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-   -   selecting an antenna and installation questions in Boca Raton, FL (http://forum.tvfool.com/showthread.php?t=1830)

cableisevil 27-Jun-2011 11:58 PM

selecting an antenna and installation questions in Boca Raton, FL
 
Im smack in the middle of Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach and am cutting the cable. I am a renter so an attic antenna is going to have to be the way to go :( Its a one story house with a smallish attic and a barrel tile roof. Here is a look at my reception report. Any help on selecting an antenna would be great. Under $100 dollars would be best.

http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...03d90d7a60181e

At this point my main installation question is this:

once I get the antenna up in the attic I was planning on using the existing coax line that was run by the cable company once upon a time. The issue is that I still get internet from the cable provider. There is no "video" running through the line I know for sure because I watched the cable guy climb up on the pole behind my house to make sure I was only getting "data" and not both. Can I plug my antenna into this same line? After all the cable company sends internet and TV through the same line right?

Right now I currently only use one coax "outlet" for my wireless router but every other outlet in the house would do the same currently if I wanted it to. Ideally I want to be able to plug my digital TV's into a coax outlet that currently exists and get TV channels from my antenna. How do I make this work?

cableisevil 28-Jun-2011 12:19 AM

also an even better solution would be just an antenna that I could buy for each TV (2 or 3) and just set it beside the TV it's being used for. Basically new age rabbit ears. That would save me the hassle of getting into the attic and doing all the 150 degree heat acrobatics. I actually bought an antenna from Kmart during the NBA finals that said it would do this. Sitting next to the TV it does nothing if I set it on the window sill it gets one channel. I had to run it out the window and set it in the gutter the night of the games to get that channel. I figured it was just never gonna work without going attic or roof mount. Seeing that I'm right between two metropolitan areas is there an antenna that would just sit next to the TV and work or are these basically just gimmicks?

John Candle 28-Jun-2011 2:31 AM

Tv Antennas and Reception
 
This question of , can a Antenna and active - cable Tv , internet cable , cable phone service , on the active cable be combined on to the same cable line is continually ask and the answer is , No , No and No. However coax lines in the house that are not connected to any type or kind of active cable service can be used. Read previous posts and you will see. The Tv transmissions are Strong at your location. Metal , concrete and thick bricks reduce and block Tv transmissions. Is the house wrapped with any type or kind of metal such as but not limited to , metal siding , stucko with stucko Wire?? Are the walls made of poured concrete?? Is there brick from ground to roof?? Does the house have solar panels on the roof?? Here are indoor antennas that should work if the house is a wood frame house with wood siding or vinal siding. , http://forum.tvfool.com/showthread.php?t=233 . Aim the indoor antenna at about 344 degree magnetic compass , here is how to aim Tv antennas , http://www.kyes.com/antenna/pointing/pointing.html. Read and understand about , REAL Digital Broadcast Tv Channels , Virtual Digital Broadcast Tv Channels , Analog Broadcast Tv Channels , http://forum.tvfool.com/showthread.php?t=695

GroundUrMast 28-Jun-2011 4:19 AM

If you connect an antenna to an active cable TV service lead... even one that has been limited to internet access only, you risk causing harmful interference to aircraft, fire, police and military frequencies.

If you are unable to get satisfactory reception using an indoor antenna, you will want to review the FCC OTARD rules which protect your right to receive OTA signals.

You should be able to find a workable solution without needing to 'fight' with your landlord.

cableisevil 28-Jun-2011 4:44 AM

thanks for the replies. I had read about the aircraft and fire/etc interference with using an active cable line but I didnt know if that was the same as internet from the cable company. I am completely ignorant to this technology.

As far as the FCC law and my landlord goes, I read about that too. My landlord happens to be my father in law so the situation is a bit more than just business and flashing an FCC law in his face and bolting up an antenna outside the house.

The house is concrete block like most older homes in florida and the roof is concrete barrel tiles.

Mainly im looking for a cheap and FAST solution. Are there any antennas that would sit right next to the TV's and plug and play with the signals I'm getting, or is attic or roof the only way? Sorry the link for the indoor antennas didnt work. I just don't really want to get up in the attic in the summer to mount this thing and reroute coax and my father in law doesnt want me drilling holes in his house either.

