OTA Advice in Wyoming, MI

[amckell]

Hi all,

Like many on here, I’m cutting the cord and ditching cable in the Wyoming, MI area.
TV Fool report: http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...990057fdc215b5

Looking to mimic my neighbor’s ranch-style house attic-mount setup. He’s got a C2 (http://www.amazon.com/Antennas-Direc.../dp/B0017O3UHI) mounted in the attic, and it’s performed well. I’m interested in getting the major network stations, and any others would be a bonus. I currently have this antenna from Monoprice (http://www.monoprice.com/products/pr...seq=1&format=2), but I was unable to pull in the stations I believe I should be able to receive without issue. WXMI &WGVU are the only stations I was able to tune in consistently, even though I tried several positions in the attic and several on the eaves. WOOD, WZZM, WOTV, and WWMT could be tuned in on occasion, but not with any consistency.

Advice I’m seeking:

• Is a C4 (http://www.amazon.com/Antennas-Direc.../dp/B001BRXW74) worth the extra cost over the C2, when I know the C2 performs fine in my neighborhood?
  
• What kind (brand/style) of amplifier is recommended? I’ll be supplying 3 tv’s over a 75’ (approx.) RG6 coax run.
  
• General compass direction to maximize signal strength. Several key stations are located SE of me, and at least one is NW....
  
• Am I heading in the right direction with this stuff?
  

Any and all advice is welcome and very much appreciated.

Thanks!

amckell

[signals unlimited]

The CS series from Antennas Direct is not the best choice for your area. They are all UHF only and will not receive signals from the rear as would be needed.

Use an RCA ANT751 aimed toward the stations at 150 degrees. The stations to the rear of this location are strong enough to be received from the back of this antenna.

A Channel Master 3414 distribution amplifier will provide reception to up to four sets.

To receive more Tv stations/channels then your neighbor , with a antenna installed in the attic.

Install a , Clear Stream 2 Complete UHF/VHF antenna. http://www.antennasdirect.com/store/...VHF-Combo.html.

Also use a Channel Master CM3414 distribution amplifier to distribute the Tv signals out to the Tv's

Take note that this is not the Plain Jane UHF CS2 antenna.

This is the CS2 Complete UHF/VHF antenna.

The CS2 Complete UHF/VHF antenna receives VHF high band channels 7 thru 13 and UHF band channels 14 thru 51.

Your location has Tv transmitters that are transmitting VHF high band channels in the 7 thru 13 , and UHF band channels in the 14 thru 51.

Remove the Reflector Screen from the CS2 Complete UHF/VHF antenna and mount CS2 Complete UHF/VHF antenna in the attic.

With the Reflector Screen removed the CS2 Complete UHF/VHF will receive Tv stations/channels at the front and back of the antenna.

Aim the CS2 Complete UHF/VHF antenna with the reflector screen removed at about 340 degree magnetic compass.

So with one side aimed at about 340 degree that means that the other side is aimed at about 160 degree magnetic compass.

Because your location has Tv stations/channels to the , north west , north , north east and south east.

The SC2 Complete UHF/VHF antenna with the reflector screen removed is now receiving Tv stations/channels to the , north west , north , north east and south east.

At the front and back of the CS2 Complete UHF/VHF antenna.

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

The Tv's Must Channel Scan for the Digital 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.

Attics are not the best place to have a antenna.

Metal roofs will reduce and block reception.

Thick roof tiles will reduce and block reception.

Solar panles will reduce and block reception.

Metal backed insulation will reduce and block reception.

Stucko Wire on outside walls that are as high as the attic will reduce or block reception.

Metal duct work in the attic will reduce or block reception.

Heating and air conditioning units that are in the attic will reduce or block reception.

A better place to mount a antenna , the CS2 Complete UHF/VHF antenna , is above the roof in such a manner that the antenna is Up High so the roof is not in the way of reception.

Tv antennas like , elbow room.

Nothing crowding in to up set reception.

Here are some Above the roof 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.

http://www.solidsignal.com.

[amckell]

Agreed that the attic is not the prime location for installation. Main reason I would put it there is to keep it out of the cruel Michigan elements, especially in the winter.

I prefer not to mount to the roof, if I can help it, but I'm willing to consider it. I have a chimney in the rear of the house that could potentially work for that. I see that ronard.com offers a chimney mount, which is intriguing.

Also, if I was to mount some place other than the attic, would you still advice to remove the reflector? Is it difficult to remove? None of the documentation details removing the reflector, so I'm curious how difficult it is to remove.

Thanks!

amckell

You can start with the CS2 Complete UHF/VHF antenna in the attic and move to the roof later if you choose.

Yes remove the reflector screen inside and outside the attic. And Yes it is Ok to try reception with the metal reflector screen on , inside and outside the attic.

Removing the Reflector Screen from the CS2 Complete UHF/VHF antenna is Easy.

Simple metal and plastic clamps that hold the reflector screen are removed and if you choose , the reflector screen can be put back on with the same Simple metal and plastic clamps and some bolts and nuts. Simple and easy to do.

And yes antenna modifications are common and often recommended.

The CS2 Complete UHF/VHF antenna is a Very Strong and Sturdy antenna and can take a real pounding outside.

The plastic loops that have the UHF antenna metal loop receiving elements on the inside that are the same shape as the plastic loops , the plastic loops are thick Strong plastic and the plastic loops sections are Welded Together not glued together.

You will not be able to take the loops apart with out destroying them , thats how strong the loops are.

And the plastic mounting that holds the VHF dipoles in place is heavy duty and will last a long time outside.

[amckell]

I ordered the CS2 Complete today, along with the Channel Master CM3414 distribution amp, and I'm exited to get started.

I'll post back after installation and share the results.

Thanks for all the great info!