TV Fool - Selecting an antenna, Northern Iowa area

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Selecting an antenna, Northern Iowa area

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Due to our budget, my wife and I are dropping cable. We can get most of the specialty programs that we wouldn't get off the air with Hulu or other internet sources so I'm just looking for an antenna that can provide us with very basic coverage for the big 3 networks, PBS, and FOX.

2 story home. No current antenna installed. Based on the report it looks like I'd have to point my antenna through my backyard which would mean there would be 1 large tree in the direction of the broadcast towers. I can mount the antenna on the topmost roof but would prefer to mount it on the roof of my 3 season room which would put it about 15ft above the ground on the side of the house closest to the direction of the broadcast towers (so clear line of site except for that tree). That location also allows for easy access to run cabling to the current junction box where the cable company's wire comes in and is split to the 3 TVs and easy access for power for a preamp if necessary. Of the 3 TVs one is an LCD HDTV and the other 2 are older CRTs that will need converter boxes.

I've look at all the resources online as well as manufactures sites and Amazon reviews but am still having difficulty choosing an antenna and figuring out if I'm going to need a preamp. Recommendations on converter boxes would be welcome too.

Any assistance would be greatly appreciated. CBS, PBS, and ABC and FOX are all on UHF and it looks as if ABC might be a bit of a stretch and FOX probably a no-go regardless of the antenna. NBC is VHF and also looks like it might be a bit of a stretch.

Tv Antennas and Reception

The reception situation is better then you think , I recommend a Winegard HD7698P antenna with a Winegard HDP269 preamp , aimed at about 50 degree magnetic compass. The digital Tv stations down to and including KXLT-DT 46 Fox will be received. Here is how to aim Tv antennas , http://kyes.com/antenna/pointing/pointing.html . Also 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

Tv Antennas and Reception

There is a lot of useful information on this site.

http://www.dennysantennaservice.com/...lp_center.html

I agree with JC, you are in fairly good shape. KXLT is the toughest challenge... try for it at the lower level of your roof but remain ready to head higher if needed. The suggested antenna and amp are right, though I have a preference toward the Antennas Direct CPA-19 for its' slightly better noise figure.

Tv Antennas and Reception

Yes I agree with GUM the CPA-19 is a good preamp. The HD7698P is a big antenna and as such will need to go to the roof top.

Tv Antennas and Reception

Here are converter boxes , http://forum.tvfool.com/showthread.php?t=380 . . By Googling the Tv stations call signs I found that , KIMT 42 is , CBS , MyNetwork , Local Weather . KYIN-DT 18 is PBS . KTTC-DT 10 is , NBC , The CW . KAAL-DT 36 is ABC . KSMQ-DT 20 is PBS . KXLT-DT 46 is , FOX , MeTV. Rescan for digital channels from time to time because new digital channels can come on the air without notice.