New to OTA need help Building System

[Wes H]

Hello all,

First I’d like to thank anyone who chooses to give me any advice on building an antenna system. I’m new to OTA digital as I’ve had some form of cable over the last five years or so. I have recently decided to stop paying for TV programing and start taking advantage of OTA digital. I just need some help putting a system together, as I’m new to this and there are so many different options out there.

Here is my goal: Receive as much free TV with as good a signal as possible (imagine that!)... I would also like to use this system to receive FM stationing if possible.

Here is my requirement: Signal strength capable of reaching up to four TV’s, each approximately 50+ feet of coax away from source signal.

Here is what I want to spend: ~ $200

Here are my limitations: none... I plan on a roof mount system (as I’m also planning on reroofing my home with metal in the future, so no attic mounting). I’m not opposed to bolting a taller mast against my house to reach up to 10’ above my single story roof line if necessary either. I am also surrounded by nothing but single story homes and the land is fairly level as far as the eye can see.

Here is my idea: Dual antennas (vhf and uhf) to a combiner to a preamplifier to a splitter.

Here is my report: http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...03d9b716dfe896

Here is what I’m looking for: Specific products that I can buy to build this system and what I might expect to get out of it.

Thank you.

[Tower Guy]

Originally Posted by Wes H

Here is my idea: Dual antennas (vhf and uhf) to a combiner to a preamplifier to a splitter.

That will work, but it will be larger and more expensive than necessary.

A Winegard HD 7015 is all the antenna that you need. Aim it at 195 degrees true. Try it first using a splitter and without a preamp. If you want a preamp, the HDP-269 is the only model that I'd suggest. You could also do very well with a CM 3414 distribution amplifier.

[Wes H]

After posting this thread I went out front to do some yard work. I got to talking to my neighbor about this and he said he had an antenna on his roof that was there when he moved in and that I could have it. Here is a picture of it.

Does anyone know what it is and if it will work for me (I need hi-v and uhf)?

Also, how high above my roof line do I need to mount it?

[John Candle]

Yes the antenna will work just fine. It is the same kind of antenna as the HD7015. DO NOT use a preamp. I suggest a CM3414 distribution amplifier in the house. The television transmissions are Very Strong at your location , mount the antenna about 4 feet above the peak of the roof. Be sure and ground the coax lead in using a coax grounding block , this will direct the Very Strong Tv signals that are received by the coax shield to ground reducing interference.

[Wes H]

Thanks guys,

Looks like this is going to be fairly cheap. Maybe one of my other neighbors will have a dist. amp they don't want...

Will this antenna get me FM range frequencies as well? If so, should I be using some kind of frequency separator to send FM range to my FM tuner and higher frequencies to my TV's, or just let it send all frequencies to both?

[John Candle]

Yes you can use a Winegard CA8800 Tv Fm separator joiner. It works both ways .

[John Candle]

How ever the best way to receive FM is with a separate FM antenna and coax to the FM receiver.

[Tower Guy]

Originally Posted by Wes H

Will this antenna get me FM range frequencies as well? If so, should I be using some kind of frequency separator to send FM range to my FM tuner and higher frequencies to my TV's, or just let it send all frequencies to both?

I'd send all frequencies to the TV sets and the FM tuner. You could also use a HLSJ to pull out the FM.

[John Candle]

If I were you I would pretend to be disapointed with the OTA = Over The Air reception. If the neighbor finds out about all the channels of crystal clear digital reception , the neighbor might want the antenna back.