Antenna Suggestions?

brinkemp · 6-Sep-2011, 6:30 PM

First time poster.

Trying to determine which antenna I need. I have been suggested the Winegard HD-1080. I want to make sure this is the best option. We currently have an amp from Radio Shack connected to an older antenna (came with the house, I would guess 15-25 years old), don't know if age deteriates the quality of the antenna or not, (or if it is the tree obstructed view, we have 50-100' tall tree's around our property), but we are tired of channels coming in and out.

http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...83874d9fadc083

Any help is appreciated, thanks.

MisterMe · 6-Sep-2011, 7:40 PM

You have 14 digital channels representing every major broadcast network [except the CW] in the green. This means that you have at least 14 strong signal streams. You should not need the amplifier. Remove it and see what happens.

GroundUrMast · 6-Sep-2011, 7:53 PM

A few thoughts;

Trees do cause problems. How much trouble tends to vary with the season. As the sap flows up and down and as the leaves come and go, you'll see more or less attenuation. The vast majority of the signals are strong and 'line-of-sight'... not everyone is so well off. I doubt the trees are going to be causing too much trouble.

Given the strength and number of signals, I am not convinced you should need an amplifier of any sort. Have you tried removing the amplifier completely? Depending on the type of amplifier there may be an indoor and outdoor unit, if so, complete removal of both parts should be tried. An overloading amplifier will produce less, not more, usable signals.

Antennas and related parts such as the coax, splitters and matching transformer will all deteriorate in the weather. Water leaking into connectors and cable leaves you with unreliable and variable signal at the TV. The only reliable fix in that case is replacement of the coax and connectors.

If the antenna is over ten years old, it may be the wrong type, before the digital transition in 2009, far more stations used VHF frequency assignments. An old VHF antenna will not offer the performance you need since most of the stations are using UHF frequency assignments (refer to the 'real channel' column of your TV Fool report).

The HD1080 is a good recommendation in your situation. It offers both UHF and high-VHF capability. It''s compact and easy to install in a variety of locations. Facing west, it should provide reception of most all of the stations in the green section of your report and a few of the yellow section stations.

If you opt to install a new antenna, I would encourage you to replace the coax with new RG-6 at the same time. If you are driving three or more tuners, I could suggest a distribution amplifier that will have low noise and resistance to overloading. I would recommend that you install the antenna, coax and any passive splitters first. You may find that you have no need for amplifiers at all.

brinkemp · 6-Sep-2011, 7:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MisterMe

You have 14 digital channels representing every major broadcast network [except the CW] in the green. This means that you have at least 14 strong signal streams. You should not need the amplifier. Remove it and see what happens.

Thanks. I have done that and it does not help, in fact, received only 1/3 of the stations we have now with CBS being the only consistent one.

GroundUrMast · 6-Sep-2011, 8:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brinkemp

Thanks. I have done that and it does not help, in fact, received only 1/3 of the stations we have now with CBS being the only consistent one.

Out of curiosity, Of these three, which looks most like your antenna?

VHF Yagi

VHF/UHF Combo

UHF panel

brinkemp · 6-Sep-2011, 8:09 PM

The VHF/UHF Combo.

GroundUrMast · 6-Sep-2011, 8:21 PM

Try replacing the matching transformer and coax. Run the new coax directly to one tuner with no amplifier or splitter.

While you do that, you will be able to inspect the antenna for corrosion, wear and damage. If the terminals are too corroded to loosen as you attempt to replace the matching transformer, that is a very strong indication that it's time to replace the antenna.

If the existing antenna is in good condition, it should be pointing west. http://www.kyes.com/antenna/pointing/pointing.html

John Candle · 6-Sep-2011, 10:57 PM

As a test , disconnect All parts of the amplifier , the out side part , the inside part , and any and all other parts so that no amplifier is connected. Install a new matching transformer that connects the new RG-6 coax to the antenna and run the new RG-6 coax direct to one Tv , no splitters , no grounding block , no amplifier.

John Candle · 6-Sep-2011, 10:59 PM

After the test. How many Tv's are/will be conected??

John Candle · 6-Sep-2011, 11:03 PM

Your largest group of Tv stations is to the south west at about 228 degree magnetic compass , for the test aim the antenna at about 228 degree magnetic compass.

Tower Guy · 7-Sep-2011, 12:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brinkemp

We are tired of channels coming in and out.

DTV stations may come and go due to weak signal or antenna mis-aiming. There's no way yet to determine which is causing your problem.

I'm not a fan of the HD-1080. It's VHF prime reception direction is backwards from the UHF direction. That's advantageous for a person south of Hartford, but not East Longmeadow.

Before you consider an antenna, which stations are you trying to receive, Hartford or Springfield? If both, do you want a rotator, multiple antennas with combining, multiple antennas with A/B switch(es), or an iffy trial and error mis-aiming solution?

ABC from Mt. Greylock is easy to receive and New Haven is possible. Do they matter to you?

Tigerbangs · 7-Sep-2011, 3:19 AM

I live next door in Springfield, and know a little but about East Longmeadow reception...LOL
Most of the TV lies southwest of you in Hartford, but you probably want the Springfield stations, too. Springfield transmitters are scattered: WWLP (NBC) operates on digital channel 11, and transmits from Provin Mountain in Feeding Hills, WGGB (ABC)and (FOX) plus WGBY (PBS) come from Mt Tom in Holyoke, in a different direction: The Hartford stations are easy to get in East Longmeadow, and all lie pretty much in a straight line southwest of you. WCCT is Hartford's CW station, and it's easy to get. What to do?

If you only use the antenna with one TV set, your best bet is a good VHF-high Band plus UHF antenna mounted on your roof with a rotator. You will have to turn the antenna between Hartford and Springfield, but everything will come in just fine.

Good choices wold be a new Winegard HD-7695P or an AntennaCraft HBU-33, using all new RG-6u coaxial cable and an automatic rotator like a Channel Master 9521a, which allow you to pre-program into it the settings for Hartford and Springfield, and call them up via remote control. The situation is a but more difficult if you run multiple TV sets from the same antenna, but we can help you with that if you let us know how many TV sets you will be using.

brinkemp · 20-Sep-2011, 1:55 AM

So I finally got to install the new antenna on Sunday. I have to say, my old antenna is 10' long and was a bear to get off the roof by myself. Anyways, I took the old antenna off the mast and mounted the Winegard HD-1080. I pointed in the same direction and everything comes in clearer with 23 channels. I am completely amazed when you compare the two sizes (the Winegard being much smaller).

Tigerbangs, I am able to get channel 8 down in New Haven, clear as a bell.

Thanks everyone that offered up your help and advice. Just made the transition from cable much more easier.