Cutting comcast, looking for good antenna options

[eenvon]

http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...1dda2a577a7392

I'm cutting the cord and looking for a good option for OTA. I'm not far from the broadcasting towers but I'm curious if I could get greedy and try to pull more channels. The antenna will be in the attic of a 2 story so figured about 30' high. I would put it on the outside but covenants and restrictions prevent that. I'll probably hook up 3 to 4 tvs to it with vary run lengths. The longest run would be about 50'. If you guys could provide some suggestions on the correct antenna and if a pre-amp would even be needed it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

[GroundUrMast]

The FCC is on your side... the covenants and zoning rules are superseded by the OTARD rules. http://www.fcc.gov/guides/over-air-r...n-devices-rule

However, if you want to fight the drawbacks of an attic install, you could go with a 8-bay panel antenna such as the DB-8, U8000, CM-4228 or HD8800. The 4-bay DB-4e also is a strong contender. Face the antenna toward ENE. If you're satisfied with the top six stations (green) on your TVFR, you probably won't need any amplifier. (Antenna gain is always better than amplifier gain.)

Add a UVSJ and an Antennacraft Y10713 if you want to see WINM.

The Antennas Direct CPA-19 is a good low-noise preamp that is able to handle stronger signals. Another option in an attic install would be a Channel Master CM-3410 or CM-3414. Again, use an amp only if your are intentionally trying to receive the weaker signals.

There are some UHF/VHF combo antennas that would be worth consideration as well. I'm sure there will be others wanting to weigh in.

Here is the --> Federal Antenna Law <-- that says -->Yes you can install and use antennas above the roof of the house.

This Federal Antenna Law over rides and makes Null and Void all , hoa's , housing coven-nuts , dead restricted housing , and any other agreements written or verbal.

The Federal Antenna Law is setteled law.

No you do not have to get permission from , hoa's , or any one else to put antennas on your roof.

http://www.fcc.gov/mb/facts/otard.html.

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A -->Simple<-- reception situation.

For reception of the Digital Broadcast Tv stations/channels to the , north east / east.

Install above the roof in such a manner that the roof and house are not blocking reception in all directions , Install a Winegard HD7696P antenna with no preamp.

Aim the HD7696P antenna at about 60 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 , HFS-2D , 2 way splitter.

Buy the HFS splitters at , http://www.solidsignal.com or http://www.hollandelectronics.com.

For 3 or 4 Tv's connected use a Channel Master CM 3414 distribution amplifier. http://www.channelmasterstore.com.

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

Here are some above the roof antenna mounts.

http://www.ronard.com/909911.html if using a tripod antenna mount use the 5 foot antenna mount.

http://www.ronard.com/34424560.html if using the eave antenna 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 or buy from ronard.

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As always trees and tree leaves do a good job of , reflecting , reducing , blocking , Digital Tv reception and so do buildings and other obstructions including your own roof and house.

It is best to install the HD7696P 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 house.

The Tv's Must Channel Scan for the Digital Broadcast Tv Channels , often 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.

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 , 'Air Channels' / 'Antenna Channels'.

To -->Test<-- reception to the , north west , aim the HD7696P antenna at about 315 degree magnetic compass direction.

And scan for Digital Broadcast Tv channels.

To -->Test<-- reception to the , south west , aim the HD7696P antenna at about 214 degree magnetic compass direction.

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

[eenvon]

Awesome suggestions!! teleview you mention 2 different antenna, HD7698P and HD7696P and ground your mast talked about an 8 bay. Besides the obvious shape difference how do these differ? I looked at the reception patterns and didn't really see which one would get me more channels. I do see where 60 degrees would yield me the most channels without having to rotate. I guess my overall question would be if I if was to just point 60 degrees would the winegards have better reception than the 8 bays or could i potentially pull in more stations around 210 or 310 without moving the antenna. Thanks in advance.

That first HD7698P antenna reference is/was a Typo , I have corrected to say HD7696P.

The HD7696P antenna is a UHF antenna and a VHF antenna , a all in one antenna.

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No requirement for a separate UHF antenna and a separate VHF antenna at your reception location.

The Tv stations to the , north west and south west , are more of the same networks that are to the , north east. NBC, CBS ABC , PBS and such.

And are weaker of signal strength.

To see if you will like to receive them , I recommend turn the antenna by hand.

To the directions of the Tv stations. And scan for Digital Broadcast Tv channels.
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If you will like to receive the Tv stations all the time.

I recommend choose one direction. And install a Bigger antenna , a Winegard HD7698P antenna.

This second antenna the HD7698P antenna Will Not be connected onto the other antenna system.

And will have , no splitter for 1 Tv connected , a splitter for more then 1 Tv connected , distribution amplifier set up the same as the other system.

The 2 antenna systems will be and are Separate antenna systems all the way to the Tv/s location/s.

The separate antenna systems will be connected to a Remote control A/B antenna switch at each Tv location. http://www.mcmelectronics.com #32-4425.

Remote control A/B antenna switching is Channel Surfing Friendly.

Press the button on the hand held remote control , change antennas , and keep on channel surfing.
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Putting 1 antenna on a , antenna rotator , Is Not channel surfing friendly , must wait for antenna to rotate , and their Will Be Domestic Issues about where the antenna is aimed.

[GroundUrMast]

Besides the shape, the panel antennas are designed as UHF only antennas. The advantage of independent aiming of the UHF and VHF antennas is not critical in your case if you can mount outdoors in the clear. If you choose to attic mount the flexibility of separate antennas may or may not be needed.

I concur with televiews suggestion of the HD7696P aimed toward 60° if you mount outside (which we both agree is ideal).

The only caution I would would offer re. A/B switching of a two antenna system is that some televisions lack the ability to 'add scan' or manually add channels. If you have such a TV, it will forget all previous channels each time you scan to learn the available channels. This would make an A/B switch impractical due to the need to rescan the TV each time you switched antennas. If you have such a TV, consider this alternative: http://forum.tvfool.com/showthread.php?t=2882

Most Tv's will add channels without deleting the first channels that are selected and some Digital Tv's have the ability to add channels manually one at a time.

If adding channels manually one at a time , must add the Real Digital channel that is being transmitted and received.

Tvfool lists the Real channels and (Virt) virtual numbers.

The Real channel is what is added.

Here is a way to have more channels if the Tv will not add channels automaticly or manually one at a time.

A second Digital tuner.

http://www.epvision.com.

Channel Master Digital tuners , http://www.channelmasterstore.com.

These High Quality Digital Broadcast Tuners with DVR's are great for recording programs.

[eenvon]

A digital receiver is in the plan but I'd like to get necessities first. I think I'll go with televiews suggestion of a HD7696P. Since I'm going to run to 3 or 4 TVs I assume the best choice would be a Channel Master CM 3414 distribution amp. Does this sound like a good start?

[No static at all]

If you plan on putting the 7696 in the attic, be advised it is a royal PITA to re-fold. It takes 2 people & lots of patience to re-fold the 7696 without damaging the elements.

I personally unfold the longer elements just shy of where they lock before committing to the attic permanently. You can test performance this way & then go ahead & snap the elements into place if you find results satisfactory.