Help with antenna selection

AlanF · 24-Apr-2012, 2:16 AM

Hi,

I am looking for your advice. I have been reading some of the posts on the site.
We have a little one story wood frame lake side cabin which is located about 70 - 75 miles away from most of the transmitter sites.

We will be connecting one TV. I have thoughts of mounting the antenna on the roof, or possibly in the attic, and the TV will be a short run pretty much straight down from the antenna.

Here is the link to my report.
http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...7fcf26f8d02896

I am hoping to get the CBS, ABC & NBS signals from the South / South East.

As the report shows, I am able to pick up the CBS and PBS with set top rabbit ears, but just hoping to expand the choices.

Your suggestion for an antenna and if I need a pre-amp would be much appreciated.

Thanks

Electron · 24-Apr-2012, 3:52 AM

The Tv stations/channels to the south east are Very Weak , Install a Winegard HD7084P antenna with a Winegard AP8700 Preamp above the roof aimed at about 140 degree magnetic compass. Here is how to aim antennas , http://www.kyes.com/antenna/pointing/pointing,html. Here are some Strong and Sturdy 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 or buy from ronard. Here are places to buy antennas and etc. , http://www.solidsignal.com , http://www.winegarddirect.com , http://www.amazon.com

Electron · 24-Apr-2012, 3:59 AM

Here are the Tv stations/channels to the south east. K50DG 50 Fox and This Tv , KELO-DT 11 CBS and MyNetwork , KDLT-DT 47 NBC , KSFY-TV 13 ABC , KSMN-DT 15 PBS. In addition KESD-DT 8 PBS , KDLO-DT 3 CBS and MyNetwork , And most likely also K32DK 32 Fox and This Tv , KABY-TV 9 ABC. So thats all of the receivable Tv stations with one antenna.

signals unlimited · 24-Apr-2012, 11:46 AM

If you want to receive 3 CBS, 9 ABC, 17 PBS, 32, and 42 you will need a rotor or a second antenna. This will also allow for more precise tuning for more reliable reception of the other stations from the South.

AlanF · 24-Apr-2012, 1:57 PM

Electron thanks for the suggestion. How does the Winegard 7084P compare to the Clearstream 4?

Electron · 24-Apr-2012, 2:41 PM

The Tv channels that are transmitted and received here in the USA and Canada are , VHF low band channels 2 thru 6 , VHF high band channels 7 thru 13 , UHF channels 14 thru 51. Your location has channels in All 3 bands , KDLO channel 3 , KESD channel 8 , KABY channel 9 , KELO channel 11 , KSFY channel 13 , KSMW channel 15 , KDLT channel 47 , K50DG channel 50 . The HD7084P is designed to receive the Tv stations/channels Of All 3 Tv Bands. The C4 is designed to receive one Tv band UHF 14 thru 51. Like I said , the Tv stations/channels to the south/east are VERY WEAK and a big All channel antenna collects more signal then a small antenna. But then prove it for your self , install the C4. Do not install a antenna rotator at this time , Like I said , I believe the Stronger Tv stations/channels to the north/west will be received through the back side of the HD7084P antenna.

signals unlimited · 24-Apr-2012, 3:15 PM

I agree that you should use an antenna that will do all bands...however this antenna is directional. As in designed to receive channels from one direction, and it should not be relied on to receive any (not even the strong channels) from outside 20 degrees on either side. Use a rotor if you wane to receive these channels reliabily.

Electron · 24-Apr-2012, 4:57 PM

This is a ridiculous tit for tat. I am getting as close to the truth as possible. KESD 8 Will Be Received by the HD7084P antenna. You are in fact receiving KDLO 3 with the indoor antenna , If as in -> IF <- KDLO 3 is not received with the HD7084P antenna and you will like to receive KDLO 3 then install a Radio Shack # 15-1968 remote control A/B antenna switch to switch between the HD7084P and the indoor antenna. And -> IF <- KABY 9 and K36DK 32 are not received by the HD7084P antenna and you will like to receive them then install a antenna rotor. Antenna rotors Are Not channel surfing friendly , must wait for the antenna to rotate. And as for KDSD-Tv 17 PBS and KWSF-LP 17 ?? and KSAX-DT 42 ABC that Signals Unlimited tossed in there they Will Not be received they are far to weak to receive with any antenna at your location. Signals Unlimited are you going to do this when ever you get the chance?? Or sometimes to stir the situations up??

signals unlimited · 24-Apr-2012, 5:14 PM

The real truth is that directional antennas are intended to be used in a frontal direction, and any suggestion that any channel in a direction more then 20 degrees out "will come in" is dangerously close to real bad advice. The folks that I deal with are typical of the askers on this site and they do not use the rotor to surf. They use it as a tool to correctly aim the antenna to the group of stations that they watch.

A rotor in an antenna system is never bad advise.

Electron · 24-Apr-2012, 6:16 PM

Before Signals Unlimited very recently came to this forum there was Almost Never a requirement for a antenna rotor. And now there is. Here is a thread that Signals Unlimited started concerning rotors and the responds so far , http://forum.tvfool.com/showthread.php?t=8275. -> IF <- a antenna rotor is required or you choose to install one then , Philips SDW1850/17 .