OTA in San Diego

[mprice]

Hello,
In need of help with antenna selection in San Diego. Here is my TV Fool reception report: http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%3dcc4965a0364660

Goals:
• Better Local reception for San Diego channels 6, 8 and 10
• Reliable reception of major LA stations

Setup: Sony Bravia 42” HDTV. TIVO Premiere connected to small GE VHF/UHF indoor antenna mounted in a window with 20 feet of RG6.

I live in North County San Diego and want to receive the local over the air channels as well as those from the Los Angeles stations. I live in a two story stucco home with a clat tile roof. My bedroom is on the first floor and faces south (about 170 deg. magnetic) and my rec room is on the second floor and faces north (about 350 deg.magnetic). When using the antenna downstairs I receive the following:

• KWSB-DT 69 (RF 19)– 93 signal strength as reported by the Tivo
• KUSI-DT 51 (RF 18) – 85 signal strength
• KPBS-DT 15 (RF 30) – 82 signal strength
• KNSD-DT 39 (RF 40) – 72 signal strength
• KFMB-DT 8 (RF 8) – 45 signal strength
• KGTV-DT 10 (RF 10) – 36 signal strength

A signal strength of about 30-33 seems to be the cutoff for signal degradation and picture loss. The signal strength varies greatly with antenna placement. I occasionally receive two LA stations KTLA and KCBS even when in the south facing downstairs bedroom. I am guessing this is caused by atmospheric conditions being favorable now and then.

When I move this little $10 antenna upstairs to the rec room pointed north, I can receive the following additional LA stations with various levels of success:

• KNBC-DT 4 (RF 36) - 60 signal strength
• KTLA-DT 5 (RF 31) – 54 signal strength
• KCBS-DT 2 (RF 43) – 40 signal strength
• KOCE-DT 50 (RF 48) – 32 signal strength
• KTTV-DT 11 (RF 11) – 30 signal strength
• KCOP-DT 13 (RF 13) – 30 signal strength

I get a strong signal but no picture on KSCI-DT 50 (RF 18) and I am assuming that local KUSI 51 (RF18) is interfering with the reception from the Long Beach station. I do NOT receive any of the Tijuana stations including XETV-DT 6 (RF 23) with any antenna from any location.

I’ve been looking the following antenna’s that I can use in a window or in the attic due to homeowners restrictions:

• AntennaCraft U-4000
• Antennas Direct C4 ClearStream 4
• Antennas Direct Extended Range DB4E
• Channel Master 4221HD 4-bay
• Antennas Direct DB8 (too big?)

I’d love to hear your recommendations.

Thanks,
Mike

[GroundUrMast]

For what it's worth, the FCC is on your side: http://www.fcc.gov/guides/over-air-reception-devices-rule The bottom line is, an HOA can not summarily prohibit the use of an antenna. Some limitations may be enforceable, BUT, the burden of proof falls on the entity that wants to impose a restriction.

The local signals in the San Diego area are spread far enough apart to often require the use of two antennas, one for UHF and another for VHF. The best results will be had if you mount outside in the clear.

The Antennas Direct DB4e is a high performance UHF antenna that has a wide forward beam. For VHF, consider the Antennacraft Y10713 or the Winegard YA1713. You can combine the UHF and VHF signals into a common coax using a UVSJ (UHF/VHF combiner)

http://www.amazon.com/Antennas-Direct-DB4e-DB4E-Antenna/dp/B0074H3IU6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1356503401&sr=8-1&keywords=db4e

http://www.antennacraft.net/Antennas/AntennasVHF.html

http://www.amazon.com/Antennas-Direct-EU385CF-Combiner-Connection/dp/B008PBTPN4/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1356503471&sr=1-2&keywords=uhf+vhf+combiner

[GroundUrMast]

Reception of the LA signals is going to require a large, 'deep-fringe' antenna or combination of antennas.

