Best antenna for my situation question...

[couchsachraga]

First off, a THANK YOU to the numerous folks here who share their knowledge generously and freely. I've learned a lot by reading through many threads.

Unfortunately I've also realized I am not confident I've learned enough yet to be able to figure out the best way forward for my situation.

We've never had a TV, and have ordered one for next week (TV free for the 15 years I've been out of college has been nice… but with young kids just using a computer screen doesn't quite cut it;) ).

My goal is to get a few local stations, particularly the excellent Vermont PBS station (which unfortunately is in the "wrong" direction compared to just about everything else) to complement the content we view over the internet / purchase via iTunes.

Here is the site analysis:
http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%3d46ae873f426332

My instinct is to use a directional antenna without a tremendous amount of gain (at least on VHF (Vermont PBS)) and point it southish (towards numerous other stations I could likely get with an outside antenna on the roof), and hope that the stronger VHF PBS station still comes through OK. It appears I'll need an antenna capable of UHF as well as high VHF (the closest low VHF is 49 miles away, and is repeated on a UHF frequency 4 miles away…). What reviews and information I have found so far leads me to the either the CM2016 - a bit of gain at UHF frequencies, multi-directional at VHF (hi) frequencies. I'm assuming that if a "green" (strong) channel such as Vermont PBS would normally be receivable with an INDOOR antenna that an outdoor multi-directional one would be OK? OR the ClearStream 2V (same concept…essentially 2 antennas in one, though rather than rabbit ears it is a dipole). What others should I consider, and should I cross either of these off the list?

I (or rather my wife) would prefer NOT to have a huge yagi on the roof. I'm a ham and there may be a few antennas around already… :) ).(no HF directionals yet though….just a UHF / VHF vertical and an 80m sky wire (loop) for the curious), so a 13'+ yagi beam with a rotor is out (for now).

This will feed 1 TV, and I'm hoping to keep the coax run under 50' (on a side note, I can't believe everyone uses RG6. The loss in that stuff is unreal at UHF frequencies! but it appears to be the "standard"). (look up attenuation of LMR600 and compare to RG6…).

I would be grateful for any thoughts, opinions, and recommendations on which antenna to purchase, and what direction to point it (in general… I am very comfortable pointing it in the correct direction as long as I know which tower I'm aiming for:) ).

[teleview]

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

RG-6 is 75 ohm coax , OD. size is .270 inch. At 750 MHz the loss is 5.6 dB .

RG-11 is 75 ohm coax, the OD. size is .365 inch. , 750 MHz loss is 3.65 dB .

LMR-600 is 50 ohm coax, OD. size is .590 inch , 750 MHz loss is 2.26 dB .

All losses are for 100 feet.

--->RG-11 coax uses the standard coax connectors of 75 ohm Tv distribution systems.<---

To keep Weather/Water out of outside connections.

Use coax that has the Compression type connectors on the ends of the coax or if installing your own connectors on the ends of the coax use the the Compression type connectors , not the old crimp type connectors.

DO NOT use coax boots at outside connections , coax boots take in and Hold Water at the connections , holding water at the connections is not good. -->Remove and discard coax boots.

For added protection to keep water out of outside connections use , http://www.coaxseal.com.

After all is setup and working correctly , can also wrap the matching transformer (balun) that connects the antenna to the coax , with Coaxseal to keep water out of the matching transformer.

To keep the coax from swinging in the wind , feed the coax up through the mast pipe and out the top of the mast pipe.

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For the reception at your location of the Tv stations in the in the Green and Yellow reception zones down the channel list to and including WNYA-DT VHF high band channel 13 , MyNetwork.

WVRE-DT VHF high band channel 9 PBS , is Strong signal strength and will be received through the back angle of the antenna.

Install a http://www.antennacraft.net HBU44 antenna aimed at about 214 degree magnetic compass direction.

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

Use a Real and Actual magnetic compass to aim antenna.

As always , the starting antenna aim direction is the -->starting antenna aim direction.

The antenna aim direction can be adjusted for best reception.

Most Digital Tv's have a , Signal Strength Meter , and some Digital Tv's also have a , Signal Quality Meter , both meters can be used to adjust the antenna for best reception.

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A antenna rotator is not required.

