Your Help is Appreciated from Hudson, NH

[nick55]

Hi folks, well like most everyone else I've decided to try get rid of my Comcast cable. I would like to install an outside antenna above the ridge of my garage. I initially want to connect one TV but depending on how good things go I may want to connect as many as three more. I have been reading through these forums for awhile now and would appreciate your input with regards to recommended antennas and related hardware as well as installation ideas. Thanks.

Mark

Here is the link to my TV Fool report:

http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...2df924b83a864c

Looking at the Digital Pending Applications Included. I see that in the Green and Yellow reception zones , WENH-TV VHF channel 11 PBS is the weakest Tv station.
And the Tv stations at the top of the list a Very Strong and the transmitters are only 1.9 miles away.

I am thinking would be best to not install a preamp because of the strong transmissions.

Install a ANT751 antenna aimed at about 33 degree magnetic compass direction , WENH-TV VHF channel 11 PBS. The ANT751 is aimed at WENH because it is a weak signal strength Tv station.

The ANT751 is not a very directional antenna and will receive the Tv stations channels in the Green and Yellow reception zones to the , north west , north east , south west , south east.

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

http://www.solidsignal.com , has a ANT751 with a J type antenna mount , low dollars.

For 1 Tv connection use no splitter , no amplifier.

For 2 Tv's connected use a Channel Master CM3412 distribution amplifier.

For 3 or 4 Tv's connected use a CM3414 distribution amplifier.

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

As always , trees and tree leaves do a real fine job of reducing or blocking Tv reception in the directions of reception and so do buildings and other obstructions.

It is best to install the ANT751 antenna at a location that has the least amount to no amount of obstructions of any type or kind in the directions of reception.

The Tv's Must Channel 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 channel scan for cable tv channels.

[nick55]

Thanks Teleview, I would have never thought about trying a little antenna like that but after reading numerous reviews it seems to be very popular. Amazon has the ANT751R antenna. I'm not sure what the "R" means or if it is the same. Would something like the Winegard HD7694P offer anything more than increased range? Thanks.

Mark

[signals unlimited]

The 7694 would add range and channels, but it's directional characteristics would require rotation to take advantage this capability.

If you were inclined to go that route I would use the even more powerfull HD7698P, given the fact that the channels 1.9 miles out limit your ability to use a pre-amplifier.

[nick55]

Thanks Signals Unlimited, so would you agree with televiews recommendation to get the most stations without the need of a rotor. I prefer a stationary antenna of good quality that will hopefully stand up to the elements and last a while. I guess I was also thinking of Winegard as being not "made in China".
Thanks.

Mark

Tv antenna rotators Are Not Channel Surfing Friendly , must wait for antenna to rotate , And , not every one in the house will agree with the direction a more directional antenna is aimed.

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The other Tv stations/channels to receive are Much Weaker of signal strength.

W40BO . W40BO is the same as WBPX ION , WBPX ION is received with the ANT751.

WNAC-DT FOX. However WFXT-DT - FOX is received with the ANT751 antenna.

WPRI-TV CBS. However WBZ - CBS is received with the ANT751 antenna.

WJAR NBC . However WHDH - NBC is received with the ANT751 antenna.

WLNE-DT ABC. However WMUR - ABC and WCVB - ABC are received with the ANT751 antenna.

However if you will like to receive , WNAC , WPRI , WJAR , WLNE , to the south then I recommend a Larger antenna , a Winegard HD7698P antenna , Dedicated , to receiving those Weak Tv stations to the south.

For 1 Tv connection use no splitter , use no antenna amplifier.

For 2 Tv's connected use a CM3412 distribution amplifier.

For 3 or 4 Tv's connected use a CM3414 distribution amplifier.

The HD7698P antenna is a SEPARATE antenna system and Is Not connected to ANT751.

The ANT751 antenna system and the HD7698P antenna system are 2 SEPARATE antenna systems that are Not connected together on to one coax.

The 2 Separate antenna systems are connected to a remote control A/B antenna switch at each Tv location. http://www.radioshack.com , #15-1968. , or , http://www.mcmelectronics.com , #32-4425 .

Remote control A/B antenna coax switching Is Channel Surfing Friendly , press the button on the hand held remote control , change antennas and keep on channel surfing.

[nick55]

Thanks teleview,

What do you think about a 4-bay antenna such as the Channel Master 4221HD, Winegard 4400, or Antenna Direct DB4? Thanks.

Mark

The ANT751 is a small well made antenna that will stand up to the elements.

The , CM4221HD , Winegard 4400 , Antennas Direct DB4 , are all real fine ->DIRECTIONAL <- antennas that receive almost no signal at the sides and less then the front because of the reflectors behind the reception elements.
And the antennas are designed to receive the UHF channels 14 thru 51 the best.

Your location has Tv stations to receive in the UHF band channels 14 thru 51 and VHF high band channels 7 thru 13.

That is why I am recommending a ANT751 that is designed to receive UHF channels 14 thru 51 and VHF channels 7 thru 13.

The ANT751 is not a very directional antenna and as such will receive the Tv stations to , north west , north east , south west , south east.

[signals unlimited]

I agree...more bang for your buck with the ANT751.

[nick55]

OK, I have decided to get the ANT751 and give it a shot. I just have a few newbie questions before I get going:
1. Why am I aiming it at about 33 degree magnetic compass direction when most of the main network stations are to the south?
2. What other components would you suggets I order for this install? I already have the cable and plan to order the Ronard 4560 adjustable eve mount.
3. What would be a good strong, sturdy 5-10 foot mast (futureproof)?
I attached a picture of my garage ridge mounting location. Thanks again.

Mark

1. As has been stated , the antenna is aimed at about 33 degree magnetic compass direction because of the weak signal strength WENH PBS Tv station.

The ANT751 is a directional antenna and as such receives the best in the forward direction , However the ANT751 is Not a very directional antenna so the the ANT751 will receive the stronger Tv stations of other directions.

The other Tv stations other directions in the green and yellow reception zones are much stronger signal strength

2. How many Tv's are/will be connected??

3. I see a tree in the left hand side of the picture that is close to the house.

As has been stated , It is best to install the antenna at a location that has the least amount to no amount of obstructions of any type or kind in the directions of reception.
Do not install the antenna on the end of the house that is close to the tree if that tree is in one of the directions of reception that is shown in the left hand side of the picture.

You may recall this statement , As always trees and tree leaves do a real fine job of reducing or blocking reception and so do buildings and other obstructions.

What direction is tree in the left hand side of the picture??

Here are some antenna mounts , http://www.ronard.com/909911.html , http://www.ronard.com/Tripods%200703/4712.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. http://www.solidsignal.com.

[nick55]

The tree is approx 280 degrees west. No big deal... I understand that no conditions are perfect. I'll just try the antenna and see what I can get. Thanks again.

Mark