Help with antenna choice

pqgh001 · 1-Dec-2011, 2:30 AM

Hi,
Here's the tvfool report:
http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...ec128a5e5ecb19

I have tried:
1. Channel Master 2016 pointed to west from the 1st floor of my house and received
21-1 wfmj
21-2 wbcb
33-1 wytv
33-2 my ytv
33-3 weather

No other directions have worked with this antenna. I must point out that one of the fins holding the cable connector was broken off the main rod, but held approximately in proper place and direction

2. Artec Digital TV Antenna with Flat Panel, AN1 Indoor Digital Flat Antenna
pointed in the same direction picked up:
21-1 wfmj
21-2 wbcb
27-1 wkbn
27-2 wyfx

Obviously, the Channel Master 2016 will be returned or exchanged. I have 4 tvs around the house and the antenna can be installed in the attic or up about 20 ft on the roof. I have 2 coax runs from the roof from old dish installation into 2 splitters feeding those 4 tv runs inside of the house.
Should I get the same 2016 or do you have any other recommendations for all 6-7 channels?
Thank you in advance.

Electron · 1-Dec-2011, 5:15 PM

The tv stations to the west in the yellow and pink zones are all UHF channels. Install a Winegard HD9095 antenna on above the roof pointed at the group of stations to the west. Connect the antenna to Channel Master CM3414 distribution amplifier , 4 way distribution amplifier. http://www.winegarddirect.com , http://www.channelmasterstore.com , http://www.amazon.com

GroundUrMast · 1-Dec-2011, 7:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Electron

The tv stations to the west in the yellow and pink zones are all UHF channels. Install a Winegard HD9095 antenna pointed at the group of stations to the west. Connect the antenna to Channel Master CM3414 distribution amplifier , 4 way distribution amplifier. http://www.winegarddirect.com , http://www.channelmasterstore.com , http://www.amazon.com

I would use a very similar system. The antenna already suggested or an Antennas Direct XG91.

Instead of the CM3414, I would use an Antennas Direct CPA-18 mounted outside at the antenna. (The attic will attenuate already weak signals.) You will get slightly better signal-to-noise ratio (better signal quality) by placing the preamp close to the antenna as opposed to some distance away. The loss in the coax will reduce the signal-to-noise ratio and an amplifier will not be able to recover that signal-to-noise ratio. A passive 4-way splitter can then be located inside wherever it's convenient.

pqgh001 · 1-Dec-2011, 7:40 PM

Thank you both very much.
I think the 25 ft height estimate was too high. The antenna will be at most 12 ft off the ground. I'm sorry about the confusion.
Here's the new report, in case it changes anything:
http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...ec1294e83efa14

GroundUrMast · 1-Dec-2011, 7:58 PM

The new information is not a great change. I doubt you would have much success with an attic install.

If we were neighbors, you'd likely see a 5' tripod and 10' mast on my roof. 3starinc.com is one of many sources.

If programming from WPCP is of interest to you, you would also need a rotator. NTE offers a rotator and thrust bearing that can handle large antennas. The down-side to a rotator and multiple sets is that not everyone will be pleased with the direction the antenna is aimed.

pqgh001 · 29-Mar-2012, 5:56 PM

After some preliminary tests, I ended up getting 4221HD Channel Master.
I get most channels 21, 27, 33 and 45 with a shorter (15 ft) cable. Once I added it to the Living Room run in the house (straight-no splitters 3 straight through connectors connecting shorter cables), the 33 is very weak and 45s channels disappeared. I tinkered with direction without success.

I think I'll need an amp. Would you have any recommendations for this specific antenna? Would I need one at the antenna or the first 'split'?
Thank you.

I'd like to thank all previous posters for replying.

GroundUrMast · 29-Mar-2012, 6:41 PM

The best place for an amplifier is at the antenna. I would suggest an Antennas Direct PA-18. There are several other good options, but the PA-18 has the best noise performance in a package ready to mount in the weather.

If all the connections are in good shape, spliced cable is not going to be a problem. But with more connectors comes more potential for trouble. (There's the ideal and then there's the world you and I live in.)

pqgh001 · 30-Mar-2012, 8:17 PM

Thank you.
Ordered PA-18 per your recommendation. I'll post followup.

pqgh001 · 21-May-2012, 7:01 PM

Thank you for your help.

One month in and I'm getting all stations I wanted on
1 TV set + 4221HD + PA-18
I didn't have the time to split and run another run, but I'm very happy with:
21-1 wfmj; 21-2 wbcb
27-1 wkbn; 27-2 wyfx
33-1 wytv; 33-2 my ytv; 33-3 weather
45-1 pbs from akron 45-2; 45-3; 45-4

33s are hit and miss at times, but everything else is picture perfect.