Another newbie needing help

[Florida]

Looking to ditch cable, and wondering if it is worth it with this type of reception map:
http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...60b5b6a92294ee

Any antenna recomendations? I know nothing on this subject, except i hate paying Comcast every month.

Friend suggested this antenna, any thoughts?

http://www.amazon.com/Outdoor-HDTV-A...184602&sr=1-11

Thanks for any input.

[Dave Loudin]

DO NOT buy that antenna. It may look cool, but it's junk.

[Florida]

Good to know, what would you suggest?

[Dave Loudin]

You are between the West Palm Beach (to the south) and Orlando (to the north) markets. According to you TVFool predictions, you have a better chance of getting all the networks by focussing on Orlando. You are almost 70 miles and beyond the horizon from that market's towers, so you will need high-gain antennas for the high-VHF and UHF bands plus a preamp for reliable reception.

Your best option is combining an Antennas Direct XG91 for UHF and a Winegard YA-1713 for high-VHF using a ChannelMaster 7777 preamp. Second best would be an AntennaCraft HBU-55 that covers both bands paired with the 7777. You should mount these as high as possible outside.

[GroundUrMast]

I agree with DL, the antenna recommended by your friend has not developed a reputation for performance or reliability.

You may want to run a second TV Fool report using the height of your roof peak plus a 5 or 10 foot mast. I expect that most areas in Florida are relatively flat terrain so a few additional feet of antenna mounting height usually improves reception conditions.

I would lean in favor of DL's first suggestion, the XG-91 & YA-1713 combination.

[Florida]

Thanks for the input everyone, good stuff. Because I'm in florida I'm not going to mess with the integrity of the roof, so I may mount this to the old DirectTv pole on the side of my house and put a mast up abou 20-30 ft. Any suggestions on the mast?

[GroundUrMast]

3 Star Inc. carries a full line of telescoping mast products. Going up more than 10' calls for guy wires or engineered self supporting tower.