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Old 11-Jul-2013, 11:11 PM   #1
kringle
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Join Date: Jul 2013
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I want to be ready for some Football!

Please help, in the Chicago region there is always one question and that is how can I get CBS (WBBM) Chicago on my ota TV. The Chicago Bears are on NBC, Fox and CBS. ABC 7 (WLS-tv) is important too. So my cords were cut and I need a working antenna.

I don't know what the difference is between WBBM-DT (33.1 NM(db)) & WBBM-TV (Edge2). Which one is the main network?

Here's the sitch:
http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...7b4c623cc96919

I previously had an ebay bought cheapy HD antenna mounted above my chimney and that kicked butt. I don't remember if I could get CBS (WBBM) Chicago but it was on a rotator and I could pull in Rockford, Peoria and Gary. Many of which are suppose to be Tropo from my location. I think I even tried for Milwaukee. It was a simple device with two hoops that almost looked like an 8 in front of a bit of fence (reflector). It's dead from weather related failure. I will not be reusing the prior antenna's wiring, rotator or amp.

Now the trees behind the house have grown up some more and filled out. I don't know if trying for those other cities would even work from my roof but the site line towards the City of Chicago is still wide open. And NBC, Fox and CBS are priorities. I of course want as many English language stations as we can get. I'm not apposed to eventually adding additional antenna (but I do have neighbors). I do also have a real FM antenna I can throw up there so the recommended antenna does not need to do FM.

Menards has some RCA antenna's on a pretty good sale right now and I was thinking of throwing the RCA ANT751R up there to see what I can get in but I doubt it will pull in WBBM.

I've seen many posts asking if WOCK-CD 4 was a priority. There is only one english language station of the 4 listed on that so if I can pick that up with the right antenna while getting WBBM, great. If I have to decide between WOCK 4 and WBBM (Chicago Bears), I need WBBM as CBS 2 is a major network. Failure to pull in WBBM will require a cable subscription which will require an HDHomerun Prime .. etc.. etc..

I've wired the house with RG6 and Cat6 and intend to initially connect the TV directly without splitters but quickly move to HDHomerun devices and media players.

I'm not apposed to adding additional antenna later. I hope this is enough to get started.

Thank you in advance!
Scott

Last edited by kringle; 11-Jul-2013 at 11:14 PM.
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Old 12-Jul-2013, 12:31 AM   #2
teleview
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A Simple Reception Situation.

Many , many , many , many , many , many , many , many , many , Digital Broadcast Tv stations/channels will be received at your location.

Your location has receivable Broadcast Tv stations/channels in All 3 Broadcast Tv bands. VHF low band channels 2 thru 6 , VHF high band channels 7 thru 13 , UHF band channels 14 thru 51.

For reception of WBBM Real VHF high band channel 12. The Signal Strength is Strong.

(WBBM-Tv Real UHF channel 26 is another transmitter of WBBM , the signal strength at your location is very weak.)

And WOCK Real channel 04.

___

Above the Roof in such a manner that reception is not impeded and blocked by the roof and house in the direction of , North West.

Install a Antenna Craft , HD850 All Channel Antenna aimed at about 63 degree magnetic compass direction.

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

___________________

A antenna system amplifier will most likely not be required for 1 or 2 or 3 Tv's connected.

If at some point a antenna system amplifier is required then use a Winegard LNA-100 'Boost' amplifier.

There are no real strong signal strengths at your location so no concern about amplifier over load , so really it is your - call/evaluation , for a antenna system amplifier.

____________________

For 1 Tv connected use No splitter.

For 2 Tv's connected use a simple common 2 way splitter.

For 3 Tv's connected use a simple common 3 way splitter.

For 4 Tv's connected use a simple common 4 way splitter.

_________________

Here are some places to buy antennas and etc. .

http://www.solidsignal.com.

http://www.amazon.com.

http://www.antennacraft.net.

http://www.ronard.com.

