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Old 8-Sep-2011, 10:11 AM   #1
Turkaloo
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North Port, FL antenna suggestions

Hello all,

Im new and have been shopping for an antenna. I have read tons of reviews and I am new to this and have no idea which antennea will work best in my location:

http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...8387b619945797

Thanks in advance for assistance
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Old 8-Sep-2011, 1:38 PM   #2
Turkaloo
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Antenna recommendation

Hi, This is my first post and I am trying to learn as much as I can about antennas (I'm tired of paying cable bill). I have read quite a bit on the forum and have read lots of antenna reviews but I still don't know what antenna will be best for my location:
http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...838790e0e96862
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Old 8-Sep-2011, 2:06 PM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Turkaloo View Post
Hi, This is my first post and I am trying to learn as much as I can about antennas
Your choice is to concentrate on a single direction, use an antenna on a rotator, use two antennas aimed in different directions added together, use two antennas with A/B switches, or have multiple TVs with one TV set connected to an antenna aimed Southeast and the other TV set for Northern viewing.

If I lived there, I'd have two antennas with A/B switches at each TV set. The SE antenna would be a smaller/cheaper 7-69 antenna, the Northern antenna would be larger and more expensive, also rated for 7-69.

Last edited by Tower Guy; 8-Sep-2011 at 2:08 PM.
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Old 8-Sep-2011, 2:08 PM   #4
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Thanks for reply. What kind of antennas would I use? One larger than the other?
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Old 8-Sep-2011, 2:10 PM   #5
Tower Guy
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Originally Posted by Turkaloo View Post
Thanks for reply. What kind of antennas would I use? One larger than the other?
Smaller antenna
ANT-751
HBU-22
HD 7694P

Larger antenna
HBU-55
HD 7698P
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Old 8-Sep-2011, 2:36 PM   #6
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I would point the smaller antenna to the south east where the closer stations are 30-35 miles away?
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Old 8-Sep-2011, 2:57 PM   #7
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Tv Antennas and Reception

I recommend 1 Tv antenna , a Antennacraft U8000 aimed at 347 degree magnetic compass. This 1 antenna Will receive both groups of Tv stations to the north and south. No A/B switch needed. Just 1 antenna. Here is how to aim antennas , http://www.kyes.com/antenna/pointing/pointing.html

Last edited by John Candle; 8-Sep-2011 at 5:59 PM.
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Old 8-Sep-2011, 3:13 PM   #8
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So I wouldn't need a rotator on it as it will be stationary or you always use one for convenience? And what about VHF channels? One more thing, wouldn't I point to 130 degrees where the closer stations are? Guess I'm confused.....

Last edited by Turkaloo; 8-Sep-2011 at 4:02 PM.
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Old 8-Sep-2011, 4:28 PM   #9
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*** SPOILER ALERT *** Sept 29, 2011 ***SPOILER ALERT ***
This thread turns into an example of how easy it is to draw a conclusion and then develop 'tunnel vision'. When trouble shooting a perplexing problem and finding yourself 'stumped', it can be helpful to challenge any early conclusions. In this case, the early conclusion was that the new coax 'can't be bad'.

I've 'been there, done that' several times... In fact I met my wife working on a telco circuit that had several separate physical faults and multiple maladjustments. With each new trouble source proven, it was very easy to question, 'did we misdiagnose the previous bad part?' Lesson, there can be more than one fault, and it's easy to assume right past a problem.
*** END SPOILER ALERT ***

Original Sept 8 post follows:

Both recommendations are worth considering.

TG's plan offers the most channels but adds cost and a bit of complexity (the A/B switch).

JC's plan offers simplicity (no A/B switching) but you may not see a few channels. The suggested aim point is a good starting point, you'd want to adjust left and right to be sure you have the best overall aim (like most, a compromise).

If it were just me, I'd go with multiple antennas. My wife has trouble with 'more gadgets' so she would vote me down. My wife has more votes than I do.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Turkaloo View Post
So I wouldn't need a rotator on it as it will be stationary or you always use one for convenience? And what about VHF channels? One more thing, wouldn't I point to 130 degrees where the closer stations are? Guess I'm confused.....
A rotator is a valid option that works best when only one TV is connected. If that is your situation, use the larger 7-69 antenna (I lean toward the Winegard HD7968P). A few people choose to install one antenna for each TV when a rotator is required.

