OTA antenna selection
 

Good evening,

I'm looking to purchase an OTA antenna and distribute the signal to two televisions now with the potential of up to four televisions in the future. We are in a house and my preference is to install the antenna on the first story roof where my Direct TV dish is located on the western part of the house. This site is approximately 16' off the ground. However, I think this could be an issue with trees and the second story eastern part of the house blocking line of sight to 69 degrees.

Until winter passes, it may need to be placed in the second story attic which would place it about 23' high. I understand this is not an ideal situation, but I'm hopeful this will work considering a back of the television antenna facing north in the western part of the house will receive all the channels I want with small adjustments to the position.

It's an asphalt shingle roof with wood framing and cement fiberboard siding. In the link below, I'm only interested in receiving the first six stations at 46, 47, 48, 198, 69 and 198 degrees; all within 10 miles of my location.

http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...c84f48c11a52e8

I'm thinking of running the cable to a home run location in the basement and distribute to each to the rooms. Current tv's are located on the main floor and future tv's would be in the basement. The cable run from the second story attic to basement would be approximately 30'.

I appreciate your time reading this post and antenna and accessory hardware (splitters etc) suggestions.

Chris

A Simple reception situation.

In the second story attic install a Clear Stream 2 Complete UHF/VHF antenna , aimed at about , 66 degree magnetic compass direction.

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

Remove the Reflector Screen from the CS2V antenna so the antenna will receive 2 directions , at the front of the antenna and the back of the antenna.

http://www.antennasdirect.com/store/...VHF-Combo.html.

For the reception of the groups of Tv stations to the north east and south west.

The Digital Tv stations in the Green reception zone should be received.

If there are reception issues that can not be corrected buy antenna aim or location in the attic , when the weather is warmer move the CS2V Complete to above the second story roof.

The signal strengths are strong at your location.

A preamplifier will most likely not be required.

For 1 Tv connected use no splitter.

For 2 Tv's connected use a simple common 2 way splitter.

For installing the antenna above the second story roof here are some antenna mounts , http://www.ronard.com/909911.html if using the tripod mount the use the 5 foot tripod. , http://www.ronard.com/34424560.html , if using the eave mount then use the #4560. , http://www.ronard.com/ychim.html , http://www.ronard.com.

Buy the antenna mounts at solidsignal by typing the word ronard in the solidsignal search box.

The CS2V Complete antenna is not a big antenna and is light weight , can also use a Winegard DS3000 , J type antenna mount.

Here are some places to buy antennas and etc. , http://www.solidsignal.com , http://www.amazon.com.

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As always , trees and tree leaves do a good job of , reflecting , reducing , blocking , Digital Tv reception and so do buildings and other obstructions including your own roof and house.

It is best to install the antenna at a location that has the least amount to no amount of obstructions of any type or kind including your own house.

The Tv's Must Channel Scan for The Digital Broadcast Tv Channels , often named the 'Air Channels' or 'Antenna Channels' in the Tv setup menu because the Tv transmissions travel through the air from the transmitting antenna the the receiving antenna.

Some Digital Tv's automatic channel scan for cable Tv channels.

Go into the Tv setup menu and select , 'Air Channels' / 'Antenna Channels.

DO NOT channel scan for cable tv channels.

I appreciate your time answering my questions.

Just to verify, I can order this ClearStream2 antenna (SKU 5374800112) from SolidSignal.

For mounting in the attic, could I use a spare J-mount tube and hang it down from the bottom of a horizontal truss?

Thank again.

Nope, you need the ClearStream 2 Complete as suggested.

There are four different SKUs for the C2V and more than that for the C2. You have to be careful what you are looking at when you look at reseller's sites.

The only version of the C2V from which you can remove the reflector without using a drill is the original version of the C2V, the C2-V-J30 which may or may not (most likely) be available from resellers. Al later versions will require the drilling out of one or two of the aluminum rivets.

The CS2V Complete must be the CS2V Complete UHF/VHF antenna.

The aluminum rivets are easy to drill out.

Yes a J mount can be used , and also about any other pipe to hang the antenna in the attic.

Gotcha,

Looks like I can only find the C2-V-J30 at a couple of online outlets and one seller on ebay for around $95 plus shipping.

http://www.mcmelectronics.com/produc...J30-V-/30-2310

Alternatively, if I only need to drill out a couple rivets, would the C2-V-CJM work and save $30? http://www.solidsignal.com/pview.asp...nt-(c2-v-cjm-)


Thank you, Chris

Buying on e-bay is --> buying on e-bay.

Open box specials are --> open box specials.
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The same make and model number antennas.

A $140.00 antenna. New in a sealed box.

A $110.00 antenna. e-bay , or , open box special.
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As an - Example - the average monthly cost of , Pay cable Tv / Pay satellite Tv , $100.00 a month.

That is $1,200.00 a year.

------$2,400.00 two years.

-------$3,600.00 three years.

-----------$4,800.00 four years.

--------------$6,000.00 five years.

-----------------$7,200.00 six years.

------------------$8,400.00 seven years.

----------------------$9,600.00 eight years.

------------------------$10,800.00 nine years.

----------------------------$12,000.00 ten years.

Yes, I just wanted you to be aware of difference - one version of the C2V is super- easy, the other, not so much.

Should you need to reassemble the reflector, a #10 x 1 1/4" screw and nut will do the job.

Other considerations when drilling rivets, would be the drilling melting the plastic brackets and the rivet just spinning.
I always try to drill the mushroomed end of the rivet, if it's accessible.

I wonder how long and how fast the drill would have to be turning to create enough friction to generate enough heat to , 'melt the plastic' ??

The rivets are soft small aluminum rivets.

And -->If<-- such a situation looks like it is going to happen.

Then pour water on the rivet and drill bit while the drilling is taking place. The water will keep the action cool.

I have seen sharp tools bind while cutting, generating heat very quickly...

If there is a concern, the suggestion to use a small amount of water should keep the work (and everyone else) cool.

Red herring alert. The only rivet on the "newer" C2V is not in plastic. it's aluminum on the front side of the reflector and steel on the back.

I use a 3/16" bit on a drill press to drill out the rivets when needed. Watch out, there can be sharp edges of the rivet from the drilling process.

I finally installed the antenna in the attic today and have great reception on the one HDTV. The true test may come when splitting the signal across two or three televisions to know if it must be placed on the roof. Thanks again to everyone's advice and experiences. I wanted to get the antenna installed before replacing a second set with an HDTV.