Antenna for Napa CA

[samsterid]

EDIT: Some mounting help would be greatly appreciated. I just tried a quick mock-up of a Stealth Hawk and it works pretty well. (details in below post)
I just got my first DTV and was sad to see Comcast "compressed" signal at 480i for standard service.

Here's my report at 20 feet:
http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%3dd243e79fbc270b

I am mostly interested in San Francisco stations at 193°. I think there is only one VHF at RF 7 (KGO-ABC) which I would want to receive. It might be nice to get KRCB at 279°, or even some Sacramento stations @ 90°.

There is a 30 ft. tree about 10 ft. SW of where I want to mount the antenna (eave mount). I could mount at the North end of the house further from the tree, but that makes for a longer transmission cable run.

I am considering Denny's HD Stacker because it seems pretty easy to install; might try a Stealth Hawk first.
Any pro tips are greatly appreciated.

Thanks - Sam

[timgr]

Looks to me like you'd also want to consider the NBC affiliate KNVT-DT on VHF real channel 12.

[samsterid]

Missed that one - thanks. And yes I would want to receive that.
Antennapoint lists it as San Jose - maybe that's why I missed it - I don't think San Jose is correct.

So two VHF stations for me then.

[ADTech]

San Jose is the correct City Of License for KNTV-DT.

http://transition.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/tvq?state=&call=kntv&arn=&city=&chan=&cha2=69&serv=&type=0&facid=&asrn=&list=1&dist=&dlat2=&mlat2=&slat2=&dlon2=&mlon2=&slon2=&size=9

[timgr]

...
I just got my first DTV and was sad to see Comcast "compressed" signal at 480i for standard service.
...

Do you know the expression "a mug's game?" Seems appropriate.

If there were real competition in the cable TV market, the prices would go down and the features would go up with time. Instead, the prices go up and the companies (Comcast in particular) always seem to find new charges to slowly increase your bill.

Your complaints will get a sympathetic hearing here.

[samsterid]

Ok - Here is my first try - a rough mock-up for a Stealth Hawk Antenna (not sure which version it is)
Pics are here:
http://toknow.us/antenna/antenna.html

With some careful aiming (as pictured in the Eave Mount photo), I got pretty good reception of all the LOS channels, plus two edge stations ION (RF 41) and NBC (RF 11)

In other words, everything around 190 degrees. Pretty happy with that result!


I now have to decide on a permanent mount. Chimney, Tree, or Eave.

I will be testing the Tree soon - it has the best LOS angle between two of my neighbor's trees.

Not sure if the Chimney will work:

-- the top portion is ceramic and may not hold up to heavy winds?

-- the rear portion (cinder block) may be too short (11 inches) for two straps?

Any eave mount will have to have the left end of the bottom bar anchored in the cinder block - I think that's ok?



I found some pretty interesting hardware for mounting the Stealth at Orchard Supply

The Split Bolt connector fits the 6 gauge copper perfectly. And the Keyhole Fastener was just dumb luck foraging at the hardware store.

Thanks ahead for any advice - Sam