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Old 7-Jul-2012, 12:06 PM   #1
Philly_kid
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New home antenna options

Hi all,

I used an antenna to get my stations while in Philadelphia over the past 2 years with success and want to Do the same at my new place. I'm in a rural area and could put an antenna on the roof. I would love to put it in our large attic area because it would be so much easier.

Here is my fool tv report.

http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...99000b203ce59a


I would love to get both NY and Philly stations.

Could I get both from my attic or do I have to go on the roof? Recommendations?
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Old 7-Jul-2012, 12:18 PM   #2
Philly_kid
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I should have included - we will probably have 3-4 tvs using the signal.
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Old 7-Jul-2012, 1:47 PM   #3
signals unlimited
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Provided there are no large trees blocking your signal, you may be able to receive Phila, NY, and Scranton from your attic, but the antenna needed to accomplish this is long and wide. If you have enough room to mount and rotate, this will work well.
If not the same equipment just above the roof is recommended.

Use a Winegard HD7084P antenna. This is an all channel antenna which you need because you have channels in all bands including channel 6 from Phila.

Mount this in a Channel Master 9215 rotor. This will provide reception from all directions using one antenna.

A two antenna option could be the HD7084 antenna pointed to Philadelphia, and an RCA ANT751 antenna pointed toward New York. This will require the use of seperate coax to seperate distribution amplifiers and seperate coax from the amps to all DTV sets, along with A/B switches or Tuners with duel antenna inputs. A bit complicated but a great channel surfing freindly system.

The rotor system will allow for use of single coax from the antenna, to a distribution amplifier such as a Channel Master 3410, to a four set splitter and a single line to all sets. All channels will be received.
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Old 7-Jul-2012, 2:17 PM   #4
Electron
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->ALL<- Questions and Answers about Broadcast Tv Reception and More.

At your location the largest number of Strong Tv stations/channels is the Philadelphia group.

Install a Winegard HD7082P antenna aimed at about 185 degree magnetic compass.
Here is how to aim antennas , http://www.kyes.com/antenna/pointing/pointing.html.

For 3 or 4 Tv,s connected install a Channel Master CM3414 distribution amplifier.

Mount the antenna above the roof , here are some roof top antenna mounts , http://www.ronard.com/909911.html , http://www.ronard.com/34424560.html , http://www.ronard.com/ychim.com , http://www.ronard.com.

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

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


These Strong Signal Strength , Scranton Pa. , Tv stations/channels to the north west at about 305 degree magnetic compass will be received by the HD7082P antenna.

WBPH-TV 9 Religion Family Network.

WFMZ-TV 46 Me-Tv and Retro Tv Network.

WLVT-TV 39 PBS.

Last edited by Electron; 7-Jul-2012 at 10:22 PM.
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Old 7-Jul-2012, 2:39 PM   #5
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->ALL<- Questions and Answers about Broadcast Tv Reception and More.

The New York City Tv stations/channels are much weaker.

I recommend a channel surfing friendly second antenna system.

This second antenna system is a Separate system and Will Not be connected to the the first system.

For reception of the New York City group of Tv stations/channels install a Winegard HD7084P antenna with a Winegard AP8275 preamp aimed at about 82 degree magnetic compass.
Here is how to aim antennas , http://www.kyes.com/antenna/pointing/pointing.html.
For connecting the Tv's.
Use a , http://www.hollandelectronics.com,
HFS-4D 4 way splitter. Also available at solidsignal.



The 2 Separate antenna systems are separate all the way to the Tv's where a remote control A/B antenna coax switch will be at each Tv location.

Each system will be connected to the inputs of a A/B switch and output the A/B switch connected the Tv.

This 2 Separate antenna systems is channel surfing friendly , push the button on the hand held remote control , change antennas , and keep on channel surfing.

http://www.radioshack.com , # 15-1968 or http://www.mcmelectronics.com , # 32-4425.

Last edited by Electron; 7-Jul-2012 at 10:23 PM.
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Old 7-Jul-2012, 2:46 PM   #6
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Separate the 2 antennas buy about 3 feet on the same antenna mast.

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

DO NOT scan for cable tv channels.
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Old 7-Jul-2012, 8:11 PM   #7
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You won't be needing to surf the York stations.

The York stations are very weak and most likly will not be received. Maybe with a strong pre-amplifier, 47 and or WGAL 8. Another FOX and NBC.

