Antenna and Install Advice (SoCal, CA)

[kvorkian]

Let me start by saying that I've been traversing the forums for awhile and appreciate seeing the help that the experienced few provide those of us that are new and challenged.

As such, I thought I'd look for advice on my situation to confirm I'm heading in the right direction. My signal map can be found here: http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...de65a8cb1ce1f2

I'm finding that my location in SoCal, CA is not prime for receiving OTA signals given the surrounding hills - I read that towers in the area are awaiting FCC approval. I'm looking to replace my current satellite installation with an OTA antenna.

Here is my setup. I ran RG6 throughout my two-story house with dual drops to all rooms - sourced from a roof-mounted satellite dish, with runs through the attic, terminating at a splitter in an office closet that runs to all rooms.

I'm planning for a chimney-mounted roof install (Ronard 2224 Y mount) for the antenna leveraging my existing RG6 - plan to leave satellite cables alone and run from TV antenna into the closet. Was considering running dual antenna's: Winegard HD7698P and Winegard HD7082 - given forum advice provided to other's in my surrounding area.

Question. Is this a good approach? Was planning to install one antenna first; and then consider adding the second to pick-up additional stations, as needed. Also, what's the best way to run the signal to multiple rooms (splitter advice) - I plan to run the signal to (2) active TV's, at this time. Will I require an amp to compensate for signal loss or to power the signal to multiple TV's? Can the signal's be combined from the two antenna's or should I run them separate to prevent reception bleed/distortion? (which is possible, as I ran two sets of cable to each room). Also, If there is better advice to go with a single antenna - would certainly prefer it.

Appreciate all the help. Thanks in advance. -Raspy.

[Electron]

Your assessment of your reception situation is correct. It is complicated with no easy answers , Some answers are a loop that lead nowhere , and hard to find information.

Most the Tv stations are to the north west. So with 1 antenna to start with , install the Winegard HD7084P antenna aimed at about 330 degree magnetic compass. Here is how to aim antennas , http://www.kyes.com/antenna/pointing/pointing.html ,

Also for those Very Weak digital Tv transmissions , install a http://www.kitztech.com , Ultra Low Noise Amplifier , Model KT-200-COAX TV Antenna Booster Remote Power Coax Fed amplifier.

Install a 2 way splitter for 2 Tv's. A 3 way splitter for 3 Tv's. A 4 way splitter for 4 Tv's. . . All of the Kitzteck amplifier can installed in the attic , most attics have electric power to plug the amplifier in to. That way none of the amplifier will be in the weather.

[signals unlimited]

Use the Winegard HD7080P. It is Low and High VHF/UHF and will work well on all channels on your report, including the pending stations. Starting with one antenna pointed to your North stations is a good starting point. You may want to leave two or three feet of mast below your mount to accomidate a second antenna later. No pre-amplifier is needed at the antenna. If you are only using two sets use a two set splitter. If you go into the distribution splitter to feed all outlets, use a distribution amplifier just ahead of the splitter rated 3 db times the amount of outlets. Terminate all unused outlets. If you go to the second antenna, DO NOT COMBIND into one coax. Before scaning for channels, be sure to configure your sets for ANTENNA channels, not cable.

[Electron]

KSFV-LD Analog channel 6 is transmitting as a FM Radio station. The are some vague plans to transmit a digital Tv channel on channel 6. However to do that the Analog channel 6 would go off the air (stop transmitting) not be able to transmit as a FM radio station.

Some of the Current Plus Pending Applications Included are construction permits that are going nowhere.
Just because a Tv station has a construction permit to transmit on a different channel does not mean that it will. Of your reception situation some the permits have been hanging out there for some time.

[Electron]

Examples of very weak.
KPXN-DT 38 ION is very weak , minus -2.9 NM(dB) , with a 2 edge reception path.
KOCE-DT 48 PBS is very weak , minus -4.0 NM (dB) , with a 2 edge reception path.

The 2 edge reception paths will produce more fading of the signals and the very weak signals leave no fade margin .

Install the HD7084P or better yet a HD8200U antenna with the Kitztec amplifier. . Here is a 2 antenna combination that is 4 feet shorter then HD8200U. .
Winegard HD5030P and HD9095P. Combine them with a UVSJ .

[Electron]

With a HD7084P or HD8200U or HD5030 and HD9095 aimed at about 330 degree magnetic compass. These all channel antennas will receive any situation , no matter what KSFV-CA does - channel 6 - Fm radio station - becomes a digital Tv station or changes to a different channel.
No matter what K39GY does - analog or digital - is on channel 2 or 39 or some other channel.
With antenna/s aimed at about 330 degree magnetic compass the Tv stations to the north and north west will be received.

[Electron]

For reception of the Tv stations to the east , 6 of them if all are transmitting.

The same antenna choices and the same amplifier choice.

KRVD-LP channel 5 or 33 or channel ? .and is KRVD transmitting or not and is it Analog or Digital?

KVCR-DT 26 PBS Yes it is transmitting digital.

KVMD 23 IND. Yes it is Transmitting digital.

KILA-LP channel 8 or 51 is it transmitting? - is it Analog or Digital?

KHIZ channel 44 Yes it is transmitting digital.

The antenna system to the north north west is a separate antenna system from the antenna system to the east. The 2 separate systems can not be combined on to one coax.
2 separate coax systems will go to each Tv location were a remote control A/B antenna switch will be at each location.
Radio Shack #15-1968 or mcmelectronics.com part # 32-4425 .