Antenna Suggetion (Winston Salem, NC)

[Milkmanx]

I guess I will start by dropping the analysis report.

http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%3d3e474122032d40

I dropped cable a few months back, I am using Roku (internet TV) and would like to add a few more digital channels for about 100.00 or so.

I live in a wooded area but at the top of the street/hilll. I wont really have much in the way of buildings as much as tall trees. Locally we have 1 station (2 channels) which you see in green I get "ok" with indoor over the set antenna. The other local major channels all look to be coming from the 130 degree mark, those are the channels I am shooting for, the others are all probably to far and not worth trying to get.

I can do a roof mount where the old antenna used to be on the chimney many years ago. I would prefer to have an attic type if possible.

My questions to you all are..

1. By looking at my analysis should I shoot for more than those at the 130 degree make?

2. If not what would be your antenna suggestion, roof, attic and model?

I have done enough research this week to become a little questionable on exactly what antenna would be best. Reviews are mixed with good and bad reviews on a lot of models I researched. I would like to stick around the 100-150 mark on total cost with myself installing.

Thanks for your time and input..

[GroundUrMast]

The published specs for the Antennacraft U8000 and Winegard HD-8800 are very similar. Both claim forward gain of roughly 12 dB and both claim a F/B ratio of roughly 17 dB. (I'll take reliable numbers over anecdotal reports and reviews.)

Either of these panel antennas would be easy to chimney mount. Facing 135° they would offer reception of WLXI and higher. The modest F/B ratio would let WXII & WUNL in through the back of the antenna.

My only concern is the dense trees, the attenuation caused by the foliage can be significant. I would try with no amplifier to begin with. I would avoid the attic.

[John Candle]

I recommend a Antennacraft U4000 antenna with a Winegard HDP269 preamp aimed at about 115 degree magnetic compass. WXII NBC and WUNL PBS are strong and will be easly received through the back side of the antenna. The Tv stations to the east and south east will be received. The antenna Will Need to be mounted above the high point of the roof line. Here is how to aim antennas , http://kyes.com/antenna/pointing/pointing.html . Also read and understand about , REAL Digital Broadcast Tv Channels , Virtual Broadcast Digital Tv Channels , Analog Broadcast Tv Channels , http://forum.tvfool.com/showthread.php?t=695 . Also I strongly recommend replace all outside coax with new coax , RG-6U coax. I also recommend replacing all outside splitters and other hardware that has been exposed to the weather. And I recommend replace inside coax that might be defective. The name of the game is get the signal to the Tv.

[John Candle]

Here are some but not all antenna mounts. http://www.eham.net/libraries/download/430/Photo_A.jpg , CM 9067 , http://www.channelmasterstore.com/TV_Antenna_Chimney_Mount_p/cm-9067.htm , http://www.sadoun.com/Sat/Products/Perfect/PVEM1.gif , http://www.channelmasterstore.com/product_p/eave%20mount%20installation%20kit.htm . Antennacraft tripod , 10Y203 , http://www.antennacraft.net/Manuals/10Y203_manual_.pdf

[John Candle]

Here are places to buy Tv antennas and etc. , http://www.solidsignal.com , http://www.starkelectronic.com , http://www.amazon.com , http://www.3starinc.com

[Milkmanx]

The published specs for the Antennacraft U8000 and Winegard HD-8800 are very similar. Both claim forward gain of roughly 12 dB and both claim a F/B ratio of roughly 17 dB. (I'll take reliable numbers over anecdotal reports and reviews.)

Either of these panel antennas would be easy to chimney mount. Facing 135° they would offer reception of WLXI and higher. The modest F/B ratio would let WXII & WUNL in through the back of the antenna.

My only concern is the dense trees, the attenuation caused by the foliage can be significant. I would try with no amplifier to begin with. I would avoid the attic.

Thank you for your reply, the information is greatly appreciated.

Above you stated that the "Facing 135° they would offer reception of WLXI and higher." Did "higher" mean that with those antennas I would be able to pick up the following channels..
WCWG
WXLV
WFMY
WMYV
WGHP
and WLXI
The channels above along with WXII and WUNL are the local channels I would want to try to get for local news and so on.

[Milkmanx]

I recommend a Antennacraft U4000 antenna with a Winegard HDP269 preamp aimed at about 115 degree magnetic compass. WXII NBC and WUNL PBS are strong and will be easly received through the back side of the antenna. The Tv stations to the east and south east will be received. The antenna Will Need to be mounted above the high point of the roof line. Here is how to aim antennas , http://kyes.com/antenna/pointing/pointing.html . Also read and understand about , REAL Digital Broadcast Tv Channels , Virtual Broadcast Digital Tv Channels , Analog Broadcast Tv Channels , http://forum.tvfool.com/showthread.php?t=695 . Also I strongly recommend replace all outside coax with new coax , RG-6U coax. I also recommend replacing all outside splitters and other hardware that has been exposed to the weather. And I recommend replace inside coax that might be defective. The name of the game is get the signal to the Tv.


Thank you also for the time you took to post and provide this information. I am looking in to all options and will report back on what I decide to do and how things work out..

[GroundUrMast]

That's correct

[Milkmanx]

Ok I ended up buying the Winegard HD-8800, 100 ft new cable and compression connectors (all new). I chimney mounted and pointed towards the antennas that will give me the few remaining channels I wanted to get.

I currently get the following channels
12-1 WXLI
12-2 This-TV (WXLI)
20-1 WCWG
20-2 WCWG-D2
20-3 WCWG-D3
20-4 WCWG-D4
26-1 UNC-TV
26-2 UNC-KO
26-3 UNC-EX
45-1 WXLV-HD
45-2 WXLV-SD
48-1 WMYV-HD
48-2 WMYV-SD

Now the channel I am wanting to get is WFMY & WGHP which I don't get to come in. whats weird is that tower and the tower for WYMV are so close, within miles and very tight on the map I still cant get WFMY.

I have moved the antenna around a lot and I finally got the WFMY 2-1 and 2-2 to come up but no picture. In other words I can tune to the channel but no picture.

Is the next step an amplifier and if so which do you recommend for the HD-8800 I purchased.

[GroundUrMast]

JC's suggestion of a Winegard HDP-269 is appropriate. The Antennas Direct CPA-19 is also an excellent low noise, high input amplifier.

[Milkmanx]

Just wanted to say thanks again for your suggestins. Got my amp installed today which added 4 more channels, 21 total, and made others look better.

Here is my final antenna install..

http://time2befit.com/share/a1.jpg http://time2befit.com/share/a2.jpg http://time2befit.com/share/a3.jpg