TV Fool  

Go Back   TV Fool > Over The Air Services > Help With Reception

Notices

Reply
 
Thread Tools
Old 5-Dec-2012, 1:56 AM   #1
haybale
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 3
Need help choosing TV antenna

This is my first time posting and I hope I am doing it right. I would like some help in choosing the best antenna for my location in rural Maine. Here is my signal analysis: http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...cc49ff85bff24b
Can anyone offer suggestions? I have a Dynex 42" HDTV, 3 years old.
Thanks!!
haybale is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 5-Dec-2012, 7:03 AM   #2
teleview
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Above the roof in such a manner that the roof or house is not blocking reception to the , east north east and west , install a Winegard HD7082P antenna aimed at about 80 degrees magnetic compass direction.

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

Here are some Strong and Sturdy antenna mounts , http://www.ronard.com/909911.html , http://www.ronard.com/34424560.html if using eave mount use the 4560 , 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

Install a Winegard AP8700 preamp.

For 1 Tv connected use no splitter.

For 2 Tv's connected use a , HFS-2D , 2 way splitter

For 3 Tv's connected use a , HFS-3D , 3 way splitter.

Buy the HFS splitters at , http://www.hollandelectronics.com , or , http://www.solidsignal.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 including your own house.

It is best to install the HD7082P antenna at a location that has little to no obstructions of any type or kind in the directions in the of reception including your own house.

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; 10-Dec-2012 at 1:03 PM.
  Reply With Quote
Old 5-Dec-2012, 2:33 PM   #3
elmo
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 232
Haybale,

What stations do you care about most? I ask because you have them spread out around you somewhat, which makes it difficult for a single antenna. You need something with full range VHF & UHF ability.

A Winegard HD7084P would make a decent choice pointed NE for tuning the channels NE from you. Possibly could go with a HD8200U as I think it's rated for a longer range than any towers are from you. Most are not LOS either, so more elements can't hurt to get you a good signal. Those antennas can tune from VHF-LO through UHF.

But that leaves the channels on the western side of you. If you want them, you probably will have to use a rotor or another antenna with an A/B switch. It looks like 4 is a repeater for NBC and 41 is a religious based broadcast which may not be of interest. That leaves an additional PBS channel and FOX. There are slightly more elaborate solutions if you want those as well. If you are feeding a single TV and you know what you want to watch, you could get a rotor.
elmo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 6-Dec-2012, 7:11 AM   #4
teleview
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
WMBE-DT channel 9 PBS.
WCCB-DT channel 10 PBS.
WMEB-TV channel 25 PBS.
Are all the same PBS.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maine_P...asting_Network.
___________

WLBZ channel 2 NBC.
WGCI channel 4 NBC.
Are both the same.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WLBZ.

___________

So that leaves , WPFO-DT channel 23 FOX.

However , WVII-DT channel 7 has , FOX and ABC and MyNetwork.

So no requirement to receive WFPO.

___________________________________

WFYW-LP channel 41 is a religion Tv station , and will most likely be received through the back of the HD7082P all channel antenna.
__________________________________

So.

There is only one direction to aim the HD7082P antenna and that is about 80 degree magnetic compass direction.

A antenna rotator is not required.

If WFYW religion Tv channel is not received through the back of the HD7082P antenna and you gotta have it , then let me know and I will explain a second antenna system to receive the Religion Tv channel WFYW.

Last edited by teleview; 10-Dec-2012 at 1:15 PM.
  Reply With Quote
Old 7-Dec-2012, 10:18 AM   #5
haybale
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 3
Smile

Thanks, Elmo!
You are right -- I'm not interested in the religious channel, nor in FOX. I would like ABC, NBC, CBS, and as many PBS channels as possible. I currently get 4 different PBS channels on my TimWarnerCable hookup, including Create and World. My signal analysis includes a number of PBS channels, but I don't know if they are all the same ones. I would also like to get RT, a curious channel that has some interesting opinions.

What about the ClearStream 5 antenna? I contacted Antennas Direct, and they recommended this one for me. How does that compare to the Winegard you recommended?

I was hoping to try out the antenna in my attic, just to see how it works. I've read many reviews on Amazon where people are getting great reception in the attic. If it doesn't work, I'll have to get help installing it outdoors. I have a good clear view of the southwest horizon, but pine tree woods to the northeast about 400 ft away from the house.

