Needing help to choose an antenna system

skipro3 · 7-Jan-2013, 5:10 AM

I am completely overwhelmed when I try to figure out what antenna I need and if I'll need anything else with it. Please help!

Here are my TV Fool Results

http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...c84ff6f9c5a057

I definitely want the stations to the southwest, and anything more than that would be a bonus.

I would like to have up to 2 TV's connected. I am open to a roof mount.

I was thinking an Antennas Direct DB4e with a splitter and 50 feet of quad RG6 to each TV would work.

Thank you for your input, recommendations, suggestions. Thanks!!!

elmo · 7-Jan-2013, 2:22 PM

IMO, you want an antenna that can get VHF too for those channels like real 9 & 10; the DB4e is basically UHF only. I'd check into a Winegard HD7696p or similar instead. You'll want to aim it at 221 deg.

The quad RG-6 sounds like overkill unless you have a spool in the garage already. I don't think quad will help with signal loss as the core is the same; it just offers better resistance to interference. But it can't hurt if you really want that.

You may need a pre-amp but you can wait to see how it goes w/o it, as they're easy enough to add afterwards.

ADTech · 7-Jan-2013, 2:26 PM

If selecting from our product line, select the C2V instead of the DB4e for the reason 'elmo' already has given.

His advice regarding the RG6 vs RG6QS is also spot on.

skipro3 · 7-Jan-2013, 7:23 PM

Thanks for the feedback. I ordered a C2V and I had the quad already. Main reason I am giving the C2V a go first is because it ships with the mount.

Cheers!

skipro3 · 7-Jan-2013, 9:25 PM

New question;
What about a lightning arrester? Does this antenna need one for safe operation?

ADTech · 7-Jan-2013, 9:41 PM

All outdoor antennas should be grounded in accordance with local or national electrical codes.

When using coaxial cable, lightning arrestors are not required by NEC but may certainly be used in conjunction with a properly grounded system for perhaps a bit more "insurance".

skipro3 · 7-Jan-2013, 9:47 PM

Thanks ADTech. Will my new C2V come with instructions that tell me how to properly ground my antenna? If not, where would I get that information?

I'm guessing just one of these grounding blocks tied to a good ground connection, perhaps at my breaker box, would do good?