Where to point my antenna - SAN DIEGO - tvfool Analysis Inclosed
 

Greetings,
I purchased a Terk FDTV2A Omni-Directional Amplified Flat Digital HDTV Antenna
and have been trying to set it up with average success. The local NBC channel is giving me the most trouble. Reception is flaky and often freezes. Most of the other local channels are doing ok.

Here is my report from the tvfool analysis.
http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...9900c2e3f7dd3c


As you can see, all the local channels in my area are in the GREEN/Light GREEN zone.

Please help me, as specific as possible, with the co-ordinates or directions on where I should point/mount the antenna. Thanks in advance.

Anthony in San Diego

Pointing and aiming will not change much. Omni-directional has no real aim. The antenna pattern is duplicated with each 1/8 turn.

With most of your stations to your East to South, a better setup would be an RCA ANT 751 aimed to 129 degrees magnetic. This would deliver all of the channels to your East to South and some from the rear of the antenna to the NW.

If you have an attic with standard shingles and no foil backed insulation you could mount the antenna there. Better yet if you can, mount the antenna outdoors with a view from East to South.

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Thanks for the quick response. I'm going to give the rca ant a shot.

Tv Reception.
 

Install a ANT751 above the roof aimed at about 130 degree magnetic compass direction.

No amplifier required.

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

Here are some above the roof antenna mounts , http://www.ronard.com/909911.html , http://www.ronard.com/34424560.html , http://www.ronard.com/ychim.html , http://www.ronard.com.

Buy the ronard antenna mounts at solidsignal 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.

Got the antenna at Frys $79. I showed them the same item on Amazon item for $39.99, they matched the price! Will try to install it tomorrow. Thanks for the tips.

Tv Reception.
 

The ANT751 is a interesting antenna , it is designed well , good quality parts , receives good for what it is.

What makes it interesting is , it does not cost much to manufacture and sells for many more times what it cost to manufacture.

Fry' , Home Depot , Lowes , etc. , sells em for $79.95 , the price was matched for $39.95 and still making a nice profit.

Retailers often purchase merchandise wholesale at 60-70% off list. They have a lot of gross margin that, among other things has to pay for the brick and mortar facility, pay the electricity bill, and pay the employees to staff the store. Somewhere along the line, they also need to make a profit after expenses or there is no point in being in business. Amazon and the like have few of those concerns.

If it takes price matching a few customers for items available online for less, the retailers accept it as a necessary evil as long as it doesn't get out of hand.

The 751, aimed at Mt Miguel, should of fine for the stations there as well as the two VHF stations up in La Jolla. Let us know how it works out.

I was able to find a spot on my roof that has a clear LOS to 129-135 magnetic (except for maybe the ends of a few branches from a tree) and I pointed the ant that way. The highest part of the antenna is about 10 ft from the ground. Installation was as simple as attaching the bracket and tightening some screws.

I connected a splitter and got two TVs connected. Did not have to buy an amplifier. I could not be happier with the reception! I got ALL of the channels including a couple stations as far as LA ! I can't believe what a great LITTLE antenna this thing is.

Thanks everyone for your help. Going to give it a week or so then I'm going to cancel my cable. Cheers!