Best OTA antenna for No. OC, California?

Tugboat · 5-Oct-2010, 5:26 PM

Our Location:
http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...a362ac1dd32203

We're looking to get rid of DirectTV and go OTA. We can get our antenna fairly high, outdoors and aimed north towards Mt Wilson.
1. What do you suggest as the best antenna for English stations only?
2. Rotator needed?
3. Use any part of our existing DirectTV HD eliptical antenna components?
4. Best splitter for another room upstairs?
5. Amplifier needed because of a splitter?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

John Candle · 6-Oct-2010, 2:00 AM

There are no antennas that selectively receive english only channels. The Tv signals at your location are Very Strong. Simple rabbit ears type antenna at each Tv location should work Ok . http://forum.tvfool.com/showthread.php?t=233 . Also understand this about Real And Virtual channels http://forum.tvfool.com/showthread.php?t=695 . All of the channels you will watch are transmitted from the north.

Dave Loudin · 6-Oct-2010, 2:52 PM

Yes, a simple UHF loop/VHF rabbit ears combination for about $10 should be fine. If, for some odd reason that doesn't work, the best indoor antenna is the Terk HDTVi. Under no circumstances should you get an antenna with an amplifier. Don't let anyone talk you into it.

If you'd rather stick an antenna outside, get an RCA ANT-751. No rotator will be necessary and a simple splitter should suffice. NO amplifier required.

Tugboat · 6-Oct-2010, 3:25 PM

Thanks to both you guys for the response.
P.S.
Regarding the English only stations; I just meant that if there were Spanish, Japanese, Korean, etc. stations in other directions, I did not require this.

John Candle · 6-Oct-2010, 3:55 PM

This information is assuming that you live in a dwelling that is not wrapped with any kind of metal , metal siding or stucko thats held in place with stucko wire.

Tugboat · 6-Oct-2010, 4:07 PM

Now that I have the antenna information for my area, I have a second question:

My HDTV is a monitor only without the built-in tuner. What combination set-top box tuner/DVR would you recommend paired with any of the antennas you suggested?

Thanks in advance.

Tugboat · 6-Oct-2010, 4:12 PM

I do have a stucco exterior.
Go with a good exterior antenna?
Does the small RCA ANT-71 still apply?

Dave Loudin · 6-Oct-2010, 5:17 PM

With a stucco exterior, going for an outside antenna is a good idea. The RCA ANT-751 will be fine for that purpose.

As far as tuner/DVRs go, there's a dedicated forum for that at www.avsforum.com.