Help Picking Antenna Setup in Dubuque, IA

[ride250s]

Here is my report set at 20 Feet above ground.

http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...cc4996749cd977

I am new to this but I learn fast. From the research I have done, I came across a Winegard HD8200U. I have a chimney that runs up the side of my house, and plan on mounting a mast to it.

Dubuque is at the bottom of the Mississippi Valley and most of the stations are broadcast from 30 to 70 Miles away. I am sick of paying for DirectTV and Cable, does anyone have any input on what kind of a setup I can run to pick up ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX, PBS?

[GroundUrMast]

The HD8200U is a big antenna, but appropriate for the signals shown on your report. To make use of a single antenna, you'll need a rotator, and a preamp as well.

Consider the HyGain AR-40, if that's too expensive for your budget then an NTE U-106 plus a TB-105 would be a less expensive option. In the wind, the AR-40 will earn its keep. For a preamp, I'd suggest an Antennas Direct CPA-19.

A rotator can be a frustrating piece of equipment if you have more than one TV connected and there is disagreement over which way the antenna should be aimed. Also, some tuners make no provision for programing channels other than an automated scan that over-writes previous scans. If that's your situation, a rotator will be a very cumbersome solution.

There are alternatives to rotators but it's unclear in your case if the alternatives would make sense. (See, http://forum.tvfool.com/showthread.php?t=820 and http://forum.tvfool.com/showthread.php?t=2882.) How many TVs do you expect to connect?

As I see it, reliable reception of a FOX affiliate is likely going to call for a higher mounting option.

Please make 4 more tvfool radar reports at , 30 , 40 , 60 , 100 , feet antenna heights to see if ,
KPXR ION ,
KLJB FOX ,
KFXA FOX ,
WLAX FOX ,
will increase in signal strength up into the Red reception zone of the tvfool radar report.

[ride250s]

Sorry for the wait.

Here is a readout for a 100 Foot height.

http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...cc493358d5b519

Realistically how much will a good set up cost me?

[ride250s]

KWWL says on their webpage they broadcast a few channels, WGEM-FOX 10.3 is one of them. I wonder if I would get that?

[GroundUrMast]

The signal from KWWL should be received easily with the HD8200U.

[ride250s]

I don't think I will be able to go with a 100 foot mast my 20 foot read out it looks like I will do ok for kwwl as well. At 20 feet with the HD8200U, do you think I will get WHBF or KGAN for CBS? And KCRG for ABC?

I might be able to swing a 50 foot mast but I don't know yet.

[GroundUrMast]

I think you have a good shot at WHBF, any antenna less than the HD8200U would make that less likely.

With less man made noise in the UHF band, KGAN should also be expected to be received.

KCRG is probably the easiest of the three you've mentioned.


As far as cost is concerned, besides Amazon, BestBuy, EggHead, Frys... Look at http://www.3starinc.com/, http://www.solidsignal.com/c/product...ennas-supplies & http://www.warrenelectronics.com/ for mounting hardware, masts, etc.

[ride250s]

So the HD8200U is probably the best antenna I can get without mounting something outragous above my house?

[GroundUrMast]

Yes, the only other antennas to consider would be the Antennacraft HD1850 or Channel Master CM3671. My pick would be the Winegard HD8200U