Antenna help for rural southern Georgia

fivebraids · 18-Jun-2013, 5:23 PM

Hi,

We finally had it with the rising monthly bills and cancelled DISH. We're planning to use our Roku XS combined with Netflix and Amazon Prime for the majority of our TV viewing. We want/need to add OTA reception of the major networks to get local news and an occasional prime time show.

Here's our report: http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...c08d65d420bd97

We already have an old antenna on the roof that came with the house, but it's in pretty sad shape, and doesn't pull in all the channels we want to get. We've aimed it in the direction of the towers, but it's still not enough.

Here's a run down of the channels we're interested in and their current reception status with the old antenna:

WVAN 9 (9.1) PBS - 100% Pixelated
WTGS 28 FOX - Crystal clear 100% of the time
WSAV 39 (3.1) NBC - Mostly pixelated
WJCL 22 ABC - Crystal clear 90% of the time, occasional pixelation
WTOC 11 (11.1) CBS - 100% Pixelated
WGSA 35 (34.1) CW - Crystal clear 90% of the time, occasional pixelation

Here are a couple of shots of the existing antenna in case that helps:

P1050525.jpg
P1050526.jpg

We've been up there and straightened the few elements that are off, but the first good strong wind and they're back against the boom.

Based on reading we've done here and elsewhere, we're thinking we'll need something along the lines of the Winegard 7698P or maybe even the Winegard HD8200U. Are we on the right track? Do we need this extreme fringe class of antenna, or would a smaller one suffice? Are there better alternatives?

Before we spend anything on this adventure, we hoped that we could tap into the collective wisdom and experience here.

Thanks in advance for any/all advice you might care to share.

- Marty -

18-Jun-2013, 8:24 PM

It looks like all the receivable Digital Tv station networks , without duplicating any Digital networks , are available with a Winegard HD7698P antenna aimed one direction.

Aim a HD7698P antenna at about 126 degree magnetic compass direction.

Here is how to aim antennas , http://www.kyes.com/antenna/pointing/pointing.html.

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Strongly Recommend use New Coax and New Connection Hardware Outside.

Replace Defective coax and connections , even though the current coax and connections do not 'look' defective.

To prevent Weather/Water from getting into outside connections and coax.

Use the coax that has the Compression type connectors on the ends of the coax , not the old crimp type connectors.

To make Double Sure that Weather/Water does not get into outside connections and coax , wrap with , http://www.coaxseal.com.

Do Not use , rubber weather boots , remove and discard rubber weather boots.

Rubber weather boots , take in water , inside the boot , and hold the water inside the boot , this makes for bad connections.

For 1 Tv connected use No splitter. No antenna system amplifier.

For 2 Tv's connected use a simple common 2 way splitter. No antenna system amplifier.

Here are places to buy antennas and etc. .

http://www.solidsignal.com.

http://www.amazon.com.

http://www.winegarddirect.com.

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As always , trees and tree leaves , plants and plant leaves , have a negative effect on Broadcast Tv Reception and so do buildings and other obstructions.

Recommend install the HD7698P antenna at a location that has the least amount to no amount of obstructions of any type or kind in the directions of reception.
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The Tv/s Must Channel Scan for the OTA=Over The Air , Digital Broadcast Tv stations/channels , often named the 'Air Channels' ,or 'Antenna Channels' in the Tv Setup Menu because the Tv transmissions travel through the Air from the transmitting antenna to the receiving antenna.

Some Digital Tv's will Automatic channel scan for cable tv channels.

DO NOT channel scan for cable tv channels.

Go into the Tv Setup Menu and select , 'Air Channels' ~ 'Antenna Channels'.

Scan for channels.

fivebraids · 19-Jun-2013, 12:30 AM

Thanks for the quick reply. It sounds like we were on the right track. We hadn't thought about running new cable, but it makes sense especially since we'll be up there anyway!

"Compression fittings" are new to us. Is this what we should order?

Solid Signal Custom Cable with High Quality Solid Signal Connectors

Or do we need to upgrade the cable and have these connectors substituted as shown on the order page for the cable?

