Omni Directional or Not? Trying for Detroit and Toledo

[N8KVB]

Hello all I'm new to this forum, but not new to antennas and TV.

I originally gave up cable three years ago, I just couldn't justify the $100/month for TV. I've recently moved, I decided to rent out our old house and left the antenna on the old house for our tenants.

I'm currently in Flat Rock, MI (48134). I'm getting pretty good reception from my bunny ears for most Detroit Stations. Though my bunny ears work surprisingly well, I get annoyed when I have to get up and "tweak" them, or when I have a house full of people they never seem to work 100%. I'm at a point where I want to put up a rotor-free outdoor antenna to get rid of the quirks that come with bunny ears, and at the same time pick up a few more distant channels.

The Radio Shack budget bunny ears are siting on a main floor, North facing windowsill approximately 10 feet from the TV. I only own one TV (really!), so even though the house has coax in almost every room, it will only need to provide signal to one TV at a time. All the rooms are run on dedicated runs from the main splitter right where the cable enters the basement, FYI I plan to bypass the splitter and only use the needed cable run directly to the TV. FYI, I would like to stay away from pre-amps if possible, but will use an amp if absolutely necessary.

I'm missing my Toledo programming I used to get from my old house, Checking the plots, most TV stations within easy reach are in two distinct directions, Aprox 19 degrees, and 200 degrees, all within 40 miles or so.

I'd like to receive both Toledo and Detroit with as "minimally intrusive" antenna(s) as possible. I live in a nice neighborhood with an active HOA, though I am within my rights to put an antenna(s) up, I would also like to keep the peace as well and not put up something my neighbors would view as an eyesore. Though I don't personally view antennas as ugly, not everyone shares my opinion.

I'm going with an eave/gable mount, with a mast up to 10 ft tall, hopefully much shorter, I'd like to keep it under 4 ft above roof level if possible. I have a two story and the antenna should have a height of around 25-30 ft (maybe slightly more) once mounted. See my silly Christmas light picture, it would be at the end of the house (left in pic) where the antenna will be mounted. This side of the house is where all the other utilities pass through, and will offer the cleanest install.

Originally I planned to put up two RCA ANT751 antennas, one pointed "North" (Detroit) and one pointed "South" (Toledo), then I started over thinking it and thought I might be able to get away with an Omni directional antenna, such as a MS1000 or MS2000?

Now after over thinking it to death, I'm stuck at a mental impasse as to which path to take, will I get performance that is "good enough" (green and yellow) out of an Omni directional, or should I go with my original plan of the two small directional antennas?



Currently with the Bunny ears I get 23 channels.

2-1 -WJBKD - Detroit
2-2
4-1 - WDIV - Detroit
4-2
7-1 - WXYZD
7-2
7-3
9-1 - CBET - Windsor, ON, Canada
11-1 - WTOL - Toledo
11-2
20-1 - WMYD - Detroit
20-2 -
31-1 - WXPD - Detroit
31-2
31-3
31-4
31-5
31-6
50-1 - WKBD -Detroit
56-1 - WTVS - Detroit
56-2
56-3
62-1 -WWJ - Detroit

Looking to add 18 more channels:

13-1 - WTVG - Toledo
13-2
13-3
24-1 - WNWO - Toledo
24-2
30-1 - WGTE - Toledo
30-2
30-3
32 -1 CICO - Windsor, ON, Canada
36-1 - WUPW - Toledo
36-2
38-1 - WADL - Detroit
38-2
38-3
48-1 - WMNT - Toledo
48-2
48-3
48-4




http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb226/fsumotorhead/Radar-Digital1_zps53f2fca1.png


I plan to put it on the West side of the house, the side gable to left in pic.


http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb226/fsumotorhead/IMG_7154_zpsaa874eb6.jpg



If I go with twin ANT751s, is there any issues mounting them back-to-back like this?



http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb226/fsumotorhead/a20791e1361c5e2f076a54_m_zps45125194.jpg





Thanks for the help,

N8KVB

[teleview]

+=>
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Install 1 Antenna.

Directional antennas such as and not limited to the ANT751 antenna receive the best in the , forward direction , a little less at front angles to the antenna , less at back angles to the antenna , less at the back of the antenna.

Directional antennas such as and not limited to the ANT751 antenna receive the least amount of signal directly on the sides of the antenna.

Small directional antennas such as and not limited to the ANT751 antenna have a small amount of signal gain at the front of the antenna and also receive at angles to the antenna.

The bigger larger and more reception elements a directional antenna has , the more signal collecting ability the directional antenna has and receives more signal at the front of the antenna.
And directional antennas also receive at angles to the antenna.

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Most of the signal strengths are strong at your reception location.

--->Instal and connect 1 ANT751 antenna <--> Above the Peak of the roof in such a manner that reception is not , obstructed , impeded , blocked , by the roof and building in All directions.

Aim the ANT751 antenna at about 30 degrees 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.

30 degrees magnetic compass direction as a starting aim direction because the most amount of the stronger signal strength Tv stations will be at the front and angles the the antenna.

You will be Suprised at how many Tv stations are received.

Avoiding obstructions of all types and kinds is Important for reliable reception , avoid the obstructions of trees in the directions of reception , avoid any and all other obstructions in the directions of reception.

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

To clear tuner do Double Rescan.

www.wchstv.com/DoubleReScanAlert.pdf

[N8KVB]

Thanks! I am glad I live in a spot that has pretty good OTA options.

Do you think I'll be able to get the Toledo stations with a small directional pointed at Detroit (30*)?

[tomfoolery]

Since the signals from Detroit are a fair bit stronger, you could always try aiming it at the Toledo stations, which puts the stronger signals to the rear, and see what happens. Rescan and make a note of the difference, and go with whatever makes you happiest.

Worst thing that happens is you have unacceptable reception from one or both directions, and your rotate it back towards Detroit.

[teleview]

+=>
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If any type or kind of cable delivered service is connected , be it , cable tv service , cable internet service , cable phone service.

The cable delivered services Must Be On A Separate Coax.

That Is Not Connected to the coaxes that are used for the antenna system.

Yes the coaxes that are in and on that house can be used for antenna system.

However any Cable Delivered Service Must Be On A Separate Coax that is not part of the antenna system coaxes.

[N8KVB]

Since the signals from Detroit are a fair bit stronger, you could always try aiming it at the Toledo stations, which puts the stronger signals to the rear, and see what happens. Rescan and make a note of the difference, and go with whatever makes you happiest.

Worst thing that happens is you have unacceptable reception from one or both directions, and your rotate it back towards Detroit.

I'll give that a try first I think.