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Old 4-Dec-2011, 8:40 AM   #3
GroundUrMast
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Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Greater Seattle Area
Posts: 4,773
Quote:
Originally Posted by tnle View Post
Help,
I am trying to get away from those pestky cable bills that keep creeping up. Currently, I have installed a Clearstream2 in the attic with 50' cable and able to get 10 channels (2 are intermittant). My goal is to be able to get as many channels, as far and as clear as possible.
Any suggestion would be greatly appreciated.
1. What antenna should I get? Is the C4 or C5 better? Roof top or attic?
2. Separate VHF, UHF and merge signal?
3. Omni, multi-directional or directional?
3. Motorized antenna with remote control?
4. Amplifier? Which one?
5. Line amp? The farthest TV is 50' away with splitters
6. Some TVs are old analogs, others will be HDTVs. What is the best configuration to connect to the converter box?

http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...ec125a79506e37

The first time I tried to post, I got an error. So, if this is a dupplicate, it's my bad.
Thanks
tnle
1a) Can you clarify your goals a bit more please? (#2 below)

1b) Outside in the clear, free of the attenuation and reflection caused by the attic/roof construction materials.

2) I need to be sure I understand you goals. Do you want to hunt for DX signals or just make the Austin signals reliable? Is there a specific station from a city other than Austin that you are hoping to receive? Is KAKW of particular interest to you?

3-1) No to the omni given your stated goals. Multi directional - unlikely. Which directional or combinations of UHF & VHF depend on your answers to #2

3-2) Definitely not a LAVA. Possibly a respectable quality rotator, depending on #2. (If you are feeding more than one set, a rotator will often be a source of frustration for viewers who don't have control of which way the antenna is aimed.)

4 & 5) One amplifier can be too many. Two amplifiers are too many. Possibly a high input preamp, depending on your answers to #2 and how many total tuners are going to be connected.

6) Not 100% sure of your question so... Home run cabling is the preferred arrangement. The antenna down-lead runs to a convenient location in the building where the splitter is located and, if needed, the power supply for the preamp can be located also. From there all tuners are fed via individual coax runs. (Or another possible answer) If your analog sets have S-video inputs you'll get slightly better video quality if you use a STB with S-video output.
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If the well is dry and you don't see rain on the horizon, you'll need to dig the hole deeper. (If the antenna can't get the job done, an amp won't fix it.)

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