antenna recomendations for TN

[bulldog]

I live just outside the cumberland gap area and the nearest station are about 60 miles away.Ready to drop Dish network and try OTA here is my TVfool page
http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%3dc77a1acb2dd7e9 any recomendations?
thanks

[GroundUrMast]

You're going to need to build big.

If you can consider installing a tower or tall mast, it would be interesting to see what the signal predictions look like at higher antenna elevations.

If 25' is the highest practical elevation, I would recommend an Antennas Direct XG-91 for the UHF (14 - 51) channels and a Winegard HD5030 to cover the VHF (2 - 13) channels.

I would go with a CM7777 preamp that has inputs for each antenna.

[bulldog]

I could possibly go up to 40 ft mast.Do you think that would help?

[GroundUrMast]

I could possibly go up to 40 ft mast.Do you think that would help?

To figure that out, run the Interactive TV Map (http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=90) tool... you can move the pointer to the exact point on the map and edit the elevation also. You can then use the link on the page to create a new Radar Plot.

Let's compare the 25' vs 40' numbers.

[bulldog]

http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%3dc77a7f736b473e
these are my findings at a 40 foot mast.The wife picked up a channel master 3671,should I return it.This thing is very large.

[GroundUrMast]

I don't see much difference between 25' and 40'. On the weaker signals, I only see a few tenths of a dB improvement, not enough to justify building the 40' tower or mast.

The Channel Master 3671 would be a good single antenna solution...

The two antenna option I suggested earlier would out perform by two or three dB. Receiving reliable signals from the weaker stations is my concern. I'm worried that due to the 2-edge paths, you will need to build as much margin as practical to reduce the effects of fading.

From what I can tell WJFB is broadcasting a jewelry shopping channel. WNPX is an ION affiliate and WNAB is a CW affiliate. If those are all low priority stations for you, keep the CM3671. If any of those are 'must have' stations, consider returning the CM3671.

If you use the CM3671, an Antennas Direct PA18 (http://www.antennasdirect.com/store/UHF_VHF_antenna_pre_amp_kit.html) would make a great preamp.

[bulldog]

Thank you,you have been most helpful.

[Tower Guy]

http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%3dc77a7f736b473e
these are my findings at a 40 foot mast.The wife picked up a channel master 3671,should I return it.This thing is very large.

I say keep the big antenna. You'll need it for channel 5.

[GroundUrMast]

I say keep the big antenna. You'll need it for channel 5.

I had suggested the Winegard HD5030 for that reason. I have not been able to find gain specifications for the CM3671 though I would expect the VHF performance of both antennas to be similar.

[John Candle]

I agree , You need the All band Tv antenna for channel 5 reception. The best reception is to the north west. I think that the reception will be very good. And Yes you need a Big Tv antenna. The Channel Master is fine , or a Winegard HD8200U antenna. If you are splitting the signal to more then one Tv , only use the splitter that has the needed splits. Do not use a 8 way splitter for 2 Tv's. Every time a split takes place the signal is reduced. If only one Tv is connected then do not use a splitter. Please keep us informed. Here is something else to check in to http://forum.tvfool.com/showthread.php?t=265

[Tower Guy]

I have not been able to find gain specifications for the CM3671

Here's the calculated gain of the CM-3671B.

http://www.hdtvprimer.com/ANTENNAS/comparing.html

I'd expect similar results from the HD-5030.

[GroundUrMast]

Thanks TG... I've referred to the HDTVPRIMER material many times... I spaced.