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Old 1-Sep-2011, 12:30 AM   #3
Tigerbangs
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Location: Springfield, MA
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You are going to need to pull out the big guns to make this work. WRGB will always look strongest because low-band VHF follows the contours of the earth better than high-band VHF or UHF, but, practically speaking, low-band VHF has other issues that keep it from being a good medium for digital broadcasting.

All of the Capital District stations transmit from a common tower in the Helderberg Mountains southwest of Albany, and the terrain between the transmitters and you is a bit of a nightmare for TV reception, although the distance isn't very great. Expect that you are going to need the biggest all-channel antenna that you can get.

There are 3 antennas that will fill the bill for you: the Winegard HD-8200u, the Channel Master Crossfire 3671, or the AnrennaCraft HD1850. All of these antennas are 16'+ monsters and will require careful installation on your roof. Because of the potential for ignition and other atmospheric interference with VHF channel 6, I strongly suggest that you use the very best RG-6 quad shield cable and compression-type "F" fittings that you can find, and also consider using a very low-noise preamplifier like a Channel Master Titan 7777 or a Winegard AP-8275.

Aim the antenna at at 88 degrees as measured by your compass, but remember that these antennas are VERY directional, and a mis-aiming of as little as 10 degrees may make the difference between seeing a station or not seeing it at all. if you doubt your ability to aim a rig this large properly, then consider using a rotator to fine-tune it.

When you are all done, you should see all of the Capital District stations reliably. I have listed links to the various recommended antennas: good luck!

http://www.channelmaster.com/HD_tele...tenna_s/24.htm

http://www.winegard.com/kbase/upload/HD8200U.pdf

http://antennacraft.com/pdfs/HD1850.pdf

http://www.channelmaster.com/Televis..._7777_s/92.htm

http://www.winegard.com/offair/amplifiers.php
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