Thanks again, for your help, Elmo!
haybale is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 7-Dec-2012, 12:02 PM   #6
elmo
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 232
Quote:
Originally Posted by haybale View Post
Thanks, Elmo!
You are right -- I'm not interested in the religious channel, nor in FOX. I would like ABC, NBC, CBS, and as many PBS channels as possible. I currently get 4 different PBS channels on my TimWarnerCable hookup, including Create and World. My signal analysis includes a number of PBS channels, but I don't know if they are all the same ones. I would also like to get RT, a curious channel that has some interesting opinions.

What about the ClearStream 5 antenna? I contacted Antennas Direct, and they recommended this one for me. How does that compare to the Winegard you recommended?

I was hoping to try out the antenna in my attic, just to see how it works. I've read many reviews on Amazon where people are getting great reception in the attic. If it doesn't work, I'll have to get help installing it outdoors. I have a good clear view of the southwest horizon, but pine tree woods to the northeast about 400 ft away from the house.

Thanks again, for your help, Elmo!

AD recommended that one? I guess they aren't worried that you won't get ABC (WLBC Ch 2) with it?! Maybe they don't have the tools to check like we do here, but it can't tune VHF-LO, and WLBC is on Ch 2. The CS5 has range, but goes as low as Ch 7 only. Here's its spec below:
470 - 698MHz (Channels 14 - 51)
174 - 216MHz (Channels 7- 13)
So I'd pass on that one.

As for the attic, you can try that. Results can vary, so don't expect that it'll work as well as for others you've read about.

As for the pines 400 ft away, I don't think they'll bother you too much at that distance.

As for the PBS stations, you can look up the call signs on the web and find their websites. If you check them on Wikipedia, you can find out what they broadcast. Their subchannels may be similar. We have 3 PBS stations and a total of 10 channels that come in, with out any overlap luckily.

Last edited by elmo; 7-Dec-2012 at 12:07 PM.
elmo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 7-Dec-2012, 4:31 PM   #7
ADTech
Antennas Direct Tech Supp
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 2,942
I'll talk to whoever recommended a C5 for low-VHF. He/she should have recommended either a V51 or V21 from our catalog. Sorry for the miscommunication. Full-power low-VHF stations aren't very common (there are only 35-40 in the whole country) so, if you got one of the newer folks here, they probably didn't catch that detail.

The Bangor TV market area has the distinction of being the only market in the country where all major networks plus PBS are receivable with only a VHF 2-13 antenna. There are several such antennas still available from other companies. We don't make one since it is such a limited application. Otherwise, one could just get an all channel antenna and ignore the UHF section since there's nothing of interest that is uniquely on a UHF channel in this area.

It looks like you'll get PBS and PBS World. That's all your local PBS stations carry.
__________________
Antennas Direct Tech Support

For support and recommendations regarding our products, please contact us directly at https://www.antennasdirect.com/customer-service.html

Sorry, I'm not a mod and cannot assist with your site registration.
ADTech is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 7-Dec-2012, 5:17 PM   #8
teleview
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
The HD7082P or HD7084P antennas are the best for reception at your location.

The HD8200U will work Ok , however it is to much antenna for your location.

I strongly recommend that you do not try and slide by with a smaller antenna then the HD7082P antenna.

End the end however it is your choice , you can install what ever antenna you choose.

Last edited by teleview; 9-Dec-2012 at 5:27 AM.
  Reply With Quote
Old 7-Dec-2012, 9:20 PM   #9
haybale
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 3
To Teleview, Elmo, Antennas Direct

Many, many thanks for your posts, all of which I have been pouring over and learning from, and am leaning toward the Winegard antenna and amplifier, and Ronard eavemount.

AD:
Apologies, I should have clarified: the AD tech person who recommended the ClearStream5 antenna was someone I spoke to over the phone, and he did not benefit from having seen my signal analysis. Sorry, I should have mentioned this.
haybale is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Go Back   TV Fool > Over The Air Services > Help With Reception


Thread Tools

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off




All times are GMT. The time now is 9:35 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Copyright © TV Fool, LLC