TV Reception in Northern California

[Tim H.]

Hi folks: Thanks for putting this site together. I am in the process of cutting the cord from the cable companies and would like to add broadcast tv into the mix. I am in Santa Rosa, California, about fifty miles north of SF. We have hills and mountains between us and the city. I can mount an amplified antenna such as the stacker on my roof at about 110' above sea level. I have a locally unobscured south exposure, though as I said, hills, etc. further south.

Can someone from this area tell me what kind of success they have had?

I would appreciate any information or suggestions.

Thanks.

[teleview]

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So that the correct antenna/s recommendation can be made.

Please make and post a tvfool report.

Use the Exact Address to make the report.

Make the antenna height in the report 25 feet above ground.

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Is this a , house , town home , condo , apartment , mobile home , motor home , or etc. ??

What directions do windows face??

How many floors??

What floor is the top floor??

What directions do patios/balconies face??

[Tim H.]

I live in the north part of Santa Rosa, Ca. and I am planning to install an amplified antenna on the second story of my house. That should put it about 25' above street level and above any trees close to the house. There are some tall trees to the south about 150 yards away. I am hoping to pick up a few of the San Francisco stations. I would appreciate input from others in the area so that I can get an idea of what kind of successful reception I might expect and what I might do to improve the odds in my favor. I have not purchased the equipment yet and would appreciate any suggestions as to what would work best for my needs. My signal analysis link is:

http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%3dd243cf450375bd

Thanks,

Tim

[teleview]

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The Tv stations are receivable.

The 25 foot antenna height of the Tv fool report is showing them as Very Weak Signal Strength.

A 2 story house will put a antenna at about 35 feet above ground.

To see if signal strengths improve with higher antenna heights.

Please make and post 2 more tvfool reports , 40 feet and 60 feet above ground.

[Tim H.]

Thanks, teleview:

Following your suggestion, I have logged two additional signal requests.

40'.....

http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%3dd243b1f1220bc6


60'.....

http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%3dd2433b41c8c855

These elevations are considerably above my upper story roofline and would provide locally unobstructed view to the south toward SF. I have large trees and a hillside to my north and east, but I don't anticipate trying to receive signal from those directions.

Tim

[teleview]

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40 and 60 feet antenna height above ground , Not much improvement of signal strength and 2 edge path obstructions=hills and mountains.

However higher antenna heights then 25 feet above ground can improve reception.

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This reception situation requires the Big Antennas.

Above the Peak of the Roof in such a manner that reception is not , obstructed , impeded , blocked , by the , attic , roof , building , in the directions of , South East , North North East.

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Install a , Antennas Direct , DB8e , Current UHF channels 14 thru 51 antenna.
http://www.amazon.com.

Aim the DB8e antenna at about 149 degree magnetic compass direction.

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Here is how to aim antennas.

http://www.kyes.com/antenna/pointing/pointing.html.

Use a Real and Actual magnetic compass to aim antenna , do not trust a , cell phone , tablet and etc. compass.

To assist the best reception , most Digital Tv's have a Signal Strength Meter and some Digital Tv's also have a Signal Quality Meter.

As always , the antenna aim direction and antenna location can be adjusted for best reception.

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Also about 3+ feet below the DB8e antenna install a.

Winegard HD5030 VHF Channels 2 thru 13 antenna.
http://www.warenelectronics.com.

Aim the HD5030 antenna at about 150 degree magnetic compass direction.

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Install a.

http://www.antennacraft.net.

10G221 preamp.

Connect the DB8e UHF antenna to the UHF connection of the 10G221 preamp.

Connect the HD5030 VHF antenna to the VHF connection of the 10G221 preamp.

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As a Test to Prove Reception.

Connect a NEW Continues Length of RG-6 Coax and run the NEW Continues Length of New Coax through a open door or window direct to 1 Tv.

Yes the , preamp unit , power injector , power supply , are connected.

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After the Test of reception.

The coax that you will be using for Tv connections in the building can be connected.

Install All New Coax outside.

Use coax that has the Compression type connectors on the ends of the coax , so as to keep Weather/Water out of outside connections.

Replace outside ground block coupler with New.

Any splitters will be replaced with New.

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

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To start , install the antennas about 25 feet above ground.

Here are some above the roof antenna mounts.

http://www.ronard.com/909911.html. Install the , 3 foot or 5 foot tripod antenna mount.

http://www.ronard.com/712.html . Install the , ronard(712-50-10) , 10 foot tripod antenna mount.

Do not bolt tripod in place until prove reception , the tripod might have to be moved to find best reception.

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http://www.ronard.com/ychim.html. Install the , ronard(4560) , eave antenna mount.

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

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Home Depot , has 10 foot 6 inch length - 1 and 3/8 inch diameter , TOP RAIL , chain link fence , PIPE , that makes excellent antenna mast/pipe. The price is low at about 12 dollars.

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Snug tight All connections , so as to keep Weather/Water out of outside connections.

After the Testing of reception and the reception is Ok.

Can make Double Sure Weather/Water does not get into connections and coax and devices , wrap with , http://www.coaxseal.com

[Tim H.]

Thank you. This has been really helpful. I will check with building department to see what my height limitations are.

Tim

[teleview]

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Here is the Federal Antenna Law that says Yes you can install Tv antenna/s up to 12 feet above the roof.

With No approval from or of any one.

The Federal Antenna Law , -->Over Rules<-- every one and every governing organization of any type or kind.

http://www.fcc.gov/mb/facts/otard.html