Antenna Help In NC
 

To start things off, here is my info:

http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...5747c83217d256

I am looking to cut the cord with my satellite provider (Dish, not that I don't like them but I am wanting to try to save the $105/month). I have a PS3 I use to stream Netflix and will be looking to add Hulu soon. What I am wanting to do is get my locals OTA (ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox). ABC (WSOC Channel 34) and Fox (WCCB - 18) are quite a distance from my location (~45 miles). CBS (WBTV - 23) and NBC (WCNC - 22) are not too bad at ~27 Miles. And the two Antenna farms are in two different locations CBS & NBC at ~170 and FOX and ABC at 138.

From my research, it looks like I need an 8 bay (such as the antennas direct DB8). So my question is, does anyone think I might be able to pull all 4 stations in with one antenna? Or, if I need two antennas, can I put an 8 bay with a 4 bay on the same mast pointing at the two locations? I really don't want to use a rotator because I am thinking of using a PVR with the OTAs at some point. Thanks, in advance, for the help.

For the four stations specified, go with the 4-bay antenna vs the 8-bay. You should be able to aim it at the stations at 138 and receive the ones from 170 without problem, provided multi-math doesn't rear its head.

Ditto ADTech's response.

If you are still shopping for PVR technology, there are a variety of options. The stand alone CM-7000PAL is one option. Silicondust HDHomeRun is another, especially if you already own a PC capable of HD video playback. These and other options can be used with multiple fixed aim antennas if you choose. http://forum.tvfool.com/showthread.php?t=820

Agreed. Aim the 4 bay at about 150°.

TV Antennas and Reception
 

Also can aim the 4 bay at about 215 degree magnetic compass to receive the stations 174 to 270 degree magnetic compass. Next subject --> for recording , some of these also have Hard Drive or DVD recording. http://forum.tvfool.com/showthread.php?t=380

So a 4-bay will be fine? I thought I might have alot of trouble getting the Stations that are 45 miles away. That is why I was looking at the 8-bay. Do you think I will need an amplifier? Looking at the info on here, it states that those stations are "2Edge: Double edge diffraction". I might be able to get that to a 1Edge with antenna height. My house is on a sloped property - 1story in the front, 2 story in the back. So it is hard to judge what height I should use for the calculations. The distant stations are off the back of the house at about a 45` angle. I do have alot of tall trees around too. No tall buildings and no tall trees in the direction of the distant stations.

I appreciate the feedback. I am looking to do this mid June. I am the type of person that does ALOT of research before pulling the trigger.

TV Antennas and Reception
 

Combining 2 UHF antennas pointed in different directions on to one down lead does not work well , the antennas reception cross talk cause reception problems. You can bring a separate coax from each antenna to the location of the Tv and use a remote control A-B antenna switch such as a A-B 27RS from MCM electronics or radio shack model # 15-1968 .

TV Antennas and Reception
 

The stations at your location are strong. So a 4 bay should work. The other reason we are suggesting using 4 bays is - Beam Width. Beam width is the degree of a angle ( to the right or left side ) from the center of the reception at the front of the antenna that the reception will be reduced to half power strength. . 4 bays have a wider beam width and 8 bays have a narrower beam width. The stations you will like to receive are at wide spacing of angles / beam width.

My first step was to figure out if I can get the stations and the quality of the signal. But on the PVR side, I was thinking of buying a TV Turner card for one of my existing PC's. Then I was hoping to be able to save the recording automatically to a networked Media Center Drive (which I already have). Then stream the recording through my PS3 to the TV (I can currently stream ripped movies that I own and other videos and music from this drive to my PS3). But I really have not found if this is possible or not.

That is good to know. Thanks!!

TV Antennas and Reception
 

As is true of About 98 % of outdoor reception situations , the higher the antenna the better. Outdoor Tv antennas like elbow room and a clear view of the transmitting antennas. Most of the stations are LOS = Line of Sight and the one and two edge in the yellow should be strong enough to be received with a 4 bay connected to one Tv maybe even two Tv's. . How many Tv's will be connected??

TV Antennas and Reception
 

W20DD-D 20 is Fox and the http://www.metvnetwork.com. W42DR-D 42 is ABC and a Independent. W41DL-D 41 is PBS. WHDW-LP 48 is religion.

