Hello Fine Folks,
I have been very impressed with all the helpful information that you guys provide in helping us that don’t have a clue what we are doing…I’m hoping that you will help me as well. :-)
I have a bit of an unusual situation and don’t know which way would be the best way to approach. I think that my best option will be to roof mount with a roof tripod (VMP TR-60 5’ heavy duty tripod, unless you have a better recommendation for a tripod). I would prefer not to get involved with the use of guy wires, so I guess that I would be limited to a 10’ mast. I am open to other suggestions as well, but do not think that I am willing to spend thousands of dollars to erect a tower system. The peak of my roof is about 20 feet, so with the tripod and 10’ mast my antenna system should approach 30’. My TV Fool Radar Plot for 30’ is listed here:
http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...e1c62c0a9c913a
I would like, at the very minimum to pick up at least one stable signal from each of the following networks: ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, CW & ION. To do this, I will need a VHF capable antenna to pick up at least one station. Since no single direction supplies all of these networks, I assume that would require the use of a two antenna system UNLESS there is a UHF/VHF antenna that provides a decent signal off the back end. All that being said, my station locations in question are as follows:Raleigh, NC(300-305 degrees)/Greenville,NC (61-68 degrees) & Jacksonville, NC (112-121 degrees). The stations to the NW are about 50 miles & the ones to the E are about 25 miles.
To make this even more difficult, this will be hooked up to an OTA DVR (the Nuvyyo Tablo—I haven’t used it yet, but it looks pretty awesome—you can check it out at tablotv.com)…so using a rotor system is not possible.
Abbreviations used below: AD = Antennas Direct, CS = ClearStream, WG = Winegard
I think the closest thing to a single antenna solution might be the AD DB8e pointed in two directions, NW & E with an added dipole kit to receive the VHF station--which is available here...
http://www.antennasdirect.com/store/...o-Fit-Kit.html
If I use the dipole kit, would it be best to use it on the side pointed E? Also, will it still be strong enough to pick up the NW stations when in a split configuration? What compass heading would you aim each panel? Since it would have a simple dipole antenna, would I need to use some type of FM trap?...if so, which?
One other thought on the DB8e, would installing it without the reflectors and only pointing it NW be of any benefit...making it act more like an omni-directional UHF antenna?...or would pointing it only NW with the reflectors still on allow pickup of the rear stations to the E since they are fairly strong?
Do you have any better recommendations?
I have also considered the WG HD7698P pointed NW along with a CS 1, CS 2 OR an AD DB2e pointed E.
Another consideration is the AD 91XG pointed NW along with a RCA ANT751r OR a CS 2v pointed E.
Please also recommend any combiners or pre-amps that would be necessary. The total cable run should be between 50 to 75 feet from the antenna to the OTA DVR…there will not need to be any other cables run to supply other TVs since distribution from the Tablo DVR is done through a wifi network.
For coax, would you use RG6 Quad shield with a solid copper clad core? ...or would a solid copper core be necessary?
I know that I have asked lots of questions…but I wanted to be as thorough as possible in my post so I would not have to bother you too many times.
Thank you so much!