Starting from scratch

[Ghost5849]

I started this in another forum but then I realized it should've been posted here.

My location. Central NJ, 45 miles, line of sight, from both NYC and Philly. On top of a mountain at 670' elevation. There are several radio (police communications) and a microwave towers within 1 mile radius of my house. I'm not sure it they will effect my reception.

http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...1ddaef173999f1

I intend to cancel Comcast cable. Since I bought Apple TV I barely watch cable. I still want live news and sports. I also want to be able to get news if we go another two weeks without power like we did with Sandy. We were on genny power but cable was out.

I don't know the language here so I need some advice at my level, the lowest common denominator. What is the best rooftop antenna for my needs? I think I would like to rotate it between both Philly and NYC. How would I mount it? How do I get the signal into my house? I will still have cable Internet, will that effect how I connect into my pre-existing coax? What is a pre-amp? Do I need one? Is there anyone out there that sells everything I need in one kit or package?

Also. We get some heavy winds during storms. 30-40mph, according to my rooftop anemometer. I'd prefer it if I didn't have to go look for the antenna after the first storm.

Sent from my iPad

This recommendation is based on the street level tvfool radar plot and channel list.

Not the exact address..

Because the street level is the tvfool radar plot and channel list that is posted.

A Simple reception situation.

Here is a 1 antenna solution to receive the New York area Tv stations and Philly area Tv stations

Above the roof in such a manner that reception is not blocked by the roof or house in All directions.

Install a Winegard HD7000R antenna aimed at about 87 degree magnetic compass direction.

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

The HD7000R antenna is not a very directional antenna and receives good from/at other directions.

The HD7000R antenna receives the best at the front of the antenna and Also receives at front angles , back angles / back , of the antenna.

The least reception is directly on the sides of a directional antenna.
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Here are some roof top antenna mounts.

http://www.ronard.com/909911.html if using the tripod antenna mount use the 5 foot tripod antenna mount.

http://www.ronard.com/34424560.html if using the eave antenna mount use the #4560.

http://www.ronard.com/ychim.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.
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A Winegard DS3000 , J type antenna mount can be used to install the HD7000R antenna.
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Here are some places to buy antennas and etc. , http://www.solidsignal.com , http://www.amazon.com , http://www.winegarddirect.com , http://www.channelmasterstore.com.

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For one Tv connected use No splitter , No amplifier.

For 2 Tv's connected use a Channel Master CM3412 distribution amplifier.

For 3 or 4 Tv's connected use a CM3414 distribution amplifier.

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As always , trees and tree leaves do a real good job of , reflecting , reducing , blocking , Digital Tv reception and so do buildings and other obstructions including your own roof and house.

It is best to install the HD7000R 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 roof and house.

The Tv's 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.

Some Digital Tv's will automatic channel scan for cable tv channels.

DO NOT channel scan for cable tv channels.

Go into the Tv setup menu and select , 'Air Channels' / 'Antenna Channels'.

I return and reread the information that I provide for the question askers.

Looking for typos and to clarify the information.

I found 2 typos and have corrected them.

I found that I recommended CM3212 and CM3214 splitters and called them distribution amplifiers.

I have corrected the model numbers to CM3412 and CM3414 , that are in fact the distribution amplifiers.

Distribution amplifiers are what I am recommending.

It is interesting how the mind works , I can tell my self , Type a number that is correct , and as I am telling my self , I type the not correct number.

[Ghost5849]

Thank you. The antenna you suggested, will it have the range I need for 45 miles?

As always , mileage numbers on antennas , are a -->general guide<-- and is not intended to be the absolute and final answer.

The Digital Tv transmissions Are Strong Signal Strength at your location.

The information that I have provided is the Green Light to install the antenna and receive , Many , many , many , many, many , many , many , many , Digital Tv stations/channels.

Install the HD7000R antenna as directed.

[GroundUrMast]

I would suggest you verify your TV Fool report data before committing cash to the project.

Your report is flagged with the cautionary statement, "WARNING: Address was only resolved to street level and might not be that close to your actual location. For more accurate results, try entering a specific address or coordinates."

Try starting with Interactive TV Maps, enter your ZIP code, then move the cursor to your location. Be sure to set the antenna height to a value that is realistic. Once you have your position and antenna height set, click on the "Make Radar Plot" button at the top right corner of the map.

If your signal conditions remain as favorable as they appear now, reception should be quite good.

Known signal strength in the air, together with known gain of an antenna is always a more accurate means to predict reception performance -- As opposed to a mileage estimate intended to help an untrained sales person sell the product to a consumer with little knowledge of the subject.