Initially, I will be hooking it up to a Dish Network VIP622 (which has an OTA tuner in it). In the future I will hook it directly to my 50" Panasonic and then (hopefully) to a tv tuner in a PC to have PVR functionality. So, two will be the maximum.

I actually have tried to post a message about my plans for my PVR plans, but I think it needs a moderators approval since I put a link in it.

Since I am new to the OTA stuff, what are all these stations? I am only really aware of the following:

WHKY - 40 - IND
WBTV - 23 - CBS
WCNC - 22 - NBC
WJZY - 47 - CW
WTVI - 14 - PBS
WUNE - 17 - PBS
WUNG - 44 - PBS
WCCB - 18 - FOX
WSOC - 34 - ABC
WAXN - 36 - IND

What are all the other channels? Specifically, the ones you mention. I have never heard of them. I assume they are repeaters or something?

TV Antennas and Reception
 

Read and understand about , REAL Digital Broadcast Tv Channels , Virtual Digital Broadcast Tv Channels , Analog Broadcast Tv Channels , http://forum.tvfool.com/showthread.php?t=695 . Here is how to aim Tv antennas , http://www.kyes.com/antenna/pointing/pointing.html

I understand the difference between Real and Virtual channels. That is how I know I can get all the channels I need with a UHF Antenna. Even though WBTV is on "channel 3". After doing some more research, I realize that lost of these "other" channels are actually translators for the main stations. I am assuming a translator is a repeater for the station, rebroadcasting what the main station is broadcasting. I am also assuming it is being rebroadcast on a different channel. Or am I assuming wrong?

TV Antennas and Reception
 

How many Tv's will be connected??

Sorry, that was in the post that hasn't been approved. Initially 1, Max 2 at this point.

TV Antennas and Reception
 

The repeaters/translators and low power stations can sometimes make it possible to receive the channels one will like to receive with one Tv antenna.

TV Antennas and Reception
 

I did a little googling of Tv stations and put there for you to see. Example: ME Tv - http://metvnetwork.com , I will not google all of the Tv stations call signs and find out whats is on , you will need to do that for your self. Digital Tv stations can transmit more then one tv channel , they are known as sub channels. Usulay up to 4 Tv sub channels , however 6 and even 8 Tv sub channels can be transmitted , also audio only and data only channels can be transmitted.

TV Antennas and Reception
 

Depending on location where a person lives. Now days one can find , Korean programing , Chinese programing , Japan programing , South america programing , Russia programing , Spanish programing and etc. and etc. . And before you turn up your nose , think about this , more programing brings on more programing , even some you will like.

TV Antennas and Reception
 

Here are some free on line Tv guides , http://television.aol.com , http://tv.yahoo.com , http://www.titantv.com , http://tv.entertainment.excite.com , http://www.zap2it.com , http://tvzap.com

I think you have misunderstood my question. I have done my research and I know about sub-stations. And I am fully aware of google, however, Titan TV (et al.) do not list the stations you discussed above:

W20DD-D 20
W42DR-D 42
W41DL-D 41
WHDW-LP 48

My question regarding these stations is what are they? Just transponders or do they have actual original programming?

Thanks for the info. My plan is to add a tv tuner card to one of my PC's. Then, I want to save my shows in a format that I can stream to my PS3 for viewing on my tv. I am hoping this is possible, but haven't really found any direct information on doing this.

Dig through here to figure out the answers.

http://www.rabbitears.info/search.ph...earch&state=NC

I don't own a PS3... will it play .MP2 (MPEG-2) format files? That's the format OTA DTV is broadcast in and the format The Silicondust HW/SW saves in. Microsoft loves to save stuff in proprietary formats which is true of their Media Center SW. Linux on the other hand is nearly 100% open source.

Now THAT helped! Thanks!! I think I understand now. These transponders rebroadcast (or simulcast) the original stations broadcast on a different "real" channel. But it will show up as a (virtual) sub-channel on the original stations (virtual) Channel. :D

I am pretty sure the PS3 will play Mpeg2 streams. I don't want to mess with Microsofts Media Center. I currently am using a stand alone Networked Media Center Drive to stream to my PS3. It works great, I use the drive to stream Backup copies of my DVD's and other videos to the PS3. So the plan is to only use the PC to record the shows, then use the Media Center Drive to stream.

