outdoor antenna w/existing Directv sat.

[braillle]

hey guys,

I'm interested in putting an hdtv roof mounted antenna on the house and possibly using our old satellite dish to make the signal stronger.

http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...134924c8e91e88

any advice on what antenna to use and if hooking it up to the old dish to the strengthen the signal will actually help is much appreciated.

[Electron]

A Simple reception situation.

Many , many , many , many , many , Tv stations/channels will be received.

Your location has receivable Tv stations/channels in ALL 3 Tv Bands of , VHF low band channels 2 thru 6. VHF high band channels 7 thru 13 , UHF band channels 14 thru 51.

Install a Winegard HD7084P All Band Antenna with a Winegard AP8700 preamp above the roof aimed at about 105 degree magnetic compass.

Here is how to aim antennas , http://www.kyes.com/antenna/pointing/pointing.html.

The HD7084P is a big antenna , I recommend a Strong and Sturdy antenna mount , such as , 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 some places to buy antennas and etc. , http://www.solidsignal.com , http://www.winegarddirect.com , http://www.amazon.com.

Yes the coaxes of the satellite system can be used for the Tv antenna system.

[Electron]

I recommend Holland Electronics splitters.

For 1 TV connected use no splitter.

For 2 Tv's connected use a HFS-2D , 2 way splitter.

For 3 Tv's connected use a HFS-3D , 3 way splitter.

For 4 Tv's connected use a HFS-4D , 4 way splitter.

http://www.hollandelectronics.com , http://www.solidsignal.com.

The Tv/s Must scan for the Broadcast Tv Channels sometimes named the 'Air Channels' or ' Antenna Channels' in the Tv setup menu because the Tv transmissions travel through the air from the transmitting antenna to the receiving antenna.

Do Not scan for cable Tv channels.

[signals unlimited]

Of the low VHF that you could receive from your location, channel 6 will not require the large all channel antenna. The other low V channel 2 is a distant low power station and would most likly not be received. You could use a smaller RCA ANT751 on the satellite mount, provided that it clears your roof and any other obstructions. This should receive the same amount of channels as the larger Winegard antenna.

[Electron]

This constant and never ending negative jibber jabber about channels 2 thru 6.

KSFV-LD channel 2 is 36.7 miles away , that is 3 to 4 miles further away then other Tv stations.
That does not in any way shape or form make it "distant" station.

It is true that it is a low power station , how ever the signal strength is 14.8 NM(dB) at the default 10 feet antenna height.
The HD7084P antenna gain is about 6 DB on channel 2 , that makes the signal strength 20.8.

The preamp will add a conservative 5 dB , that makes the signal strength 25.8 dB , a Respectable Number.

And all this at the default antenna height of 10 feet.

With the HD7084P antenna mounted above the roof at 20 to 25 feet antenna height the channel 2 signal will be even stronger.
And even stronger makes the received signal strength Very Respectable.

But I tell you what , some would have you give up before you even start.

You are not alone this is a reacuring theme.

[GroundUrMast]

@Electron, you seem to be the only one who interprets the discussion re. low-VHF noise as "constant and never ending negative jibber jabber". As with virtually every other aspect of OTA reception there's going to be a range of opinion. Particularly when all we have to work with is a predicted signal and a limited idea of the real world conditions that go with that prediction.

In this particular example, I agree that reliable reception of KSFW-LD (CH-2) is possible. I'm with you when you add the antenna gain, 6 dB in the case of an HD7084P, thus improving the NM from 14.8 to 20 maybe 21 dB. At the bottom end of the low-VHF band, I'd like to see more margin than that because the real world NM is going to be 10 to 15 dB worse due to the RF noise present in that band. That leaves me hoping there will be at least a few dB of fade margin... the only way to know is to hang metal in the air.

However, I have to respectfully question the idea that a preamp will improve the NM any further. Are you presuming that the tuner noise figure is 5 dB higher than the preamp?

