Need a roof mounted antenna recommendation for Inland Empire, CA [Archive]

rabbit73

15-Feb-2016, 1:39 PM

Welcome, dub:

TV reception at your location will be difficult, but maybe we can get you a few channels.

The channels that you want are weak, and will require an antenna with some gain and a preamp. The problem is that your local PBS station KVCR is in the same direction as your desired stations and it will overload a preamp.

Also, there is a hill in the signal path from your desired channels that looks like this; the transmitter is at the left and your location is at the right end:
http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%3d5134ecb7a9ca11%26t%3dALLTV%26n%3d12

The ideal solution would be to order a custom filter ($100 or more) from Tin Lee Electronics that would make KVCR on real channel 26 a lot weaker to make reception of your desired channels easier.
http://www.tinlee.com/index.php

But, before you go that route, there a few simple less expensive tests you can do to see what might be possible.

You also have some strong local FM stations that might interfere with TV reception; an FM filter is needed:
http://www.fmfool.com/modeling/tmp/abb1b549f7/Radar-FM.png

From looking at it, Fox(11.1), ABC(7.1), 9.1, and CW(5.1) is for roof mounted. I would be satisfied if I got these channels. The only ones missing are NBC(4.1) and CBS (2.1) which require extreme measures. If I got these as well, then I would be ecstatic.
11.1, 7.1, and 9.1 are on real channels 11, 7 and 9 which are VHF-High channels. You can use a VHF-High antenna for them like the MCM 30-2476 which is inexpensive, has poor instructions, but should be OK:
http://www.mcmelectronics.com/product/STELLAR-LABS-30-2476-/30-2476

They also have a smaller version with less gain, the 30-2475.

5.1 is on real channel 31. That isn't possible unless you add a UHF antenna and insert a filter to weaken KVCR PBS.

I doubt that 4.1 and 2.1 are possible, without, as you said, extreme measures.

The first thing you can try is the 30-2476 with a Channel Master 7778 or Antennas Direct Juice preamp. The 7778 has an FM filter but the Juice does not. Insert a HLSJ (high and common ports) as an FM filter and a UVSJ (low and common ports to block UHF including PBS) between the antenna and the input of the preamp.

Another alternative would be to use a Winegard HD7698P VHF-High/UHF antenna with a ChannelPlus NF-471 notch filter and the HLSJ inserted between the antenna and the preamp input. This might get you 5.1.

The NF-471 will make 26 a lot weaker; it will weaken channels 24-29.
https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q=channel+plus+nf-471+notch+filter

You can use the NF-471 in place of the UVSJ in the first test to let some other UHF channels through.

The attachment has the filter curve for the NF-469, which covers lower channels, to give you the idea. I don't have the curve for the NF-471.

This is the data sheet for the NF-469, not the NF-471:
http://www.markertek.com/Attachments/Specifications/CHANNEL/NF-469-Specifications.pdf
The coax wiring is already there to my TV so it would be a simple installation.It's OK to use the Dish coax, but don't use any of the Dish equipment like splitters or switches.