Looking to upgrade antenna in Putnam County NY area

[savenelroy]

http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%3D5b94d2ac82a4c6

Looking for some advice on upgrading my antenna. I live in a very woodsy area, on the high-side of a hill. The terrain around me is hills and valleys. My current antenna is pointed at roughly 60 degrees and receives channels listed below, on a good day when the sun is shinning/no clouds. I've since realized this was not the best purchase which is why I am here Amplified Digital Outdoor Antenna (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004NQMCDK/ref=oh_details_o06_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1) I've had it since November and have a feeling the spring growth is going to change my situation which is already sporadic. From what I can tell on TVfool, it looks like 205 degrees is my best bet - but I have experienced little success when pointing in that direction. The location the antenna is currently pointed was determined simply by trial and error.

Current Channels:
7-1, 7-2, 7-3
8-1, 8-2
11-1
13-1, 13-2, 13-3
48-1, 48-2, 48-3, 48-4
54-1, 54-2, 54-3, 54-4

I'd like to avoid getting one of the HUGE antennas(110 inches long). I'm willing to give up VHF channels if need be. Really just looking for the greatest chance of getting the bigger networks. Any insight or advice is greatly appreciated!

Rick

[teleview]

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For a shot at Reliable Reception of.

WABC , ABC.
WNYW , FOX.
WWOR , MyNetwork.
WPIX , CW.
WNET , PBS.
WCBS , CBS.
WNBC , NBC.

And more.

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Install a , http://www.antennacraft.net.

HBU55 antenna aimed at about 225 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.

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Install a , http://www.antennacraft.net.

10G201 preamplifier.

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Can also buy the HBU55 antenna and 10G201 preamp at , http://www.amazon.com , and , http://summitsource.com.

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For 1 Tv connected use No splitter.

For 2 Tv's connected use a , Holland Electronics , HFS-2D , 2 way splitter.

For 3 Tv's connected use a , Holland Electronics , HFS-3D , 3 way splitter.

Buy the HFS-2D and HFS-3D , splitters at , http://www.hollandelectronics.com , or , http://www.amazon.com.

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Here are some Above 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.ronard.com , or , http://www.amazon.com

[ADTech]

Your three current VHF channels are likely to be your most reliable after the trees leaf out as VHF is affected to a lesser extent than is UHF.

I'd like to avoid getting one of the HUGE antennas(110 inches long).

That pretty much rules out the simplest recommendations.


Try a two-antenna combo consisting of a compact ClearStream 5 for VHF 7-13 plus a DB8 or DB8e for UHF. Use a low-noise pre-amp.

[savenelroy]

I understand. Would the larger antenna + pre-amp increase my chances of getting the UHF channels or am I looking at a difficult situation either way?

Thanks for the reply!

[GroundUrMast]

If we were neighbors, you'd see a large antenna or combination of large antennas above my roof or even on a tower. The signal conditions in this case are simply too weak to expect much from smaller solutions.

The Clear Stream 5 + DB8E + RCA TVPRAMP1R are the most compact solution I can think of.

I would also consider alternates such as the 91XG (sub for the DB8E) and the Antennacraft Y10713 (sub for the CS5).

Single combos such as the HBU-55 and Winegard HD7698P are also valid candidates to consider.

[teleview]

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The Tv signals reception is Very Weak Signal Strengths at your reception location and the tvfool channel list is also showing , 2 Edge Path , Obstructions= Hills/Mountains.

The directions of reception at your location are , South West and North West.

The Main Group of Digital Broadcast Tv Transmitters are to the South West.

It is Important to avoid , tress and tree leaves , plants and plant leaves , in those directions as much as possible.

The closer the trees the worse reception will be , the further the trees are away in the directions of reception the better reception will be.

Some and not all Negative Disruptive Effects are.

Absorbing and Blocking Reception.

Multi-Path Reflections Tv Signals Bouncing All Around.

