Eastern Upper Peninsula Reception

[dtonka]

TV Fool Report:
http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%3d13494a7b8fa601

Hi Folks,

I have a cabin in the UP of Michigan. I want to install a small outdoor antenna on the peak of my roof that won't get the neighbors too upset. I was thinking about using a RCA ANT751R mounted about 20ft high pointing south at about 180 degrees. I have a row of 40ft tall trees right next to the cabin on the east side. I have no obstructions to the south as I am on a lake.

I am interested in only receiving:
WWUP 10
WGTQ 8
WTOM 35
WCML 24
WFUP 45

Will this antenna be capable of receiving 35, 24, and 45? Would I need an amplifier? Do you think it can receive 10 and 8 despite the antenna not being pointed in that direction and the obstruction from the trees? I figured it would because of its close proximity to the towers.

This is the first time I have ever installed an outdoor antenna and do not know too much about them in general. If you have recommendations for any other small outdoor antennas besides the RCA, please advise. Thanks for your help.

[GroundUrMast]

you can try the ANT-751 but the information in your TVFR and your report of trees to the east make me doubt you'd be happy with the resulting reception. The ANT-751 has little or no hope of gathering enough signal from WFUP even if it's aimed directly at the station.

Because of the trees to the east of you, I'd suggest you use an Antennacraft Y10713 High-VHF aimed at 84° compass. That will give you reliable reception of CH-8 & 10. (If not for the trees, I'd opt for a Y5713.)

For the three UHF channels to the south, an Antennas Direct DB4e aimed at about 190° compass. Tune the aim point from there, looking for the best compromise that gives you all three stations.

The two antennas can be combined into a single coax down-lead by using a UVSJ (http://www.antennasdirect.com/store/UHF-VHF-Antenna-Combiners.html). With the UVSJ mounted on the mast, the cables from each antenna should be no longer than necessary. When mounting two antennas on a common mast, the UHF antenna should be 4' or more above the VHF antenna.

An Antennas Direct CPA-19 preamp would be connect to the output port of the UVSJ.

[dtonka]

Thanks. Unfortunately, that is too large of an array. Looks like it's going to be satellite-TV after all. : (

[Electron]

A simple reception situation with smaller antennas.

Install a Antennas Direct C5 antenna aimed at about 84 degree magnetic compass.

Install a Winegard HD9095P antenna aimed at about 190 degree magnetic compass.

The C5 comes with a combiner that combines the C5 and HD9095P togeather on to one coax.

Here is how to aim antennas , http://www.kyes.com/antenna/pointing/pointing.html

No amplifier will be required for one Tv connection.

Here are some 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.

http://www.solidsignal.com , http://www.winegarddirect.com , http://www.amazon.com.

[dtonka]

Thanks Electron.

I think I will try the C5 instead of the Antennacraft Y10713 that GroundUrMast recommended. The form factor seems much smaller. Based on the reviews it seems like it should pick up 8 and 10 without a problem.

The Winegard HD9095P seems like it's highly directional per the reviews. If I aim it at channel 45, will I have difficulty picking up channel 24 and 35? Also, the form factor seems pretty large. What do you think of using the DB4E that GroundUrMast recommended instead of the HD9095P? Do you think I would still need a preamp per GroundUrMast's recommendation.

Thanks to the both of you for your input.

[Electron]

WFUP 45 FOX is very weak at , minus -3.1 NM(dB) , I recommend the HD9095P but you can try the DB4e if you like.

Both the HD9095P and DB4e antennas are aimed inbetween the 2 groups of stations to the south at about 190 degree magnetic compass.

I recommend try reception without a preamp.

If a preamp is required for reception , then connect the CPA-19 to the output of the UVSJ so both antennas are amplified.

[dtonka]

Hi again,

I just learned that WWUP 10 is a broadcast mirror for WFUP (broadcasting both Fox and CBS) so I only need to receive 8, 10, 24, and 35. I've been receiving 24 and 35 with a Zenith ZHDTV1 indoors. It tried rabbit ears to get 8 and 10 without success. How would your advice change from the previous posts? Can I use an indoor antenna instead? If not, what would you recommend for an outdoor setup?

TV Fool Report:
http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%3d13494a7b8fa601

[GroundUrMast]

The C5 is a very good choice as a high-VHF solution in your case, provided it's not blocked by trees. If you're shooting through trees, the more directional Y10713 would provide a margin of protection from the foliage induced interference.

Either the DB4e or the HD9095P will do fine receiving WTOM and WCML... again, provided the trees are not a significant issue. If they are, the HD9095P is a more directional antenna and would therefor be the better choice. (An Antennas Direct 91XG would be a competing product to the HD9095P.)

So essentially, the relatively weak signal from WCML indicates the need to use an outdoor mounted antenna.

[dtonka]

Thanks! I really appreciate your feedback.