OTA Reception in Southern NH

chrisjchap · 2-Jan-2013, 4:59 PM

Looking for some guidance, here is my analysis:

http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...cc49e94842a98c

I have an Antenna's Direct DB4E on order and will be distributing to 4 or 5 tv sets in the house. Will I need a distribution LNA? Will I need a second antenna to pick up other channels?

Any help would be great.

Chris

phone man · 2-Jan-2013, 6:27 PM

Hi Chris, If you have a clear shot and you can point your antenna SSE, 177 degrees, you'll probably do just fine. Some of those stations to the north should come in as well. If you have any real interest in the lower channel numbers, 13 or less, you might need a dedicated VHF antenna but since most of the major networks from Boston appear to be UHF you should be fine.

About a preamp, more info about how your home is wired for coax would help. Add up the total length of the coax from antenna to your farthest TV. What kind of splitter are you using? Four way? Eight way? Hopefully not daisy chained from one location to the next to the next etc...
Assuming an eight way passive splitter is used and 100' coax run, there's at least 17 dB loss right there. With old coax and connectors, that number is higher still. With that kind of loss and the signal available at the antenna from most Boston stations, I'd go out on a limb and say you'd benefit from a preamp located at the antenna rather than a distribution amp.

chrisjchap · 2-Jan-2013, 6:53 PM

My main objective is to pick up the cluster of stations to my south (which is what your directions state), and channel 9 (WMUR) to my north. The other lower channel stations are not of great importance. WMUR is the main NH station and would like to pull that in. Will I need a dedicated antenna for it?

I have all newer RG6 cabling in the house that I installed a few years ago. Currently I have 1 splitter (1x4) ditributing the cable to all rooms. And there is no cable run greater than 100 feet as you suggest.

If you think I need a pre amp would you mind directing me to one?

Thanks

phone man · 2-Jan-2013, 7:24 PM

I'm not an expert by any means but your situation is very similar to mine with one desirable high VHF station almost 180 degrees behind you. I pick up channel 12, half the strength of WMUR, 20 miles away and over hilly terrain thru the backside of an eight bay UHF antenna. Your four bay antenna should also be capable of receiving a strong channel from the back.

I'm using a CPA-19 preamp from Antennas Direct. It has a lower noise figure than most other pre amps and good resistance to overload from nearby strong stations which might be a good thing in your situation.

You didn't say where the antenna would be mounted. Bad time of year obviously but outdoors above the roof would be best. Any other location is subject to signal loss and reception problems.

chrisjchap · 2-Jan-2013, 7:46 PM

Thanks for the help, I will give it a shot. Originally I was going to do an attic installation, but I think I will go with a roof installation after it warms up a bit.

The more channels I can get, the more apt the wife will be to cutting the ties with the cable company.......

Thanks again.

phone man · 2-Jan-2013, 8:01 PM

We knew we'd miss the DVR far more than what was actually on CATV. There is computer software available for recording television that might make the transition easier. Tivo was running a OTA only special for $9 per month so that's what we've been using since cutting our CATV service a little over a year ago. We have a decent broadband connection so we have Netflix and occasionally use Amazon too. Even so, every month I'm $70 ahead. When I read the program listings, I'm not missing much.

3-Jan-2013, 5:16 PM

On going information here at tvfool and other web sites I visit show that Tivo has on going issues with Digital Broadcast Tv Tuners that are Not Quite up To Snuff.
And Tivo charges for the service.

On going issues with computer hardware tuners and programs show that there is ongoing useage and reception issues.
_________________________________________________

Here are some stand alone Digital Broadcast Tv Tuners and DVR's that have Excellent Tuners and are easier to operate then computers.

http://www.epvision.com.

http://www.channelmasterstore.com.
________________________________________________

Here are some internet streaming devices.

http://www.wdc.com/en/products/products.aspx?id=570.

http://www.roku.com.

Here are more Practical and Useful web sites.

http://www.ramelectronics.net.

http://www.sewelldirect.com.

http://www.slingbox.com.

http://www.tigerdirect.com.

http://www.starkelectronic.com.

http://www.rabbitears.info.

http://www.ftalist.com.

http://wwitv.com.

http://www.dtv.gov/rescan.html.

http://transition.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/rescan.pdf.

GroundUrMast · 3-Jan-2013, 7:55 PM

If you already own Widows 7 Home Premium, you have a full PVR/DVR in 'Windows Media Center'. An external tuner such as the SiliconDust HDHR is a very capable devise. It can be shown to have slightly lower performance than the best current tuner chips, but the difference is very small... manageable in all but the most extreme deep fringe applications. (Your situation is not 'deep fringe'.)

The HDHR works well with other operating systems also. http://forum.tvfool.com/showthread.php?t=820

If you have trouble with High-VHF reception you can add a VHF antenna such as the Antennacraft Y5713, Y10713 or the Winegard YA1713. Use a UVSJ to combine the two antennas into a common coax down-lead.

chrisjchap · 16-Jan-2013, 12:57 PM

Ok, I have my antenna mounted on my roof along with the Pre Amp that was suggested in this thread and I am picking up about 34 channels so thanks to all for your help.

One minor issue I do have is channel 7 (NBC out of Boston) comes in intermittently. If it was PBS I wouldn't care, but NBC is a big loss. So I was looking into signal strength meters, but since they are so expensive I was thinking about a USB/PC TV Tuner with a signal meter software interface. I was also looking at the HDHomeRun (which is probably more than I need), but it is a viable option. My TV is a Visio so it doesn't have a signal meter built into the tuner.

Can anyone give me some advice, or options I might be missing?

Thanks.

19-Jan-2013, 3:40 AM

As always , the starting aim direction of a antenna is the -->starting aim direction of a antenna.

The aim direction can be adjusted for best reception.

And the location of the antenna can be changed to find the place of best reception.

As always , trees and tree leaves do a good job of , reflecting , reducing , blocking , Digital Tv reception and so do buildings and other obstructions including your own roof and house.

It is best to install a antenna at a location that has the least amount to no amount of obstructions of any type or kind in the directions of reception including your own roof and house.