If you use a Channel Master 9215, run it before installing, let it set at counter-clockwise end of rotation (000), set it and the antenna magnetic North. This will allow you to go straight to any channel location by setting the display to match the numbers in your TVF report. Store these settings and you can recall any location with a command on the remote. Kinda like surfing.
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Old 7-Jul-2012, 9:05 PM   #8
Philly_kid
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Are we talking about York or New York? 82 degrees from me is New York, right?
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Old 7-Jul-2012, 9:58 PM   #9
Electron
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Yes it is the New York City Tv stations/channels at about 82 degree magnetic compass.

Last edited by Electron; 7-Jul-2012 at 10:14 PM.
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Old 7-Jul-2012, 9:59 PM   #10
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York Pa. is a no go...NYC stations are well within reach.
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Old 7-Jul-2012, 10:25 PM   #11
Philly_kid
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Thanks for the suggestions - I really appreciate it. I'm thinking about how it will affect my TIVO. The TiVo will operate normally with the channel guide, but I will have to make sure either the switch is on the right "A" or "B" or rotated to the right direction when recording. Also, I can't watch a NYC station and record a Philly station at the same time, right?
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Old 7-Jul-2012, 10:31 PM   #12
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Antenna rotators Are Not channel surfing friendly.
Reason:
Must wait for antenna to rotate.



The 2 antenna system is channel surfing friendly.
Reason:
Push the button on the hand held remote control , change antennas and keep on channel surfing.
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Old 7-Jul-2012, 10:37 PM   #13
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The Simple way to record is to have 2 Tivo's. , one connected to each antenna.

Or one Tivo and a A/B antenna switch connected to the 2 antennas.

One of many reasons the 2 antenna system is the best.

And yes with the 2 antenna system can watch one channel record an other.

One direction or both directions.

Last edited by Electron; 7-Jul-2012 at 11:12 PM.
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Old 7-Jul-2012, 11:10 PM   #14
Philly_kid
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Electron View Post
The Simple way to record is to have 2 Tivo's. , one connected to each antenna.

And yes with the 2 antenna system can watch one channel record an other.
in order to watch on one antenna and record on the other you need 2 TiVos, correct?
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Old 7-Jul-2012, 11:30 PM   #15
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There several different ways to connect it all up depending on the flexability of recording and watching required.

To watch one channel on one antenna and record on the other antenna.
Yes , a Simple way to do it is have 2 Tivo's.

If you get to thinking about wiring the devices different ways , then one of the ways is to use one Tivo and A/B switches.


But then the -> Easyest way <- is to Not receive the New York City Tv stations/channels at all.

One Antenna receives the Philadelphia / Scranton Tv stations/channels , one Tivo is connected , thats it , simple.

Last edited by Electron; 7-Jul-2012 at 11:33 PM.
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Old 7-Jul-2012, 11:32 PM   #16
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Because you already own a Tivo you may want to stay with that product...

If so, yes, to take advantage of two antennas, a second Tivo would be needed if you want to record from both sources.

However, there are other competing products,

http://www.epvision.com
http://www.channelmasterstore.com
http://westerndigital.com
http://www.silicondust.com

http://forum.tvfool.com/showthread.php?t=820
http://forum.tvfool.com/showthread.php?t=2882

I have multiple antennas. One is primary and usually serves everyone's interests, therefor it's cabled to all the TV's in the house. I don't use an A/B switch or rotator. The remaining antennas terminate in at least one network attached tuner, making it possible to record from any antenna without conflict. The best PVR/DVR for me has been a PC running XP. The recording files are stored on a networked drive, available to any PC in the house. If we want to watch a recording on the big screen, the laptop has an HDMI port that feeds the big TV screen.
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If the well is dry and you don't see rain on the horizon, you'll need to dig the hole deeper. (If the antenna can't get the job done, an amp won't fix it.)

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Last edited by GroundUrMast; 7-Jul-2012 at 11:42 PM. Reason: comments re. persoanl experience with recording
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Old 7-Jul-2012, 11:53 PM   #17
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New York signals are receivable... only with the antenna outside, with no obstructions such as trees or buildings. If I was going after the NY signals, I'd use an Antennas Direct 91XG, an Antennacraft Y10713, a UVSJ and an Antennas Direct CPA-19 preamp. I would also go into the project with 'eyes wide open', knowing that co-channel and adjacent channel interference could make reliable reception dificult or impossible on several of the channels.
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If the well is dry and you don't see rain on the horizon, you'll need to dig the hole deeper. (If the antenna can't get the job done, an amp won't fix it.)

(Please direct account activation inquiries to 'admin')

Last edited by GroundUrMast; 7-Jul-2012 at 11:57 PM.
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