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A antenna system amplifier is not required.

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Here are some places to buy antennas and etc. .

http://www.antennacraft.net.

http://www.amazon.com.

http://www.solidsignal.com.

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Here are some Above the Peak of the Roof antenna mounts.

http://www.ronard.com/909911.html.
Use the , ronard (911) , 5 foot tripod antenna mount.

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) .

Buy the ronard antenna mounts at , http://www.solidsignal.com , by typing , ronard (x) , in the solidsignal search box or buy from , http://www.ronard.com.

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The Tv Must Channel Scan for the , OTA=Over The Air , Digital Broadcast Tv stations/channels , often named the ~ DTV Channels ~ Antenna Channels ~ Air Channels ~ in the Tv Setup Menu because the Tv transmissions travel through the Air from the transmitting antenna to the receiving antenna.

Some Digital Tv's will Automatic channel scan for cable tv channels.

DO NOT channel scan for cable tv channels.

Go into the Tv Setup Menu and select ~ DTV Channels ~ Antenna Channels ~ Air Channels ~.

Scan for channels.

[couchsachraga]

Thank you very much - that is very helpful. I'll remove the CM2016 from my list unless others post otherwise.

One quick question for your other others - if I do not care about WNYA-DT, any reason to not go with the shorter HBU-22?

[teleview]

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http://www.global-cm.net/TV%20NY.pdf , and , http://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=189111.

Are both showing , Repeater station , W46EW-D Real UHF channel 46 as Vermont Public Television.

Receiving WVER-DT channel 9 and W46EW-D channel 46 , provides 2 of the same PBS to receive , Making sure that V.P.T. PBS is received.

The next Tv station down the list is WNYA-DT 13 MyNetwork.

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My mission is to do my best to make sure that the Tv stations are received , I do my best to do that.

As always , you are free to install the antenna that your evaluation or some one else evaluation says will receive the Tv stations.

[couchsachraga]

Teleview - Thank you for the extra info - it is greatly appreciated.

[couchsachraga]

For the curious... I went with the HB 33, along with 50' of RG11. It appeared the HB22 would work, and likely the HB44 would be even better (as recommended above), but my wife prefers to not have a 10'+ antenna up there.

Assembly was easy.

Only hitch to installation was the antenna mast - I ordered everything from SolidSignal, including 2 5' sections of their recommended mast (SolidSignal brand, on sale of course), only to discover that its does NOT go together (I called, checked, and mentioned to them that if their 5' masts are 5' and not sections (like every other mast they sell it turns out) that can be put together they really should note it on their web site. So right now I only have it a few feet off the peak of the roof. Thankfully it is still 25' or so up, and we're on a bank over the river so signal wise we're not in a bad spot.

Channel wise we get everything listed in "yellow" and above (35 stations or so), which was a pleasant surprise.

The only channel we don't seem to get, which surprises me as we get them "above" and "below" is channel 7 (virtual 23.1) (Fox). The antenna is actually pointing right at that tower, and we get many of the other stations that are broadcasting from the same tower (admittedly they are UHF instead of VHF, but I"m used to VHF traveling further...).

Thank you all for your help - it is appreciated!

[teleview]

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The issue with the VHF high band channels 7 thru 13.

Is Multi-Path reflections.

Bouncing off of , buildings , big signs , trees and tree leaves and etc. .

And also bouncing off the ground.

And 1 and 2 or more Edge Path obstructions create multi-path.

VHF high band channels 7 and 9 are effected more then the other high band channels.

And also , ATSC-Digital Broadcast Tv transmissions do not travel through trees and other obstructions as well as Analog does.

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The signal strength of channel 7 is enough signal strength for reliable reception.

When signal strength is enough for reliable reception.

Then Signal Quality becomes more important for reliable reception.

Less obstructions in the path of reception and less multi-path means better signal quality.

Yes the HBU33 is a big enough antenna to receive channel 7.

The antenna might be in a low signal spot and or multi-path spot.

Home Depot and Lowes , have , -Top Rail- chain link fence pipe that comes in 10 foot long sections. And the price is low dollars.

Try raising the antenna height to find a better spot for reception.

Try adjusting the aim of the antenna , sometimes aiming a antenna straight at the transmitter is not good for reception.