antenna suggestions

ta240 · 10-Jun-2013, 12:04 AM

http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...c08d2be8b13566

A couple years ago I tried a cheap flat inside antenna with a signal amplifier it came with. I don't remember the specs on it but I think I was able to pull in:
KXTL-Fox
and one other station.

So then I tried a ClearStream C4 and didn't pull in much more until I plugged it into the cheap amplifier that came with the other antenna. At that point I could get HD versions of CBS, FOX and NBC but not ABC as the KXTV it turns out is VHF. With the C4 in the attic I could almost get the KXTV but not quite. The KRCR station would come in a bit better but it wasn't widescreen HD.

I have a channel master CM3414 splitter/amp that I use with my cable so I can run to the TV and the two tuner HD-Homerun tuner from the same outlet.

Does it look like there would be any hope of a reasonable sized antenna pulling in the signals reliably from this far away inside the attic? (tile roof slopes down on the side the antenna would be pointing)

Or if I move to an exterior antenna how small could I get by with to make the mouting easier?

10-Jun-2013, 9:54 AM

If you will like to receiving to the ~ south , ABC , NBC , CBS , PBS , Fox , MyNetwork , and etc. .

With one antenna aimed one direction.

The Signal Strengths are Weak the Tv stations that are to the , south east , south , south west.

Above the Peak of the Roof in such a manner that roof and house do not block reception to the , south east , south , south west , east north , north east , north.

Install a Winegard HD7698P antenna aimed at about 158 degree magnetic compass direction.

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

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

The antenna aim direction 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.

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Here are some Strong and Sturdy antenna mounts.

http://www.ronard.com/909911.html. Use the 5 foot tripod antenna mount.

http://www.ronard.com/34424560.html. Use the #4560 eave antenna mount.

http://www.ronard.com/ychim.html. Measure around the chimney.

http://www.ronard.com.

Buy the ronard antenna mounts at solidsignal by typing.

ronard (911)

ronard (4560)

ronard (2212) , (2218) , (2224) ,

in the solidsignal search box or buy from ronard.

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Here are some places to buy antennas and etc. .

http://www.solidsignal.com.

http://www.amazon.com.

http://winegarddirect.com.

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Install a Winegard HDP-269 preamp.

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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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As always , trees and tree leaves , plants and plant leaves , have a negative effect on Broadcast Tv Reception , multi-path/reflections , absorbing , blocking , Tv reception and so do buildings including your own roof and house and other obstructions.

The Best Practice is to install the HD7698P 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 , OTA=Over The Air , 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.

ta240 · 13-Jun-2013, 8:49 PM

wow, thanks for the detailed and informative reply. Looks like I have some more to read and figure out on it. Like most I was hoping for a 'sure put this medium sized antenna in your attic and you'll be fine' but in the long run it is better to have the right information and buy just once rather then several times.

15-Jun-2013, 11:54 PM

Up Date.

Recommend Do Not use the Winegard HDP-269 preamplifier.

Reason: Will most likely be To Much amplification when using the CM3414 distribution amplifier also.

Recommend use only the CM3414 distribution amplifier.

And might not even need the CM3414 distribution amplifier.

The HD7698P is a big antenna and as such , has high signal gain.

The group of Tv stations to the north-north east are Strong Signal Strength and will be received through the back of the HD7698P antenna.

My concern is that to much signal strength and amplification will over load the amplifiers and the tuners , resulting in bad reception of some channels.

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Also old outside coax that has been exposed to the weather/water is most likely not good.

Recommend New outside coax and couplers.

Use the coax that has the Compression type connectors on the ends of the coax , not the old crimp type connectors.

To make double sure that weather/water does not get into outside connections wrap with , http://www.coaxseal.com.

Also do not use coax 'rubber weather boots' , the boots take in water and hold the water at the connection , this makes for bad connections.

ta240 · 17-Sep-2013, 5:26 PM

I'm getting closer to trying this but am a bit confused on the overall grounding of the antenna procedure. I found this: http://community.klipsch.com/forums/...OCEDURES.s.pdf
and it mostly matches the other advice I've found online about the 8' grounding rod (which I'm not looking forward to pounding into our rock hard clay soil) and grounding block.

But it also includes running a wire back to the electrical box. With a cement slab house and the electrical box on the opposite side of the house that will be fairly difficult. It looks like if I don't do that I risk ending up with a ground loop between the house ground and my grounding rod.

GroundUrMast · 18-Sep-2013, 1:08 AM

You don't have to add a ground rod. Simply run the mast ground to the existing electrical service ground. Even if it's a fairly long run, it's effective and accomplishes the goal of holding the mast at ground potential.

Then, install a coax grounding block near the existing electrical service ground. (Close enough to need no more than 10' of #10 copper wire to connect the ground block to the electrical service ground.) Run the coax from the antenna to the ground block... then into the building.

I strongly prefer to keep all of the above wire and cable outside the building.

ta240 · 18-Sep-2013, 8:13 PM

I'll have to take another look at possibly mounting the antenna on the other side of the house, nearer the electrical box. Otherwise I'd have to run the coax the length of the house to get it to near the electrical box and then run it all the way back after grounding it.

GroundUrMast · 18-Sep-2013, 9:09 PM

If you have underground power service, there's no risk of the antenna falling into a power line. Often, you'll find that cable TV service arrives at the same location as power service, so you would likely find existing cable entering the house there (presuming there was cable service at one time). If cable (including TV, Internet & phone) service has been discontinued, all of the cable can be used to distribute your OTA TV signal.

If you add extra coax to run a bit further than a straight shot would be, a good amplifier will overcome the loss and still deliver the signal to the tuners. Here's an extreme example: http://forum.tvfool.com/showthread.php?t=13659