Setup advice, I'd like to drop comcast :)

Chris12 · 23-Dec-2010, 1:22 AM

Hello,

I would like to cancel my comcast subscription as I have found myself watching streaming Netflix more often. My only problem is that we have 4 other tv viewers in my home. I'd like to get as many channels as I can, but as you will see in my report I am not in an ideal location. I am also concerned with the look of the antenna as I plan on mounting it on my roof. I also have the option of mounting on top of a garage next to my home, but the garage is about 10-14 feet lower than my roof peak. There are also trees next to the garage, not sure if this matters.

I have cable run to 4 tv's currently. Each tv has an independent rg6 cable, and the splitter is at the corner of my house where the comcast cable comes in. I'm not sure what type of splitter is currently in place, but comcast I installed it and may take it back when I cancel.

Here are my results **http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...da32492d411bbe

The garage top mount would probably be the easiest, would you guys recommend it? What type of antenna and amp would you recommend?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Best Regards,
Chris

Chris12 · 23-Dec-2010, 1:30 AM

One more bit of info hdantennalabs automated system recommended a winegard hd7696p, with a channelmaster 7777 amp. I don't have experience with any of this equipment but I figured I'd post it in case it helps.

I'm also considering posting my exact address so you guys can see the layout of my lot on google, but I'm hesitant due to privacy. Would it help significantly if I did?

My wife has also just informed me that cw and abc are the most important channels.

GroundUrMast · 23-Dec-2010, 2:33 AM

The Winegard HD7696P is a good antenna choice. I would consider using a Winegard AP8700 preamp.

For best results you will want to mount outside at the highest practical elevation. A 10' mast at or near the roof peak for example. If mounting on the house roof avoids the trees, all the more reason to mount on the house roof. Aimed at 68° per your compass you will get the major networks.

I would be quite surprised if the cable company would spend any labor recovering a used splitter.

A rotator would offer a few more stations but at the expense of causing arguments as to which way the antenna should be aimed.

Chris12 · 23-Dec-2010, 3:05 AM

Thanks for the reply.

If I mount the antenna on the garage, where it will be blocked by trees, will the difference in performace be substantial? I'm torn because I know cover isn't good, but it negate almost all visual impact.

My neighbors would probably call the FBI on me if I mounted a 9' long antenna on my roof. If I put that antenna on top of a 10' pole on the peak of my roof, they might just burn my house down

John Candle · 23-Dec-2010, 5:39 AM

This says Yes You Can and no one can prevent or even delay you from installing a antenna on the roof or any where on your property. If need be you can can install a antenna 12 feet above the highest point of the roof. http://www.fcc.gov/mb/facts/otard.html , This law in your favor has been in effect since 1996 , thats 14 years. This Federal Law came about because there are all kinds of crazy people that try and tell you what you can and can't do with your house and your property.

Chris12 · 23-Dec-2010, 5:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Candle

This says Yes You Can and no one can prevent or even delay you from installing a antenna on the roof or any where on your property. If need be you can can install a antenna 12 feet above the highest point of the roof. http://www.fcc.gov/mb/facts/otard.html , This law in your favor has been in effect since 1996 , thats 14 years. This Federal Law came about because there are all kinds of crazy people that try and tell you what you can and can't do with your house and your property.

Thanks for this info.

This is the signal booster comcast has at my house now http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/cr/B000F...cr_electronics
Will it work if they don't take it back?

Chris12 · 23-Dec-2010, 5:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Candle

This says Yes You Can and no one can prevent or even delay you from installing a antenna on the roof or any where on your property. If need be you can can install a antenna 12 feet above the highest point of the roof. http://www.fcc.gov/mb/facts/otard.html , This law in your favor has been in effect since 1996 , thats 14 years. This Federal Law came about because there are all kinds of crazy people that try and tell you what you can and can't do with your house and your property.

Thanks for this information.

Comcast currently has this signal booster on the side of my house http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/cr/B000F...cr_electronics
Will it work fine if they don't make me return it?

John Candle · 23-Dec-2010, 6:10 AM

Any way I went to the >>Start MAPS<< part of tvfool and put in an antenna height of 15 to 25 feet above ground and the signals are strong. You can do it this way as a test. You can get a tripod roof mount and just set it on the garage roof with the antenna and see what you can receive. It looks like the group of stations to the east north are at 56 degrees magnetic compass.

Chris12 · 23-Dec-2010, 6:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Candle

Any way I went to the >>Start MAPS<< part of tvfool and put in an antenna height of 15 to 25 feet above ground and the signals are strong. You can do it this way as a test. You can get a tripod roof mount and just set it on the garage roof with the antenna and see what you can receive. It looks like the group of stations to the east north are at 56 degrees magnetic compass.

Will this tripod work fine? http://www.amazon.com/Winegard-SW-00...3089232&sr=8-1
I was wondering if the antenna would come with anything to attach it to the roof.

So I'll try 56* and 68* (groundyourmast recommendation) and see which works better. Should I point the antenna horizontally on my roof toward 56*/68*, or tip it slightly vertical ?

GroundUrMast · 23-Dec-2010, 7:36 AM

The tripod your are looking at is fine. It says that it does not come with pitch pads. Tripods and pitch pads are also available from sources like SolidSignal.com

John's suggested compass heading is correct. I was reading out of the wrong column of your TVF report. Thank you John for catching that. Start with a level install. You can adjust left / right, up / down and last, slight tilt angles... if necessary.

Chris12 · 23-Dec-2010, 3:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GroundUrMast

The tripod your are looking at is fine. It says that it does not come with pitch pads. Tripods and pitch pads are also available from sources like SolidSignal.com

John's suggested compass heading is correct. I was reading out of the wrong column of your TVF report. Thank you John for catching that. Start with a level install. You can adjust left / right, up / down and last, slight tilt angles... if necessary.

Thanks for this info. I am looking at an overall height of 3-4' for the tripod/mast combo. The antenna is 20" high so this should be fine, right?

Also, when on the roof adjusting the antenna, what can I use to measure the signal I am getting?

John Candle · 23-Dec-2010, 6:47 PM

For now just set the tripod and antenna on the roof , You are in the experiment phase , so yes + or - 20 feet is Ok. Signal level meters are $$. Most digital tv's or converter boxes or dvd player-recorder-digital tuners , have built in signal level meters and some have signal quality meters. Move the tv out side in the evening when it's dark so you can see the screen and connect the antenna direct to the tv. Some tripod mounts come with pitch pads and screws or can buy them separate. http://www.solidsignal.com , http://www.starkelectronic.com , http://www.3starinc.com , http://www.amazon.com , http://www.summitsource.com , http://www.antennasdirect.com , http://www.channelmasterstore.com , http://www.winegarddirect.com , http://www.antennacraft.net