Requesting antenna recommendations for SE WI

[CKCECB]

Hello,
I'd like some opinions on a new TV antenna. I have the antenna that came with my house, it looks like an old Winegard with preamp and a Channelmaster rotator. The old antenna has some bent and loose elements. I can't find the model number on it, but it's a combination VHF/UHF, and the UHF section is short.

I live in SE Wisconsin, so I need something that will stand up to wind and snow. And I need to be able to shoot through a big maple tree that is right in line with the NE azimuth I need to point toward to pick up Milwaukee channels.

When I use the antenna "wizards" on some of the manufacturer sites, I come up with Winegard HD7697 or HD7698, or AntennaCraft HBU 44 or 55. I e-mailed Solid Signal to ask their recommendation, and they came back with the Winegard HD8200U, which I question because I don't really need the low VHF stuff.

Link to my signal analysis: http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...e779de897c9811

I'd like to get the high VHF and UHF channels. And the only VHF channel I really need is RF 8. The old antenna works, but it's frustrating because stations that are only 40 miles away are hit and miss. I'm really having trouble with RF 24, 35, and 46. So I guess I'd like to reliable be able to receive everything within 50 miles. If I can pull in some of the 75 mile stations (Chicago), that would be a bonus, but not necessary.

I'm leaning towards the Winegard 7697, but the 7698 is only $20-30 more. And if I go this route, with an AP8700 preamp be enough? I don't know enough to know what part of the fringe I'm considered, and it looks like you guys know what you're doing, so I'd appreciate any advice I can get. I'm a DIY type, but I might have have an installer come out, and I at least want to know what'll work before he tries to sell me whatever's handy in the truck.

Thanks for any advice you can give.

Your location has Digital Tv stations/channels in All three Tv channel bands to the north east at about 54 degree magnetic compass direction.

VHF low band 2 thru 6.

VHF high band 7 thru 13.

UHF band 14 thru 51.

Examples:

WIWN REAL VHF channel 05 , virtual number (68.1) Weather Nation , http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WeatherNation.

WMVS REAL VHF channel 08 , virtual number (10.1) PBS.

WITI REAL UHF channel 33 , virtual number (6.1) FOX.

As always , trees and tree leaves do a real fine job of reducing or blocking reception and so do buildings and other obstructions.

The Big Maple tree Is a obstruction to reception.

It will be best to locate the Tv antenna at a location that has the least amount to no amount of obstructions to reception.

There are No antennas that can see through trees like X-Ray vision.

For the north east group of Digital Tv stations/channels install a Winegard HD7084P All channel antenna with a Winegard AP8700 preamp , aimed at about 54 degree magnetic compass direction.

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

____________________

At solidsignal the ,

HD7697P antenna is $89.99

HD7698P antenna is $110.99

HD7084P antenna is $88.99

HD8200U antenna is $116.99

Here are some 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 some places to by antennas and etc. , http://www.solidsignal.com , http://www.winegarddirect.com , http://www.amazon.com.

__________________________

http://www.3starinc.com/telescopic_masts_and_more.html.

_____________________________

http://www.palcoelectronics.com/pe300.aspx.

The Tv's Must Channel Scan for the Digital 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.

[CKCECB]

Thank you for the advice.

The 7084 was one of the 1st ones I was looking at, but I went away from it because I thought the 7697 would be more compact, and because there aren't that may channels in low vhf that I really need (we have at least 3 wx stations now). But it may be the best option in and would cover us if they put in any more low stations. Plus, I'd be able to get a bit better FM radio, although I understand that dedicated FM antennas are better.

Thanks again.

The VHF low band channels of 2 thru 6 , change programming providers from time to time and also add digital sub channels.

[CKCECB]

Well, it's finally up. I went with the Winegard 7084 antenna with an 8700 preamp. All new RG-6, grounding block, etc. It was a comedy of errors to get it up.