John Candle 28-Jun-2011 6:25 AM

Tv Antennas and Reception
 
As you can see the Tv stations are in 2 groups , the north and a little bit west and south and a little bit west. This is very good , it makes receiving the Tv stations much easer. The Tv transmissions are Strong at your location. I have some questions , How many Tv's will be connected?? Is there a , front , back or side yard on the west side of the house?? You can put a antenna outside with no attachments to the house. A tripod mount with boards or cement blocks as a base , standing on the ground with a 10 foot mast and Winegard HD7000R antenna aimed at about 200 degree magnetic compass. The coax from the antenna can be routed into the house with a Flat Coax model FC-300LX at a window or door , or the coax from the antenna can be connected to where the coax in the house go to one place. Most house coax goes to a outside location. If you go with the FC-300LX at a door or window , be nice to the flat coax and do not slam doors and windows on it. The Antenna Craft / Radio Shack 10Y203 tripod mount is a good mount. I need to know how many Tv's will be connected so as to know if a distribution amplifier will be used or not. Here are places to buy tv antennas and etc., http://www.solidsignal.com , http://www.starkelectronic.com , http://www.amazon.com , http://www.3starinc.com , http://www.homedepot.com , http://www.lowes.com

John Candle 28-Jun-2011 6:28 AM

Tv Antennas and Reception
 
The link for indoor antennas is working now. You can try one of the indoor antennas. Here is how to aim indoor antennas , http://www.kyes.com/antenna/pointing/pointing.html Indoor Tv antennas work the best when the antenna is located close to a wall or window the direction of the Tv transmitters , in your situation that will be to the west. With indoor Tv antennas higher is usually better. Do not stick indoor tv antennas behind , Tv's , entertainment centers , refrigerators , it is not a good idea to hide tv antennas in closets or pantries full of caned goods. Tv antennas like elbow room to be able to receive the signal , this makes them happy.

cableisevil 28-Jun-2011 6:55 AM

great great info. after looking at this thing

http://www.amazon.com/RCA-ANT751-Out...9243280&sr=8-1

I think he may not have such a problem with outside mounting. This thing isnt really that big. West side is going to be a problem because that is the front of the house. North is best and that is where the Comcast cable/internet line is coming in anyway through a soffit vent. Since an indoor next to the TV type antenna seems to be riddled with problems my plan is to go attic or outdoor now. I would like to just unhook 2 or 3 of the coax lines that come off of current "main" cable line and run them to the antenna. That would keep me from having to run new lines down the walls with new face plates and all. This would also keep the outlet that I currently have my internet router hooked up to still on the comcast feed. Then when we move I can just pull those antenna lines off the antenna and screw them back onto the comcast feed for future residents.

So I guess 2 maybe 3 TV's for the antenna. Is all coax the same? If I do mount the antenna outside can I just feed that one coax into the attic and hook a splitter up to the 3 three existing lines that are currently split off the comcast line? I'm starting to get excited!

cableisevil 28-Jun-2011 6:57 AM

test

just posted a lengthy reply but it said the moderator had to approve it first. now its gone.

This posted. What gives

alright well i just wrote another reply that said all the same stuff and it now has to be approved by the moderator. I give up for tonight.

cableisevil 28-Jun-2011 7:25 AM

Here we go again.

Looks like I'm going to go attic or outdoor. after looking at this little guy http://www.amazon.com/RCA-ANT751-Out...9243280&sr=8-1
I think I may be able to convince him to let me put this on the eve on the north side of the house. Unfortunately the west side is a no go because its the front of the house.

The line that that connects all the house coax cable to the main comcast line enters through a soffit vent on the north side. My ideal plan would be to mount the antenna on or under that soffit and feed coax from the antenna right along side the "main" comcast line. Then I would detach 2 or three current coax lines from the splitter on the comcast main line and put them on a splitter from the antenna main line fed from the outside into the attic. That way I can keep the cable "outlet" that my wireless internet router currently lives at up and running on the comcast data and transfer 2 or three others over to the antenna. Then when we move I can just take those three lines off of the antenna splitter and put them back on the comcast splitter. Is that clear? If all coax and splitters are this same like I am assuming this should work and without having to run and install new cable outlets just for the antenna in two or three places.

John Candle 28-Jun-2011 8:02 PM

Tv Antennas and Reception
 
You can try the Winegard HD7000R in the attic. Aim the antenna at about 200 degree magnetic compass. The Winegard HD7000R antenna must not be connected to a active cable Tv line. If the Cable Tv line is active with any type or kind of cable delivered service do not connect the antenna to it. You can disconnect the cable lines that are not being used to deliver cable service and use them for the antenna connection to the Tv's.

cableisevil 29-Jun-2011 12:43 AM

that what i was going to ask in my reply that has yet to be approved by the moderator. I'm looking at mounting outside now because I found this smaller antenna the RCA ANT 751 on amazon dot com. I cannot mount on the west side because that is the front but I can mount it on the north side and feed the coax through the same soffit vent that the comcast line comes into. I will then disconnect the coax lines that I want to use off of the main comcast line and connect them to my antenna main line while keeping my internet router on the comcast line. Will any normal splitter work for this. I found the comcast on that im going to detach from and its one input and four output. I'd like to take 2 or three lines off that splitter and put them on a splitter from the antenna mainline. This would give me two or three TV's getting the antenna signal. What else should I know? You have been great!

cableisevil 29-Jun-2011 12:55 AM

rediculous! another lost post waiting to be approved by the moderator.

