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-   -   Antenna advice plz (http://forum.tvfool.com/showthread.php?t=638)

mh74 9-Aug-2010 11:51 PM

Antenna advice plz
 
Hello everyone,

Thanks for taking the time to read this.

Trying to drop cable if I can. Would like to know what antenna I should get for my location?

I am interested from WABC down to WNBC. Anything else I would consider a bonus.

TV Fool report:
http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...9fbee4763bd583

I am guessing an indoor antenna is out for me right?

Thanks for any insight.

John Candle 10-Aug-2010 12:06 AM

Reception
 
Tell us about your living situation. House , Apt. , Mobile home , Motor home , etc. , . and etc. .

mh74 10-Aug-2010 12:17 AM

Hi,

I live in a 3 story house with an attic. Lots of trees are around also.

EDIT: Where I have to point the antenna (East / South East) lots of trees.

SWHouston 10-Aug-2010 3:32 PM

Greetings mh74,

That's not the best chart I've ever seen !
But, I can't tell what height you entered initially for it.
With a three story house, and if you could put an Antenna on the Roof, you could possibly enter as much as 25/30 ft for the install height.
Why don't you redo your chart with a more exact hight number for a Roof mount, and see if it doesn't help the reception values.

Most times, when you get a 1 or 2Edge, it's because that something (hill/building) is in the way. So, additional height could resolve that.
And yes, I'd say at this point, an indoor Antenna wouldn't provide you with a very good signal at all.

Have a good Day ! :)
S.W.

mh74 10-Aug-2010 4:25 PM

Thanks for the reply SWHouston!

Here are my different TV Fool Reports

20FT

http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...9fbe5c654e5cff


25FT

http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...9fbe0dadd6476f

30FT

http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...9fbeb78c62182b


Thanks again :)

Dave Loudin 10-Aug-2010 5:59 PM

This one's pretty easy... At 20 feet, you already have line-of-sight paths to the NYC stations. Note that there is little, if any, improvement to signal strengths present at 25 or 30 feet. So, if you're going to install on the roof, terrain blockage will not be your problem - the trees will be. (If you're curious about what the path looks like, click on one of the stations in the table of your report.)

Since you have high-VHF and UHF stations to pick up (ignoring the LPs on 2 and 4), you will need one of the antennas in the Winegard HD769n or AntennaCraft HBU-nn series. Despite Noise Margins of 40+, you should choose from at least the mid-sized versions (HD7696 or HBU-44) to account for the trees. Also, you've got a couple of really strong locals, so a pre-amp is probably not advisable.

SWHouston 10-Aug-2010 8:02 PM

Higher IS better !!!
 
mh74,

GREAT !, as you can see, even the 20' pulled LOTS of channels into the LOS (Line of Sight) for you. However, I'm thinking that with a three story house, with even a 10' Mast, mounted on your roof, is going to put you at about 30'.

I'll definitely go along with Dave, on suggesting that you not try for your Channel 2 or 4, and settle for a "Modified" (Channel 7-69) Antenna.

I think you'd be better off with the Winegard HD7696P, given it's healthy gain.

I'm not sure just how Amps got brought into this, but, you're really a little too close to your stations, to consider one of those. IF at some point you think you'd like to try one, there are some mild units, rated down toward 25 miles you could try, BUT, only as a last resort.

Remember, to use good quality Cable, Splitters, and ground your system !

Have a good Day ! :)
S.W.

mh74 10-Aug-2010 10:25 PM

Thanks guys! I went to the Winegard site for info on the HD7696P, and while there they have an antenna selection tool also.

After I entered my info, it came back recommending the HD7697P and HD7698P.

Do you think that is too much for me? If so I will order the HD7696P.

Thanks for all the help :)

Dave Loudin 11-Aug-2010 12:26 AM

Well, the fly in the ointment is having to use antennaweb. When placing the receive location at the same spot I use in TVFool, antennaweb returns no stations, which is definitely not the case. If two of us agree on a recommendation, you can pretty much rely on it, so go with the 7696.

If you compare the 7696 with the 7697 at a site like solidsignal.com, you'll find theat you will spend about $17 more for only a modest improvement in some of the spectrum that you don't need.

SWHouston 11-Aug-2010 3:05 AM

Be Reasonable with your choice !
 
mh74,

When you check multiple sites for the same info, you're almost always going to get some different answers. Happens here, happens everywhere !

I'm thinking that given Antennaweb's "lack" of asking questions like we have here, that they are trying to pick up that NBC down in the amber colored section. (that being your only NBC station on the chart that's remotely receivable)

But, IF you consider the 7697 or 7698, you'll only be picking up from 1 to 2 dB of gain, and having to deal with antennas which are TWO feet longer than the 7696, heavier, and, probably will require some Guying, even with a ten foot mast.

Will either work... sure ! Antennaweb is not wrong, but, is it worth it ???
I'd say no, stay with the 7696.

Have a good Day ! :)
S.W.

mh74 11-Aug-2010 11:35 AM

Thanks again guys. 7696 ordered :)


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