Selecting Antenna for NB Canada

ctechguy · 25-Apr-2012, 2:19 AM

I'm from a small town in New Brunswick Canada and looking for help selecting an antenna. I definitively what to mount it in the attic. I have 2 attics that are perpendicular but don't know if either one is in the same line as the signal and don't know if that is a problem. I used my zipcode first but I believe i got better results using my lat and long from google. The 2 main channels I'm going for are the 9.1 and 12.1 which are in the high vhf and ~29.5 miles away in same direction or I could go with the better signal 44.1 instead of 12.1 but it's in a different direction and in UHF but no co channel interference. Is it better to go with omnidirectional antenna in attic? Any help selecting an antenna and preamp would be appreciated.

Thanks Chris

http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...7fcfb0f2d702a8

Electron · 25-Apr-2012, 3:33 AM

If the pointer for latitude and longitude was centered on your house then thats Ok. It is also Ok to use your Exact address. If this tvfool radar map is correct and the antenna is going to be 12 feet above ground in the attic then you will receive only one Tv station , CIHF-DT 44. (and thats if no trees block the signal) If you will like to receive more then one Tv station , like 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , or perhaps 6 Tv stations. Then make three more tvfool radar reports at , 25 feet , 35 feet and 45 feet. The antenna/s Will Be outside of the attic , above the roof or on some other structure that will get the antenna/s Up High.

ctechguy · 25-Apr-2012, 5:08 AM

Ya google doesn't like my street but the lat and long are good. I didn't realize changing the height would change the report. I have high ceiling not exactly sure right now but probably not high enough. Thanks for the tips. With a better antenna can you get better results then the radar map predicts?

Electron · 25-Apr-2012, 5:53 AM

Having antenna higher improves signal strength. ( getting the antenna higher clearing trees improves signal strength). For Tv reception Using a Large antenna Collects More Signal , using a small antenna collects less signal. For the Correct large antenna recommendation , make 2 more tvfool radar reports at 25 feet , 35 feet . Another way to make tvfool radar report is go to the tvfool home page and go to >>Start MAPS<< , move the pointer to your location and put in the antenna height , select Pending Applications Included and click on make radar map.

signals unlimited · 26-Apr-2012, 1:00 PM

An omni in the attic will produce little if any DTV. You will need an outside installation, as high as practical. I recomend a Winegard 8200U, and a Winegard 8700 preamp. To receive channels from the multipul dirrections, you will also need a rotor. With all of that you should receive most of the stations in your report that are within 80 miles out, but I would not expect to receive any of the stations over 90 miles out. If you use a rotor follow these instructions:

Test prior to installation using a short length of cable to run from end to end.
Leave the rotor in the counter clockwise end of rotation.
If you choose a rotor with a 360 degree read out you can alighn the rotor and antenna to magnetic North. This will you to use your TVF radar magnetic locations to tune in the stations.

Be sure that your set is configured for ANTENNA reception, not cable. Be aware that some sets will only allow you to scan one location. If that is the case locate by scaning all of your channels one location at a time to confirm station availabilty. Then look for an add on tuner or DVR that will allow for rescans or direct channel entry. www.solidsignals.com will have all of these products.

Electron · 26-Apr-2012, 4:35 PM

Tv antenna rotors are Not channels surfing friendly , must wait for the one antenna to rotate. A better way to do it is install 2 antennas and a CHANNEL SURFING FRIENDLY Remote Control A/B antenna switch. With remote control in your hand you can switch from one antenna to the other. Above The Roof at 25 feet to 35 feet install a Winegard HD9095P or Antennas Direct 91XG antenna aimed at 300 degree magnetic. And install a Winegard HD7084P aimed at 195 degree magnetic compass. Antenna amplifiers will not be required for the antennas with one tv connected. Install the antennas with one of these mounts , roof top Tripod mount or Eave Mount or Chimney Mount. Install the HD7084P antenna below the HD9095P or Antennas Direct 91XG antenna on the same mount. http://www.saveandreplay.com , has the antennas and etc.. These are the Tv stations/channels that will be received. CHIF-DT channel 44 Global Maritimes , CBAT-DT channel 31 CBC , CKLT-DT channel 9 CTV , CBAFT-1 channel 5 SRC. Here is an other place in Canada that has antennas and etc. , http://www.trentondistributors.com

Electron · 26-Apr-2012, 4:54 PM

If you choose to go with the 2 antenna setup , the HD9095P or 91XG is $99.99 the HD7084P is $159.99 the remote control A/B switch is $49.99. . If you choose to go with the one antenna on a rotor setup , the HD8200U is $199.99 , (saveandreplay is out of stock CM9521A rotor) the other rotor that saveandreplay has is the Eagle Aspen Rotor ROTR100 is $109.99. For items listed , thats $309.97 for the 2 antenna setup. And $309.99 for the one antenna and rotor setup. http://www.saveandreplay.com

signals unlimited · 26-Apr-2012, 5:11 PM

The 8200U 1s $110. The aspen Eagel is $69.00 from www.solidsignals.com

The Rotor set up will give you more flexability, less wind load and if you use the amplifier possibly more channels.

Your choice.

Electron · 26-Apr-2012, 6:10 PM

chechguy lives in , New Brunswick Canada , call Solidsignal or any other USA supplier and ask how much to ship items to New Brunswick,Canada or any where else in Canada. Another way to do it is to find supplier on the USA side and drive across the border pick up items and drive back to New Brunswick. Or if a relative or some one chechguy knows on the USA side buys the items and drives to the canada side and delivers to chechguy or they meet on the Canada side , or chechguy drives to the USA side to meet. Here is a thread started by signals unlimited and the responds so far. http://forum.tvfool.com/showthread.php?t=8275

ctechguy · 26-Apr-2012, 9:51 PM

Ya thanks for the suggestions guys. I will probably go with the two antenna. Also I have a friend in the states I can get stuff sent to.

Electron · 26-Apr-2012, 10:14 PM

In the States. Here are some Strong and Sturdy antenna mounts , http://www.ronard.com/909911.html , http://www.ronard.com/34424560.html , http://www.ronard.com/ychim.html , http://www.ronard.com. Buy the ronard antenna mounts at solidsignal by typing the word ronard in the solidsignal search box. Here are places to buy antennas and etc. in the States. http://www.solidsignal.com , http://www.winegarddirect.com , http://www.antennasdirect.com , http://www.amazon.com , http://www.starkelectronic.com , http://www.3starinc.com. Radio Shack has a #15-1968 remote control A/B antenna switch. http://www.mcmelectronics.com , has a model # 32-4425 remote control A/B antenna switch. Research shows that French language CBAFT-1 channel 5 is transmitting on Analog channel 5 . The other Tv stations are digital.