Tv Fool Report
Solid Signal Recommended me this antenna with a rotator.
VHF / UHF Yagi
I was hoping to avoid needing a rotator due to broadcast locations. Of the VHF Stations the only ones I care about are 8 & 10.
So I was thinking about getting this:
8 Foot Yagi Antenna for VHF Stations
(They are listed as 2 edge in tv fool which means there is hills blocking reception) Tis antenna would be pointed at at VHF stations which are SW.
UHF Bowtie Antenna
This has a wide enough range that it should be able to pickup all the UHF stations. Many of the UHF Stations are listed as LOS (Line of Sight).
This way I should be able to get a slightly better antenna for VHF, while not needing a rotator for UHF. What do you think?
So then I just need to figure out how to install all this stuff.
This is the best tripod mount I could find on their site. Not sure if it includes Pitch Pads or not, (Whatever those are). It fits up to 1/75" Mast and top rail is 1.375"
5' Tripod Mount
The tripod needs to be attached to the Rafters, but I'm not sure this will be possible (certainly one could be, and possibly 2 but likely not all 3). It is suggested to brace with wooden blocks if the rafters are not available. This will not be possible either since there is not enough room to crawl around in the attic and it is sprayed with fiberglass. Unless there is a way to mount it directly over the access area.
Would this mast be much better than using 2 10'6" toprails stacked?
Telescoping Mast Looks like it might make the install allot easier?
Should I buy a VHF or UHF pre-amp? How the heck do you align the antennas before putting up the mast? I would not be able to mess with alignment once it is up without a rotator? The whole install has me worried. I'd just hate to get it up and then have to take it down to put on a pre-amp or reposition the VHF antenna. Almost has me thinking it might be better to buy the combo Yagi and Rotator equipment instead?
Finally, I have an Antenna on top of the roof now but it is not aimed properly. It's aimed about 60 degrees off of where the majority of the stations are. (its about 235 deg SE). While it might be good enough(?), I figure it may not be worth it to find out (labor involved in taking down the mast, guy wires etc) to repair the connections and elements, reposition it and get it back up.
Here are the stations I verified we are already getting with the old antenna (even mispositioned). 3 or 4 of them will cut out depending on the weather.
RF 19 KSWB
Fox 5 69-1
thisTv 69-2
RF 18 KUSI-HD
51-1
RF 40 KNSD HD
Universal sports 39-3
NBC+ 39-2
NBC 39-1
RF 30 KPBS
15-1
V-ME 15-2
RF 12 XEST
12-1(breaks up sometimes)
RF 8 KFMB-TV
CBS 8-1
RF 6 XETV
CW - yes there is static
Existing Mount
2010-12-05_15-17-02_50 by
Glamisduner, on Flickr
Existing Antenna (Needs to be pointed towards the hill (SW).
2010-12-05_15-12-27_344 by
Glamisduner, on Flickr