Another recommendation for another newcomer please.

[tonyvalentine]

I'm ready to cut the cord like so many others and would appreciate some input on how to go about this. Right now I have DTV on a 5' pole on the southeast side of my home which is on top of a mountain in upstate NY. I would like to use the existing pole if possible along with existing cable for up to 6 tv's. However I only use 3 at the moment.

I filled out the signal analysis http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...5b944b63de9e8f and it looks like I'll be able to get all the networks with the current spot and would like any recommendation for a particular antenna and other equipment needed. The less obtrusive the better but obviously if necessary a bigger antenna will have to do. I'll be pointing through a clearing with some trees about 85' away on the other side.

Thanks for any help you can provide.

Tony

[tonyp063]

WARNING: Address was only resolved to block level and might not be that close to your actual location. For more accurate results, try entering a specific address or coordinates.

Please redo the report with the actual address (don't worry, it will be obfuscated for privacy)

Go to the start maps function, put in your address & switch to satellite view. Zoom in & move the dot right to where the antenna is going to be & then post the link.

At first glace, you should have good luck with the Binghampton stations, and some Elmira ones, with a hi-vhf/uhf combination antenna. Which one is recomended depends on a more acurate report

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The provided tvfool report says resolved to Block Level Only.

The provided tvfool report has a antenna height of 5 feet above ground.

Do not delete this first provided tvfool report and please make a Second tvfool

report with the Exact address and make the antenna height 25 feet above ground.

25 feet antenna height above ground is a Reference antenna height that provides a good evaluation of what Tv stations/channels are receivable.

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What direction is the clearing that the antenna will be pointed through??

[tonyvalentine]

Sorry about that. Here's the new one http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...5b94fb45ec890d and the clearing is facing south/south east.

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-->Many<--Digital Broadcast Tv Stations/Channels will be received at azimuth directions of 123 to 197 degree magnetic compass directions.

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Antenna #1 , Antennas Direct , DB8e , UHF band antenna.

Above the Peak of the Roof in such a manner that the roof and building are not , obstructing , impeding , blocking , reception in the directions of , 123 degree to 197 degree magnetic compass directions.

Install a , Antennas Direct - DB8e UHF channels antenna.

http://www.antennasdirect.com.

Aim 1 panel at about 147 degree magnetic compass direction.

Aim the other panel at about 180 degree magnetic compass direction.


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

Use a Real and Actual magnetic compass to aim antenna , do not trust a , cell phone , tablet and etc. compass.

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Antenna #2 , Antenna Craft , Y10-7-13 , VHF high band antenna.

At the same location as the DB8e and about 3 feet below the DB8e on the same antenna mast install a ,

http://www.antennacraft.net

Y10-7-13 , VHF high band antenna aimed at about 169 degree magnetic compass direction.


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Install a , AntennaCraft , 10G221 preamplifier.

Connect the DB8e antenna to the UHF connection of the preamplifier.

Connect the Y10-7-13 antenna to the VHF connection of the preamplifier.

The 10G221 preamplifier will be operated in the Separate antenna mode.

The FM radio interference trap of the preamplifier will be in the , in/on position.


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For 1 Tv connected use No splitter.

For 2 Tv's connected use a , Holland Electronics , HFS-2D , 2 way splitter.

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

For 4 Tv's connected use a , Holland Electronics , HFS-4D , 4 way splitter.

Buy the , HFS-2D , HFS-3D , HFS-4D , splitters at , http://www.hollandelectronics.com , or , http://www.amazon.com.


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Here are some places to buy antennas and etc.

http://www.antennasdirect.com.

http://www.antennacraft.net , http://www.antennacraft.com.

http://www.amazon.com.

http://www.ronard.com.

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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/34424560.html.
Use the , ronard(4560) , eave antenna mount.

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

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Home Depot has , 10 foot 6 inch lengths of 1 and 3/8 inch diameter , TOP RAIL , chain link fence , PIPE , that makes good antenna mast pipe , the cost is low at about 10 dollars.


