Which antenna?

[onemoresmith]

Very appreciative for this site/forum and all the smart people advising us newbies on how to cut the cord. I'm now trying to figure out which antenna to purchase and am looking for help (sorry like many others!). Here is my report:

http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...2df9917f83dc54


Tried a basic RCA flat amplified indoor antenna from best buy to no avail -- could get a choppy, intermittent signal at best, from various locations throughout my condo. I live on the top floor (4th floor) and luckily have windows front and back (facing south and north). My report says I have LOS <15 miles to the 6 channels I'd like to get. They are all broadcasting from the same location (on top of My Seymour). Unfortunately my building concrete and steel everywhere so plenty of interference. I'd prefer to go with an indoor antenna if there is one powerful enough but can make something work outdoors if that gets me more consistent/better signal. I'd need the outdoor to be as small a footprint as possible without sacrificing signal quality as I worry what the strata council will say when they see it hooked up outside. Not sure how I'll snake the coax inside yet either but will resort to leaving a window open a crack if it means better signal.

Can anyone recommend an antenna and where online I can purchase? I've come across antennadeals.com if anyone has a comment about them....

Many thanks.

[GroundUrMast]

If you are able to position the antenna so it can 'look' NE through a window, you should be able to do well with an Antennas Direct SR8. http://www.antennasdirect.com/store/...door_yagi.html

The Antennas Direct web site has a list of Canadian resellers to check with.

If you can't locate any reseller in Canada that handles this somewhat specialized antenna, consider the Clear Stream 2. Though it's intended for outdoor installation, it's compact enough for indoor applications.

Both antennas are going to have more gain and directivity than the flat antenna. Having real gain, they don't depend on an amplifier to claim artificial gain.

For reception of the Canada Broadcast Tv stations at about 44 degree magnetic compass direction.

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

Install a , http://www.antennasdirect.com/store/...m2-MBS-50.html , in a north / north east / east facing window or better yet on a north / north east / east facing balcony.

Here are places to buy antennas and etc. , http://www.antennasdirect.com , http://www.saveandreplay.com , http://www.trentondistributors.com , http://www.canadapost.ca/shopper , http://www.amazon.ca , http://www.solidsignal.com , http://www.amazon.com.

If mounting on balcony , the best way to get the coax from the outside to the inside is a hole through the wall.

A flat coax cable can also be used , door or window.
Type the words , flat coax cable , in the solidsignal search box.

These 3 USA Digital Tv stations/channels are most likely receivable at your location.

KVOS-DT , Me-Tv and The Cool Tv.

KBCB-DT , Shop NBC and Estrella Tv.

K24IC-D , PBS.

To test for reception , put the Clear Stream 2 Bundle antenna in a south facing window aim the antenna at about 141 degree magnetic compass direction.

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

If there is a south or better yet a east balcony that is even better.

As always , trees and tree leaves do a good job of reducing or blocking Tv reception and so do buildings and other obstructions.

It is best to mount the antenna at a location that has the least amount to no amount of obstructions of any type or kind int the directions of reception and that includes your own building.

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.

[onemoresmith]

Thx for the prompt responses. Unfortunately I don't have a NE window to look thru, just a N window that is obscured to the east by another building and some metal chimneys. Given that, do you still think the SR8 would cut it? Quite a price differential between that and the clearstream 2, tho like the idea that the clearstream could be used indoors. Safe to say the clearstream is a sure bet for clear reception where the SR8 is a risk given I only have a N window with a few things obscuring my E view? Appreciate both of you taking the time on this. Not interested in those US stations Teleview so no need for S facing antenna. Really focused on getting a quality signal, through all the miserable weather we get here in the pacific northwest, for those CDN channels in the NE.

[GroundUrMast]

The basics of reliable reception are antenna selection and location. Your chance of success is less if you are blocked by concrete and steel.

If you don't have a clear view to the NE, I would err toward a larger antenna. The CS2 or even a DB2e. Both have gain and directivity that the little flat antenna lacks.

Put the antenna in the north facing window and angle the antenna to the north east.

[onemoresmith]

Thx for all your help. FYI I ordered the CS2 from a vendor in Ontario called Microcad Computer Corporation. They offered it for $70 CAD. Looking forward to getting it hooked up and joining the OTA masses. Thx again, your advice was super helpful.