Picking out the right antenna

[sal]

Hey folks nice to see a forum like this. I am trying to get this right the first time. I purchased a cheap RCA model ANT700R at walmart just to see if I can get signals. Well I got 29 channels. Problem is 10 or so were only at 50% signal, rest were at 90s. I need to mount this close to the front of my house so i'm trying to stay on the smaller size, as far as antennas go. Also once it comes into the house it splits to a 4 way splitter then to a 3 way. So I have been looking at a DB4 (with a VHF kit sold by antennasdirect)or a Clearstream 2-V from antennas direct. Will either of these boost my signals on those 50ish ones? Also will either of these pick up NBC and CBS which are 45 miles to the south on high VHF? Do I need a pre-amp or a distribution amp or both? If these are no good any suggestions are welcome. Antenna will be mounted 15-18 feet up on a pole. Thanks in advance. Here is my report.
http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...99008ef155621f

[signals unlimited]

The DB4 with the kit is a very good choice. You will have a great improvment UHF and the VHF bi-directional add on the High VHF to the South should also work.

With all of the splits you have I would use a Channel Master 7777 pre-amplifier. This has 30 db gain on U/V, which will make up for most of the loss in your 4 and 3 way split including the loss in the coax.

A simple reception situation.

Aim the antenna with VHF add on kit ,at about 175 degree magnetic compass direction

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

Remove the ALL of the splitters and install a Channel Master CM3418 , 8 way distribution amplifier.

Here are some above the roof antenna mounts , http://www.ronard.com/990991.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.soldsignal.com , , http://www.channelmasterstore.com , http://www.amazon.com.

The Tv/s Must Channel 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 channel scan for cable tv channels.

[sal]

Originally Posted by signals unlimited

The DB4 with the kit is a very good choice. You will have a great improvment UHF and the VHF bi-directional add on the High VHF to the South should also work.

With all of the splits you have I would use a Channel Master 7777 pre-amplifier. This has 30 db gain on U/V, which will make up for most of the loss in your 4 and 3 way split including the loss in the coax.

Thank you for your quick reply. Just one more question. While doing some research there are some who say using a pre-amp will overload the strong signals. (I don't know anything about this) sorry for my ignorance. Is this a problem for my location or not??? Thanks

[sal]

Originally Posted by teleview

A simple reception situation.

Aim the antenna with VHF add on kit ,at about 175 degree magnetic compass direction

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

Remove the ALL of the splitters and install a Channel Master CM3418 , 8 way distribution amplifier.

Here are some above the roof antenna mounts , http://www.ronard.com/990991.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.soldsignal.com , , http://www.channelmasterstore.com , http://www.amazon.com.

Thamks for the reply. Did either of the antennas I mention sound like the right choice or do you have better suggestions??? Thanks

[signals unlimited]

As an option to the pre-amplifier you could use the 8 way distribution amplifier as recommended by @teleview. If the 4 way and 3 way are in different locations you could use a two way drop splitter (available at www.solidsignals.com) before the location of the 4 way. The output with the higher loss should hook up to a CM3014 4 way, distribution amplifier (this replaces your 4 way splitter) and the low loss output should run downstream to the 3 way splitter. That would more even distribution of your signal and prevent overload at any location.

Every time a splitter split takes place the signal is reduced.

Chaining splitters like you are doing , a splitter connected to an other splitter , reduces the signal even more , so at the end of the line there is not much signal left.

For your reception situation some of the Tv signals are a little weak , so a , distribution amplifier amplifies the signal a little , and a coax goes out to Each Tv location from the distribution amplifier.

The antenna is connected directly to the distribution amplifier , no splitters.

___________________________________________

It is amazing how easy I forget that people just hook up splitters at will , like using a 4 way splitter and a 3 way splitter to connect 2 TV's ??

So all this is Assuming there are 6 tv's connected.

------> So how many Tv are actually connected ?? <------

[sal]

Hey Teleview

The exact splits go like this. Antenna wire into attic to a 3 way splitter--comes out 3 way, 2 to tv's 1 to a 4 way splitter--out 4 way-- 3 to tv's 1 not used. There is only about 1 foot of coax between splitters. 5 tv's total. Never more than 2 being used at one time.
Thanks again for the help.

Still no suggestions on the best antenna???

[signals unlimited]

I recommended the DB4 with the VHF kit. Should be a great choice.

Choose the Channel Master distribution amplifier with the outputs to meet your needs.

[sal]

signals unlimited

Thank you very much!!!!