OTA recommendations for Greenwood,SC

[Greenwood, SC]

http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%3dde6529b5f767a1

I have large Oak, Weyland Cyprus, and Magnolia Trees in my yard. I would like to get WIS DT 10, plus the NW stations. Thanks

[Electron]

Any openings in the trees to the north north/west or east??

[Greenwood, SC]

There is a large Oak that overhangs the roof, 60 ft. north and another Oak about 150 ft east. I tried an amplified indoor antenna and received WYFF with the blinds open.

[Greenwood, SC]

I have Dish but the local stations are limited and reception is 480i. I'm considering going all OTA vs. a Dish upgrade. Receiving WIS would be ideal but not a necessity.

[Electron]

Start with one antenna. Winegard HD7698P antenna with a Winegard AP8700 preamp aimed at about 10 degree magnetic compass , test reception of stations channels. Here is how to aim antennas , http://www.kyes.com/antenna/pointing/pointing.html. Here are Strong and Sturdy antenna mounts , http://www.ronard.com/909911.html , http://www.ronard.com/34424560.html . http://www.ronard.com/ychim.html , http://www.ronard.com. Buy the ronard antenna mounts at solidsignal 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.winegardirect.com , http://www.amazon.com. Also turn the antenna to 100 degree magnetic compass to test reception of WIS 10 and other station/channels.

[Electron]

The testing is to see what reception is like with the trees between the receiving antenna and the transmitting antenna. I suspect will be required to do tree thinning. Cutting away branches and leaves. Leaves and branches do a real fine job of absorbing and reflecting Tv transmissions. Tree thinning is actually good for trees. Lets the air flow through and sun light in and helps keep insects cleared out that can damage trees. If the trees are reducing and blocking reception , also mount antenna/s higher to receive over the tops of trees or find a opening between the trees or find a way to get around the trees. I am Not saying that you will have big problems with reception , I am pointing out situations , the only way to find out is to install the antenna and etc. .

[Electron]

The Tv/s Must Scan for the Digital Broadcast Tv Channels sometimes named the 'Antenna Channel' or 'Air Channels' in the Tv menu because the Tv transmissions travel through the air from the transmitting antenna to the receiving antenna. Do Not scan for cable Tv channels.

[Greenwood, SC]

Thanks for your response Electron. I was looking at the AntennaCraft 55 with a 10' mast, mounted to the chimney with 50' coaxial for one TV. The ranges look similar but the HBU55 is much cheaper (and shorter). Is the Winegard a better investment?

[Greenwood, SC]

I did the best I could on the north oak with an extended chain saw. Maybe I catch the bucket crew clearing the power lines next time.

[Electron]

The average gain of the HBU55 is VHF 9.3 and UHF 9.0 . The average gain of the HD7698P is VHF 11.5 and UHF 13.7 . The gain of 2 more at VHF is not that important . However a gain of 4.7 more at UHF is important . As to length and price. 12 feet and 14 feet . $68.00 and $111.00 at solidsignal. Well it's your choice. . Here some ways to get the antenna/s higher. http://www.ronard.com/Tripods%200703/4712.html. . And very nice high quality light weight aluminum layover towers. Do antenna installation and adjustments standing on the ground. http://www.palcoelectronics.com/pe300.aspx

[Greenwood, SC]

The aesthetics do matter. I don't want the antenna to overwhelm my home. What kind of reception could I expect from a Channel Master CM2020? Would it do a good job in the green and yellow zones?

[Electron]

Another way to do it. Winegard HD9095P and Winegard YA1713. Combine the two antennas with a http://www.antennasdirect.com , UHF/VHF combiner. Separate the 2 antennas by a couple of feet or so on the same mast.

[Greenwood, SC]

Listening to Neil Young's "Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere." Even the President knows it. His "fired up and ready to go" slogan originated here. I guess I'm the "fool" in the deep fringe, that doesn't know it yet. The north side eve may be a better location for the mount.

[Electron]

Looking at the Current Plus Pending Applications Included of the tvfool radar report for the Digital Tv Stations/Channels. The Tv stations to the north/west , north , north east , are medium strong in the green reception zone and weak in the yellow and red reception zones. The Tv stations/channels to the east are weak in the red reception zone. It is better to have a antenna that is bigger then what then is indicated then to have a antenna that is the size as indicated or smaller then is indicated. A larger antenna will give the elbow room that is required for reliable reception. If the trees are what you say they are , then a larger antenna is required.

[Greenwood, SC]

That's what I gathered too, Electron. Antennaweb.org recommended a deep fringe antenna, with only 38.1 listed. My experience with the indoor antenna demonstrated that was the only reliable station. Growing up with an antenna in a house not far from here, we had 4, 6, 7, 12, and 13 reliably. The address there on TVFool shows reception weaker than here. What was confusing to me with TVFool, was the color code/antenna placement. If I can get all of the green with the leaves on the trees, I'll be happy. I've enjoyed doing the research and thanks for your help. I'll let you know the results after I do the set-up.

[Electron]

I directly referred to the tvfool color zones of the tvfool radar map. I do not use or refer to the oddball color code of antenna web that is the same color code on the antenna boxes. The tvfool colors are , Green for Go , Yellow for caution pay attention for required action to get reception , Red for You Will Take The Correct Action for reception or reception will stop. Gray for the reception is out there somewhere , however most likley will not happen.

[Electron]

Antenna Web was never that great to begin with and has fallen on hard times.