Need help with choose an Antenna

[jdeday]

Hello everyone,

I have been reading a few threads on this site over the past two weeks and have found all of the conversations very helpful.

I am investigating the installation of a antenna to receive OTA HD channels, my goal is to receive as many channels from Harrisburg, PA:
WHP-TV
WHTM-DT
WGAL
WITF-DT
and possibility WPMT

My TV Signal Analysis Results: http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...46aea9e46a77ca

I initially purchased the ClearStream 2 with limited success. I was able to receive WHP-TV when mounted to the peak of my roof and pointed toward Harrisburg.

My questions for the experts here, what type/manufacture of an antenna and other equipment is recommend for me to achieve my goal?

Jeff

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The Receivable Digital Broadcast Tv stations/channels are Very Weak Signal Strength at your location.

The strongest signal strengths over all.

Are the group of Tv stations are to the , East North East at about 74 degree magnetic compass direction.

The Tv transmitters are on , Mountain Top.

Here are the Digital Broadcast Tv Stations/Channels that are on , Mountain Top.

WBRE-DT , REAL VHF high band channel 11 , NBC.

WYOU-DT , REAL VHF high band channel 13 , CBS.

WNEP-TV , REAL UHF band channel 50 , ABC and digital sub channel Antenna Tv.

WVIA-TV , REAL UHF band channel 41 , PBS channels.

WOLF-DT , REAL UHF band channel 47 , FOX and digital sub channels The CW and MyNetwork.

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The Tv signal strengths are Weak Signal Strength at your reception location.

BIG Antennas Receive more signal , small antennas receive less signal.

Install a BIG Antenna.

Install a , http://www.antennacraft.net , HBU55 antenna aimed at about 74 degree magnetic compass direction.

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

Use a Real and Actual magnetic compass to aim antenna.

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There is also the group of Digital Broadcast Tv stations/channels to the , South South East , Harrisburg Area.

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Install the HBU55 antenna above the Peak of the Roof in such a manner that the roof and building are not , obstructing , impeding , blocking , reception in the directions of , East North East and South South East.

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Here are some above the roof antenna mounts.

http://www.ronard.com/909911.html.
Use the , ronard(911) , 5 foot tripod antenna mount.

http://www.ronard.com/34424560.html.
Use the , ronard(4560) , eave antenna mount.

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

Buy the ronard antenna mounts at , http://www.solidsignal.com , or , http://www.ronard.com.

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Install a , http://www.channelmasterstore.com. CM7778 preamplifier.

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For 1 Tv connected use No splitter.

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

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

Buy the HFS-2D and HFS-3D , splitters at , http://www.solidsignal.com , or , http://www.hollandelectronics.com.

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Here are some places to buy antennas ands etc. .

http://www.antennacraft.net.

http://www.channelmasterstore.com.

http://www.solidsignal.com.

http://www.amazon.com.

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The Tv/s Must Channel Scan for the , OTA=Over The Air Digital Broadcast Tv stations/channels , often named the ~ Antenna Channels ~ DTV Channels ~ Air Channels in the Tv Setup Menu because the Tv transmissions travel through the Air from the transmitting antenna to the receiving antenna.

Some digital tv's will Automatic channel scan for cable tv channels.

DO NOT channel scan for cable tv channels.

Go into the TV Setup Menu and select ~ Antenna Channels ~ DTV Channels ~ Air Channels ~.

Scan for channels.

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As always , trees and tree leaves , plants and plant leaves , have a Negative Effect on Broadcast Tv Reception and so do buildings and other obstructions including your own roof and building.

Some and not all Negative Effects are ,

Absorbing and Blocking Reception.

Multi-Path Reflecting Tv signals Bouncing All Around.

The Best Practice is to install the antenna at a location that has the least amount to no amount of obstructions of any type or kind in the directions of reception including your own roof and building.

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You can also Test Reception of the , South South East group of Digital Broadcast Tv station/channels by aiming the HBU55 antenna at about 176 degree magnetic compass direction.

Scan for channels.

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Also take note that Digital Broadcast Tv Tuners can develop - Digital Glitches - that are not cleared out with simple channel scans.

To clear tuner do Double Rescan.

http://www.wchstv.com/DoubleReScanAlert.pdf.

[jdeday]

Thank you for your recommendations.

[StephanieS]

Hi jdeday,

Teleview gives you a nice one-stop approach.

If I were attempting reception of your desired signals, I may however be more aggressive. I would purchase an Antenna's Direct 91xg to concentrate on Harrisburg UHF broadcasts and orientate it towards magnetic 186

I would also purchase an Antennacraft Y10-7-13 to focus on Harrisburg VHF broadcasts and orientate it towards magnetic 186 as well.

I would install a RCA TVPRAMP1R preamplifier. Connect 91xg jumper coax to UHF/VHF combined input, and Y10-7-13 jumper coax to exclusive VHF amplifier input. Both antennas would be consolidated into one lead coming down into the house.

Harrisburg signals I'd expect to see would be: WHP, WHTM, WGAL (RF 8) and PBS WITF. WPMT is extremely weak and may not be reliable and/or decode.

For FOX affiliate service, I recommend a third antenna pointed at magnetic 74 for Scranton market service. For this, I would choose a Channel Master CM3020. I would also install a second RCA TVPRAMP1R on this antenna exclusively. Connect coax from the CM3020 to combined VHF/UHF combined amplifier input. Run coax from amplifier into home.

This would create two antenna leads coming inside your home. Inside, I would use A/B switch to switch between antenna systems for desired markets. This eliminates a need for a rotor system.

In this scenario I would anticipate:
Harrisburg (antennas: 91xg/Y10-7-13): CBS, ABC, NBC and PBS
Scranton (antenna: CM3020): ABC, NBC, CBS and FOX

For mounting this set up, I would install the 91xg and Y10-7-13 (at least 4' apart) on one pole above the roof. I would choose a secondary location to mount the CM3020, preferably 20' away or farther. Another option is a 15' pole, that gives you the ability to space the antennas out a little further.

This may seem like an investment for the channels you want, however with your 2-edge conditions and weak signal strengths this aggressive set up will likely yield you all the Harrisburg signals that provide enough signal to be reliable along with secondary coverage of Scranton (and FOX).

Best of luck!

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Here are the Digital Broadcast Tv Stations/Channels Networks in the Harrisburg area.

The first 2 are the strongest signal strength of the weak signal strength Harrisburg area Tv stations.

WHP-TV , REAL UHF band channel 21 , CBS and digital sub channel MyNetwork.

WHTM-DT , REAL VHF high band channel 10 , ABC and digital sub channel Antenna Tv.

The rest of the Harrisburg area Tv Stations/Channels are Weaker Signal Strength then the Mountain Top Tv stations.

WGAL , REAL VHF high band channel 8 , and WGAL REAL UHF band channel 49 , NBC and digital sub channel This Tv.

WITF-DT , REAL UHF band channel 36 , PBS.

WPMT , REAL UHF band channel 47 , FOX and digital sub channel Antenna Tv.

WLYH-DT , REAL UHF band channel 23 , The CW and digital sub channel LWN Live Well Network.

And to the South West direction , W16CO-D , REAL UHF band channel 16 , Religion programing.