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

Some and not all Negative Effects are.

Absorbing and Blocking Tv Reception.

Multi-Path Reflecting Tv Signals Bouncing All Around.

The Best Practice for Reliable Reception is to install antennas 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 building.


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The Tv/s Must Channel Scan for the , OTA=Over The Air , ATSC-Digital Broadcast Tv 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 tuners will Automatic channel scan for cable tv channels.

DO NOT channel scan for cable tv channels.

Do Not channel scan for only Analog tv channels.

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

Channel scan for ATSC-Digital Broadcast Tv Stations/Channels.

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For less then all out maximum reception , of as many different digital broadcast tv stations and networks as possible.

Install 1 antenna in place of the DB8e and Y10-7-13 antennas.

Install a http://www.channelmasterstore.com.

CM4228HD antenna aimed at about 157 degree magnetic compass direction.

The CM4228HD will get you the major networks.

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In place of the 10G221 , separate UHF/VHF antennas preamplifier.

install a , 10G201 , combined UHF/VHF antenna preamplifier , the reason is , the CM4228HD antenna is a combined antenna that receives both the UHF and VHF high band channels.

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For reception of the major networks with less reliability of reception , install the CM4228HD antenna on the 5 foot pole 5 feet above ground.

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For less reliability of reception , on the 5 foot pole 5 feet or less above ground , install a , Antenna Craft HBU11 antenna or ANT751 antenna.

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For less reliability of reception , do not install a preamplifier.

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And as always , you are free to choose and install a antenna of your choice and install the antenna at any location that you choose.

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To help you decide , however not to tell you what to do , read the following.

Attics and the Inside of buildings Are Not a Reception Friendly Environment and Never Will Be a Reception Friendly Environment.

[tonyvalentine]

Thank you. I think I'll give the CM4228HD antenna a try since I'm already getting reception for most networks with a cheap indoor antenna.

[tonyvalentine]

Well believe it or not I finally got around to trying this out and here's the update with more questions. I know teleview gave me an array of suggestions to try but as luck would have it (and wallet) I came across another antenna and amplifier. I ended up trying a Channel Master CM-2016 and my old Channel Master 7721 on the pole that was suggested. And here's what I've got.

I've got 18 channels just facing my antenna southeast using the 10ft pole next to my DTV post. Most come in above 68% or better on the tv's signal meter with a few below and several 100%. I'm not sure this is where I'll stop my quest for channels but I think it's a good start. I thought I'd ask a few more questions and see where to go from here.

Now as I've said I'm a relative newbie to this and apologize if I've got something wrong or went in the wrong direction. I looked over teleview's suggestions and compared the specs of the ANT751 and Antenna Craft HBU11 and thought the CM-2016 was in the ballpark. Plus I got it fairly cheap and used up some credit I had laying around. Not wanting to spend a fortune on this project I decided to start with the basics. And I had the CM7721 laying around.

Do you think either of those two Antennas would out do what I'm getting now? If I buy the 10G201 amp would it work better than the CM7721? What if I added another 10ft to the mast how much improvement can I expect? And finally, would I get that much more channels or much better reception going with the CM4228HD? I don't want to have to do more than is necessary.

Once again thanks for your input and any guidance you can provide.

+=>

Yes the CM2016 will have similar reception as the ANT751 and HBU11.

Yes the CM7721 distribution amplifier is Ok.

Installing the distribution amplifier closer to the antenna is better then further away from the antenna.

Amplifiers do not 'pull' signal through coax , amplifiers 'push' signal through coax.

The Most Important Action to take Now is get the CM2016 Antenna Up Above the Peak of the Roof so that Reception is Not , Obstructed , Impeded , Blocked , By the Roof and Building in the Directions of All Directions.

As Always , Antenna Location and Antenna Aim can be Adjusted for Best Reception.

Most Digital Tv's have a Signal Strength Meter and some Digital Tv's also have a Signal Quality Meter.

