Antenna slection help SW Oklahoma

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Hi. I am just beginning the journey toward a cable/satellite (and bill) free and am looking into getting an antenna for reception. Here is my Fool TV report:

http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...1dda5d99e240d6

I am interested in getting the nearer network channels, mostly to my south/southwest, but also those in the Oklahoma City area some 82 to 85 miles to the northeast.

I currently have no antenna at all. I'm assuming I need a roof mount antenna, but brands and specific models would be much appreciated. I have seen some models advertised as having a range up to 150 miles, but would be interested in hearing if this is just overhype or false advertising.

Plus any and all hints on installation would be appreciated. I know absolutely nothing about antennas.

Thanks much!

As always , the claims of 150 mile reception are claims that are designed to separate you from your money.

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The tvfool radar report and channel list you provided is not showing any antenna height above ground.

Please make and post a tvfool radar report and channel list with the antenna height at 25 feet above ground to see if signal strengths improve at the long distance reception of 80 plus miles.

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Also with a about 25 foot antenna height , the local tv stations - weaker signal strength digital tv stations/channels , will likely improve in signal strength so reception can happen with 1 antenna.

Please make and post a tvfool radar plot and channel list with the antenna height 25 feet.

[GroundUrMast]

I'd suggest that you should focus your efforts on the signal to the S & SW. Your chances of reliable reception are quite good in that direction.

The spread between signals leads me toward the Antennas Direct DB4e facing about 200° as a starting aim point. An Antennacraft Y10713 pointed at 102° would offer reception of both KOCO, real CH-7, KSWO, real CH-11 ans KETA, real CH-13.

The weaker signals will need to be amplified if you have more than one TV and/or 50' of more coax between the antenna and TV(s). The Antennacraft 10G221 can handle the stronger signals and it includes separate inputs for the UHF and VHF antennas.

If you want to try for reception from the NE, you'll need to use a high gain UHF antenna such as the Antennas Direct 91XG or DB8e - Winegard HD9095P - Channel Master CM-4228 or CM-3023. I would build this as a separate system. The Antennas Direct PA-18 would be a good preamp for this system. There are several ways to connect multiple antennas to the TVs. http://forum.tvfool.com/showthread.php?t=2882

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Thanks, GroundUrMast. That is very helpful. Lots of possibilities there.

Teleview, here is the corrected report...

http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...1ddaf27231d7cc

Thanks again!

A Simple reception situation.

For reception of the Local Digital Tv stations/channels to the , south-south west and east ,

With 1 Antenna.

Install a Winegard HD7696P antenna , about 20~25 feet above ground in such a manner that the roof and house are not blocking reception to the , south-south west and east.

Aim the HD7696P antenna at about 210 degreee magnetic compass direction.

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

A antenna rotator is not required.

A preamplifier or distribution amplifier is not required.

For 1 Tv connected use No splitter.

For 2 Tv's connected use a simple common 2 way splitter.

For 3 Tv's connected use a simple common 3 way splitter.
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These Local Digital Broadcast Tv stations/channels will be received.

Tuff Tv , PBS channels , FOX , Bounce Tv , ABC , Telemundo , LWN Live Well Network , CBS , The CW , NBC , MyNetwork , Religion.
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K20HO Real UHF Digital channel 20 , virtual number (20.1) a repeater transmitter for KXCO-LP , Tuff Tv.

K36AB-D Real UHF Digital channel 36 , a repeater transmitter for KETA - OETA , PBS channels.

K25IC Real UHF Digital channel 25 , Construction Permit.

KJTL-DT Real UHF Digital channel 15 , virtual number (18.1-2) FOX and Bounce Tv.

K38GL-D Real UHF Digital channel 38 , Religion.

KSWO-DT Real VHF Digital channel 11 , virtual number (7.1-2-3) ABC and Telemundo and LWN Live Well Network.

K43LK-D Real UHF Digital channel 43 , virtual number (43.1) Religion.

K18IZ-D Real UHF Digital channel 18 , a repeater transmitter for KETA - OETA , PBS channels.