19-Jun-2013, 9:55 AM

The Main part of the Analog to Digital Broadcast Tv transition happened June 2009 , All Full Power Analog Tv stations changed from Analog to Digital.
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Analog , Low Power , Repeater/Translator , stations have until September 2015 to complete the transition from Analog to Digital.

Many have changed from Analog to Digital and Many have not yet.

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Tvfool is showing 2 Analog Tv transmitters to the South West. At 243/242 degree magnetic compass direction.

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WPHJ-LP = Low Power , http://wphjtv.com.

WPHJ-LP may be Analog now or may have changed to Digital.

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W14CQ UHF channel 14 .

If transmitting.

May be Analog and may be Digital.

Or may not be transmitting.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luken_Communications.
http://transition.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/tv...0&facid=129370.

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Both transmitters are listed as , LOS=Line of Sight and are listed as weak signal strength in the Yellow reception zone and are listed as 27.5 miles away.

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Directional antennas receive the best at the front of the antenna then front angles to the antenna.

Directional Tv antennas receive the Least amount of signal Directly on the sides of a directional Tv antenna , the HD7698P antenna is a Directional antenna.

Directional Tv antennas receive to a lesser degree at back angles and at the back of the antenna.

Recommend aim the HD7698P antenna at about 110 degree magnetic compass direction.

This will put the 2 tv transmitters at a back angle to the HD7698P antenna.

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If the transmitter/s is/are transmitting Analog , the received signal and resulting picture will be a bad.

Ghosts/multipul images , some snow in the picture , lines in the picture.

The Analog reception picture can be improved buy aiming the HD7698P antenna at the transmitters.

However that means that the Main group of Tv stations to the south east will not be received well.

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If the , south west , Tv stations/channels are Digital then the picture and sound will most likely be Clear.

Digital Broadcast Tv reception is either Clear , or , pixilated , or , blank.

Digital Transmission and Reception has built correction signals for picture and sound , that Correct most of the transmission and reception situations/problems in the Tv tuners computer.

Even when the HD7698P antenna aim direction is the main group of Tv stations/channels to the south east , not south west.

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I do not recommend using a antenna rotator to aim the HD7698P antenna at the , south east and south west , Tv stations.

Antenna rotation Is Not channel surfing friendly , must wait for antenna to rotate and there Will Be Domestic situations about the direction the antenna is aimed.

If the reception get's to the point that reliable reception of the , south west , Tv transmitters is not happening.

Then I recommend 2 Separate antennas and coax systems.

The HD7698P antenna system aimed at about , 110 magnetic compass.

And a -->Completely Separate antenna and Completely Separate coax system <--> Channel Master CM4228HD and antenna and coax system aimed at about 242 / 243 degree magnetic compass direction.

A antenna system amplifier will most likely not be required.

For 1 Tv connected use No splitter.

For 2 Tv's connected use a simple common 2 way splitter.

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The 2 SEPARATE antenna systems Are Not connected together on to one common coax.

The 2 Separate antenna systems are Separate All The Way to the Tv locations.

The Separate antenna coaxes are connected to a , Remote control A/B coax antenna switch at each Tv location.

http://www.mcmelectronics.com. #34-4425.

Yes Remote Control A/B antenna switching Is Channel Surfing Friendly , Press the button on the hand held remote control , change antennas and keep on channel surfing.

fivebraids · 21-Jun-2013, 1:30 PM

Teleview,

Not sure I understand that response. I was asking if we had found the type of connector you recommended...?

We're content to receive the stations available from Savannah...at 126 degrees.

21-Jun-2013, 3:04 PM

Digicon is one - brand.

There are other brands of Compression type connectors.

The other brands are OK.

The point is , Compression type connectors keep the Weather Water out.

Home Depot and other stores of that type , have pre made coax with compression connectors.

Also Do Not Use , Rubber Weather Boots , rubber weather boots , take in weather water and hold the weather water inside the boot , this is not good for connections. Remove and discard rubber weather boots.

To make double sure that weather water does not get into connections , wrap with coax seal. http://www.coaxseal.com .

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The Information about the other Tv Transmitters to the South West is Ok.

Truthful , Factual , Practical , Useful , information is better then , misleading information , lies , and no information.

It is OK to provide real information.