Things were working well, but now I think I have a short. I lost several channels (UHF) and noticed that the power injector LED was dim. Last night I broke out the multimeter. I'm getting voltage from the wall transformer, and I've ruled out shorts in the coax inside of the house. So my next step is to get up on the roof and check for shorts. If everything on the preamp side checks out, what do I check for on the antenna? Would I check for a short between the phasing lines and the booms?

Thanks

[Billiam]

Originally Posted by CKCECB

Well, it's finally up. I went with the Winegard 7084 antenna with an 8700 preamp. All new RG-6, grounding block, etc. It was a comedy of errors to get it up.

Things were working well, but now I think I have a short. I lost several channels (UHF) and noticed that the power injector LED was dim. Last night I broke out the multimeter. I'm getting voltage from the wall transformer, and I've ruled out shorts in the coax inside of the house. So my next step is to get up on the roof and check for shorts. If everything on the preamp side checks out, what do I check for on the antenna? Would I check for a short between the phasing lines and the booms?

Thanks

Check your coax connections. You should use a quality tape like Botch 33 to secure each connection and keep moisture out.

Never use vinyl electric tape on outside connections.

Use a mastic live rubber self sealing tape such as , http://www.coaxseal.com.

[Billiam]

http://www.3m.com/product/informatio...ical-Tape.html

http://www.3m.com/product/informatio...l-Tape-88.html

Either of these work and are recommended by broadcast engineers. You don't want to use your typical off the shelf Vinyl tape though because it won't keep out weather and will peel easily.

[ADTech]

3M 88 and Super 33 are indeed very good choices.

You can also use RescueTape, a silicone self-sealing tape that you can usually find in local stores.

When coax is cut and the end of the coax is 'dressed' cut so the connector can be installed on the coax.

The foil and shied wires can be pushed in toward the center conductor to the the point that the foil and shield wires are touching or wrapped around the center conductor.

Look inside the connectors on the ends of the coax.

If water get's in the coax , put the coax in the trash.

Disconnect the coax from the antenna , does the light get brighter now??

Disconnect the coax from the preamp , does the light get brighter now??

Disconnect the antenna coax from the power injector , does the light get brighter now??

Disconnect the other coax from the from the power injector , does the light get brighter now.

[Stereocraig]

When I first purchased my 7698p, it really lit things up for me.
A few mos later though, it was dropping out on all channels.
I traced the problem to the VHF section phase lines being dead short to the boom. The rivet that tied both phase lines together, was touching a chad that wasn't properly deburred.
I drilled the rivet, reamed the hole and replaced the rivet w/ an 8-32.

This would not cause the red led to dim, though.
Probably a stray strand, or foil.

[CKCECB]

Finally fixed it! I had a short somewhere in the downlead between the preamp and the ground block. One of the connectors was mine, and one was "factory" installed by SolidSignal. When I cut both connectors off and did a continuity check, both connectors passed, as did the cable. To save multiple trips up & down the ladder, I just replaced the cable. Luckily I had stocked up during the Halloween sale. I checked all of the other connections, and added 3M electrical tape under the weather boots, and then taped over the top of the weather boots.

Hindsight being 20/20, I wish I would have done a check of all cables with my DMM during the original install.

My reception is much better, and I'm getting everything in the Milwaukee markets with no issues. I replaced my rotator (with the cheap Philips/RCA one), and will play around with scan updates for Madison and Rockford. Thanks again to all for the advice and help.

I was originally cursing the 7084 and 8700. I wound up dropping it while installing it, and bent the mast and broke some elements. I repaired the cracked elements with dowel & JB-weld, and believe it or not had continuity across the breaks with just butt-joints. I was able to straighten the mast enough to work, and bend and tighten the gussets on the UHF "yoke" into a workable alignment. All of this damage was caused by me being too lazy to drill out a rivet on the old tripod, and instead trying to drop the setup in the top of a 5 ft tripod (I'm 5'-5"). Believe it or not, I'm an engineer by degree, but engineers do stupid stuff a home all the time!!! The second go-around, I drilled out the rivet, and I'm glad I did because I've had it up & down at least 10 times during setup.