Antenna Recommendations???

[sunska]

Hey Folks - I'm new to this great site and looking for some assistance in selecting an antenna for my house. I have no existing set up, except rabbit ears. I'm just seeking an alternative to cable and dish.

Fool Report:
http://www.tvfool.com/option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%3d14f366791ca281

I'm most interested in reaching stations to the SE and SW. Last week I placed some basic rabbit ears on the roof at about 15' elevation and pulled in a few channels from the SW (Des Moines, IA) for a short time...much to my surprise.

I'll be running 1 main T.V. and perhaps a second, but of minimal use. The antenna will be 25' high.

Thanks in advance for any insight/recommendations. I really appreciate it!

[John Candle]

The link is not working.

[sunska]

Hope this works!!

http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%3d14f366791ca281

[John Candle]

Your reception situation is easy. I recommend a Winegard HD7694P antenna with a Antennas Direct CPA-19 preamplifier , aim the antenna at about 140 degree magnetic compass. Here is how to aim antennas , http://www.kyes.com/antenna/pointing/pointing.html. Here are places to buy antennas and etc. , http://www.solidsignal.com , http://www.amazon.com , http://www.3starinc.com. Here are some antenna mounts , http://www.ronard.com/909911.html , http://www.ronard.com/324424560.html , http://www.ronard.com/ychim.html

[sunska]

Thanks a lot John!

[sunska]

John,

So this set up will pick up the stations further away to the SW as well? Just verifying before I purchase. Thanks!

[John Candle]

If by south west you mean WOI-DT 5 , KCCI-DT 8 KDMI-DT 19 the answer is no , those stations are Very Weak and will require a large antenna to receive and most likely would not be received reliably. If by south west you mean , north , then the answer is no , the receivable stations to the north are NBC , ABC , CBS , PBS , these stations can be received with the HD7694P , however the antenna will need to be on a antenna rotor , rotors work ok with one tv however if more then one tv is connected there will be disagreements about where the antenna is pointed. A second antenna can be installed and pointed north , that means double the coax wiring. All of the networks such as NBC , ABC , CBS , PBS , FOX , ION and More will be received with one antenna pointed south east.