The Antennas Direct 91XG plus an Antennacraft Y10713 is an option... A Winegard HD7698P is a single antenna option. Regardless of the exact antenna chosen, expect to need a preamp such as the Antennas Direct CPA-19.

If you have several TVs to connect, you'll find the channel surfing experience easier if you build this as a separate fixed aim system, cabled to the TVs via a separate coax run. Use an A/B switch or a set-top-box accessory tuner.

http://forum.tvfool.com/showthread.php?t=2882

[teleview]

A Simple reception situation that requires a Big antenna.

For reception of the San Diego Digital Tv stations/channels.

Above the roof in such a manner that the roof or house is not blocking reception to the , south west , south , south east.

Install a Winegard HD7698P antenna aimed at about 136 degree magnetic compass direction.

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

For 1 Tv connected use no splitter. No preamp.

For 2 Tv's connected use a common simple 2 way splitter. No preamp.

__________________________________________________________________________


A Simple reception situation that requires a Big antenna.

For reception of the L.A. Digital Tv stations/channels.

Above the roof in such a manner that the roof or house is not blocking reception to the , north west.

Install a Winegard HD7084P antenna with a Antennas Direct CPA-19 preamp aimed at about 317 degree magnetic compass direction.

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

For one Tv connected use no splitter.

For 2 Tv's connected use a , HFS-2D , 2 way splitter.

Buy the HFS splitters at , http://www.solidsignal.com or http://www.hollandelectronics.com.

_______________________________________________________________________________

The HD7084P on the bottom and the HD7698P on top on the same mast , separate by about 3 feet.

_______________________________________________________________________________


The HD7698P antenna system and the HD7084P antenna system are Separate antenna systems and Are Not connected together on to one coax.

The 2 antennas systems are Separate All the way to the locations of the Tv/s and will be connected to a A/B remote control coax antenna switch at each location.

http://www.mcmelectronics.com # 32-4425 , or , http://www.radioshack.com #15-1968 .

A/B antenna switching is Channel Surfing Friendly , press the button on the hand held remote control , change antennas and Keep On Channel Surfing.
___________________________

Here are some Strong and Sturdy antenna mounts , http://www.ronard.com/909911.html , http://www.ronard.com/34424560.html if using a eave mount use the # 4560. , http://www.ronard.com/ychim.html , http://www.ronard.com.

Buy the ronard antenna mounts at ronard by typing the word ronard in the solidsignal search box.

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 do a real fine job of reducing or blocking Digital Tv reception and so do buildings and other obstructions including your own house.

It is best to locate the antennas at a location that has the least amount to no amount of obstructions of any type or kind in the directions of reception including your own house.

The Tv's Must Channel Scan for the Broadcast Tv Channels , often named to '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.

[mprice]

Thanks for the great feedback folks. This gives me a lot to consider (and buy).

[teleview]

I recommend install the San Diego system , the HD7698P antenna , first and then at a later date the L.A system.

KSCI UHF channel 18 and KUAN-LP UHF channel 48 at 70 degree magnetic compass direction are the same programing.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KSCI.

KUAN-LP is weak signal strength.

With the HD7698P antenna aimed at about 136 degree magnetic compass direction , the KUAN-LP signal will be at a front angle to the antenna and the angle to the antenna weakens the signal strength more.

I think there will be enough signal for KUAN-LP to be received , if not , turn the front of the antenna more in the direction of KUAN-LP to receive KUAN-LP with out losing the reception of , KFMB-TV , KGTV-DT , and the weak signal strength KTCD-CA Univision , if you will like to receive Univision.

Its a balance of reception locations and signal strengths.

Most Digital Tv's have a signal strength meter and some Digital Tv's have a signal quality meter.

As a test to prove reception , connect to the Tv , not to the TIVo , Tivos are known to Not Have the best Digital Broadcast Tv Tuners

[mprice]

Thanks teleview. Good advice. San Diego first. I may try this antenna on the LA stations too just to see how it operates.