Looking for OTA advise in UTC (San Diego).

[redoc]

Here is map for my location:
http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...5b940207c9065c
Antennae will be placed on roof about 25 feet from the ground.

I'm mainly interested in sports channels OTA (basically channel 8 and 69) but would like others although it's not a huge priority.

Now, I'm literally in a tight situation - my potential problem is that there is a very large, very tall building sitting at about 200-215(maybe 220) degrees that would be impossible to get a signal either over or through. I can't really nail down the exact azimuth right now without getting on the roof.

Channel 8 is at 223 degrees; what kind of LOS fudge factor do we get in regards to sandwiched azimuths?

I currently have a dish network sat professionally installed with weighted mount. I want to disconnect the dish and install an antennae in it's place.
Is this doable? If so, what antennae would you recommend?

Thanks,
Paul

[Tower Guy]

You need two antennas. A VHF Y5-7-13 aimed at 8 and 10 plus a UHF for the others. Couple them with a UVSJ.

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Signal strengths are Strong at your location and are LOS=Line Of Sight.

A antenna system amplifier Is Not Required.

Reception of the UHF channels to the , South East is Easy.

Install a , www.antennacraft.net , U4000 antenna aimed at about 129 degree magnetic compass direction.

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

Use a Real and Actual magnetic compass to aim antenna.

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Reliable reception of KFMB channel 8 will most likely require antenna aim adjustments.
And the antenna may not be aimed to the , South West , the best reception.

The best reception for channel 8 can be from reflections of the signal from the surrounding area.

Install a , www.antennacraft.net , Y10-7-13 antenna.

Combine the , U4000 antenna and the , Y10-7-13 antenna with a , UHF/VHF signal combiner , Antennas Direct model , EU385CF-1s .

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Most Digital Tv's have , Signal Strength Meter , and some Digital Tv's also have a , Signal Quality Meter.

Signal Quality is Important for Reliable Reception.

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www.antennacraft.net

www.amazon.com

[ADTech]

Use the interactive maps feature in satellite view with the lines turned on. You can then see the signal paths once the virtual antenna is "placed" on your rooftop.

[GroundUrMast]

The Antennas Direct DB4e + Antennacraft Y5713 + Antennas Direct EU385CF UHF/VHF Antenna Combiner is a common combination in the San Diego market. Going up in size, to the Y10713 is good 'insurance'. The added gain and directivity may help overcome strong reflected or diffracted signals due to the large building in the way.

[redoc]

Great advise guys/gals. I'm going to go with what's worked in the past in SD and use the db4e, y10713, and the combiner. Getting on the roof is going to be a bit of a PITA so I want to get this right the first time.

Is there anything I need to know about the installation? I.e. Will I need special tools, soldering iron, etc...?

Thanks,
Paul

[GroundUrMast]

The details of your specific installation are impossible to understand fully without being present to see the whole situation.

If you have an existing base and mast, and the cabling is in place, then you may only need to verify that all the satellite system components which are incompatible with OTA TV frequencies have been removed.

Soldering is not used in a normal installation. Use factory assembled cables or invest in a basic compression connector tool kit which includes the compression tool, cable cutter and cable stripper.

Seal connections that are exposed to the elements using CoaxSeal or Scotch/3M #2228. Cables can be secured to mast or similar supports with a few wraps of good quality electrical tape... tie-wraps will begin to crush coax if over tightened which is quite easy to do.

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The coax can also be fed up through the bottom of the mast pipe and out the top of the mast pipe.
This keep the coax from swinging in the wind.

Do Not use vinyl electrical tape on outside connections , vinyl elictrical tape Does Not seal well and Will Take In And Hold Water At The Connection , holding water at a connection is Not Good.