Antenna Choice Advice

[robz]

I am looking for some advice on purchasing an antenna.

Here is my tvfool analysis
http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...36161be34bac4e

I built my own db8 antenna and placed in my loft area at about 15 ft elevation to see what channels I could expect to receive. I can get WJFW and WYOW very easily, but I have a little more trouble with some of the further stations such as WFXS and WSAW. When I first attached the antenna a few days ago I got them both and with a little tweaking was able to get the signal strength above 50%, but since then I have not been able to get WFXS at all and WSAW is more routinely in the 40%-50% range. I was surprised to get WSAW at all because it is further away and I thought the antenna I built would have more gain on UHF so I thought WFXS would be the more likely of the two to come in at all.

I don't want to put up a tower, but I can install an antenna in my attic and gain another 10 ft of elevation but I only have a 2 ft square access hole so I will have to do some assembly once I get it up there. The attic space is quite large though, so I will have plenty of room for a large antenna. The Winegard website recommended either the 7697 or 7698 for my location, but I would like to get some more input before I make any decisions. What other choices would be good for my situation.

[Electron]

The tvfool radar report says Warning address was only resolved to street level. In hilly and mountain areas even a few feet can make a big difference in reception. Use the exact address to make the tvfool radar report. Inter the same antenna height 25 feet. Is a amplifier being used?? How many Tv's are/will be connected??

[robz]

Here is a revised report.

http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...3616aa1d0f19a2

Also, I was able to resolve my problem with WFXS. When I originally connected my antenna I connected it directly to the back of the TV, but after I programmed the channels I ran the connection on a more permanent path and did not realize that there was a 5-900 mhz splitter in the line that was affecting the reception. I replaced that with one that is 5-2300 mhz and it is working again now. I am also now getting WLEF, which I did not before.

I only have 1 TV connected right now, and at most might have 2. I am not using any amplifier in my setup.

[ADTech]

The difference in the frequency specifications of the splitters isn't relevant as antenna signals are limited to the 50-700 MHz range . Unless the old splitter was defective or deficient, the splitter swap should not have made any difference.

[GroundUrMast]

I agree, the difference in splitter specifications don't explain 'doesn't work' vs. 'does work'. In addition to the possibility of a bad splitter, bad connectors come to mind. The unused splitter port needs to be terminated with a 75Ω resistor cap, either at the splitter or at the unused jack at the far end of the coax.

Mounting indoors, in the loft or attic, will limit reception of any antenna.

The Winegard antennas are appropriate for the conditions represented in your TVFR. To take full advantage of a single antenna's capabilities, a rotator and preamp plus outdoor mounting would be needed.

My personal inclination is to want every possible signal. To that end I'd consider any of the large consumer grade antennas, including: the Winegard HD7698P or the combination of an Antennas Direct 91XG and an Antennacraft Y10713. I'd also add a preamp. The Antennas Direct CPA-19 is a top pick.

If you're a skilled antenna builder, the GH10 is worth looking into.
http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=81982
http://www.jedsoft.org/fun/antennas/dtv/gh.html
http://www.digitalhome.ca/ota/superantenna/index.htm

It doesn't sound as if you're inclined to build an antenna farm. But if you are willing to consider a multiple antenna installation, there are a variety of options worth considering which would eliminate the need for a rotator.

[Electron]

Both reports say resolved to street level only. The first report , 2 antennas can be connected to one coax and receive the tv stations , this makes reception easy. The second report is a location quite some distance away (miles distance away) and it will not be possible to connect 2 antennas on to one coax , this complicates the reception. I wonder if either reports are the correct locations.