Please recommend antenna

[rdiz92]

Hello,

I'm looking for a recommendation on an antenna for the attic preferably or if necessary attached to the roof, where a DirectTV dish currently sits. Would I be able to use the existing cabling from the dish to use with a new antenna? I would like to pull in all the local digital networks from the san diego area. Any LA stations would be icing on the cake.

My report: http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%3d0b86a568270384

Thank you very much.

[GroundUrMast]

The signal levels shown in your TV Fool report suggest you will need to mount the antenna system on the roof rather than in the attic.

I would suggest a UHF antenna such as the Antennas Direct DB4e aimed at about 155° (compass) and a high-VHF antenna such as the Winegard YA1713 or Antennacraft Y-10713 aimed at about 205° (compass).

Combining satellite signals and OTA signals into a common coax is done with a diplexer (Holland STVC for example). However, in your case I believe you'll need to use a preamp such as an Antennas Direct CPA-19 which like most preamps, is powered via the coax from a power supply in the building. The satellite system already places power on the coax to power and control the dish components. I think you'll be best served by keeping the satellite and OTA antenna systems separate.

[ADTech]

Please note that diplexers and antenna signals don't get along with the newer D* HD services if you're keeping the satellite service. Older SD dishes are compatible. OTA pre-amps can not be used with an active satellite service when using diplexers.

If the sat service is discontinued, feel free to "re-purpose" the cabling and mount if appropriate.

[Electron]

This recommendation is based on the Current Plus Pending Applications Included Digital Stations/Channels for 03-23-2012. For reception of the of the 4 groups of digital tv stations/channels in the directions of , south west , south , south east , install a Antennas Direct C5 antenna aimed at about 160 degree magnetic compass and a Antennas Direct DB4e aimed at about 135 degree magnetic compass. Here is how to aim antennas , http://www.kyes.com/antenna/pointing/pointing.html. The C5 comes with a UVSJ = UHF/VHF Separator/Joiner to join the C5 and DB4e together on to one coax. The one coax from the UVSJ will be connected to a Antennas Direct CPA-19 preamp . A splitter can be connected to the existing coaxes that go to the tv locations. This 2 antenna set up requires a Strong and Sturdy mount. http://www.ronard.com/909911.html , http://www.ronard.com/34424560.html , http://www.ronard.com/ychim.html , http://www.ronard.com. Mount the C5 below the DB4e , have about 1 to 2 foot separation between the antennas. Here are places to buy antennas and etc. , http://www.antennasdirect.com , http://www.solidsignal.com , http://www.amazon.com , http://www.ramelectronics.net , http://www.tigerdirect.com , http://www.digicircle.com. Buy the antenna mounts from solidsignal by typing the word ronard in the solidsignal search box or buy from ronard.

[Electron]

The C5 is a VHF high band antenna for the reception of channels 7 thru 13. The DB4e is a UHF antenna for the reception of channels 14 thru 69. Please note that there is the Real channel that is received and there are Virtual channels. The REAL channel is the one that is being transmitted and then received by your antennas. The Virtual channel in most cases is the tv stations Legacy channel. The Legacy channel is the the channel that the tv station was transmitting before the switch to digital. Some tv stations have chosen to keep there old channel number and display it on the tv screen but does not mean that it is the real channel that is being transmitted. Real channels are Real channels and Virtual channels are not Real. Tvfool show both the REAL Channel and the Virtual Channel. Does that boggle the mind??

[rdiz92]

I decided to try a less expensive route first using just one antenna. I purchased an rca ant751 for less than $30 and mounted/re-purposed it with the satellite dish hardware with no pre-amp. To my pleasant surprise, I receive all the local major network affiliate stations in HD that I wanted, plus about 20 other stations. Very happy with the end result. Great little antenna.