Antenna Advice Northern VA - Wash DC Suburb

vjamodeo · 22-Sep-2011, 7:31 PM

I would love some advice. Trying to cut out cable.

I have 2 TVs and one PC I would like to hook up to antenna. 1 tv and the PC are in the basement. other TV is on ground floor.

I need advice on an antenna to buy. I was planning on mounting it on the roof and using existing cabling in house that is currently working for Verizon Fios.

My data is here:

Most of the local channels are at 68-72 degrees, but 2 of those (ABC and NBC) are still on VHF as far as I can tell.

http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...60b5e3f9f3785c

thanx,

Vince

John Candle · 23-Sep-2011, 7:46 PM

Reception at your location is easy , the tv transmissions are strong , you will receive way to many channels. I recommend a Winegard HD7000R antenna aimed at about 87 degree magnetic compass. Here is how to aim antennas , http://www.kyes.com/antenna/pointing/pointing.html. A preamplifier will not be needed. Here are antenna mounts , http://www.ronard.com/909911.html , http://www.ronard.com/34424560.html , http://www.ronard.com/ychim.html. Here are places to buy antennas and etc. , http://www.solidsignal.com , http://www.amazon.com , http://www.starkelectronic.com , http://www.3starinc.com , http://www.winegarddirect.com

John Candle · 23-Sep-2011, 8:41 PM

Do Not connect the Tv Antenna to any part the active Fios coax cable system. Yes you can use the coax wiring that is in or on your home to get the tv antenna signal from point A to point B , however do not use any part of the coax if it has any type or kind of active Fios on it. Active Fios cable tv service , Active Fios internet service , Active Fios phone service or any other type or kind of active Fios service on the coax , Do Not connect the Tv Antenna to it.

vjamodeo · 24-Sep-2011, 12:50 AM

Thanx John for the quick reply. Do you think I can install in the attic and still recieve good reception? how does the Wingard you recommend compare to the Channel master 2016?

John Candle · 24-Sep-2011, 4:25 AM

Are you saying that you have a 2016 now?? No matter what antenna you use put the antenna on top of the roof in such a way that the antenna has the clearest possible shot at the transmitters.

vjamodeo · 24-Sep-2011, 10:35 AM

No, I don't have an antenna yet, but I had been looking at the 2016. Just wondering if it compares well with the wingard you recommended.

thanx.

No static at all · 24-Sep-2011, 2:40 PM

Either antenna should work fine. I would personally use the Winegard HD-7694P to also bring in Maryland Public Television from Annapolis MD. Not sure if that is on your wish list though?

I helped a friend in Vienna with an antenna project recently. We ended up using the RCA-ANT751 about 6 feet off the ground & it does OK with an occasional hiccup. (No MPT though) He did not want a rooftop antenna & rabbit ears did not work well inside.

John Candle · 24-Sep-2011, 5:54 PM

The HD7000R is less directional then the CM2016 or the HD7694P. Your location has tv stations in many directions. The HD7000R can receive from more directions.

No static at all · 24-Sep-2011, 7:58 PM

Not much else of interest in Northern VA unless the OP is interested in Baltimore. Any of the 3 suggested antennas should receive the lone 30.6-30.10 signal from Manassas with a little tweaking.

vjamodeo · 24-Sep-2011, 11:44 PM

Ok, so now you suggest the HD7000R over the HD7694P? Or either would be fine? No that I mount it to the roof, I need to run it down to the basement, where I will split it. That run will be about 40 ft. The split goes to a TV about 20 ft away in the basement and the other to a TV that existing cabling goes up to the attic and back down too. I will probably put an amp before the splitter. Any suggestions on an amp, a 2-way splitter, cable from antenna to splitter, and grounding wire? thanx again.

John Candle · 25-Sep-2011, 3:34 AM

My recommendation is the HD7000R. A simple common splitter will be ok. I recommend a Winegard HDA100 distribution amplifier.

No static at all · 25-Sep-2011, 4:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vjamodeo

Ok, so now you suggest the HD7000R over the HD7694P?

Depends on whether or not you want Maryland Public Television. If so, get the more powerful 7694. You will likely see many of the Baltimore channels as well.

vjamodeo · 29-Sep-2011, 2:11 AM

Hi John,

I got 7000R antenna and temporarily have it in the attic not even mounted or properly pointed and it is picking up all channels in my red zone. Do you think I would pick up MPT with this antenna mounted on a chimney mount? If not, I'll just keep it in the attic, it is working fine without even setting it up right yet. Thanx for the advice!

John Candle · 29-Sep-2011, 4:40 AM

Do what I have recommended , mount the antenna correctly above the roof and aim the antenna as recommend.

vjamodeo · 30-Sep-2011, 8:05 PM

John, got it up on the roof and pointed correctly. MPT coming in loud and clear. I was almost upset that it wasn't coming in and then realized I had the antenna 180 deg the wrong way! thanx again for your help.

John Candle · 1-Oct-2011, 1:22 AM

Aiming a antenna is easy , here the information is again, http://www.kyes.com/antenna/pointing/pointing.html. I knew that at your location that MPT would be received along with other stations that weaker in signal strength. I am not the one that is stirring up doubt and uncertainty about receiving MPT or any other stations or channels. I recommended the HD7000R because the VHF low band -> long reception rods at the back of antenna reflect more signal to the smaller receptor elements towards the front of the antenna and also because the HD7000R antenna has a Very Wide forward beam width that allows the reception of more tv stations that are off to the sides of the front of the antenna. The angle of reception to the left and right of the front of the antenna. I do my best to recommend antennas and etc. that will receive the most stations and channels. I provide real practical and useful information. I am here to help get the reception , not slam people with doubt.

No static at all · 1-Oct-2011, 12:18 PM

John, MPT is problematic for many in the DC area, so a little bit larger antenna is good insurance for reliable reception in northern VA.

And please stop patting your self on the back & accusing others of causing confusion & interfering. The forum is great because others have opinions as well. It's not meant to be a pissing match.

John Candle · 2-Oct-2011, 1:43 PM

I am not patting my self on the back , and I am correct this is not a pissing match. I am providing real , practical and useful information.

John Candle · 2-Oct-2011, 1:51 PM

Read and understand about , REAL Digital Broadcast Tv Channels , Virtual Digital Broadcast Tv Channels , Analog Broadcast Tv Channels , http://forum.tvfool.com/showthread.php?t=695. Here are some tv guides , http://www.zap2it.com , http://television.aol.com , http://tv.yahoo.com , http://tv.entertainment.excite.com , http://www.titantv.com , http://www.tvzap.com. Most tv guides list the tv channels as the virtual channels.

No static at all · 2-Oct-2011, 2:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Candle

I am providing real , practical and useful information.

Recommending a VHF Lo capable antenna in an area that doesn't have any useful stations in that range just doesn't seem practical to me? Nothing here in DC on VHF LO other than a Spanish radio station.

I recommended what I felt was most appropriate for continued reliable reception when conditions deteriorate, but then accused of creating doubt. The 7000R has hardly any gain on UHF. I like building in some margin to help avoid any future frustrations.