New home, trying to decide on a setup

[phunkyjoey]

http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...3616ace5aa84df

I just purchased a new home and would like to try going OTA and streaming for my TV needs. The previous owner had DirecTV so the plan is to try and use the existing coax, running to 4 TVs. Living along the gulf coast we regularly get storms with heavy winds, so I'd like to try and go with an attic installation as opposed to roof mounted. I have an old set of rabbit ears connected now that I can actually receive channels (going with Real cahnnel numbers here) 39 (which has ABC and now also CBS on a sub-channel), 16 (PBS), and with a little more trouble 48 (Fox, and soon to be NBC on sub).

My goal is to get more consistent reception on these channels (all located to the northeast) but also try and receive some of the New Orleans channels (all to the southwest). So it seems an omni-directional antenna would be best. Although I'm totally new at this and could be way off

I'm looking at the following as an antenna:
http://www.amazon.com/Antennas-Direc...4582512&sr=8-8
Are these good quality, or should I be looking elsewhere for an attic mounted antenna?

Also, I'm assuming a pre-amp would be a good idea for my situation. Would this be a good option for me: http://www.amazon.com/Winegard-ANWI8..._bxgy_e_text_c

Thanks for any comments and suggestions

[ADTech]

C4 is a decent enough antenna for the New Orleans stations provided you don't mind sacrificing one of the two PBS stations out of NO. Since you still have two others available, it might be a fair trade on your part.

Less expensive with better UHF performance would be the DB4e. The suggest pre-amp ought to do fine. Attic reception may be borderline - outdoors is highly recommended.

Alternatively, a large, very-deep 7-69 fringe system on a rotor would probably also bring you stations from the Mobile market. You'd have to decide whether that extra expense is worth it to you.

[phunkyjoey]

Thanks for the suggestion on the DB4e. I hadn't even seen that one yet. it definitely looks like the better choice of the 2 since its cheaper and has better UHF. I am willing to sacrifice the PBS station, since it is really the only VHF station I woud miss out on, and as you mentioned, I'll still get 2 other PBS.
I may attempt the attic set up, and then move it to the roof if it doesn't work. I know its going to be pushing it, but I'm just worried that I'll have to buy a new antenna and re-install it every summer during storm season. but if it comes down to it, I'm not opposed to going to the roof.
As far as the Mobile stations go, they would be nice to have, but I don't think they would be worth the extra expense. With the New Orleans stations, I would have the networks covered pretty much. It might be something to look into as a future project, but not at the moment.

Now, even though the DB4e is a multi-directional antenna, I assume the direction it installed to still affects its performance. in my situation, would it be best to install it pointed towards the New Orleans stations?

Thanks again for the info

[ADTech]

I may attempt the attic set up, and then move it to the roof if it doesn't work.

Wise plan.

I assume the direction it installed to still affects its performance. in my situation, would it be best to install it pointed towards the New Orleans stations?

Absolutely. The term- "multi-directional" is one without a specific accepted definition. We generally use that term for any antenna with a broad-enough beamwidth (DB8 excepted) to accept signals from towers that are not co-located. The tech data sheet with reception patterns for the DB4e is on our website. See "Documents" on the DB4e product page.

I would only expect the need to remove an outdoor antenna in the event of a tropical storm or hurricane. Those have ample warning so there should be time to dismount an outdoor antenna when the need arises.

[Electron]

A simple and easy reception situation. For reception of the groups tv stations/channels to the , south west , north east , and east , install a Antennas Direct CS2V antenna with a Antennas Direct CPA-19 preamp above the roof aimed at about 238 degree magnetic compass. Here is how to aim antennas , http://www.kyes.com/antenna/pointing/pointing.html. Remove the reflector screen from the CS2V and now the CS2V will receive the groups of tv stations/channels to the , south west , north east and east. The CS2V UHF/VHF antenna is a Very Strong and Sturdy antenna. I have one and it is Extra Strong and Sturdy. Here are some above the roof antenna mounts , http://www.ronard.com/909911.html , http://www.ronard.com/ychim.html , http://www.ronard.com/34424560.html , http://www.ronard.com. Buy the mounts at solidsignal by typing the word ronard in the solidsignal search box or buy from ronard. Here are places to by antennas and etc. , http://www.antennasdirect.com , http://www.solidsignal.com , http://www.amazon.com

The CS2V is designed to receive the 2 VHF high band channels of , WYES-TV Digital Channel 11 PBS and WKFK-LD Digital Channel 13 with these digital main channel and digital sub channels , http://www.thistv.com , http://www.myretrotv.com , http://www.iontelevision.com. And the CS2V also receives the UHF channels at your location. You have both VHF and UHF channels and the CS2V receives them. The CS2V is in fact a UHF/VHF antenna.

. The Tv's Must Scan for the Digital Broadcast Tv Channels sometimes named the 'Antenna Channels' or 'Air Channels' in the Tv set up menu because the tv transmissions travel throught the air from the transmitting antenna to your receiving antenna. . DO NOT scan for cable tv channels.

[phunkyjoey]

ADtech - Thanks for the info on the antennas. I'll look through the spec sheets this evening so i can get a better understanding of them.

Electron - Awesome, thanks for all the info. I'll have to go through and check out those links when i get home from work. The only thing that worries me about the CS2V is that it states a range of 50+ miles. Some of the stations are just over 50 miles away, so I'm worried that they would be in the fringe and the reception would be spotty. Whereas the DB4e states a range of 65+ miles. The additional range makes me more comfortable about receiving the channels. Do these generally have a better range than listed in the specs?

[Electron]

As Always and is Always explained. Range figures are generalizations. The real numbers are the NM(dB) , Pwr(dBm) , The ERP Effective Radeated Power of transmitter antenna the gain of the receiving antenna , height distance and more. The calculations are somewhat involved. In the past I have offered a easy way to do the figuring for a close good enough approximation. In the past this has brought on debates about this technical issue or that technical issue , it get's bogged down and does not help question asker. If you will like to get into it there is an explaination with all the numbers here at tvfool web site. The tv transmissions are strong at your location and will be received by the CS2V antenna.

[Electron]

Broadcast tv reception has very little to with the big HD!! that every one thinks is so important. What is important is the Real channels to receive and the correct/best antenna to receive them.

[signals unlimited]

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