Recommendations/thoughts of course!

[DZappy]

Hi everyone!
I have cut the cord, (whoohoo!!) and now am trying to get as much signal as I can without getting too elaborate.
Before I get to carried away buying equipment, this is my 1st stop. I am afflicted with “Tim Taylor Disease” lol So I didn’t want to invest in a 50 foot tower if a 30 will bring all that I can anyway, or even a roof mount!. Same with the Antenna. I’m just not sure how to interpret the signal analysis below to make an educated selection.
I essentially live in an open field in rural Indiana with no real obstructions in the immediate vicinity, other than the occasional tree. Please see below my signal Analysis at 20 feet:
http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%3d5b94011dc3ccae
And another here at 30 feet:
http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%3d5b94360665f2b8
My inclination is or was to buy a DB8-e, and maybe keep an eye out on craigslist for a 30 foot tower.
My thought was to aim 1 bay (generally) to the North West, and another bay at South East. Of course, fine tuning with a magnetic compass would be prudent. ;-)
Sorry guys, I’m dragging this out here, what’s my best bang for the buck here? I’m pretty handy with cabling and fabricating, so don’t be afraid to suggest things. I want to push the envelope, (sort of speak), but just don’t want to over buy. I love tinkering with signal. My cable run would be less than 100 feet with one 3-way splitter, running 3 flat screens, but I may add up to 2 more if this works out well.

Thank you in advance!
Doug P. aka DZappy

[teleview]

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The Digital Broadcast Tv Stations/Channels to the , North West are Strong Signal Strength and will be received through the back of a , www.antennacraft.net , HBU 44 antenna.

The Digital Broadcast Tv Station/Channels to the , South East-East are Weak Signal Strength.

Aim the HBU-44 antenna at about 110 degree magnetic compass direction.

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

Use a Real and Actual magnetic compass to aim antenna.

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Install a , RCA , TVPRAMP1R , preamplifier.

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For 1 Tv connected use No splitter.

For , 2 , 3 , 4 , Tv's connected use a.

HFS-2D or HFS-3D or HFS-4D.

Buy the HFS splitters at , www.hollandelectronics.com

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Install the , HBU-44 antenna Above The Peak Of The Roof.

Here are some above the roof antenna mounts.

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

www.ronard.com/34524560.html
Use the , ronard(4560) , eave antenna mount.

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

Buy the ronard antenna mounts at , www.ronard.com.

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Here are some places to buy antennas and etc. .

www.antennacraft.net

www.amazon.com

www.ronard.com

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As always , trees and tree leaves , plants and plant leaves , have Negative Effect on Broadcast Tv Reception and so do buildings and other obstructions including your own roof and building.

Some and not all Negative Effects are.

Absorbing and Blocking Tv Reception.

Multi-Path Reflecting Tv Signals Bouncing All Around.

The Best Pratice is to install the HBU-44 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 roof and house.

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The Tv's Must Channel Scan for the , OTA=Over The Air , ATSC-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 Tuners 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 , ATSC-Digital Broadcast Tv Stations Channels.

[StephanieS]

Greetings Doug,

I'm glad to report a 30' and 50' tower aren't needed in your situation.

If you are just looking for ABC, CBS, NBC, PBS and FOX you have it pretty easy. A small J - pole mount and an Antennacraft HBU11k ought to do the trick in your situation. http://www.solidsignal.com/pview.asp?p=hbu11k&d=antennacraft-by-radioshack-hbu11k-13-element-high-band-vhf-/-uhf-outdoor-hdtv-antenna-with-j-type-mount-%28hbu11k%29

Orientate HBU11 to magnetic heading 305 to receive Fort Wayne affiliates. Test antenna location with best clear shot in direction of transmitters for reliable reception before perminently mounting. While testing, do not split the signal. Run one single coax into one TV to confirm reception. Make sure to do a tuner scan in "broadcast" or "over the air" mode. After successful reception, then add distribution amp and start adding new leads to other TVs carefully monitoring for any reception problems.

Further, a preamp is not needed in your situation.

If you are going to run say, 75' of coax with the option to split up to 5 times, I would recommend a distribution amp. The channel master 3414 has a good reputation. http://www.amazon.com/Channel-Master-Outputs-Distribution-Amplifier/dp/B001PI09SE It is sold in 2-port, 4-port or 8-port options.

This is very nice plot for your locals for eastern Indiana. You could have this set up going for a lower cost than many. So far, looks like $75 plus coax expenses. You have line of sight to the local networks.

I have family in Richmond. Reception can be brutal there. Indianapolis isn't really an option there. Dayton can be done with a good roof mounted antenna if you aren't mired in the trees and Cincinnati requires a bit more aggressive antenna on a tower. I've never seen so many 50 - 75' towers in one town as I did there!

Best of luck.

[ADTech]

Unless you have a compelling reason to receive any of the stations other than Ft Wayne's, a small UHF directional antenna such as the SR15 would work well. Heck, just about ANY UHF antenna will do the job.