The Best Practice for Reliable Reception is to install the HBU55 antenna at a location that has the least amount to no amount of obstructions of any type or kind in the directions including your own roof and building.

[savenelroy]

Makes sense. There wouldn't be any trees within 100-200 feet of the antenna but no matter where I point it, there would be trees. Some just further than others. Any antenna I purchase would be on top of the roof, so no buildings obstructing the path. Thanks so much for all of the feedback! I'll let everyone know what I decide and how it all turns out.

Rick

[savenelroy]

I purchased the HBU55 and 10G201 pre-amp. Did a pre-install in the attic and am already receiving receiving NBC, ABC, and a few others. Gonna get up on the roof this weekend and mount it in its final resting place. Hoping to see more once it's out of the attic. Looking good so far! 19 channels in total: telemundo, christian and korean/asian channels account for 9 of them which aren't really a priority. Would be nice to have a few more of the major networks. Fingers crossed for FOX, WPIX, and PBS.

[savenelroy]

Amazing...After mounting it to the roof, 100' of RG6/pre-amp and slowly tweaking the position 4 or 5 times with a compass, I have 35 channels. Some are repeats, some I'll never watch, but pretty much everything I hoped for. Now receiving (virtual channels): 54, 48, 7, 9, 63, 68, 8, 11, 13, 47, 2. A few more, too. Only channel that's weak that i'd like to beef up is channel 4, which is strange because I got it while the antenna was originally in the attic with the pre-amp. Makes me wonder if it's has to do with the weather?

Next test will be removing the pre-amp and doing another scan. Kind of a hassle to do this and rain is on its way so may need to wait till next week. Hoping these channels stick once the leaves fill in! Can definitely live without cable if I can keep all the major networks.

[teleview]

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The compass aiming is for the initial aim direction.

Then the antenna aim is tweaked for the best reception of the weaker tv station/s.

Most Digital Tv's have a Signal Strength Meter and some Digital Tv's also have a Signal Quality Meter.

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And yes the situation is Amazing.

Many people come here to tvfool and are Fixed on the idea of getting reception in the attic and will lay out Big Dollars to Try and make it happen in the attic.

[Stereocraig]

Amazing...After mounting it to the roof, 100' of RG6/pre-amp and slowly tweaking the position 4 or 5 times with a compass, I have 35 channels. Some are repeats, some I'll never watch, but pretty much everything I hoped for. Now receiving (virtual channels): 54, 48, 7, 9, 63, 68, 8, 11, 13, 47, 2. A few more, too. Only channel that's weak that i'd like to beef up is channel 4, which is strange because I got it while the antenna was originally in the attic with the pre-amp. Makes me wonder if it's has to do with the weather?

Next test will be removing the pre-amp and doing another scan. Kind of a hassle to do this and rain is on its way so may need to wait till next week. Hoping these channels stick once the leaves fill in! Can definitely live without cable if I can keep all the major networks.


It's always nice to hear great news like this.
I still scan once in a while, to see if anything new pops up.

[teleview]

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Tvfool channel list and radar report shows the Real Channels that are transmitted and received and shows the (virt) virtual numbers.

The virtual numbers are Not a real channel , even if the virtual number is the same as the Real Channel.

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WNBC , NBC , is Very Weak signal strength.

Is WNBC Real UHF channel 28 , virtual number (4.1) , NBC , being received and is it being received reliably??

The UHF channels of 14 thru 51 are effected more by the obstructions of trees and other obstructions.

Also the UHF channels at the reception location can have hot spots and weak spots signal strengths.

Often antenna aim tweaking and raising the antenna height and lowering the antenna height can move the antenna out of a low signal spot.

Some times just changing the antenna aim a few inches will do it.

Some times raising and lowering the antenna a few inches will do it.

Some times moving the antenna location a few inches will do it.

Some times the antenna will need to be moved to a different location.

Some times it takes a Greater Degree of antenna adjustments to have reliable reception.