Log Cabin in the Wisconsin Woods

Gamma Pi · 27-Jun-2013, 7:27 PM

We’ve dropped our Dish/DirecTV subscription for our vacation home and are going OTA. The house is a log cabin in the middle of relatively dense forest, about 100 yards from Lake Michigan. Very flat terrain with no homes or large structures nearby. We are only interested in receiving stations out of Milwaukee (to the south) and there will be only one TV.

She-Who-Must-Be-Obeyed has “suggested” that an antenna should go in the attic, not on the asphalt shingled roof. I’ve placed a science project antenna in the attic facing south and attached it directly to the TV via preexisting coax from the satellite installs, no splitters. I’m receiving roughly 6 stations, but not strong or consistent enough to rely on my Rube Goldberg design. The attic has lots of room for a large antenna, and there is a south facing window, if that makes any difference.

This is definitely not intended to be a home theater system, nor are we trying to capture every available signal, just enough to be able to occasionally stay in touch with what’s happening in the world while we’re in paradise. So, if possible, no rotors, dual antenna arrays or amplifiers.

Below is our analysis. I greatly appreciate and look forward to your suggestions.

http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...055990ce289097

28-Jun-2013, 5:26 AM

As always , attics and the inside of buildings Are Not a reception friendly environment and Never Will Be a reception friendly environment.

Multi-path/reflections signals bouncing all around , absorbing , blocking , Broadcast Tv reception.

The following is a - Non Complete - list of building construction that reduces and blocks Broadcast Tv reception with a Tv antenna.

Metal Roofs do a Excellent job of Blocking Broadcast Tv Reception.

Stucko , Wire , does a Excellent job of Blocking Broadcast Tv reception.

Metal backed insulation does a Excellent job of Reducing Broadcast Tv reception.

Concrete tile shingles do a good job of Reducing Broadcast Tv reception.

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Start with Channel Master CM4228HD antenna in the attic aimed at about 197 degree magnetic compass direction.

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

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A antenna system amplifier is not required.

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For 1 Tv connected use No splitter.

For 2 Tv's connected use a simple common 2 way splitter.

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If there are reception issues that are not resolvable by adjusting the antenna aim and location of the CM4228HD antenna in the attic.

Move and install the CM4228HD antenna Above The Peak of the Roof in such a manner that the roof and cabin are not blocking reception to the south west at about 197 degree magnetic compass direction.
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A Winegard DS3000 , J pipe antenna mount will work Ok for mounting/installing the CM4228HD antenna.

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ronard (4560) eave antenna mount.

Or a.

ronard (2212) , ronard (2218) , ronard (2224) , chimney antenna mount.

Buy the ronard antenna mounts at http://www.solidsignal.com , or , http://www.ronard.com.

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Disconnect and Remove ALL satellite system passive and active components such as and not limited to , multi-plexers , multi-switches , combiners , splitters , amplifiers , power injectors , power supplies , and etc. .

Yes the satellite system coaxes and other coaxes can be used for the antenna system.

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Here are some places to buy antennas and etc. .

http://www.solidsignal.com.

http://www.amazon.com.

http://www.channelmasterstore.com.

http://www.winegarddirect.com.

Gamma Pi · 28-Jun-2013, 4:53 PM

Teleview.... thank you very much for your thorough response. I've placed an order for the antenna and look forward to the improved reception!

30-Jun-2013, 3:36 AM

As always , trees and tree leaves , plants and plant leaves , have a Negative effect on Broadcast Tv reception with a Tv antenna and so do buildings including your own roof and cabin and other obstructions.

The Best Practice is to install the HD4228HD antenna at a location that has the least amount to no amount of obstructions of any type or kind in the direction of reception including your own roof and cabin.

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The Tv/s Must Channel Scan for 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'.

Scan for channels.

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Digital tuners can develop - Digital Glitches - that are not cleared out with simple channel scans.

Do a Double Rescan , http://www.dtv.gov/rescan.html.

Gamma Pi · 30-Jun-2013, 10:05 PM

Thanks X2, teleview.

Yes, I've already gone through the set-up for scanning via the antenna; resulted in something like 16 channels. I'm confident that the results and consistency will be vastly improved when I install the new antenna. However, I will certainly perform the double rescan that you mentioned and that I've read about on this site.

Great info from a great bunch on this site. Thanks to y'all!