Help With Antenna Selection

trcaw · 4-Jul-2012, 1:25 AM

Like others, we're looking to ditch our satellite TV in the next couple of months. We live in a single story house. We currently have the satellite going to two different rooms (living room and bedroom). We're looking to (hopefully) be able to get the major networks (ABC, CBS, NBC, and FOX). we prefer NBC channel KYTV over KOMU (or any other channel, for that matter) for news and weather.

Looking for suggestions on antennas, mounts, and anything else we might want to consider. We're not really crazy about the idea of mounting it on the roof...but if that's all that can be done, I guess we'll do it.

Here's our TV Signal Analysis (I didn't enter a height...but figure it'll have to be high): www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%3d1349559204632f

I'm not sure if a picture helps (maybe as far as placement goes??)...but the first attachment is a picture of the front our house...the house faces north (so the person taking the picture was facing south). The second picture is the back...ideally (though maybe not practically b/c of height) my husband would like to put the antenna where the satellite dish is (on the deck). The box for the satellite is under that window.

Thanks in advance!!!

GroundUrMast · 4-Jul-2012, 2:16 AM

The signal levels shown on your report indicate you can achieve your goal of receiving the major networks and a bit more. You will need an outdoor mounted antenna though. Eave/gable or chimney mounting are good options that avoid putting any holes in the roof deck.

The default report elevation is 10'. Please run an addition reception report at 25'. I suspect you'll find a few signals improve a fair bit.

An Antennas Direct DB4e aimed at about 225° gives you FOX and ABC. Then an Antennacraft Y10713 or Winegard YA1713 pointed at 317° gives you CBS and NBC.

Use a UVSJ to combine the two antenna feeds into one coax, and then an Antennas Direct PA-18 preamplifier to insure enough signal strength to make it to through the cable and splitter in the house.

There are other ways to approach this situation (which is usually the case). Others may suggest a rotator and single antenna.

trcaw · 4-Jul-2012, 2:24 AM

Here is the new TV Signal Analysis with 25' off the ground: http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...1349e3f49af99c

Maybe a dumb question but is there a way to mount the two antennas together if we chose to go that route? We were thinking a single antenna...but are open to anything at this point.

GroundUrMast · 4-Jul-2012, 2:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trcaw

Here is the new TV Signal Analysis with 25' off the ground: http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...1349e3f49af99c

Maybe a dumb question but is there a way to mount the two antennas together?

Thanks, the signal conditions do improve. Particularly for real channel 8.

Not a dumb question at all. Here are examples of wall / gable mounts: http://www.3starinc.com/wall_mounts.html There are also 'eave' styles that would work well just above your garage roof or at the other end of the house.

Combined with a 10' mast, this style mounting system has plenty of room to mount one antenna at the top, the DB4e in this case, and the high-VHF about 4' below the top on the same mast. The antennas mounting clamp design allows you to mount to the mast at virtually any level.

http://www.3starinc.com/channel_mast...enna_mast.html

trcaw · 4-Jul-2012, 3:51 AM

I suppose I should have stated this before...and i will edit my original post to reflect it...we prefer NBC channel KYTV over KOMU (or any other channel, for that matter) for news and weather.

Electron · 4-Jul-2012, 5:21 AM

For reception of KYTV and the other Tv stations/channels to the west/south/west at about 225 degree magnetic compass.
Install a Winegard HD7696P antenna with a Winegard AP8700 preamp above the roof.
Here is how to aim antennas , http://www.kyes.com/antenna/pointing/pointing.html.

Here are some above the roof antenna mounts , http://www.ronard.com/909911.html , http://www.ronard.com/34424560.html , http://www.ronard.com/ychim.html , http://www.ronard.com.

Buy the ronard antenna mounts at solidsignal by typing the word ronard in the solidsignal search box.

Here are places to buy antennas and etc. , http://www.solidsignal.com , http://www.winegarddirect.com , http://www.amazon.com.

GroundUrMast · 4-Jul-2012, 5:36 AM

Both suggestions will give you a good shot at KYTV.

Electron · 4-Jul-2012, 7:01 AM

With the HD7696P antenna aimed west/south/west.

The north/north/west Tv stations/channels are just strong enough that might be received with the antenna aimed at the west/south/west Tv stations.

The HD7696P antenna must be above the roof and installed Away from the tree on the west end of the house.

Tree leaves will do a real fine job of reducing and blocking Tv reception of the north/north/west Tv stations/channels.

And that front picture of the house shows a big tree on the south side of the house , that trees leaves will do a real fine job of reducing an blocking Tv reception of the Tv stations to the west/south/west.

Looks like the best place for the antenna is the east end of the main body of the house roof area.

