Pinned down in N.W. Florida

[cakeordeath]

Hi all,

Here is my TVfool listing: http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...2df9a5aa6b1540

What I want to receive: The goal with any antenna setup is to be able to pull in ABC, NBC, CBS and PBS. I know that there is no substitute for a large antenna and I would not mind getting Fox as well... but my wife does not care for how larger antennas look. Because of this, I am looking for a UHF only solution like a DB4 or DB8 antenna.

The Antennas I am currently looking into: The DB4e from antennas direct looks good as does the Channel Master 4228 for a UHF solution. Any antenna/amplifier recommendations are greatly appreciated.

Line of site issues: Our house is shorter than the houses on either side of ours. The house pointing towards compass heading 282, which is where most of the channels I would like to receive are, is only five feet taller while the the other house about 15 higher than my own blocking the way to CBS at compass heading 62. I was looking to go 10 + feet up with a channel master 20 foot telescopic mast to clear my neighbors house that faces to compass heading 282. I would like to not have to setup a second antenna and if I can pull the CBS station at heading 282 which is 71 miles away,I won't have to. If this is not possible I will try placing a second antenna on the corner of my house that may miss the line of sight to the taller house on the opposite side of mine allowing me to receive WTVY (CBS) at compass heading 62. The height that I would be able to go up on the other corner of the house would be limited to about 12 feet off the ground. If one antenna is used the signal will be split once to go into a Home Theater PC (HTPC) with a dual tuner card and if two antennas are needed will not need to go to a signal coupler as both tuners will be merged via the tuner card.

I'm sorry for the wall of information but I have spent a lot of time researching this and I still don't know if I should go one antenna or two, how high up I need to go, if I need or do not need an amplifier or even what antenna(s) to buy. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.

Install a CM4228HD for the UHF channels aimed at about 285 degree magnetic compass direction.

Install a Antennas Direct C5 for the VHF channels , WBQP-CD channel 12 America One , WALA-DT channel 9 FOX , aimed at about 285 degree magnetic compass direction.

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

The C5 comes with a combiner to combine the CM4228HD and C5 on to one coax.

The CM4228HD is connected to the UHF connection of the combiner and the C5 is connected to VHF connection of the combiner and the 3rd connection of the combiner will have a Antennas Direct CPA-19 preamp connected.

For one Tv location use no splitter.

For 2 Tv locations use a , HFS-2D , 2 way splitter.

For 3 Tv locations use a , HFS-3D , 3 way splitter.

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

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

Here is a tripod antenna mount for above the roof of your house , might get the antennas high enough , the 10 tripod and the mast even higher then the tripod. , the tripod mount uses no guy wires.

http://www.ronard.com/Tripods%200703/4712.html. Buy the ronard antenna mounts at solidsignal by typing the word ronard in the solidsignal search box.

[GroundUrMast]

It's rare that I suggest home-built antennas to anyone who has not expressed an interest in the idea.

Your 'constraints' make me think it is worth 'tossing out' the idea in this case.

A well built GH10n3 would have the performance you need and would be more compact than any commercially built antenna or combination.

http://clients.teksavvy.com/~nickm/g..._9V7_15u0.html
http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=121956
http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=99907

If 'rolling your own' is not your 'cup of tea', I understand.

[cakeordeath]

teleview,

Thank you very much for your recommendations. It looks like the CM 4228 is on a large backorder. I am debating on if it is worth the wait or if I should pursue other options. The mast that you have recommended was a little bit pricer than what I was looking to go with so I think the http://www.solidsignal.com/pview.asp...u=639767551670 mast is likely the one I will go with. The preamp suggestion looks good but I remember reading something about the CPA-19 preamp only being able to be used on the clearstream 1, 2 and 4... I cannot find this now so I may be in error. It may be able to be used on the C5. I will have to look further into this. I was looking at the http://www.solidsignal.com/pview.asp...ku=02057207774 as a replacement if the CPA-19 amp. I in no way want to sound ungrateful with my response. I just want to get it all right on the first go. I really do appreciate any and all input.

GroundUrMast,

I have rolled my own DB4 antenna before but I have only went as far as placing it in the attic because it was ugly as sin. All I was able to receive were our local tourist channels. I wouldn't mind trying to roll a better antenna. I do work in IT and I have some limited experience with a setting up a small satellite dish platform so I have basic understanding of a lot of the information here... At this point what I'm being to grasp how much I really don't know. It's really cool stuff though. I will look into the links that you posted and it will really come down to how much time I have available to roll my own and how well I can expect them to perform VS. something commercially purchased.

Thank you all for taking the time to respond back.

[GroundUrMast]

The Antennas Direct DB8 is a direct competitor to the CM-4228.

The CPA-19 is not restricted to use with the CS series antennas, it is an excellent amplifier, capable of fine performance in wide range of applications. The CPA-19 is capable of handling strong signals. The CM-7777 is a weak signal amplifier, much easier to overload. Consider the Winegard HDP-269 and the Channel Master CM-7778 as substitutes/competitors to the CPA-19. The CPA-19 would be my choice.

[cakeordeath]

It appears that I misread the description of the CPA-19 "While this Pre-Amplifier works well with any antenna, the CPA19 is designed with the ClearStream antenna models in mind." Thank you for correcting me. I will pick up the CPA-19.

The Gray-Hoverman antenna looks very very appealing but for now my time is rather limited and I think that a commercial off the shelf antenna will be my better option. When life slows down a bit I do want to try my hand at making my own antenna again.

The more I read the more I feel like I should just take televiews advice as a whole. Looking at the comparison of the CM 4228 and the Antennas Direct DB8 I will get better gain on the lower frequency UHF channels from the CM 4228, which is exactly what it appears that I need. I guess the only real question that I'm left with at this point is: Is it worth waiting for the CM 4228 on back order for two weeks over getting the DB8 or something else comparable? Thanks again all.

[GroundUrMast]

The Antennacraft U-8000 is yet another direct competitor of the CM-4228 and the Antennas Direct DB4e while slightly different design, another capable option.

The CM4228HD does better at receiving at the low end of the UHF.
Channels 14 thru 30 where you require it the most , that is why I recommend the CM4228HD for your reception.

http://www.antennahacks.com/Comparis...228_vs_DB8.htm.

http://www.antennahacks.com/Comparis..._vs_HD8800.htm.

And the CPA-19 preamp is a low noise mid gain preamp that will tolerate high signal strengths with out over load , and works with other antennas , that is why I recommended it.
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Getting closer to the Truth helps in the middle of the day.

Looks like the CM4228HD is in stock at , http://www.amazon.com , http://www.warenelectronics.com , http://www.summitsource.com.

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Have any questions about why I recommended the C5 for the VHF channels??

[cakeordeath]

Originally Posted by teleview

The CM4228HD does better at receiving at the low end of the UHF.
Channels 14 thru 30 where you require it the most , that is why I recommend the CM4228HD for your reception.

http://www.antennahacks.com/Comparis...228_vs_DB8.htm.

http://www.antennahacks.com/Comparis..._vs_HD8800.htm.

And the CPA-19 preamp is a low noise mid gain preamp that will tolerate high signal strengths with out over load , and works with other antennas , that is why I recommended it.
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Getting closer to the Truth helps in the middle of the day.

I'm a strong believer in numbers because the numbers don't lie. Looking at both the CPA-19 noise specs and the low UHF db gain on the CM4228 you are spot on. My apologies for second guessing you.

There is Nothing to apologize for , not even to be polite.

I am not ofended in any way shape or form.

Apologies get in the way of getting on with the situation.