Advice on Antenna Selection

darrens · 5-Jul-2012, 4:43 PM

http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...134984052ac37e

Looking for advice on choosing an antenna. I would like to be able to pick up network channels and pbs from New Orleans and Baton Rouge areas. Would this be possible with an attic mounted antenna? If not, I do have the option of mounting on chimney. It is a single story house.

I do have a problem with trees. There are some mature oaks in the path toward New Orleans, 30-40 feet away. The trees in the path from Baton Rouge are 300-400 feet away.

Thanks in advance.

GroundUrMast · 5-Jul-2012, 6:53 PM

Given the trees, I'm inclined to suggest you plan on taking advantage of the chimney mount option.

How many TV's are you planning to connect? Depending on the answer to this question you have several options regarding choice of antenna and related accessories.

darrens · 5-Jul-2012, 7:04 PM

I am planning on connecting only one tv. The chimney is close to the tv so the cable run should be no more than 30-35 ft, depending on the mounting height the antenna.

Electron · 5-Jul-2012, 7:12 PM

The largest number of Tv stations and channels by far is the New Orleans group of Tv stations. 12 Tv stations are Strong and moderate signal strength , 4 Tv stations are weak signal strength.

The Baton Rouge group is 5 Strong to moderate signal strength and 5 weak signal strength.

The mature oak trees that are to the south east toward Orleans , is there a way to position a antenna to shoot around of to the side of the trees??

The mature oak trees , are there trees beyond the oak trees??
Could a antenna be set up on the other side of the oak trees??
Or are there more big trees beyond the oak trees that will reduce or block reception.

Darrens , it is time for you to think creatively , Now.

The best reception will be with the antenna above the trees.

It is also possible to cut a path through the trees.

Trees can be cut down.

It is also possible to shoot under the trees.

If the branches are to low , the branches can be cut.

darrens · 5-Jul-2012, 7:28 PM

Placing the antenna on the other of the trees is not an option, it is on the property line, don't think the neighbor would like it. Unfortunately, there are more trees about 300-400 feet past the ones close to my house. I'll check to see if there is a position in the yard to avoid them.

Electron · 6-Jul-2012, 1:40 AM

Tv antenna/s can be mount in a tree , http://www.ronard.com/tree_adjust.html.

Not a preferd first choice for mounting a antenna , but will work.

Mount a Antennas Direct , ClearStrem2 UHF antenna and a Antennas Direct C5 VHF antenna with a Antennas Direct CPA-19 preamp , in a tree that is in the direction of the Orleans Tv stations so the antennas are aimed at the Orleans Tv stations at about 138 degree magnetic compass.
Here is how to aim antennas , http://www.kyes.com/antenna/pointing/pointing.html.

The antennas are mounted to the trunk of the tree and the branches are cut away in such a manner that the branches can not whip around and disturb reception or whip around and beat up the antennas.

Electron · 6-Jul-2012, 1:55 AM

If you can find a location that has less trees or no trees in the way of reception of the direction of Orleans.

Then install a Winegard HD7698P antenna with a Winegard AP8700 preamp aimed at the Orleans Tv stations at about 138 degree magnetic compass.

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

Here are some but not all 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.

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

Electron · 6-Jul-2012, 2:01 AM

Trees in the way of reception Does Not Mean that no reception will take place.

It means that reception can be reduced and possibaly blocked. NOT will be blocked.

The Tv/s must scan for the Broadcast Tv Channels sometimes 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.

Do Not scan for cable tv channels.

Electron · 6-Jul-2012, 2:04 AM

The HD7698P antenna can also be aimed at the Baton Rouge Tv transmitters at about 262 degree magnetic compass.

darrens · 6-Jul-2012, 12:56 PM

I do have another location to place the antenna, next to the big oak, aiming at New Orleans. I will give me about 200 feet of space before the next tree.

What would give the better reception, the HD7689P or the combination of Antennas Direct CS2 UHF and C5 VHF antennas?

I will try mounting the better choice with preamp on a 20 ft mast in the ground.

Thanks for the info.

Electron · 6-Jul-2012, 2:00 PM

The HD7698P will provide the best reception.

darrens · 6-Jul-2012, 2:03 PM

Thanks for your help.

Will post how it works.

Electron · 6-Jul-2012, 2:10 PM

Here are more antenna masts.

http://www.ronard.com/Tripods%200703/4712.html.

http://www.3starinc.com/telescopic_masts_and_more.html , has a good selection of push up antenna masts.

These are Lay Over Light Weight Aluminum Towers. That require No guy wires. Do antenna installation and and adjustments , Standing on the ground.
http://www.palcoelectronics.com/pe300.aspx.

darrens · 9-Jul-2012, 1:59 PM

When I place the antenna at the better location, the cable run is going to increase from 30 ft to be 75 ft. Is the AP8700 preamp going to be sufficient to overcome the increased cable run, or will I need something stronger?

Thanks

Billiam · 9-Jul-2012, 2:02 PM

Go with the Winegard 7698. It will be better at extracting signals in the trees than a 4 or 8 bay style antenna or similarly styled antennas.

Electron · 9-Jul-2012, 7:31 PM

Yes use the AP8700 preamp.

Electron · 9-Jul-2012, 7:42 PM

The CS2 and C5 are selected for tree mounting because the antennas are short low profile antennas that will move less when mounted in a tree. And both the CS2 and C5 antennas are very strong and sturdy antennas.

The HD7698P antenna is a looong antenna that will move more when the tree is moving in the wind and the tree branches are more likely to whip around and damage the antenna if the branches are not cut back away from the antenna in a manner that will prevent them from getting at the antenna.