Antenna Suggestion & Aiming - Buffalo, NY

[roundbox52]

Hi everyone,

I'm new to this OTA thing and am wondering why I haven't already cut the cord with Time Warner as I can get the same basic channels they give me without a monthly $15 bill.

I'm in the Buffalo, NY area (a little more north of the city though). Here is my report: http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...1ddaebeac9734d

Currently I have a diy 4 bay coat hanger antenna with 7" whiskers & 3" "V" spacing and each connection is spaced 5-3/4" apart. I have this propped up onto an old satellite dish on the roof, but would like to install it even higher into the attic. I live in a 2 story house with a direct line of sight at the two towers on Grand Island which is a few miles away to the West.

My setup would include the following: Antenna, approx. 50'-55' of cable (the typical kind Time Warner would give you), a converter box, dvd player, vcr, then onto the old tv.

For the channels in green, I don't care to get WNYB (26), WBFN (15)
For the Canadian channels, I only care to get CBLT (20), CFTO (9), CICA (19.1) I guess any of those in that direction.

To add to this whole issue, I will most likely be moving to another address not too far away, but I would like my setup to work just as well at the new location. Here is the report for the new location: http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...1dda19b45bcb92

Let me know if you'd like more information.

Thanks for the help. After this I'll concentrate on cutting the phone with Time Warner, then the internet!

[GroundUrMast]

You have a long list of receivable signals. The challenge is, 'how to receive all at the same time?'. The Canadian signals are the weakest, so that forces you to step up to something like a Winegard HD7696P or lager. The downside to that is that high gain antenna will be quite directional and may not reliably receive from the sides in particular, though I think the back of the antenna will do well enough receiving from directly in back. I'm worried that WPXJ, real CH-23 may be too far to the side and a bit lower power.

All the same, I'd try a single antenna first. If you can't get every thing you want without turning the antenna, you always have the option to add another antenna to fill the gap(s).

[roundbox52]

Thanks for the help GroundUrMast, I don't mind not receiving WPXJ (23), but what if I also didn't care to get the Canadian stations, I'd then just be looking at stations that are approx. 102 degrees apart (49 location & 32 location). Would my simple home-made 4-bay antenna be enough for these? If so how should I align it? If not is there any other antenna other than the Winegard HD7696P that would work? Finally, would you recommend getting any additional equipment like a pre-amp or other things?

Thanks

[roundbox52]

How would I go about adding two antenna signals into one coax. cable?

For reception of the Canada Digital Tv stations/channels.

Aim a Winegard HD7696P antenna at about 305 degree magnetic compass direction.
Here is how to aim antennas , http://www.kyes.com/antenna/pointing/pointing,html.

Looking at the Strong Signal Strengths of the USA Digital Tv stations/channels in the Green reception zone of the tvfool Pending applications Included channel list.

I am - Confident - that All the USA Digital Tv stations/channels in the Green reception will be Received Reliably , without rotating the antenna.

The HD7696P antenna Must Be installed above the roof in such a manner that reception Is Not Blocked by the roof and house in the directions of reception , north west , west , south west , south , south east , east.

As always , the starting aim direction of a antenna is the --> starting aim direction of a antenna.

The antenna aim can be adjusted for best reception.

Most Digital Tv's have a Signal Strength Meter , and some Digital Tv's also have a signal Quality Meter.

The HD7696P antenna will receive the Canada and USA Tv stations/channels at both houses.
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The Digital Tv transmissions are a little stronger at the second house.
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Use a Winegard HDP-269 preamp.

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.

Buy the HFS splitters at http://www.solidsignal.com or http://www.hollandelectronics.com.
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Here are some above the roof antenna mounts.

http://www.ronard.cm/909911.html , if using the tripod roof antenna mount , use the 5 foot antenna mount.

http://www.ronard.com/34424560.html , if using the eave antenna mount use the #4560.

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 or buy from ronard.

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

As always , trees and tree leaves do a good job of , reducing , reflecting , blocking , DogitalBroadcast Tv reception and so do buildings and other obstructions including your own roof and house.

It is best to install the HD7696P antenna at a location that has the least amount to no amount of obstructions of any type or kind in the directions of reception including your own roof and house.

The Tv/s Must Channel Scan for the Digital Broadcast Tv stations/channels , often 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.

Some Digital Tv's will automatic channel scan for cable tv channels.

DO NOT channel scan for cable tv channels.

Go into the Tv Setup Menu and select 'Air Channels' / 'Antenna Channels'.

[roundbox52]

Are the channels in my area UHF or VHF? Perhaps I have some of both, but how do I tell?

The tvfool channel list , lists the ,

Real channels , the real channels are what is transmitted and received.

And also lists the (virt) virtual numbers.

Your location has Real UHF channels in the UHF channel band of 14 thru 51.

Your location has VHF high band channel in the VHF high band channels of 7 thru 13.

This the reason that I recommend the HD7696P , UHF and VHF high band antenna.

The HD7696P antenna provides the best reception and flexibility of use at your location.

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[roundbox52]

Thanks Teleview,

I don't care to get the couple VHF channels I would receive with the HD7696P, would there be another less expensive alternative that would pick up only the UHF channels?

I think my 4-bay I built only does UHF, but I'm not sure about its distance and angle.