Thanks for the reply and I was asking in my lost posts if I could do what you say and detach a couple lines from the live comcast internet feed and put them on a mainline from the antenna. I'd like to take 2 or 3 coax cables off the comcast splitter which is one input and 4 outputs and put them on a similar splitter for the antenna. Are the splitters the same as what comcast is using? This way I can have my antenna for the TV's and my router getting internet from the comcast line without running new lines down the walls.

I think I might be able to mount the antenna outside on an eve if I can get a smallish one. I found the RCA ANT751 online with get reviews. Can I put two or three TV's on that with a splitter from the main antenna line? Unfortunately the west side of the house is a no go because it's the front but I think I can put on the north side and feed the main antenna coax through the same soffit vent that the comcast one is going into the attic through. 200 magnetic may be tough on the north side of the house. What else should I know? I'm getting excited!

GroundUrMast 29-Jun-2011 1:29 AM

The coax used by the cable company and satellite TV providers will work well for OTA signals. As you have described... simply be sure the cables are disconnected from the cable company feed.

An outdoor mounted ANT-751 should provide enough signal for 2 to 4 sets. In the attic or elsewhere in the building may work also... depending on the materials used in construction.

John Candle 29-Jun-2011 2:17 AM

Tv Antennas and Reception
 
Yes you can disconnect the coax cables from the splitter the cable company installed. I recommend removing the 4 way splitter completely and connect the cable line that was connected to the input of the 4 way splitter to the coax that goes to your computer with a inline coax coupler , commonly called a barrel because they look like barrels. Knowing that you are intent on doing it your own way I am giving you more clear cut directions , Do Not reuse the 4 way splitter for the antenna unless you are going to actualy and are for real connecting 4 Tv's to the antenna , The reason is --> each time the signal is split - the signal strength goes down. Go to Home Depot or Lowes and get a splitter that has outputs for the number of Tv's that will be connected. You can also get the barrel at Home Depot or Lowes. Here is Picture of a Tv antenna mount that will get the Tv antenna above the top of the roof line with out putting holes in the roof , it is a eave/gable mount , http://www.sadoun.com/Sat/Products/Perfect/PVEM1.gif . I know that you are intent on making sure that you do not receive all of the Tv stations to the north and south.

cableisevil 29-Jun-2011 4:55 AM

great info! i will grab the barrel and smaller slitter for sure. The eave mount you suggested looks good but wont work on my house because my eave doesnt come to a peak in the middle, it's straight across on that side of the house. I would in fact like to get as many channels as possible and from both metro areas north and south if possible. If I can't get antenna pointed to 200 mag as you suggested what would be the next best direction to get the most channels possible? Would it be better to mount the antenna in the attic and point toward 200 degrees or on the north eave outside pointing in some other direction? Is the RCA antenna I found any good? Would you recommend something different but similar?

John Candle 29-Jun-2011 8:03 AM

Tv Antennas and Reception
 
I am very close to giving up. Here is the truth , Tv antennas receive the best when they have elbow room and nothing is obstructing the reception. Putting a Outside Tv Antenna on the outside of the house in a place where the tv signals must to travel through a roof of a house is defeating the reason for putting the Tv antenna on the outside of the house. Come on now , think clearly. I am doing my best to help you. You through road blocks at every little advance forward. Here is a web site that has Many different types and kinds of antenna mounts , you find the one that will be best for the situation of mounting the antenna outside in such a manner that the antenna has the clearest view of the Tv stations to the north and south. http://www.starkelectronic.com . Here is how to aim outdoor Tv antennas and indoor Tv antennas , http://www.kyes.com/antenna/pointing/pointing.html , Yes you can use the ANT751 if you like.

John Candle 29-Jun-2011 8:35 AM

Tv Antennas and Reception
 
And I know that you are thinking , well what about this and what about that and what about something else and what about those small dish satellite Tv antennas that you see mounted along the bottom edge eave of the roof?? So why not mount a Tv antenna at the bottom edge eave of the roof. Satellite Tv antennas are pointed at a place 23,000 miles above the equator and satellite Tv antennas also are mounted in a place where the dish has a unobstructed view of the satellite above the equator , if the view is - blocked - then you will not be watching satellite Tv. The point here is - unobstructed view- is the best.

John Candle 29-Jun-2011 8:44 AM

Tv Antennas and Reception
 
And I know that you will say , well I have seen a 'Tv antenna' that is mounted pointed straight in to the house it is mounted on. And I say , yes I know , It's a real head shaker! I see Tv antennas pointed down at the ground , It's all to much.

cableisevil 29-Jun-2011 1:14 PM

Thanks again for the great information. Could have done without the condescending tone but truely thank you.


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