Help for home in Smyrna, Ga

[smyrna-ga]

http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...5134c9b6d1bd3a



Hi tvfools:

I would like to provide free TV to my guests.
I've tried indoor antenna and some channels were gr8, but I had to make adjustments often. This is not idea for guest and I would like to have a system in place that provides clear free-to-air channels for 3 TVs.

Any suggestions on type of antenna and components, installation, ... would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks heaps..

[rabbit73]

Welcome, Angie:

Where can you put the antenna, indoors, attic, or outside?

Are you thinking of one antenna to feed all TVs, or an antenna for each?

Your signals are fairly strong and in the same direction from the SE but you are behind a hill. You shouldn't have too much trouble unless there are trees or other buildings in the signal path.

PBS and ION are your weakest signals, and ION is in a different direction, which is a complication.

[smyrna-ga]

Thank you Rabbit73,

Answers to your questions.

Where can you put the antenna, indoors, attic, or outside?

No restriction on where to install an antenna.

Are you thinking of one antenna to feed all TVs, or an antenna for each?

Probably one antenna if that's the better option. Open to suggestions.

Your signals are fairly strong and in the same direction from the SE but you are behind a hill. You shouldn't have too much trouble unless there are trees or other buildings in the signal path.

There are trees everywhere, is there a way to obtain info so I can provide accurate details?

PBS and ION are your weakest signals, and ION is in a different direction, which is a complication.

Complicated meaning additional hardware, more expensive or ?


Suggestions on what type of antenna, equipment, and installation .... would be very very appreciated.

The installation window I have available is from 31-August to 4-Sept.


new report http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...e2cb5beb83ae4a


Thanks a million

Angie
Thanks so much.

[rabbit73]

Hi, Angie; welcome back.

Most of your channels are UHF, but NBC is on real channel 10, so you need a VHF/UHF antenna like the Winegard HD7694P mounted outside as high as you can get it. The antenna should be aimed at about 135 degrees magnetic.

ION will require a separate Antennas Direct DB4e antenna aimed at 348 degrees magnetic and a custom combiner to add it to the other channels. Maybe you can do without ION for now.

If the antenna is outside, the coax shield should be grounded with a grounding block that is connected to the house electrical system ground with 10 gauge copper wire for electrical safety and to reject interference. For further compliance with the electrical code (NEC), the mast should also be grounded in a similar manner to drain any buildup of static charge, but the system will not survive a direct strike.

There are trees everywhere, is there a way to obtain info so I can provide accurate details?

If you are willing to provide your exact address or coordinates in a PM I can look at the satellite view of your location.

Because of the hill in the signal path, I suggest making a test with just one TV, and then add a 4-way splitter for more TVs. If the signals are too weak, replace the splitter with a Channel Master 3414 distribution amp.

[rabbit73]

Thank you for the additional information. I will study it and post again.

At first glance, I am worried about the trees and the hill in the signal path. But the fact that you have had some success with an indoor antenna and the tvfool report is often not very accurate with 2Edge signals, is encouraging.

[rabbit73]

I looked at an aerial photo of your location. The green signal lines miss the trees across the street, but I'm worried about the trees in front of your house.

Is it possible to install the antenna with a telescopic mast?

Yes, a telescopic mast can work if the antenna is located where it can "see" between the trees and below the branches in front of your house. Trees block TV signals.
http://www.hdtvprimer.com/antennas/siting.html
Scroll down to Trees and UHF

[rabbit73]

You can see the terrain profile between a transmitter and your location if you click on its callsign in your report. The transmitter is on the left, and your location is on the right.

WXIA NBC
http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...dALLTV%26n%3d3

WSB ABC
http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...ALLTV%26n%3d10

The signals skim the last hill.



That hill doesn't look too serious; I'm more concerned about the trees.

If you have an incoming overhead power line, keep the antenna away from it for safety.

[rabbit73]

This photo shows the green signal lines from the SE. They clear the trees across the street, but I'm worried about a clear path through the trees in front of your house. You might have to trim some branches.

[smyrna-ga]

hiya rabbit, its been a long time and I really want to thank you for all your support on this.

I didn't have a chance to get the antenna installed before having to head back to Sydney last year but I'm looking for someone to do the install and take some photos.

So again, THANK YOU SO SO SO MUCH!!

[rabbit73]

Thank you for the update. I was wondering how it was going, as I usually do when I give advice.

Best regards,
rabbit