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View Full Version : Antenna Recommendation Please


Robert
1-Jun-2011, 9:57 PM
Greetings - First of all this an amazing and helpful site, simply wonderful. Could I please ask any who may be inclined to recommend an antenna for my situation? Please refer to:

http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%3d21934c0a40990a

I currently use comcast cable. I would like to receive OTA HD broadcasts from the major networks - apparently the transmitters are just located a few miles away almost due west but they are on the other side of hills. There is a PBS station to the southwest that would be nice,if possible but not as high of a priority. Anything else would be an added bonus. Ideally I would use an unobtrusive (like a Godar Model 1) indoor antenna in my TV room, which is in the basement. If this is not likely to work well enough, I could perhaps (wife) mount a small outdoor antenna on the main floor wall which faces the transmitters. Another option requiring more cable and awkward routing would be the attic. Finally, there is a possibility that I could mount a small antenna with a riser attached to an abandoned electrical power mast in the roof with odd and long (40'?)cable routing. Thanks for all of your help!

Robert

John Candle
2-Jun-2011, 12:49 AM
An indoor antenna will not work in the basement. I recommend a Winegard HD 7694P antenna mounted on the roof. Do Not connect a active cable coax to the antenna system coax at the same time. Point the Tv antenna at about 230 degree magnetic compass. Here is how to point Tv antennas , http://www.kyes.com/antenna/pointing/pointing.html . This will get you the stations to the , west , south west.

John Candle
2-Jun-2011, 1:07 AM
With the cable service disconnected. And the Tv's connected to the antenna , how many Tv's will be connected??

GroundUrMast
2-Jun-2011, 3:43 AM
I agree with JC, a basement antenna will be quite limited by building penetration losses and reflections. An outdoor antenna would be a superior solution.

The Queen Anne and Capitol Hill stations will be line of site and very strong. With the gain offered by an HD7694P, you may find that you need an attenuator. Still, I would go with the suggested antenna because it gives you a chance at KCPQ-13 (Fox) and the antenna is directional enough to aim away from the Capitol Hill towers thus reducing the power level a bit. (You will not need or want an amplifier... which would certainly overload.)

If you experiment with aim between 240° and 290° per your compass, you may even get lucky and see one or more of the stations on West Tiger. The ION affiliate, KWPX-33 is powerful enough to make it in the back side of the HD7694P.

Robert
2-Jun-2011, 5:40 PM
John and GroundUrMast - Thank you for the good advice. After posting and researching more I realized that I was extremely optimistic about an indoor antenna in the basement. I also noted that my prime uhf stations 31, 38, 39 and 48 are nearly due west (Queen Anne) and a couple of desirable vhf stations 9 and 11 were SW and another, 13 is nearly due west. Thus I was thinking a a high vhf antenna for 9, 11, 13 plus a uhf antenna might be needed for 31, 38, 39 and 48 .

The Winegard HD7694P looks like it would be ideal for me and seems like a great value and simple set up with a single antnenna. If I could get all or most of the stations I mentioned I would be delighted. If a West Tiger station or two came in that would be super.

I'll try to rig this up later this summer on the old electric power mast after my kids head off to college and I can cut the cable without protest. Thanks again,

Robert

Robert
2-Jun-2011, 5:42 PM
John - Only one tv will be connected.

John Candle
3-Jun-2011, 1:04 AM
No preamp or distribution amp will be needed for one or two tv's.

Robert
3-Jun-2011, 4:23 PM
Thanks John...