If you choose JC's plan, try the compromise aim suggested to begin with, but you may also explore aiming north. The signals are weaker from the north so the forward gain of the antenna may give you reception of the weaker northerly stations while still receiving the stronger signals through the back of the antenna. Again, aim point should be fine tuned in the field.
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Last edited by GroundUrMast; 29-Sep-2011 at 4:53 PM.
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Old 8-Sep-2011, 6:04 PM   #10
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Tv Antennas and Reception

With the U8000. ALL of the Tv stations and digital channels Will be received down to At Least WEDU-DT 13 PBS Will be received , that being the case you will not be missing out on anything. Here are places to by antennas and etc. , http://www.solidsignal.com , http://www.amazon.com , http://www.starkelectronic.com , http://www.3starinc.com. Here are antenna mounts , http://www.ronard.com/909911.html , http://www.ronard.com/34424560.html , http://www.ronard.com/ychim.html

Last edited by John Candle; 8-Sep-2011 at 6:10 PM.
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Old 9-Sep-2011, 12:39 AM   #11
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How would I pick up WINK (CBS) if its VHF with the U8000? Is CBS is always VHS?
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Old 9-Sep-2011, 12:40 AM   #12
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Tv Antennas and Reception

The U8000 Will receive stations to the north and south , no rotor will be needed and two antennas will not be needed. The reception at the back side of the U8000 can be easy increased by turning the metal reflector bars from the horizontal position to a vertical position , this allows more reception to the V shaped metal receptors through the back side of the antenna.
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Old 9-Sep-2011, 12:37 PM   #13
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Anyone know much about the CM 4228HD? It looks similar to the U8000.
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Old 9-Sep-2011, 4:52 PM   #14
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Tv Antennas and Reception

The CM4228HD is a 8 bay panel antenna that receives VHF channels 7 thru 13 and UHF 14 thru 69. The CM4228HD's reflector rods are fixed in place , and has more reflector rods that Block more of the signal at the back of the antenna. The U8000 is also a 8 bay panel antenna , the U8000 has fewer reflector rods and this allows more signal through the back of the antenna and the U8000 has the advantage of the reflector rods can be turned from the horizontal to a up and down vertical position that line up with the metal rod they are mounted on , this gets them out of the way so more signal will be received through the back of the antenna. The V shaped metal receptor are what receives the tv transmissions (signals).
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Old 10-Sep-2011, 7:25 PM   #15
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My neighbor just gave me a Philips SDV4401. I mounted it on the roof and pointed it to 125 degrees (trying to pick up the strongest Ft Myers stations first). I can only get 1 channel which is WBBH. I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong. I moved the antenna a couple degrees in both directions and I still get the same results.
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Old 10-Sep-2011, 7:47 PM   #16
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Tv Antennas and Reception

Use a known to be good matching transformer to connect the RG-6 coax to the antenna , matching transformers can be bad even though it looks good from the outside. Run good RG-6 coax from the matching transformer DIRECT to the Tv. No splitters , no antenna amps , No antenna amp power supplies , no cable tv hardware , No satellite tv hardware . The hook up will be , antenna , matching transformer , coax , tv. Also the tv must scan for , Broadcast Digital Tv Channels , NOT broadcast tv analog channels , NOT cable tv analog channels , NOT cable tv digital channels.
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Old 10-Sep-2011, 7:52 PM   #17
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Tv Antennas and Reception

If the tv does not have a tuner that receives , Broadcast Digital Tv Channels , then connect a tv that does have a tuner that receives , Broadcast Digital Tv Channels , or use a converter box , http://forum.tvfool.com/showthread.php?t=380
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Old 10-Sep-2011, 7:56 PM   #18
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The TV definitely has a tuner in it as I was getting a channel very clear(WBBH). Would a bad transformer allow me to pick up some channels but not all? Can I get a new transformer at radio shack?
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Old 10-Sep-2011, 8:04 PM   #19
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Matching transformer: http://www.radioshack.com/product/in...ductId=2103912
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Old 10-Sep-2011, 8:05 PM   #20
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That was nice of your neighbor. That antenna is a Excellent Huge UHF VHF All Channel Antenna that will receive all of the channels to the south east that are in the , green , yellow .
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