_________________

Here are some above the roof antenna mounts.

http://www.ronard.com/909911.html.
Use the 5 foot tripod antenna mount , ronard (911) .

http://www.ronard.com/34424560.html.
Use , ronard (4560) , eave antenna mount.

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

Buy the ronard antenna mounts at soldsignal by typing , ronard (x) , in the solidsignal serach box or buy from ronard.

_________________

A Tv antenna rotator is Not required at your location.

_________________

As always , trees and tree leaves , plants and plant leaves , have a Negative effect on Broadcast Tv reception and so do buildings and other obstructions including your own roof and house and other obstructions.

The Best Practice is to install the HD850 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 stations/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'.

Scan for channels.

__________________________

Here are some alternatives to computer based reception and recording.

http://www.epvision.com.
Tuner/Recorders.

____

http://www.channelmasterstore.com.
Tuner/Recorders.

____

Digital Tv's have a Built in Digital Broadcast Tv Tuner..

____________________________________________

Last edited by teleview; 14-Jul-2013 at 8:30 PM. Reason: Clarify information and typos.
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Old 12-Jul-2013, 6:21 AM   #3
kringle
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Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 3
Not finding Antennacraft HBU850

Thank you for the fast response. I am not finding anything searching for Antennacraft HBU850 or hbu 850. Is it new or rare? The antennacraft hbu's I found didn't say all channel or report high vhf .

Thank you again for posting a reply so fast.
Scott
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Old 12-Jul-2013, 6:27 AM   #4
teleview
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The HD850 antenna. I have up dated the information.
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Old 12-Jul-2013, 10:24 AM   #5
Stereocraig
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The main WBBM channel. is real channel 12.1/ virtual channel 2.1.
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Old 12-Jul-2013, 11:04 AM   #6
No static at all
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WOCK 4 will likely be a major source of frustration if you actually do receive it. Be prepared for frequent digital break-up due to the interference prone nature of that low frequency. You may get lucky, but not worth having a large full band antenna for that one maybe/probably not channel IMO. A good medium sized VHF-Hi/UHF combo should get you all the reliably receivable channels in your area .

Digital channels 2, 3 & 4 are horrible, 5 & 6 are somewhat better, but only with a powerful transmitter). You are too far away & the broadcast power is just too low.

A quote from the extremely knowledgeable Trip Ericson pretty much sums up Lo VHF.

"Low band. Great for DXing. Terrible if you actually want to watch something".

Last edited by No static at all; 12-Jul-2013 at 11:15 AM.
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Old 12-Jul-2013, 8:05 PM   #7
kringle
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Question

Quote:
Originally Posted by No static at all View Post
WOCK 4 will likely be a major source of frustration if you actually do receive it. ... ...A good medium sized VHF-Hi/UHF combo should get you all the reliably receivable channels in your area .

Digital channels 2, 3 & 4 are horrible, 5 & 6 are somewhat better, but only with a powerful transmitter). You are too far
The size didn't worry me but I was thinking of adding additional antennas to try for the stations not in line with downtown. so a midsized option would leave my roofline more available . Do you have suggestions?
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Old 12-Jul-2013, 8:56 PM   #8
teleview
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The HD850 antenna has Wide forward beam width , Wide forward angle of reception.

That is why I recommend the medium size HD850 antenna.

And the 2 Digital Tv stations to the , west south , west north.

WTTO-TV Channel 10 Religion.

WSPY-CD UHF channel 35 America One.

Are medium strong signal strength and will most likely be received by the HD850 Antenna through the back/back angle of the HD850.

No antenna rotator is required and No second antenna is required.

Install the HD850.

-->If<-- notice the word If does not say , will be.

-->If<-- a second antenna is required then a second antenna can be installed at a later date.

It is important to get the HD850 up and receiving.

As always , the starting antenna aim direction is the -->starting antenna aim direction.

The antenna aim direction 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.

Last edited by teleview; 13-Jul-2013 at 12:43 AM. Reason: Clarify information and typos.
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