Help with antenna selection and install, Tacoma WA

[Matthew]

Here is my report
http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...5b94b9d2c98d2e

Hoping to get the networks and PBS channels. Would prefer attic installed but will put on roof if needed. Mainly due to the direction I think I need to aim is right were my utilities lines come in. I am worried that in the wind they might touch the antenna. Would prefer a low signature antenna.

Any advice is appreciated.

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For reception of the Digital Broadcast Tv Stations/Channels of the Digital Current Plus Pending Applications Included Radar Report and Channel List down to and including KTCS-DT Real VHF high band channel 9 PBS.

Above the Peak of the Roof , install a , http://www.antennacraft.net , HBU44 antenna aimed at about 357 degree magnetic compass direction.

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

Use a Real and Actual magnetic compass to aim antenna.

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For 1 , 2 or 3 Tv's connected a antenna system amplifier will most likely not be required.

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For 1 Tv connected use No splitter.

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

For 3 Tv's connected use a 3 way splitter.

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Here are some above the roof antenna mounts.

http://www.ronard.com/909911.html.
Use the , ronard(911) , 5 foot tripod antenna mount.

http://www.ronard.com/Tripods%200703/4712.html.
Use the , ronard(4712-50-10) , 10 foot tripod antenna mount.

http://ronard.com/ychim.html.
Measure around the chimney and use a , ronard(2212) , ronard(2218) , ronard(2224) .

Buy the ronard antenna mounts at , http://www.ronard.com , or , http://www.amazon.com.

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Home Depot and Lowes have 10 foot lengths of , Top Rail , chain link fence pipe , that makes good antenna mast. Low Dollars.

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To keep Weather/Water out of outside connections.

Use RG-6 coax that has the , Compression type connectors on the ends of the coax.

And to make double sure that weather/water does not get into outside coax and connections use , http://www.coaxseal.com.

When all is setup and working correctly , can also wrap the.

Matching transformer (balun) , the transformer that connects the antenna to the coax , with Coaxseal to keep weather/water out of the matching transformer.

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Here are some places to Buy antennas and etc.

http://www.antennacraft.net.

http://www.amazon.com.

http://www.ronard.com.

http://www.coaxseal.com.

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As always , trees and tree leaves , plants and plant leaves , have a Negative Effect on Broadcast Tv Reception and so do buildings and other obstructions including your own roof and building.

Some and not all Negative Effects are.

Absorbing and Blocking Reception.

Multi-Path Reflecting Tv Signals Bouncing All Around.

For Reliable Reception , the Best Practice is to install the HBU44 antenna at a location that has the least amount to no amount of obstructions of any type or kind in the directions of reception including your own , attic , roof , building.

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The Tv/s Must Channel Scan for the , ATSC-Digital Broadcast Tv Stations Channels , often named the ~ Antenna Channels ~ ATSC Channels ~ DTV Channels ~ Air Channels ~ in the Tv Setup Menu because the Tv transmissions travel through the Air from the transmitting antenna to the receiving antenna.

Some digital tv's will Automatic channel scan for only cable tv channels.

DO NOT channel scan for only cable tv channels.

Go into the Tv Setup Menu and select ~ Antenna Channels ~ ATSC Channels ~ DTV Channels ~ Air Channels ~.

Channel Scan for the , ATSC-Digital Broadcast Tv Stations/Channels.

[StephanieS]

Hello Matthew,

In your situation, I would definitely suggest a roof mounted antenna. Your pathways to Seattle (magnetic 352-357) already has 1 and 2 edge pathways. Asking those weakened signals to get through your roof is a recipe for unreliable reception.

Another complicating factor is that with any attic mount requiring a signal to pass through your roof knocks about 1/3 out of it. In your case those Seattle signals are trending towards weak. As a general rule, when you get below 25db in strength on a signal in an attic install, you may not see the signal at all due to not being able to "punch" through the roof.

All that said, if I were you, I'd do a single antenna solution. An Antennacraft HBU33 would be a starting point.http://www.solidsignal.com/pview.asp...na-%28hbu33%29 Orientate to magnetic heading 330. Make sure you have as unobstructed pathway as possible.

How many TVs do you intend to feed?

Cheers.