Signal Quality is important for reliable reception.

[tonyvalentine]

I forgot to mention I'm using the existing DIRECTV SPLIT8MRV splitter at the moment and would like to know if there's another 8 way available that's better. Otherwise I'll purchase the HFS-4D if it will improve things.

[tonyvalentine]

Originally Posted by teleview

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Yes the CM2016 will have similar reception as the ANT751 and HBU11.

Yes the CM7721 distribution amplifier is Ok.

Installing the distribution amplifier closer to the antenna is better then further away from the antenna.

Amplifiers do not 'pull' signal through coax , amplifiers 'push' signal through coax.

The Most Important Action to take Now is get the CM2016 Antenna Up Above the Peak of the Roof so that Reception is Not , Obstructed , Impeded , Blocked by the Roof and Building in the Directions of All Directions.

As Always , Antenna Location and Antenna Aim can be Adjusted for Best Reception.

Most Digital Tv's have a Signal Strength Meter and some Digital Tv's also have a Signal Quality Meter.

Signal Quality is important for reliable reception.

Thanks again for your help. As far as signal quality goes would you say 68% is reliable or will I lose these signals more frequently? I am hesitant to put the antenna on the roof for the obvious reasons. Also I don't believe it will clear the trees enough to make a big enough difference between the roof and 25' pole length on the ground. Once again I'm a novice and not suggesting you're recommendations are not valid I just want to be sure it's worth the trouble is all.

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Post number 8 says.

I've got 18 channels just facing my antenna southeast using the 10 foot pole next to my DTV post.

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Are you now saying the antenna is 25 feet from the ground up on a
pole/poles ??

If the antenna is lower then the Peak of the Roof.

It is Ok to Test reception with the antenna above the roof.

And.

Getting the Antenna Up In The Air at a Location that has the Least Amount to No Amount of Obstructions in the Directions of Reception is the Best Way to have More Tv Stations/Channels and Reliable Reception.

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What are the "obvious reasons" you do not want to put the antenna above the roof ??

Here is the Federal Antenna Law that says Yes Broadcast Tv Reception Antennas can be Installed Above The Peak of the Roof.

http://www.fcc.gov/mb/facts/otard.html.

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Yes looks like the , SPLIT8MRV , splitter is Ok to use.

However know this , each time a split takes place the signal strength is
reduced.

Here is a 6 way splitter. Leviton 47690-6 , 6 way splitter.

http://www.amazon.com

[tonyvalentine]

Sorry for the late response I've got too many other projects going after the long hard winter. The obvious reason was aesthetics. As for the pole I'm ready to attach to the existing DTV post but wanted to know if I can use this roll of cable I have. Can I connect this dual shield rg6 u type swept to 3ghz 18awg cable to the existing DTV cable outside? Also, do I need a ground or does just connecting to the DTV cable that's grounded to the pole ok? Thanks again for your patience and advice.

PS: The CM7721 distribution amplifier has an in/out and a monitor jack which do I connect to? I had it hooked to the out for testing but do not know what the monitor does.

[GroundUrMast]

The cable used in a satellite system installation is usable in an OTA antenna system provided it's not damaged physically or by moisture intrusion. You would be safe to assume that most, if not all the other parts of the old satellite system will need to be completely disconnected because they often block OTA signals.

I would suggest you ground your system. I can't assume that the existing ground connection to the satellite system was effective or correct. Please see: http://forum.tvfool.com/showthread.php?t=901 Post #20 is a summary.

The monitor output of the CM-7721 is an attenuated output, about 20 dB lower in level than the primary output. This DA is suited for small to medium sized MATV systems such as found in apartment complexes, schools and motels. With a gain of 22 dB, it's more amplifier than most single family homes would need. However, you have it, so simply leave the monitor free for connecting a test receiver. Connect the output to the input of your passive splitter.

[tonyvalentine]

Just wanted to update and say thank you again to everyone who's helped me cut the cord. It's been a month and I'm not missing my Directv at all.