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Old 31-Oct-2016, 12:32 AM   #4
rabbit73
Retired A/V Tech
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: S.E. VA
Posts: 2,747
There are several possible antenna systems for your location.

System 1. A Winegard HD7698P aimed at 263 deg true and a Channel Master 7777 preamp. If you don't get Fox at 301 deg true, you will need to add a rotator. The Channel Master 9521A is popular, but it doesn't have long term reliability. You would need to upgrade to a ham (radio amateur) rotator like the Yaesu G-450 or Hy-Gain AR-40.
http://www.eham.net/reviews/products/24

If you must have WLBZ on VHF-Low real channel 2, you will need a BIG antenna like the Winegard HD8200U or Solid Signal HD8200XL.

System 2. An Antennas Direct 91XG or Solid Signal HDB91X aimed at 263 deg true for WCSH NBC and WGME CBS. A second antenna an MCM 30-2476 aimed at 262 deg true for WMTW ABC. Combine the two antennas with a UVSJ UHF/VHF combiner and connect to a CM7777. The two antennas should have their front end tilted up using the tilt feature to catch the signals coming down from the hill peak.

A third antenna a Solid Signal HDB91X aimed at 301 deg true and a second CM7777 preamp for WPFO Fox.

Bring down two coax lines, one from each preamp. Connect the outputs of the power inserters to an A/B switch to select which antenna system you want.

An alternate plan is to connect the antennas for NBC, CBS, and ABC to the antenna input of the TV and connect the Fox antenna to a separate tuner with its output connected to the aux input of the TV.

The advantage of the 3 antenna system is that a rotator is not needed, and the antennas are optimized for each channel. You wouldn't need to wait for the rotator to swing around, you wouldn't need to repair it in the middle of January, and you wouldn't need to rescan after changing directions if your TV isn't able to add a channel after scan.

If the antenna is outside, the coax shield should be grounded with a grounding block that is connected to the house electrical system ground with 10 gauge copper wire for electrical safety and to reject interference. For further compliance with the electrical code (NEC), the mast should also be grounded in a similar manner to drain any buildup of static charge which will tend to discourage a strike, but the system will not survive a direct strike.

You will need a dual grounding block for two downleads.

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Last edited by rabbit73; 31-Oct-2016 at 1:02 PM.
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