The path profile certainly appears to support your prediction that higher mounting would yield more signal. Another point of agreement... higher is usually better.

@Signals Unlimited, Your suggestion of a smaller profile antenna also has merit. It takes into consideration the existing J-pole which the OP mentioned. A larger antenna may or may not fit on a J-pole. Your skepticism re. reliable reception of CH-2 is warranted given the thin fade margin available.

@braillle, At this time, www.rabbitears.info indicates that KSFW-LD (CH-2) is running infomercial programing and KBFW (CH-6) appears to be a translator carrying religious programing. Your interest (or lack thereof) will in those signals may be the most important factor determining your decision as to what type antenna to choose.

The point I'm trying to make here is that there is more than one way to go about picking your antenna system. If you're like me, wanting to get every possible signal, you'll need a large antenna, mounted high. If you're seeking reliable reception of just the major networks, the smaller ANT-751 will easily accomplish that and much more.

[Electron]

If I am the only one on planet earth that is stating the situation of how some others go about dealing with channels 2 thru 6. The disclaimers , it is to far away , it is too weak , it is too much effort , give up before you start. And etc. .

Then so be it.

Also , the low power Tv stations channels 2 thru 6 , very often change programing. And often change from less desirable type of programing to more desireable type of programing and visa a versa.

And low power TV stations are not limited to the VHF low band of channels 2 thru 6.

Low power Tv stations are also , VHF high band 7 thru 13 and UHF band 14 thru 51.

Any Tv channel can and is a low power station.

[ADTech]

Seems like a lot of effort for an infomercial channel and a Franken-FM...

Present the options and let the customer (the OP) decide what they want.

[braillle]

I appreciate everybody's response and advice. I will research both antennas. And, is a preamp necessary? I thought that connecting the antenna the elbow of the existing satellite dish would help the signal a little bit.

also, do you think the same antennas and aiming will work for the address I've pasted below.

http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...13496579dd4e52

[Electron]

For this second location Install a Winegard HD7082P antenna with no preamp.

The HD7082P is smaller then the HD7084P.

Aim the antenna at about 120 degree magnetic compass. Here is how to aim antennas , http://www.kyes.com/antenna/pointing/pointing.html.

Install the antenna above the roof.

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. , http://www.solidsignal.com , http://www.winegarddirect.com , http://www.amazon.com.

[Electron]

How many Tv's are/will be connected??

The Tv/s or converter boxes Must scan for the Broadcast Tv Channels sometimes refered to as the 'Antenna Channels' or 'Air Channels' in the Tv setup menu because the Tv transmissions travel through the air from the transmitting antenna to the receiving antenna.

DO NOT scan for cable tv channels.

[GroundUrMast]

Originally Posted by braillle

I appreciate everybody's response and advice. I will research both antennas. And, is a preamp necessary? I thought that connecting the antenna the elbow of the existing satellite dish would help the signal a little bit.

also, do you think the same antennas and aiming will work for the address I've pasted below.

http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...13496579dd4e52

This TVFR is considerably better than the first one posted in this thread. The antennas already mentioned would do very well. A Winegard HD7010 would also work nicely.

[braillle]

So I bought the RCA ANT-751 because it was available and cheaper (and right now my bank account dictates everything).... I'm having one issue though. I can't get channel 5 (which is NBC in our area). I get everything else; 1 FOX channel, 3 ABC channels and 1 CBS channel. Altogether, the TV found 18 channels.

I feel I should be getting more channels. The reception is fine. No lag. Also I haven't bought the amp yet. Is there something I'm not doing right? Is 12 ft not high enough? There are no obstructions. HELP!!!!!!

[signals unlimited]

You should have no problem receiving virtual 5 with your setup.

before looking further, be sure that you are aimed to 121 degrees magnetic.

Now for a 'double rescan'. Remove the antenna signal from your set and run a scan. Reconnect the signal and scan again.

If that fails, the amplifier and possibly a few extra feet of elevation may help.