I had trouble with " Titan TV " & started using this which is easier to use.

http://www.zap2it.com/

I placed an order today for:

Antennas Direct DB4
Winegard Gable End Mount
WINEGARD 5-Feet Swedged Masting Antenna

I added the 5 foot section to add some height to the antenna. Everything I read says higher is better. I just hope it doesn't put too much stress on the mount in high winds. I ended up ordering all of it from amazon because I had $40 in credits I needed to use. So the whole order only cost me ~$45. I thought that was pretty good. I will buy the cabling and other assorted fittings locally. I probably won't get it up for 2-3 weeks but I will let you know how it goes.

Yeah right. I agree with you. I'll try to go with 4-bay antenna. Thanks man. :D

Finally got the antenna up. 9 stations!! No rotator and no preamp. Thanks to everyone here and TVFool!!

Tv Antennas and Reception
 

Be sure and rescan from time to time because new channels are added without notice.

I was using a little 7" LCD on the roof to help me point the antenna. Got it close that way. I then hooked it up to the big TV (figured it had a better tuner) and it grabbed 34(!) total channels on its first scan. Several stations from the Greensboro/Winston-Salem/High Point area. But the next day I couldn't get anything out of the Charlotte market. I am sure if I get on the roof one more time I can get a few more.

27 (18-1 WCCB) is the only Charlotte station giving me trouble. Since it is the same direction as 34 (9-1 WSOC) I don't really understand why I can get one and not the other at times. Can moving the antenna up and down on the mast make a difference? Also, what is the best way to route the cable on the antenna itself (will that make a difference)?

I will make a full list of channels I receive tonight when I get home. Thanks again for all the help.

Tv Antennas and Reception
 

Looking at the Current data base and the pending applications of your tvfool digital stations radar report I see multipul channels and transmitting locations WCCB and WSOC. Some Tv stations channels and transmitting locations are in a state of change because of the switch to digital transmission. There is jostling going on for who can transmit on what channel and what location. There is a lot of wheeling and dealing and even some law suits. The best thing to do is Googling of the stations call signs , making phone calls , tell you get to the engineering department that is dealing with the WCCB , WSOC transmitters and ask if a final location and channel has been decided. Just say I would like to talk to the engineering department please , and yes they will talk to you.

Turns out I didn't have the antenna pointed correctly. It was pointed at 180 (magn), it should have been pointed at 145 (magn). I used a compass and correctly pointed it this afternoon. I now get the following stations (plus all the sub-channels of each):

WHKY 40 (14.1)
WBTV 23 (3.1)
WCNC 22 (36.1)
WJZY 47 (46.1)
WMYT 39 (55.1)
WUNG 44 (58.1)
WCCB 27 (18.1)
WSOC 34 (9.1)
WCWG 19 (20.1)
WXLV 29 (45.1) out of market
WTVI 11 (42.1) (VHF??)

Tv Antennas and Reception
 

The strongest groups of stations are at , 263 true (270 magnetic) , 234 true (241 magnetic) , 170 true (171 magnetic) , try pointing the antenna in the middle at about , 208 true (215 magnetic)

I pointed the antenna at 138 true (145 magnetic) to receive the Charlotte stations that are the farthest away (FOX-WCCB 18.1 & ABC-WSOC 9.1). Tower Guy and ADTech suggested that if I point the antenna at these stations I would get the other (closer) stations also. They were correct.

The only stations I was really worried about were:

CBS-WBTV 23 (3.1)
NBC-WCNC 22 (36.1)
IND-WJZY 47 (46.1)
FOX-WCCB 27 (18.1)
ABC-WSOC 34 (9.1)
CW-WJZY 47 (46.1)

and a PBS, I get WUNG 44 (58.1) & WTVI 11 (42.1)

Getting more stations than this, is just icing on the cake. As we have discussed earlier, most of the others are just repeaters.

If I pointed the antenna at 263 true (270 magnetic) , 234 true (241 magnetic) , or 170 true (171 magnetic) I might receive more stations but I would not receive all my local networks. Not receiving all my the major networks kind-of defeats the purpose of an antenna doesn't it? Or am i missing something here?

Tv Antennas and Reception
 

You are doing fine. I am looking at the strongest signal strengths and looking and the variety of network channels. The direction you are pointing at is just fine.