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Old 11-Aug-2013, 6:44 PM   #1
TomT
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Need antenna advice

I am trying to decide whether or not I should get an antenna and if so, what kind. Here is my location information:

http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...46ae487537a85c

I have a metal roof and was thinking about mounting an antenna on my chimney up as high as I need it and reasonable. The house has the Chimney sticking above the second floor on the side of the house. I have looked at a lot of antennas but don't know which one would be good. I would like to pick up Huntsville AL and Nashville TN as well as others. The cord may be over 30 feet to the TV. I don't know if it is going to be worth it to invest in an antenna but we really like antenna over cable TV.

Thanks for your advice in advance and thanks for having this forum.
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Old 11-Aug-2013, 7:27 PM   #2
GroundUrMast
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I don't see a solution that let's you use a single antenna unless you use a rotator also. If you are only connecting one TV that may be a good option. With two or more TVs connected, you have the problem of who gets to control the rotator.

In our house, I can satisfy most people by wiring a single fixed aim antenna feed to the majority of TVs. In your case that could be either the Huntsville or Nashville markets... you would know better than I, which group would be the most desirable of the two. Additional antennas don't have to wire to every TV... just the primary TV(s).

Reliable reception from Huntsville calls for a UHF only antenna at the moment, but there's the possibility that WTZT will be comming on the air on real CH-11. That means that you would want to use an antenna with both UHF and H-VHF capability. The Winegard HD7694P would be the smallest antenna I would point at Huntsville. If you want a shot at either WHVD or W38BQ (which may not be on the air at the moment), the added gain of the Winegard HD7698P would be recommended.

Going after Nashville signals will require a big antenna like the HD7698P.

Would you consider two antennas, one mounted on a rotator?

How many TVs do you expect to connect?
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If the well is dry and you don't see rain on the horizon, you'll need to dig the hole deeper. (If the antenna can't get the job done, an amp won't fix it.)

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Old 11-Aug-2013, 8:08 PM   #3
TomT
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I would like to get only 1 antenna and if necessary I will use only 1 TV. How high should I mount the antenna over the chimney and what kind of brackets do you use for this? My chimney is about 25 feet above ground level. Can I put two antennas on one mast to get better reception or is it going to be just another cost? I will have to get help so I need to figure it out before hand as I will have little ability for adjustment after the big ladder is gone. With those big aluminum antennas you suggested do you need to do anything to add signal or is it just another frizz?

Thanks for your reply.
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Old 12-Aug-2013, 4:56 AM   #4
GroundUrMast
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Here are a couple of sources for chimney mounting kits:

http://www.solidsignal.com/cview.asp...ing%20Supplies
http://www.3starinc.com/roof_mounts.html

If you have a hard time locating 10' TV antenna mast... I've used 1-3/8" diameter chain-link-fence top rail from Home Depot with success. The 10' mast can accommodate two antennas. A 5' mast section would have enough room for a single antenna, but on a chimney, you would want to mount higher, to keep the antenna out of the smoke - to avoid corrosion.

If you have no conflict with other viewers over which way to aim, I would suggest you add a rotator... You'll have the option of aiming at all markets rather than being forced to choose only one aim point. Consider the Hy-Gain AR-40, if that is too expensive, then consider the CM-9521A or NTE U-106 (either of which would benefit from the addition of an NTE TB-105 thrust bearing. One other aside re. rotators; you'll want to be sure your TV can scan for new channels without forgetting past scans... It can be frustrating to use a rotator if your TV has to fully rescan each time you turn the antenna.

http://www.hy-gain.com/Product.php?productid=AR-40
http://www.3starinc.com/antenna_rotors.html
http://www.solidsignal.com/cview.asp...nna%20Rotators

Given the weaker signals, you'll want to consider using a preamp such as the Antennacraft 10G201.

http://www.antennacraft.net/Antennas...mplifiers.html

(Shop around, many of the products can be found in other retail outlets... I've offered the links as a way to be sure you're looking at the product I'm referring too.)
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If the well is dry and you don't see rain on the horizon, you'll need to dig the hole deeper. (If the antenna can't get the job done, an amp won't fix it.)

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Last edited by GroundUrMast; 12-Aug-2013 at 5:03 AM. Reason: shop around disclaimer
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Old 12-Aug-2013, 9:27 PM   #5
teleview
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For reception of the Huntsville area group of Digital Broadcast Tv stations channels.

Above the roof in such a manner that the roof and building are not impeding and blocking reception to the , South West.

Install a Winegard HD7698P antenna aimed at about , 205 degree magnetic compass direction.

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

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

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

Here are some places to buy antennas and etc. .

http://www.solidsignal.com.

http://www.amazon.com.

http://www.winegarddirect.com.

http://www.ronard.com.

_________________

Install a Winegard , LNA-100 'Boost' , 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.

Last edited by teleview; 12-Aug-2013 at 10:22 PM. Reason: Clarify information and typos.
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