Newbie needs help with selection

[kimNJ]

http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%3d0b86a8d1b724f0

I've decided it's time to pull the plug on cable and I connected one of our televisions to an RCA ANT301 that our son had been using in Florida. Unfortunately, we are only able to pick up the one local station. We would like to be able to receive the Philadelphia stations. Any suggestions that you can give would be greatly appreciated.

[Electron]

The default antenna height for the tvfool radar report is 10 feet , make a new report with the antenna at 25 feet. Is this a , house , townhome , condo , apartment , mobile home , motor home or etc.. How many tv's are/will be connected??

[kimNJ]

http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%3d0b86bf9fc626f1

This is actually for a small cottage that we have on our property, approximately 80 years old, wood frame with vinyl siding. It is currently used as a home gym so it would just be the one television for now ... can't quite get my husband to cut the ties to the satellite yet for the main house!

[Electron]

Five digital channels or so can be received with a simple indoor antenna such as a , Channel Master CM4010 or Terk HDTVi aimed at about 347 degree magnetic compass. Here is how to aim indoor antennas , http://www.kyes.com/antenna/pointing/pointing.html. For a full line up of digital channels , install a Winegard HD7084P antenna with a Antennas Direct CPA-19 preamp aimed at about 347 degree magnetic compass. Here is how to aim outdoor antennas , http://www.kyes.com/antenna/pointing/pointing.html. Mount the out door antenna above the roof in such a manner that the antenna is not close to trees , trees like reach out and bust up antennas. And the further away the trees are to the north the better the reception will be. Here are some antenna mounts , http://www.ronard.com/909911.html , [URL="http://www.ronard.com/34424560.html , http://www.ronard.com/ychim.html , http://www.ronard.com , buy the ronard mounts by typing the word ronard in the solidsignal search box or buy from ronard. Here are places to buy antennas and etc. , http://www.solidsignal.com , http://www.winegarddirect.com , http://www.antennasdirect.com , http://www.amazon.com.

[Electron]

The tv Must Scan for the Digital Broadcast Tv Channels sometimes called the 'Air Channels' or 'Antenna Channels' in the tv menu because the transmissions travel through the air from the transmitting antenna to you receiving antenna. Do Not scan for cable Tv channels. If the tv can not scan for the Digital Broadcast Channels then Channel Master has converter boxes , http://www.channelmasterstore.com.

[kimNJ]

Thank you so much ... it's definitely confusing and a bit overwhelming trying to figure this out!

[Electron]

It is Ok to ask questions. I suggest as a way to have some experience to get you going is to buy one of the indoor antennas , connect it to a Tv and scan for channels , you will receive some digital channels and that will help you understand more. If you provide the makes and model numbers of the Tv's. I will look on the internet and see if the tv's you have will receive the Digital Broadcast Tv Channels.

[Dave Loudin]

What Electron suggested will work for the channels close to you. If you want to reach for Philadelphia stations, then you'll have to spring for a large outdoor antenna like the Winegard HD8200U. Aim the antenna at 347 degrees.

[kimNJ]

The television is an old Toshiba CF19G22 with a Zenith DTT901 converter. The Channel Master doesn't look like it would be a whole lot better than what I have now, but I could be wrong. Also, what is the difference between the Terk HDTVi that you recommend and the HDTVa? I'm just asking because the latter one seems to have more reviews on it.

[kimNJ]

I think I understand why I don't need the amplification on the indoor antenna. Just one other question before I order the Terk as I can't justify the money yet for the Winegard, is there something available in between the two - maybe an indoor/outdoor that would reach a bit father out?

[Electron]

The indoor antenna is to show you the way so that you understand. The Winegard HD7084P is to take you the rest of the way. The reference to the channel master converter is if you do not have a converter. BUT Now you say you have a converter . Have you been using it ?? Now I am feeling like I am being strung along.

[kimNJ]

You are in no way being strung along. My son went to school in Florida and used the converter and RCA antenna when he was down there. They have both been in storage since he came home a couple of years ago. I just tried hooking up what we have to see if they would work here in New Jersey. Unfortunately we only receive the local channel with this antenna that's why I was hoping you could point me in the right direction for something that we could use in our cottage.

[Electron]

I was and am focused on getting you the best reception. It's my fault I for got about the converter your son had. Put the ANT301 in a window that is toward the north north west in/at the cottage. Perhaps the other helpers here know of and will recommend a antenna that will get you half way there , of the tv channels that can be received with the HD7084P.

[kimNJ]

Thanks Electron! I do have the antenna in the window and my son found a compass and we did point it at 347 like you suggested and are able to pick up one more station (Spanish). So now we're up to two. Looking forward to any other suggestions that won't be too costly that will hopefully enable us to pick up a few more channels.

[Dave Loudin]

Fiddling around with the indoor antenna might get you one more channel. However, if you want Philadelphia stations, you are going to have to go big and go outside, like I mentioned before. Take a moment to read the signal analysis FAQ that's linked at the top of your report. It is really well written, and will help you understand what we are trying to tell you.

[GroundUrMast]

Thanks Electron! I do have the antenna in the window and my son found a compass and we did point it at 347 like you suggested and are able to pick up one more station (Spanish). So now we're up to two. Looking forward to any other suggestions that won't be too costly that will hopefully enable us to pick up a few more channels.

Your TV Fool report indicates you need a large outdoor mounted antenna equipped with a preamplifier in order to reliably receive signals from Philadelphia. In this case, my preference would be to 'go large'. But your preference is what counts here.

Do you have a firm budget?

Are you planning to do the installation yourself or will you need to hire help?

If you are on a tight budget or simply don't want to deal with an outdoor installation, the Antennas Direct SR8 Indoor Antenna (http://www.antennasdirect.com/store/SR8_indoor_yagi.html) may provide one or two more local channels.