Or some where on the garage roof.

trcaw · 4-Jul-2012, 3:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Electron

With the HD7696P antenna aimed west/south/west.

The north/north/west Tv stations/channels are just strong enough that might be received with the antenna aimed at the west/south/west Tv stations.

The HD7696P antenna must be above the roof and installed Away from the tree on the west end of the house.

Tree leaves will do a real fine job of reducing and blocking Tv reception of the north/north/west Tv stations/channels.

And that front picture of the house shows a big tree on the south side of the house , that trees leaves will do a real fine job of reducing an blocking Tv reception of the Tv stations to the west/south/west.

Looks like the best place for the antenna is the east end of the main body of the house roof area.

Or some where on the garage roof.

Is the Winegard HD8200U overkill (or is there such a thing when it comes to antennas)? Before I had any responses to my post, I came across that one and figured we would need something closer to it because of the miles between our house and the towers (particularly the UHF). The specifications on the one you recommended says 50 miles VHF 40 miles UHF ...I'm sure you know what you're talking about but am just curious are those low end estimates on the specs? Just want to make sure we do it right the first time (if possible).

Thanks again fore all of the responses!

GroundUrMast · 4-Jul-2012, 5:34 PM

The HD8200U is one of the largest antennas on the market. A significant portion of the antennas width and length is dedicated to elements designed to receive real channels 2 through 6, which do not appear on your current or pending signal report.

In the sense that you would be adding support for signals that aren't present, this seems like over kill to me. The high-VHF (real channels 7 through 13) and UHF (real channel 14 and up) performance are no better than the options already offered. So again, the HD8200U does not strike me as the best fit for you.

Mileage numbers are a product of the marketing department. They are estimates that have no standard basis. The signal prediction report provided by TV Fool offers an estimate based on known factors such as transmitter power, terrain and the elevation of both the transmitting and receiving antenna. The numbers expressed in dB are standardized units engineering / physics disciplines use. Quality manufacturers try to make it easy for the consumer to estimate the capability of an antenna by offering mileage estimates but the better vendors also provide antenna gain figures, commonly using units of dBd or dBi which we can use with the data provided by TV Fool. Using more accurate data allows us to make a recommendation based on factors not considered in a generalized mileage estimate.

When I look at the path profile of the KYTV signal (click on the station call letters in the TV Fool report), I see that just a bit more antenna height will give you significantly more signal. If I were in this situation, I'd much rather spend a few extra dollars on the mast. Another 5' or 10' would yield significantly more signal improvement than adding antenna size.

Having said all that, both Electron's and my suggestions are valid as is.

Electron · 4-Jul-2012, 6:23 PM

The larger/bigger a directional antenna is the More directional the antenna is in the forward direction and more signal is received at the forward/front of the antenna , and the more signal is Not received at the , sides , angles and back of a Big antenna.

A smaller antenna will receive less at the forward/front of the antenna and receive more Tv signal at the , sides , angles and back of the antenna.

Your location and signal strengths of the Tv transmissions and the locations of the Tv transmitters.

Calls for a antenna that is smaller , that is why I recommended a Winegard Hd7696P antenna.

A balance of forward/front antenna gain and also the ability of the antenna to receive more signal at the , sides , angles and back of the antenna.

All of this and more , a lot more , takes , many , many , many , many , words to explain.

All of the information is on the internet to look up.

I take it all in to consideration and recommend a antenna or antennas that will most likely get the job done.

If the HD7696P antenna and AP8700 preamp aimed at the west/south/west Tv stations does not do a good enough job of receiving the Tv stations to the north/north/west.

Then the antenna can be mounted on a Channel Master CM9521A antenna rotator. http://www.channelmasterstore.com.

Rotating the HD7698P antenna so the antenna 'looks at' the tv stations transmitting antennas will receive the the Tv stations/channels much better.

The down side of a Tv antenna rotator is.

Must wait for the Tv antenna to turn toward the Tv stations transmitting antennas.
Waiting for the antenna to rotate Is Not channel surfing friendly.

And not every one in the house will agree on where the antenna is pointed.

Electron · 4-Jul-2012, 6:48 PM

If the north/north/west Tv stations are not received well enough with the one antenna aimed at the west/south/west Tv stations.

Then a Channel Surfing Friendly Way to do it at your location is install a second HD7696P antenna and AP8700 preamp aimed at the north/north/west Tv stations.

This second antenna system Will Not be connected to the other antenna system.

The first antenna system and the second antenna system are SEPARATE Systems.

The Separate coaxes will go to the location/s of the Tv/s and be connected to a Remote Control A/B antenna coax switch , http://www.radioshack.com, #15-1968 or http://www.mcmelectronics.com , # 32-4425].

Pressing the button on the hand held remote control to change antennas Is Channel Surfing Friendly.