Antenna recommendation

[gnussbaum]

Hi,

I'm looking for any suggestions from the members here who are much more experienced than I am. I posted about the Antenna Pros AX-912, but found another post that trashed it, so that's out. I live in my own home, so a rooftop install is something I can have done. I will probably need an installer, but that's another subject altogether ;)

Anyways, I live in a rural area with some trees but my rooftop looks high enough to be able to get reception. Here is my TVfool report:

http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%3d03f3aa8c431d50

I look forward to hearing from you.

[GroundUrMast]

With a basic set of 'rabbit ears' you would likely see just a few stations. Your TV Fool report appears to be based on the default antenna height of 10 feet AGL. I would like to see if there is a significant change when using your roof height plus mast (5' or 10'). I can't recommend an amplified indoor antenna in your situation, the AX-912 is a questionable example of such.

The current report indicates you will need to roof mount to achieve reliable reception year round.

A fairly compact panel antenna would offer a full line-up of the major networks. Here are several competing brands and their model numbers, Antennacraft U8000, Antennas Direct DB-8, Channel Master CM-4228HD and Winegard HD-8800. All of these options will offer similar performance and are designed to receive real channels 14 through 69.

Any of these antennas facing south (about 200° to 205° per your compass) would offer reception of stations as weak as WSBK, real CH 39 in that direction. The strong local UHF signal of WPXG would likely be seen even though the antenna aim would not be ideal.

There are a few stations using VHF channels (CH 3, 4, 9 & 11), they could be received reliably with a secondary antenna. If you're interseted, I could offer one or more suggestions depending on whether you want/need some or all.

[John Candle]

I recommend try a Winegard MS2002 omnidirectional antenna. Please note that omnidirectional antennas are not 100% omnidirectional the antenna will likley need to be turned to find a spot that receives tv stations to the , north , west and south and then tighten the clamps. Here are places to buy tv antennas and etc. , http://www.solidsignal.com , http://www.amazon.com. If you need some one to install you can try http://www.zipinstallation.com

[GroundUrMast]

I would be afraid an omni would not have the needed gain or directivity to deal with the 'edge paths' most signals are subject to.

[John Candle]

Your tv stations are in multipul directions. That is why I say give the MS2002 a try. If not the MS2002 , then I suggest a Winegard HD7694P mounted on a Channel Master remote control 9521A rotor. The down side of a rotor is that if more then one tv is connected then who ever controls the rotor controls what tv stations to watch. Zip installation has the MS2002 and HD7694P antennas.

[John Candle]

How many tv's will be connected??

[John Candle]

You can try one of these indoor antennas , http://forum.tvfool.com/showthread.php?t=233. Line up the rods the antenna with east and west.

[gnussbaum]

just one tv...can someone recommend the strongest signal indoor non amplified antenna? I may be interested in that. I looked at the link that John mentioned but I didn't notice any signal distances.

[John Candle]

Indoor antennas are good for about 25 miles , for STRONG Local Tv Transmissions. Like the ones in green of your tvfool radar report. And maybe a couple of the strong yellow ones.

[John Candle]

Or the HD7694P could be mounted in a fixed position aimed at about 220 degree magnetic compass. This would get you the stations in the south , south west direction. Telemundo , ION Television , PBS , IND. , CBS , ABC , FOX , NBC , The CW. And a bunch of digital subchannels. Here is how to aim Tv antennas , http://www.kyes.com/antenna/pointing/pointing.html

[gnussbaum]

Thanks John. What are your opinions on attic installs? Do they cut down a lot of reception?

[gnussbaum]

I have another question - I have DirecTV. IS there a way to receive OTA signal from that and just use a diplexer?

[ADTech]

What are your opinions on attic installs? Do they cut down a lot of reception?

This might be helpful: http://www.antennasdirect.com/attic_installation.html

I've seen figures from 3 dB (50%) to 20 dB (99%) tossed about as the attic losses, but I haven't done any measurements myself. A "typical" asphalt shingle over plywood decking is somewhat benign by itself.


I have another question - I have DirecTV. IS there a way to receive OTA signal from that and just use a diplexer?

TV/Sat diplexers are used to combine and separate OTA antenna and satellite signals so that a single cable may carry both.

However, the newer Directv systems, specifically the 5-LNB and newer, utilize satellite signalling protocols that preclude their usage with diplexers and will make it necessary to run a separate coax for the OTA signal.

If your question is whether the Directv dish is going to receive your local OTA broadcasts directly, that answer is "no".

[Tigerbangs]

Most New Hampshire viewers expect to see the Boston TV stations, and they are all on UHF. The two major New Hampshire stations are fairly close to you, and are on VHF (WMUR, channel 9, ABC and WENH, channel 11, PBS) it is a pretty simple matter to use a two antenna system that will get the Boston stations clearly for you AND the important New Hampshire stations.

I suggest using an AntennasDirect 91XG aimed at roughly 200 degrees, as measured by your compass, and mount an AntennaCraft Y-5-7-13 VHF high-band VHF antenna on the same mast, roughly 4' BELOW the 91XG. Aim the Y-5-7-13 at the New Hampshire signals, roughly 325 degrees compass heading. Combine the signals from the two antennas using an AntennaCraft 10G221 preamplifier, which will allow you to connect the two antennas into one coaxial cable downlead, and will provide enough amplification to power up to 4 TV sets should you so desire: you would simply need to add an appropriate coax splitter after the output of the preamplifier indoor-mounted power supply. This combination will allow you to see everything from Boston without a hitch, and will also let you see the New Hampshire news on channel 9 and New Hampshire PBS, as well as Boston PBS.

This antenna system is not very large or bulky, but it should be mounted outdoors, preferably on your roof, to allow the antennas to see the strongest signals.

The previously suggested Winegard MS2002 will be inadequate to give you reliable reception of the Boston stations. Follow my directions, and you'll be very satisfied.

[gnussbaum]

I wanted to highly recommend an indoor/outdoor antenna. I just got this yesterday and I can pick up roughly 20 stations from 40-45 away in Boston and up to 65 miles away in Bangor Maine. I have it indoors at the moment. It's from monoprice:

http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=109&cp_id=10901&cs_id=1090102&p_id=7976&seq=1&format=2

[John Candle]

Are , WBZ CBS , WFXT Fox , WLIV CW , being received??

[gnussbaum]

WBZ, CBS, WSBK, Qubo, WGBX (2 and 44), iON so far

[Tigerbangs]

But No WHDH-TV, WFXT- or WLVI?? That antenna is NOT doing the job for you.

[gnussbaum]

WHDH too, but no WFXT or WLVI

[John Candle]

So you say these are not being received , WFXT - FOX , WLVI - CW and TCN , WHDH - NBC and This Tv . Do you still recommend the antenna from monoprice??

[John Candle]

Is WBIN - MyNetwork and NBC Universial Sports being received ?? Do you still recommend that antenna from monoprice ??

[gnussbaum]

Is WBIN - MyNetwork and NBC Universial Sports being received ?? Do you still recommend that antenna from monoprice ??

Those are not, but I would still recommend this antenna if looking for an indoor antenna option. The reason is that I've tried others (Phillips, Terk, etc) and got no reception at all. With this one I'm picking up stations as far away as 65 miles (WCSH-DT) as well as the Boston FOX, CBS and NBC affiliates.