Help with antenna choice please
 

Hi all, Here is my analysis:
http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...d2434040a73113

I have a 6x6 pole that used to house my satellite dish, the coaxial is still there. The dish was approximately 15 feet off the ground at the time. I have clear paths to the skies in the north and south, with a few low lying trees. two story houses are directly to the east and west of my house ( in close proximity). I'm interested in getting any channel possible with the exception of religious and Spanish channels.
I only have 1 tv, a 51" 1080p samsung plasma. The coaxial goes in to the house to a diverter in the basement, and then to the living room. Approximately 50' of cable altogether from antenna to TV.
I am looking at getting the
Antennas Direct DB4e.

thanks for your guidance!

Maybe even add on the VHF retrofit kit to the DB4e?

Your best option for the most channels of interest would be to shoot for Denver. However, that will require both high-VHF plus UHF (the DB4e will not pick up the Denver VHF stations that operate on channels 7, 9, & 13). From our product lineup, you would therefore need to ADD the ClearStream 5 to the DB4e in order to get your full complement of stations.

The alternative would be to resort to a large combo antenna which, for his location, would need to be between 10-14' in length.

Not sure what you're calling a 'diverter', you'd best post a photo of it for identification purposes.

I'm at work but I can post a picture later. It's housed in a media control box that diverts cable/internet/signal to the rest of the house.

It kind of looks like this:
https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=...17720139627154

Will the VHF retrofit not work with the DB4e? I am trying to keep expenses down (yes yes I know, saving $ month after month!) I still have a budget!

Thanks for your reply! This site is a great resource.

If you want to add VHF capability to the DB4e, you can add a separate VHF high antenna - it does not have to be the VHF retrofit from Antennas Direct. The Antennacraft Y5713 is only $30 http://www.antennacraft.net/Antennas/AntennasVHF.html ... you can combine it with the UHF signal from the DB4e using a passive UVSJ http://www.solidsignal.com/pview.asp?p=uvsj or a preamp like the often-recommended RCA http://www.amazon.com/RCA-TVPRAMP1R-.../dp/B003P92D9Y

I am currently using a setup like this with a Y10713 above a DB8e on the same 10' pole, and an Antennacraft 10G221 preamp http://www.antennacraft.net/Antennas...mplifiers.html - works great.

As ADTech mentioned, you could also go with a large combo antenna, like the Antennacraft HBU type http://www.antennacraft.net/Antennas/AntennasHBU.html - here "large" means "long" ... the Y10713 has a 10' beam and the HBU55 has a 12' beam.

The VHF Retrofit Kit isn't adequate for use in the Ft Collins area. You'll need something with a lot more performance.

Thanks for the advice guys, much appreciated.
I have the DB4e and the y5713 on separate j-poles, attached to a 6x6 post (deck pergola support beam) about 15 feet above ground. I also have the RCA amplifier as suggested (which made a huge difference!!) Both antennas are pointed SSW (just a hair to the west) for the best reception. When I first added the y5713, I had it temporarily affixed 2 feet below the DB4e. When I bought the second j-pole I put it just above the DB4e. When I did this I lost channel 5 and gained channel 9, which is fine because they are both NBC (and better reception). The problem is, now channel 7 (ABC) is pixelated and choppy. Did I create some interference? I figured moving the antenna higher would simply make everything better....It is sitting basically right on top of the UHF antenna.

How far is "just above". You do need some separation between the antennas. Two feet minimum, but sometimes more.

Yeah, that usually causes both antennas to have their reception diminished somewhat. Antennas do like their "elbow room".