KUAZ-TV Real UHF Digital channel 22 , virtual number (6.1-2) CBS and The CW.

KFDX-DT Real UHF Digital channel 28 , virtual number (3.1-2) NBC and MyNetwork.

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Here are some common above the roof antenna mounts.

http://www.ronard.com/909911.html. Use the 5 foot tripod antenna mount.

http://www.ronard.com/34424560.html. Use the #4560 eave antenna mount.

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 or buy from ronard.

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Here are some places to buy antennas and etc. .

http://www.solidsignal.com.

http://www.amazon.com.

http://www.winegarddirect.com.


As always , trees and tree leaves , plants and plant leaves , produce a negative reception situation , absorbing , multi-path/reflecting , blocking , Digital Broadcast Tv reception and so do building and other obstructions including your own roof and house.

The best practice is to install the HD7696P antenna at a location that has the least amount to no amount of any type or kind of obstructions in the directions of reception.

At your location the local Tv stations are to the , south-south west and east.

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The Tv/s Must Channel Scan for the OTA=Over The Air , Digital Broadcast Tv stations/channels , often 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.

Some Digital Tv's will Automatic channel scan for cable tv channels.

DO NOT channel scan for cable tv channels.

Go into the Tv Setup Menu and select , 'Air Channels' ~ 'Antenna Channels'.

Scan for channels.

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A belated thank you to both of you. This is all very helpful. Ordering the antennas today and cutting Dish this weekend. Next step after that is to build a HTPC. Wish me luck!

Disconnect and Remove All satellite system passive and active devices such as and not limited to , multi-switches , multi-plexers , diplexers , combiners , separators , splitters , amplifiers , power injectors , power supplies , and other satellite system componets.

Yes the satellite system coaxes and other coaxes that are on/in the house can be used for the antenna system.

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Do Not Connect the Tv antenna/s to any type or kind of active cable service , active cable tv service , active cable internet service , active cable phone service , or any other type or kind of cable delivered service.

Any type or kind of active cable service must be on separate coax.

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Here are some and not all alternatives to computer based tuners/recorders.

http://www.epvision.com.

Tuners/Recorders.

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http://www.channelmasterstore.com.

Tuners/Recorders.

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Thanks again. I went with an Antennas Direct DB8 on a rooftop mount. It is more expensive than the DB4, but at $79 not that bad when you consider it will save me a lot of money over time. I am picking up the following channels:

KFDX (NBC)
KOCO (ABC)*
KAUZ (CBS)
KSWO (ABC)
KWTV (CBS)*
KETA (PBS)*
KJTL (FOX)
OETA (PBS)*
KERA (PBS)

*These channels are in Oklahoma City, 82+ miles away. KERA is in Dallas, some 160 miles away. Have no idea how that happened. There are a bunch of no-name channels I don't really care about, as well.

So, I'm pretty happy. But regionally, different stations on the same network carry different football games some times, so I would like to do even better with the OKC channels, particularly networks. Questions:

1. Even though I am doing pretty well, do you think a preamplifier would help pick up additional channels in OKC? I mean, the thing seems to be bi-directional, somewhat, since the two cities (Wichita Falls and Oklahoma City) are almost in opposite directions.

2. Would turning the antenna in the direction of OKC (up to 85 miles away) pick up more of those channels, and still pick up the WF channels (55 miles or less)?

3. I did think to get a cable with a ground wire and have hooked it under one of the bolts on the base of the rooftop antenna mast. This evening I will bury a grounding rod and connect to that (we are expecting thunderstorms late tonight). Will that be enough, or do I need to get a special attachment to mount on the mast?

Thanks again for all the help. Y'all are amazing!

KERA PBS has a Repeter/Translator station at Wichita Falls TX.

K44GS , transmitting on Real UHF Digital channel 44.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KERA-TV.

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OETA = Oklahoma Educational Television Authority.

OETA has transmitters All over Oklahoma. http://www.oeta.tv/about/coverage.html.