Which antennae setup is best?

[Collins on Cobblestone]

Hello,

I would very much appreciate your advise and help on selecting the best antennae arrangement for my situation. The antennae array will be mounted about 8' to 10' above the steel roof on a Ronard eave mounting.

I am mainly concerned with accessing channels 7 (CBS), 13 (ABC), 25 (PBS). If it is not too difficult, I would also like to access channel 45 (62-CW) but it is not essential.

http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...cc49c9f0844c19

Thanks for your time.

At 40 feet antenna height , WYFF-DT REAL UHF channel 36 , virtual number (4.1-2) NBC and This Tv has a signal strength of Minus -12.5 NM(dB).

This puts the signal strength on the edge of the finger tips for reception.

To see what signal strength does at other antenna heights please make 5 more tvfool radar plot reports.

1 foot antenna height.

5 feet antenna height.

Yes the antenna height requests of 1 and 5 feet are correct.
Many situations of Tv transmissions crossing over hills and mountains will - Bend - the signal closer to the ground and the signal strength will be stronger closer to the ground.

25 feet antenna height.

60 feet antenna height.

100 feet antenna height.

No Response.

Well any way , at the 40 feet antenna height.

Install a WINEGARD HD7698P antenna with a Antennas Direct CPA-19 preamp , aimed at about 90 degree magnetic compass direction.
Here is how to aim antennas , http://www.kyes.com/antenna/pointing/pointing.html.

For the reception of ,

WLOS REAL VHF channel 13 , virtual number (13.1-2) ABC and MyNetwork.

WUNF-TV REAL UHF channel 25 , virtual number (33.1-2-3) PBS.

WASV-LP REAL UHF channel 50 , virtual number (50.1-2) , WYCW-DT The CW and , WSPA-TV CBS.

W34DX-D REAL UHF channel 34 , virtual number (21.1) WHNS FOX.

W41BQ REAL UHF channel 22 , virtual number (41.1) 3ABN.

W08BP-D REAL VHF channel number 08 , virtual number (7.1-2) CBS and Me-Tv.

Install the HD7698P antenna at a location that is Away From the Trees to the , north east , east , south east.

Do not underestimate the - Desire Of Trees - to reduce or block Digital Tv reception.

Keep the HD7698P antenna Away From The Trees of the directions of reception.

Tv antennas like a Clear View of the transmitting antennas.

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As a Test of reception , aim the HD7698P antenna with the CPA-19 preamp at about 152 degree magnetic compass direction for the reception of ,

WYFF-DT REAL UHF channel 36 , virtual number (4.1-2) NBC and This Tv.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WYFF.

Rescan scan for Digital Broadcast Tv channels.

Digital Tv tuners can develop - Digital Glitches - that are not cleared out with a simple channel scan.

Might help to do a Double Channel scan.

http://www.dtv.gov/rescan.html.

And also.

http://transition.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/rescan.pdf.

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During the setup and testing phase have only 1 Tv connected , No splitters.
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As always the starting aim direction is --> the starting aim direction.

The antenna can be turned and moved up and down and the location can be changed for best reception.

Most Digital Tv's have a signal strength meter and some Digital Tv's also have a signal quality meter.
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As always , trees and tree leaves do a real fine job of reducing or blocking Digital Broadcast Tv reception and so do buildings and other obstructions including your own house.

It is best to install the Tv 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 house.

The Digital Tv 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 to the receiving antenna.

DO NOT channel scan for cable tv channels.
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Here are some above the roof antenna mounts , http://www.ronard.com/ychim.html , http://www.ronard.com/34424560.html if using the eave mount use the #4560 ,
http://www.ronard.com/909911.html ,
http://www.ronard.com.

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

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

[Collins on Cobblestone]

Sorry, I was travelling a few days.

Wow, this is fascinating even if I don't understand it. Looks like lower is better? At ground level I do have tree obstruction. Here is my public dropbox link for some views from my house with the anticipated antennae location. https://www.dropbox.com/sh/r2fhhnjgviuj1ow/TkqX1p-6Fy
I am showing the antennae at 30' but am open to suggestions. At 10' I can clear most of the trees.

1 foot- http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...cc49b7480eb1cc
5 ft- http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...cc49dec2d38b22
25 ft- http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...cc490c314cf6aa
30 ft- http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...cc495338e93fa0
60ft- http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...cc49378637932d
100ft- http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...cc4947eee1179a

[Collins on Cobblestone]

Thank you for your informative response. I am curious if the additional information I posted in the previous email changes your recommendation.

[Collins on Cobblestone]

First I must apologize as I am still learning how to do posts. I don't see a reply I thought I sent so I'll try again. Thanks for your help.

I've added below additional analysis per the request. Also I added a link to my photos dropbox that shows where I am located relative to the nearest TV towers. Perhaps this additional information will enhance your antennae recommendation?

