Please help me decide...

[ctevans1]

I have finally had it with Comcast's games and am in the market for my first antenna. I have never had one before so I could sure use the help and advice of all the forum users here. I have been looking at different antenna's for hours and still don't really know what I need. Here is where I am:

http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...0b860b57935688

I would really like to "set-and-forget" and preferably spend somewhere around $100 - $130ish.

Locally, Fry's has a channel master 3020 for $79 that seems to be what I need. Is that a good one? Or over-kill?

Any advice or suggestions are GREATLY appreciated. Thank you all in advance!

Chris.

[Electron]

Yes install the CM3020 antenna above the roof aimed at about 325 degree magnetic compass. Here is how to aim antennas , http://www.kyes.com/antenna/pointing/pointing.html. Here are some examples of roof mounts , http://www.ronard.com/909911.html , http://www.ronard.com/34424560.html , http://www.ronard.com/ychim.html , http://www.ronard.com. If you choose to buy the ronard mounts , type the word ronard in the in the search box of http://www.solidsignal.com , or buy from ronard. The Tv transmissions are Strong and will supply signal to , one , two Tv's with a simple common 2 way splitter with No antenna amplifier. How many Tv's are/will be connected?? If you have never seen the crystal clear digital pictures of Digital Broadcast Television then you are in for a very pleasant surprise. Remember the Tv Must Scan for Digital Broadcast Television Channels , some times called the , 'Air Channels' or 'Antenna Channels' because the Tv transmissions travel through the air from the transmitting antenna to the receiving antenna. Do Not scan for cable channels. If you also have streaming internet with Roku or Boxee internet receivers then by-by to cable and satellite.

[ctevans1]

Thanks so much for the reply and the links.

The antenna will feed one, possibly two, tv's. And yes I use Roku and my Playstation3 via PlayOn for all the shows/movies I wont get through the antenna, so it is so-long Comcast (except for internet service, of course).

Thanks again!

[Electron]

The Tv antenna must not be connected to any coax that has active cable service of any type or kind , cable Tv , cable internet service , cable phone service or any other type or kind of cable service. Yes the coaxes that are not being used for a cable delivered service can be used for the antenna system. As an example , if a coax has cable internet service , do not connect the antenna system coaxes to that cable service coax. Yes you can use the coaxes that are in or on your house for the antenna system but do not connect any of the antenna system coaxes to the active cable coax. If you need to get the antenna signal to a location that the coax is being used for cable internet , then a separate coax will need to be installed.

[ctevans1]

Thanks again for your help. The antenna is installed and working great. ABC and one other channel come in clear, but have a slightly weak signal, so I may try moving the antenna to 315 degrees to see if it gets stronger.

I do have one more question. I didn't see anywhere in the instructions about grounding the antenna. I live in an area where lightning is pretty much non existent, but we do have the occasional storm that brings some. How important is it for me to ground the antenna, and what should I ground it to?

[GroundUrMast]

I feel no shame recommending that the mast and coax shield be grounded. For most, it's like an insurance policy that they will never 'cash-in on'. But in the very unlikely event it's needed, a bit of money well spent.

Ideally, connect the mast to the electrical service ground using a #10 copper wire (larger is OK). Then, route the coax down-lead close to the electrical service ground so that a grounding block can connect to the electrical ground via a short piece of #10 copper wire.

http://forum.tvfool.com/showthread.php?t=901

[ctevans1]

Got it, thanks.