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Old 20-Sep-2012, 10:30 PM   #1
rtrinidad
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Goodbye Cable in San Antonio

I hope to cut the cable and have been trying multiple antennas based on retailers suggestions. Obviously they just want to make the sale.

I have an attic in our 2-story house and want to get an antenna which will pickup most of the local stations on our 3 HD TVs. Most of the broadcast towers appear to be located SE of me but some are NE and W. Basically they appear to be all around.

http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...2df9799f7fbadb

I was hoping to not need a rotator because my family wouldn't know how to deal with this. Is there any antenna option which will work for me.

I've already tried a ClearStream 2 but had slightly better results from an RCA Indoor flat panel antenna. In any case I could never pickup KENS, WOAI, or KSAT which are the strongest main stations in San Antonio.
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Old 20-Sep-2012, 11:27 PM   #2
GroundUrMast
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Is there foil faced insulation in the attic? Is there metal on the roof? If so, the attic may not be a viable option for reliable reception.

Mounted above the roof, an RCA ANT-751 should do very well. If KCWX on real channel 5 is not received well, a low-VHF antenna can be added, using a HLSJ the signal can be combined into a single coax down-lead.
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Old 20-Sep-2012, 11:54 PM   #3
rtrinidad
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No foil and no metal roof. Would the RCA work in the attic? I guess I need to point it SW?
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Old 21-Sep-2012, 12:17 AM   #4
GroundUrMast
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Yes, if you have a wood deck and composition shingles, the ANT-751 should do OK in the attic. However, you'll do best if you can mount outside.

Aim SE to begin with, be sure to adjust left and right of that initial aim... looking for the best compromise. The ANT-751 is most sensitive to stations at the narrow end of the antenna but stronger signals from the back will also be received.
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Old 21-Sep-2012, 12:39 AM   #5
rtrinidad
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Yes. I meant SE. Will this direction cause me to lose the NW broadcasts? Would two antennas on opposite sides of the attic pointing in opposite directions have any benefit? This would place them 30 to 40 feet apart.
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Old 21-Sep-2012, 2:31 PM   #6
elmo
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Any reason why you'd go in the attic vs outside? Don't let an HOA scare you off. The ANT-751 fits the 1-meter spec I believe. Of course, you can always try in the attic. I stuck my antenna in the attic in a house we just moved into, but it was just a temporary measure for a couple of months. This wkend I plan to move it onto the roof for better signal pickup.
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Old 21-Sep-2012, 2:55 PM   #7
rtrinidad
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Just aesthetics. I haven't even thought about our HOA and their policies. I have a pretty steep roof and would need to hire someone to install it outside.

I still wonder if there is a difference between the ANT751 and ANT751R which I've been finding on the internet. I'm waiting for a reply from RCA on that question. Best Buy has an ANT751 in their store for $80 but they should match the $63 Amazon price. Amazon also has the ANT751R on sale for $41.

Does anyone what the "R" signifies?
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Old 21-Sep-2012, 3:19 PM   #8
teleview
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->ALL<- Questions and Answers about Broadcast Tv Reception and More.

The following is a Teleview recommendation for broadcast Tv reception.

Any size of broadcast Tv antenna , big or small , can be , installed , used , maintained , above the roof or any where else on your property.

Here is the Federal Antenna Law that says yes you can , install use , maintain , broadcast antennas of any size , Yes Big antennas are protected by Federal Law.
http://www.fcc.gov/mb/facts/otard.html.
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Old 21-Sep-2012, 3:23 PM   #9
rtrinidad
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I was just reading this earlier. I'm not concerned that my HOA will have an issue with an antenna. It's just easier for me to setup in the attic than on the roof. Obviously if the attic doesn't work I'll have no other option that to move it outside.
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Old 21-Sep-2012, 4:11 PM   #10
rtrinidad
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I found this on another forum. Can anyone confirm this?

Quote:
I believe there is a difference between the ANT751 and ANT751R with the elements cut differently (ANT751R is optimized for channels 7 to 52 instead of 7 to 69). I may be wrong but I think the ANT751R squeezes a little bit of extra db gain because it is tuned for a narrower band of channels (nobody broadcasts on channels 53-69 anymore). The ANT751R is newer and uses the ridiculus claim that it is "optimized for digital reception". It may be optimized for better reception, but that has nothing to do with digital signals. Bottom line - go with the newer model ANT751R, not the ANT751.
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Old 21-Sep-2012, 10:37 PM   #11
teleview
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->ALL<- Questions and Answers about Broadcast Tv Reception and More.

The following is a Teleview recommendation for reception of the Digital broadcast tv channels.

The ANT751 is designed to receive channels 7 thru 51. And as such is Not the antenna for your reception situation.

You location has receivable Digital Tv stations/channels in all 3 Tv bands of ,

VHF low band channels , 2 thru 6.

VHF high band channels , 7 thru 13.

UHF band channels 14 thru 51.

Install a All channel antenna. The HD7000R is a All Channel antenna and as such is designed to receive all the channels , 2 thru 51.

Above the roof install a Winegard HD7000R antenna aimed at about 140 degree magnetic compass direction.

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

For 1 Tv connected use no splitter.

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

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

Here are some above the roof antenna mounts , http://www.ronard.com/909911.html , http://www.ronard.com/34424560.html , http://www.ronard.com/ychim.html , http://www.ronard.com.

Buy the ronard antenna mounts at solidsignal by typing the word ronard in the solidsignal search box.

Here are some places to buy antennas and etc. , http://www.solidsignal.com , http://www.amazon.com , http://www.winegarddirect.com.

As always , trees and tree leaves do a real fine job of reducing or blocking Tv reception and so do buildings and other obstructions.

It is best to install the HD7000R antenna at a location that has the least amount to no amount of obstructions of any type or kind.

The Tv's Must channel scan for the Digital Broadcast Tv Channels , sometimes 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.

DO NOT channel scan for cable tv channels.

Last edited by teleview; 22-Sep-2012 at 2:29 AM.
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Old 22-Sep-2012, 1:42 AM   #12
rtrinidad
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UPDATE: Best Buy has the ANT751 on their website but they really carry the ANT751R. I went to the store today and bought one. Regular price $80 but they matched Amazon's online price of $40.

The antenna is currently siting on the first floor on my living room table in front of our TV. I connected it and I'm receiving every single station I need plus some. I'll get it in the attic tomorrow.

Thanks for the recommendation on the ANT751(R).
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