I have flexibility where to mount the antennae. Unless I go at least 10' above ground, I will have tree interference: 20 ft would get me a clear path and I could easily install it anywhere on the walkout basement wall. These options can be seen in the photos. Thanks so much for your help.

photo dropbox- https://www.dropbox.com/sh/r2fhhnjgviuj1ow/TkqX1p-6Fy

1 ft- http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...cc49d607ed3948

5 ft- http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...cc49438b480a9d

30 ft- http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...cc4981ca82b61d

60 ft- http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...cc49875a1afd77

100 ft- http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...cc493d2df50cd8

What directions are the pictures??

What direction is picture #1??

What direction is picture #2??

What direction is picture #3??

What direction is picture #4??

The WYFF transmitter is at 35.112045 latitude and -82.606201 longitude
North of the junction of Hemlock Trail and Foxglove Place.

This puts the WYFF transmitter and antenna tower on the other side of the mountain to the south east , 31.2 miles away from your location as shown in the tvfool radar plot report and channel list.

The tvfool channel list is showing a 1 Edge Path obstruction , the mountain.

This is why WYFF is weak of signal strength.

What directions are those pictures??

[Collins on Cobblestone]

Hi,

Picture 1 is NE
#2 is SSE
#3 is SE
#4 is SE

I added a google earth map showing the locations from my property to my dropbox.
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/r2fhhnjgviuj1ow/TkqX1p-6Fy

Thanks

OK I recommend use a Tripod antenna mount as a Test Stand (easy to move around) .

Antenna heights down low up high , this location that location.

Use the HD7698P antenna and CPA-19 preamp combination and do the reception testing as suggested.

One digital tv connected , no splitters.

[Collins on Cobblestone]

Originally Posted by teleview

OK I recommend use a Tripod antenna mount as a Test Stand (easy to move around) .

Antenna heights down low up high , this location that location.

Use the HD7698P antenna and CPA-19 preamp combination and do the reception testing as suggested.

One digital tv connected , no splitters.

Thanks for your help. One more question: should I purchase a rotator?

[Stereocraig]

Originally Posted by Collins on Cobblestone

Thanks for your help. One more question: should I purchase a rotator?

A rotor is only helpful, if your tuner allows you to add channels, VS a complete rescan.
Otherwise, you wipe out the channels you,ve previously scanned for.

------>NO Antenna Rotator<------

Now you are in the Testing phase of reception.

The main part but not the only part of the test is to see if WYFF NBC is receivable.

Thats why the tripod stand , so as to move the antenna around and up and down to find a hot spot for reception of WYFF.

If WYFF is receivable then I recommend a Channel Master CM4228HD antenna for reception of WYFF with a Antennas Direct CPA-19 preamp.

The HD7698P antenna and CPA-19 preamp system.

And the CM4228HD antenna and CPA-19 preamp system.

Are Separate antenna systems.

And Will Not be connected on to one coax.

The 2 antenna systems will have every thing separate , Separtate antennas , separate preamplifiers , separate splitters , separate coaxes , all the way to the location/s of the Tv/s.

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Use no splitter if 1 Tv is connected.

Then for 2 Tv's connected use a , HFS-2D , 2 way splitter.

3 Tv's connected use a , HFS-3D , 3 way splitter.

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Buy the HFS splitters at ,http://www.solidsignal.com , http://www.hollandelectronics.com.

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The -->Separate<-- antenna systems will have Separate splitters.

If more then 1 Tv is to be connected then use a ,

HFS-2D , splitter for 2 Tv's connected.

HFS-3D , splitter for 3 Tv's connected.

For each system.

Another way to understand is -->Double every thing for 2 separate systems.

A Remote control A/B antenna switch will be at each Tv location to switch from one antenna system to the other.

http://www.mcmelectronics.com #32-4425 .

A/B antenna switching is Channel Surfing Friendly , press the button on the hand held remote control , change antennas and Keep On Channel Surfing.

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For Now with the 1 HD7698P antenna and CPA-19 preamp , You are in the testing phase.

Only have 1 Tv connected for the Testing phase.

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Tv antenna rotators Are Not channel surfing frinndly , must wait for antenna to rotate and there will be domestic conflict about the direction the antenna is pointed.

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When aiming/testing for reception of WYFF , I recommend do a Double Channel Rescan because Digital tuners can develop - Digital Glitches - that simple channel scans do not clear out of the Digital tuner.

WYFF will most likely not be easy to receive so with a double channel rescan the Digital tuner will be cleared out for a good lock on UHF channel 36 WYFF.

http://www.dtv.gov/rescan.html.

[Collins on Cobblestone]

Originally Posted by Stereocraig

A rotor is only helpful, if your tuner allows you to add channels, VS a complete rescan.
Otherwise, you wipe out the channels you,ve previously scanned for.

Thank you for your help.