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Old 2-Dec-2016, 3:09 AM   #1
LSTSB-ottawa
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Help Choosing Antenna and Location - OTTAWA

Hello,

I would like to put an antenna in my attic and am looking for a little help choosing one. I plan to have a splitter so I can watch on 2 TVs.

Here is the link to my report:

http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...dfaf9431f552bc

I don't know much about this stuff and have made the following assumptions.

1. Because the signals come from 2 directions I should buy an antenna that can be pointed in 2 directions?

2. I have a rather large maple tree in my backyard, at approx 330deg True relative to the antenna...I should place the antenna as far away from it as possible?

I have looked at the following, but if anyone has better suggestions let me know.

http://www.bestbuy.ca/en-CA/product/...8f739fd3d0en02

http://www.bestbuy.ca/en-ca/product/...cbfc17d9c7en02

http://www.bestbuy.ca/en-CA/product/...7264aaa7f8en02

http://ottawacomputech.com/catalog/p...8419b8a67a4f4c

Thank you!
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Old 2-Dec-2016, 3:55 AM   #2
bobsgarage
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American suppliers, with similar antennas

I don't know if your links are in Canadian dollars, but here's some American suppliers, with similar antennas:

http://www.mcmelectronics.com/browse...nas/0000000768

http://www.solidsignal.com/c.asp?c=3869&d=TV-Antennas

Last edited by bobsgarage; 2-Dec-2016 at 4:02 AM.
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Old 2-Dec-2016, 5:21 PM   #3
LSTSB-ottawa
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Thank you for reply

Thank you for the reply bobsgarage, the links were in $CAN. Any advice on which antenna would be best for my application? were my assumptions correct?

Thanks Again!
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Old 3-Dec-2016, 11:04 AM   #4
bobsgarage
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About trees and reception.

Quote:
Originally Posted by LSTSB-ottawa View Post
Thank you for the reply bobsgarage, the links were in $CAN. Any advice on which antenna would be best for my application? were my assumptions correct?

Thanks Again!
LSTSB,

Well, I have received more help here at TV Fool than I have given and I owe a lot to Rabbit 73, Groundurmast and others. I hope one of those talented and knowledgeable guys chimes into help you.

I know enough to be dangerous . The one thing that stands out to me is the tree issue. It may be that you cannot go high enough with a practical mast or tower.

Personally, I also have a black maple directly inline with my main mast, but built an unorthodox 10' tripod (think mini tower) with 35' of mast above it on top of my roof. 8 guy wires help support it. I was able to "shoot the gap" between the top of the maple and a an adjacent oak tree, it barely makes it.



From 400 feet away up my street (gradual upgrade) hill. It looks hopeless...


I have always tried to get a pic from behind the antenna but taking a pic at ground level doesn't show what the antenna "sees".



If you are behind a large maple what you get set up now may not work in spring. Being in Canada, I assume your maple has shed it's leaves by now. You may need a temporary set up for testing and have to revamp in the spring. My neighbor who is blocked by the trees in my yard uses a bay type antenna at about 15' AGL. His only hope was to get some wayward signals above/around my trees. He uses a CM 4228 HD. He has just enough signal strength to get most channels...And of course the CM 4228 really isn't a VHF antenna either, so for VHF you would need a MCM 30-2476 or 30-2475. Best antenna value out there in a day and age when most antenna companies have dropped their VHF only antennas:

http://www.mcmelectronics.com/produc...-2476-/30-2476

I think from behind your trees you will absolutely need a "bay type" antenna as they are best at diffraction reception:

http://www.hdtvprimer.com/ANTENNAS/glossaryR.html#n8bay

Read here:

http://www.hdtvprimer.com/ANTENNAS/types.html

Good info here too:

http://www.hdtvprimer.com/ANTENNAS/siting.html

Extreme measure, read at the bottom about overlapping fields etc... very interesting:

Can you post a photo of your property showing your roof and trees?

Attached Images
File Type: jpg 2016-11-09 Antenna pics 002 RS.jpg (131.0 KB, 1284 views)
File Type: jpg 2016-11-06 Antenna pics from distance 004 RS.jpg (169.7 KB, 1231 views)
File Type: jpg DSC00403 RS.jpg (105.1 KB, 1265 views)

Last edited by bobsgarage; 3-Dec-2016 at 11:43 AM.
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Old 3-Dec-2016, 11:49 AM   #5
bobsgarage
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Adjustable boom angle may be helpful...

P.S. whatever antenna you buy an adjustable tipping type can point the antenna up (think less horizontal) to catch signals that may be coming from above. I tilt mine, luckily my antennas XG 91, 30-2476 (I have 2) and the HDB91X all have a tilt adjustment but I am not sure about the bay types.



No problem, I know a way to tip an antenna with no adjustment, my tiny avatar shows it (an accident that worked out).

You may have to "walk the roof" with a signal meter to find the ideal spot, but when the maple come back in full leaf, you may have to start over!

I hope some other members can offer you advice, I can't say that I know what would work the first time.

Attached Images
File Type: jpg 2016-09-28 91 XG lightened.JPG (96.2 KB, 1280 views)

Last edited by bobsgarage; 4-Dec-2016 at 7:51 PM. Reason: Add info
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