OTA Reception / Antenna & Hardware Advice - Kennebunk, ME

[morciani]

Hi All - Although I've done a lot of research on the topic, I am fairly new to OTA TV reception. I've made the decision to cut the cable cord, but I am a bit overwhelmed by the various recommendations out there in regards to antenna and hardware choices. I am hoping someone can offer a recommendation on an antenna(s) (and any other necessary hardware) setup. I live in Kennebunk, ME. My TV Fool antenna / reception report can be found below:

http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...0b86f830e893a7

My requirements for 'cutting the cord' are dependent on receiving the following channels:

1. WCSH-DT (44) - NBC
2. WMTW-DT (08) - ABC
3. WGME-DT (38) - CBS
4. WMEA-DT (45) - PBS
5. WPFO-DT (23) - Fox (this is what I am worried about not being able to receive)

Channels 1-4 above should be no problem with pretty much any setup, but I'm worried about reliably receiving Fox. Any other channels other than the 5 above would be a bonus, and icing on the cake.

I have an attic where I could place a large antenna setup (the antenna would be about 22 feet off the ground), or I could mount an antenna on the roof with a 5 foot mast (the atnenna would be about 32-35 feet off the ground).

Basically, I am looking for a recommendation on an antenna setup and any necessary hardware required (a bill of materials if you will). Thank you in advance - your expertise is appreciated!!

[GroundUrMast]

WPFO, Fox should be receivable with the antenna on the roof, in the clear.

As you Aim toward Portland, ME, are you going to be looking at trees or other possible challenges?

How many sets do you plan to connect?

[Electron]

All of the digital tv stations/channels that you have listed to receive including Fox and , many , many , more digital channels and digital sub channels will be received. Install a Winegard HD7698P antenna above the roof aimed at about 37 degree magnetic compass. Here is how to aim antennas , http://www.kyes.com/antenna/pointing/pointing.html. The tv stations to the north and north east will be received. 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. Here are places to buy antennas and etc. , http://www.winegarddirect.com , http://solidsignal.com , http://www.amazon.com , http://www.3starinc.com , http://www.ramelectronics.net. Buy the ronard mounts at solidsignal by typing the word ronard in the solidsignal search box or buy from ronard. RG-6 coax cable will be used from the antenna to the the connection place of the other coaxes.

[Electron]

How many tv's are/will be connected?? I see what looks like a tall chimney on the north east side of the house . A chimney mount would likley get the antenna high enough to clear the trees to the north northeast to receive all the tv stations. Or if a 10 foot tall tripod tower mount were put on the roof and the antenna was mounted on a mast pipe that is 3 feet or so higher does that look like the antenna would clear the trees to the north north east?? Here is a chimney mount , http://www.ronard.com/ychim.html , Here is a 10 foot tripod mount , http://www.ronard.com/Tripods%200703/4712.html.

[morciani]

Thank you for the replies! Answers to the questions:

1. There are some obstructions to the North / Northeast - a forested that includes some trees that would be higher than the antenna (if mounted on the roof or on the chimney). These trees are 50 - 100 yards from the house. I would expect 'line of sight' to be a bit better in the late fall / winter, when the leaves drop off. Even with a 10 foot tripod + 3 feet of mast pipe, I will not be able to clear the higher trees, but would be able to clear some of the smaller ones.

2. I have 3 flat screen TVs (all have built in tuners) that I would like to connect: a Sony Bravia 46", and two Westingouse 32".

Is it doubtful that I'll receive Fox without an unobstructed line of sight? Would I need an amplifier if connecting 3 TVs?

[Electron]

WPFO-DT UHF channel 23 FOX is at 26 degrees east from north. The satellite image shows the trees are much lower and fewer trees in that direction. A space was cleared in trees for a house or two houses , to the north east of your house. With the antenna aimed at 26 degrees east , 41 degree magnetic compass , Yes Fox will be received. The group of tv stations that Fox is in will also be received. The tv stations , WMTW , WCSH , WGME , are much stronger signals to the north and will be received even though the antenna might not quite clear the tops of the trees to the north. Use the antenna mount you think is the best. If you use the tripod mount , install it on the north east end of the house at the peak of the roof. If it were me , I would be inclined to install the 10 foot tripod mount , I can climb on the tripod mount. It's a bit harder to climb on the chimney, it looks like a chimney in the satellite view. But then you have a better perspective , you are right their looking at the height and mounting situation.

[Electron]

Yes install a Antennas Direct CPA-19 preamp.

[Electron]

99% of antenna aiming situations are Not Critical. After the starting aim point the antenna will be turned to the left and right for best reception of the digital tv channels. Use the signal strength meter if the digital tv has one , most do. And if the digital tv also has a signal quality meter , then thats even better.

[Electron]

The digital tv's Must Scan for the Digital Broadcast Tv Channels , some times called the 'Air Channels' or 'Antenna Channels' because the transmissions travel through the air from the transmitting antenna to the receiving antenna. Do Not scan for cable tv channels.

[Electron]

Here are some of the digital channels that will be received , NBC and weather channel , ABC and weather channel , CBS , PBS , TBN , The CW and Me-Tv http://metvnetwork.com , DayStar , MyTvNetwork and the http://mainevisitorschannel.com , And FOX . Be sure and scan for new channels from time to time , new channels can begin transmitting with out advance notice.

[morciani]

Hello - At last, I've finally got around to installing a rooftop antenna. I wound up installing a Winegard 8200U, with a Winegard AP8700 preamp, installed on a 3 foot tripod with 5 foot mast at the peak of my roof. I decided against the Ronard 10 foot tripod / mast (mainly due to cost). I have almost exactly 50 foot of coax running to the TV (it is not split anywhere to go to other TVs, etc). I purchased the following "kit" from Solid Signal:

http://www.solidsignal.com/pview.asp...u=700112817892

I am getting a bunch of channels, but I am not consistently getting Fox (WPFO-DT, 59.1 miles from my house). I did get Fox briefly for one day, at about 30-35% signal strength (according to the signal meter on my TV). I've tried rotating the antenna a bit (at 37 degrees, then 26 degrees directly at Fox, and everywhere in between) without any better results. Does anybody have any ideas / recommendations? Would a different pre-amp help...? Anything else...?

[GroundUrMast]

Can you consider mounting higher? Even adjusting the antenna height a few inches may be significant.

The Antennas Direct CPA-19 would have slightly better noise performance... but I doubt the difference would be enough to assure reliable reception of WPFO.