the signal source and antenna. So mounting it on the roof would make it so that there is less obstruction correct?

BUT if i just set up the antenna and face in the right direction next to the window and I do receive a strong signal with the intent to split it to two or more tvs, would it make a difference between being on the roof and the room?

I know it seems like a basic question but I figured it might save me a trip to the roof as well as extra mounting supplies if this method works...

[GroundUrMast]

There's no harm in trying an indoor install. If it provides reliable results, great. If not, move it outside where you are most certainly going to find stronger and higher quality signal.

[cityfool]

Thanks for the input.

I have acquired the clearstream 2 and so far indoor im getting some reception but I need to make a mount out of PVC piping or something tomorrow so I can set it in the right direction to see if it will pick up any better signals.

Seems like most likely i'll be moving it outdoors if this fails. Will keep you guys posted.

And thanks for the help!

[GroundUrMast]

I did purchase a pair of rabbit ears AND it did work on one upstairs tv. I am not sure if it were even possible to split the signal from the rabbit ears to 3 different tvs... thats why i figures I would just get one that I might mount to the roof OR if anything let it sit facing the window and split it from there.

*edit* i couldnt find the conversion for the clearstream2 to 2v. could you please link it?

http://www.antennasdirect.com/store/ClearStream2-VHF-Reflector-Assembly.html

[cityfool]

update:

So I placed this on a chair facing the correct direction about 185 magnetic north...and i get 7 channels =( not sure if I am not pointing it in the correct way now. The RCA rabbit ears get more channels than this one... so does this mean I will be heading up to the roof for a roof install?

[GroundUrMast]

It sounds like you need to at least 'test' reception outside.

[cityfool]

For the test, I plan on buying the materials to mount on the roof and rotate it and have someone down below test the signal on a tv.

And do you know if the compass application on the iphone should work just as well as any other compass? or should i purchase a compass for this job?

but before i head to the roof, When i mount it on the roof, I should have better signal and more likely to get more channels correct?

[GroundUrMast]

My personal experience with the iPhone compass app is that it can be off by as much as 180°, seriously.

An alternative to a compass: Rerun your TV Fool report starting with http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=90. Put your address in, then switch to 'Satellite' or 'Hybrid' view. Zoom in close, move the pointer to the exact location of your antenna. Check the box labeled "Show lines pointing to each transmitter". Now look for landmarks on or near the lines, such as the corner of a neighbors house, or a tree, etc. When you are on the roof, look for that land mark to orient yourself and the antenna.

This gets you close, you still will want to fine tune the aim to maximize the number of stations received reliably.

[cityfool]

woah. that was an awesome tool. now the challenging part it that there are two strong signals but they are point about 60 degrees away from each other. LOL

But i think i will hit the main channels.

On another note, I did another sort of experiment with the antenna this evening.
So originally, i had a problem seeing channels with the c2 antenna on the tv in the living room. I was only getting 7 channels. So I thought what would happen if I connect the c2 antenna to a tv in the room farther back (where i had the RCA rabbit ears) and after i swapped the antenna...

A funny thing happened, rca picked up about 30 channels. c2 picked up about 60. LOL so i dont understand whats going on. Both tvs are on the same floor. and keep in mind im pointing the antenna in the same direction as i did with the first tv. odd.

thoughts?