Help iwth signal analysis and antenna choice

bigvinnie · 30-May-2012, 11:51 PM

Hi,

New to this, but have spent some time reading the threads here, trying to educate myself. I've included my radar plot, and it looks like I've got good signal from a long distance in one direction, and weaker signal from a shorter distance in another direction. Hoping someone can help me understand which would be the better option, and which antenna to go with.

I'm out in the foothills north of san diego, ca... so it's either SD or LA. Looks like I'll only be able to get 2 or 3 channels from either direction, unless there's something I don't understand yet... but a few is better than zero...

Channels 7 and 11 to the north would be ok, or channels 8 and 10 to the south would also work.

I've decided on an exterior antenna location on my roof that would put it 25 feet above ground, and I'm on top of a hill with no obstructions close to me.

Thanks very much in advance.

signals unlimited · 31-May-2012, 12:39 AM

It would be best if you post the report as per the instructions in the thread on top of the help page. This will allow us to examine the terrain between you and the stations.

Electron · 31-May-2012, 1:16 AM

Do as the other question askers do and make a live tvfool radar report plot. Taking a picture of the report is a dead report.

bigvinnie · 31-May-2012, 2:37 AM

OK, guess I didn't pay enough attention to how others are posting their plots...

hope this is correct, and thanks again...

http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...1349f0b104da2c

Electron · 31-May-2012, 5:06 AM

For reception of the group of Tv stations/channels to the north/west at about 315 degree magnetic compass.
Install a Winegard HD7084P antenna with a Winegard AP8275 preamp above the roof.

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 , 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.

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

Electron · 31-May-2012, 5:37 AM

The group of Tv stations to the north/west has the most Tv channels.

If you will like to have a look at the Tv stations/channels to the south at about 180 degree magnetic compass.

Turn the HD7084P antenna to receive those Tv stations channels.

If those Tv stations/channels to the south look like you will like to receive those then install a separate antenna system.
Install a Winegard HD7698P antenna with a Winegard AP8275 preamp.

The 2 antenna systems , the north/west system and the south system Will Be 2 Separate Systems and Will Not be connected together on to one coax.

The 2 Separate Systems Will Have Separate Coax all the way to the location of one Tv.

And separate splitters and coax if more then one Tv is connected all the way to the Tv's.
Thats double the coax wiring.

And at each location of the Tv/s will be a remote control A/B antenna switch , http://www.radioshack.com , # 15-1968 , or a , http://www.mcmelectronics.com , # 32-4425.
The A/B switches are channel surfing friendly.

The other way to do it is put the HD7084P antenna on a , http://www.channelmasterstore.com , CM9521A antenna rotor and rotate the HD7084P to look at the north/west group of stations/channels or the south group of stations/channels.
Antenna rotors are not channel surfing friendly , must wait for antenna to rotate.