Total n00b needs advice

[mgullick]

Ok, total n00b here. I turned off my satellite service well over 5 years ago and haven't watched television - other than rented movies - since then.

My wife and kids recently replaced my 38-year-old stereo speakers with a Denon sorround sound system and I decided I wasn't going to have that setup and keep my old television so I bought a 50" plasma set. Big mistake because now I'm hooked.

I don't want to get the satellite service or cable again but I would like to install an antenna. The old dish is still on the roof and there's RG 6 cable running to where the TV is located. I can replace it easily if it turns out to be defective from sitting so long in the weather.

There's a J mount on the roof that holds the old dish and I'd like to simply remove the dish and mount an antenna there. I've looked online and just get more confused the more I look. I've considered getting the Antennas Direct DB4 or C4 but don't know if either of them is what I should really be looking at.

It seems that most antennas are listed as UHF only and there seem to be a number of VHF stations I would like to receive if possible. I'd prefer a single antenna solution. Any advice will be greatly appreciated.

http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%3db7c8436fada7e6

[Tigerbangs]

You are really going to need a 2-antenna solution to see all your networks, but it isn't that difficult to make this work: your VHF stations lie in one direction, and your UHF stations lie in a different direction.

Use a Channel Master 4220 2-bay UHF antenna aimed at 8 degrees (due north of your location) mounted at the top of your mast for UHF, which will pull in CBS, NBC and FOX, and mount a Winegard YA-6713 four feet below the UHF antenna and aim that antenna at 310 degrees, as measured by your compass. This antenna will pick up ABC and PBS. Combine the signals from the two antennas into one cable using a Pico-Macom UVSJ antenna joiner, and run the cable to the antenna connector on our TV set. Be sure to ground your coaxial cable before bringing the cable inside your house: if you are using existing cable from your DirecTV installation, that cable is most likely already grounded. You will see all your major TV stations using that combination.

Once the antenna is connected, you'll need to go into the TV set's menu and have the tuner scan for channels. See the links below for information about the equipment.

http://www.channelmaster.com/product-overview.php?proID=37&catID=33#
http://www.winegard.com/kbase/upload/ya-6713.pdf
http://www.solidsignal.com/pview.asp?mc=03&p=UVSJ&d=Pico-Macom-UVSJ-UHF-VHF-Band-SeparatorCombiner-for-Antenna-(UVSJ)&c=Signal%20Combiners&sku=
http://manuals.solidsignal.com/AntInstallGuide.pdf

[Tower Guy]

You are really going to need a 2-antenna solution to see all your networks.

That's an ideal plan.

[Tower Guy]

You are really going to need a 2-antenna solution to see all your networks, but it isn't that difficult to make this work:

I posted this on another forum before reading Tigerbangs recommendation.

Plan on a rotor and a 7-69 antenna such as the HBU-22 or HD7694P.

OR

My preference would be a two or four bay UHF and a 5 element High band VHF with a UVSJ. (Channel Master 4220 HD with an Antennacraft Y5-7-13.)

Aim the 4220 between NBC and the other UHF stations. (roughly 5 degrees) The VHF yagi gets aimed at 323 degrees. The two antenna solution will be cheaper than a rotor and simpler to use. It's about the same size as a single antenna.

[Tigerbangs]

Great Minds Think Alike ;)

[mgullick]

Many thanks for the suggestions. When I started seeing suggestions for 2 antennas I worried about the size but it sounds like that isn't really a problem after all. I really do want to just use the existing J bar. I'll have to check on whether it will work with the dual antenna setup.

[Tigerbangs]

a J-mount can ise a swaged extension mast if you need a little more pipe to mount the antennas: bith antennas are quite small, and shouldn't present any problem.

[mgullick]

I posted this on another forum before reading Tigerbangs recommendation.

Plan on a rotor and a 7-69 antenna such as the HBU-22 or HD7694P.

OR

My preference would be a two or four bay UHF and a 5 element High band VHF with a UVSJ. (Channel Master 4220 HD with an Antennacraft Y5-7-13.)

Aim the 4220 between NBC and the other UHF stations. (roughly 5 degrees) The VHF yagi gets aimed at 323 degrees. The two antenna solution will be cheaper than a rotor and simpler to use. It's about the same size as a single antenna.

How does the Antennacraft Y5-7-13 above compare with the Winegard YA-6713? Is one preferable over the other? I'm also wondering if you have a recommendation as to an online source that has good pricing and doesn't have outrageous shipping costs.

[Tigerbangs]

Consider the two antennas interchangeable: their performance is similar. I have had good luck with Solidsignal.com and starkelectronic.com

[mgullick]

You are really going to need a 2-antenna solution to see all your networks, but it isn't that difficult to make this work: your VHF stations lie in one direction, and your UHF stations lie in a different direction.

Use a Channel Master 4220 2-bay UHF antenna aimed at 8 degrees (due north of your location) mounted at the top of your mast for UHF, which will pull in CBS, NBC and FOX, and mount a Winegard YA-6713 four feet below the UHF antenna and aim that antenna at 310 degrees, as measured by your compass. This antenna will pick up ABC and PBS. Combine the signals from the two antennas into one cable using a Pico-Macom UVSJ antenna joiner, and run the cable to the antenna connector on our TV set. Be sure to ground your coaxial cable before bringing the cable inside your house: if you are using existing cable from your DirecTV installation, that cable is most likely already grounded. You will see all your major TV stations using that combination.

Once the antenna is connected, you'll need to go into the TV set's menu and have the tuner scan for channels. See the links below for information about the equipment.

http://www.channelmaster.com/product-overview.php?proID=37&catID=33#
http://www.winegard.com/kbase/upload/ya-6713.pdf
http://www.solidsignal.com/pview.asp?mc=03&p=UVSJ&d=Pico-Macom-UVSJ-UHF-VHF-Band-SeparatorCombiner-for-Antenna-(UVSJ)&c=Signal%20Combiners&sku=
http://manuals.solidsignal.com/AntInstallGuide.pdf


My project was greatly delayed due to work and replacing part of the roof. I'm ready to proceed now but have further questions.

I purchased the Winegard DS-3000 Pipe Mount Kit but, reading the advice above, it's way too short to mount the antennas as advised. It would seem there should be extension poles for that would connect to the mount I have but a quick search on the Internet didn't turn up anything. Can you advise a product that will work with the DS-3000 to extend it to the necessary height?