First venture into OTA reception

[kutasi]

I have a question regarding reception if you look at the map http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...2df9cc1fae6d6e

two channals (Fox and PBS) are quite close where the rest of the major networks are around the 2225-235* which is significantly further away and blocked by the hill i live on. If i point my antenna towards that group will i still pick up fox and pbs as they are quite close and not coming at me over a hill.

I also have a question as to what antenna should i be looking at to ensure reception of the major networks, Fox, NBC, ABC, and CBS anything else is a bonus.

Do i need to ground my antenna? I am planning on putting it on the roof as I am on the backside of a large hill about half way up. my roof/chimney is about 35-40 feet from ground level.

lastly this would be for 2 televisions. would i need an amplifier and if i run straight co-ax to the tv will it be good enough or do i need to use some sort of converter to get it to a dvi/hdmi type cable? both TVs are HD capable.

As i said this would be my first foray into OTA reception and i am not sure where to begin.

Thank you for your help!

A Simple reception situation.

WCBB-DT VHF channel 10 PBS.
and
WPFO-DT UHF channel 23 FOX. To the east are both showing the transmitters are close at 12 miles away and are Strong signal strength and are LOS Line Of Site. That's good.

The other Tv stations to the south west are weaker and have some hills in the way.

For reception of the Digital Tv stations to the south west and east , install above the roof a Winegard HD7696P antenna with a Antennas Direct CPA-19 preamp , aimed at about 220 degree magnetic compass direction.

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

The Digital Tv stations to the east are Strong signal strength and will be received through the back angle of the HD7696p antenna.

NO antenna rotator is required.

For 1 Tv connected use no splitter.

For 2 Tv's connected use a , HFS-2D , 2 way splitter.

For 3 Tv's connected use a , HFS-3D , 3 way splitter.

Buy the HFS splitters at , http://www.hollandelectronics.com , http://www.solidsignal.com.

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

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

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

As always trees and tree leaves do a real fine job of reducing or blocking Tv reception and so do buildings and other obstructions including your own house.

It is best to install the antenna at a location that has the least amount to no amount of obstructions of any type or kind in the directions of reception including your own house.

The Tv/s Must Channel Scan for the Digital Broadcast Tv Channels , sometimes 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.

DO NOT channel scan for cable tv channels.

[GroundUrMast]

Originally Posted by kutasi

...

Do i need to ground my antenna? I am planning on putting it on the roof as I am on the backside of a large hill about half way up. my roof/chimney is about 35-40 feet from ground level.

... do i need to use some sort of converter to get it to a dvi/hdmi type cable? both TVs are HD capable.

...

My answer to those who ask is, "Yes, it's a very good idea to ground the mast and coax shield." http://forum.tvfool.com/showthread.php?t=901

Beginning in March of 2007, the FCC required TVs with built in tuners to include support for the digital ATSC standard. So, if your TVs are new or built after March of 2007, you should not need a converter.

http://www.dtv.gov/consumercorner_2.html#faq11

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/All-Channel_Receiver_Act

[kutasi]

Thanks for the input and help guys.

Would i be able to put that antenna in my attic? Or would i need to use a different antenna to do that. My attic is bigger than a crawlspace but not by much.

[GroundUrMast]

You can certainly try in the attic. I expect that you'll have less success with the weaker signals. Also, the Winegard antennas can be quite difficult to refold which may leave you with the antenna 'trapped' in the attic. Take a look at an Antennacraft HBU-44 or HBU-55, they are much easier to re-fold if the need arises.

You'll want to measure carefully, the antennas we've suggested are long.

http://www.antennacraft.net/Antennas/AntennasHBU.html

As always , attics Are Not a reception friendly environment , and never will be a reception friendly environment.

Yes you can start with the antenna in the attic.

The following is a not complete list of situations that will reduce or block Tv reception in the attic.

If the roof is a metal roof or has solar panels reception will be reduced or blocked.

If the roof has , concrete shingles , adobe shingles , reception will be reduced or blocked.

If the roof has wood shingles and the wood singles get wet , the reception will be reduced or blocked.

If the attic has metal backed insulation , reception will be reduced or blocked.

If the attic has HVAC and duct work , keep the antenna way from the HVAC and duct work as much as possible.

It is most always best to get the antenna up high in the attic for best reception.

It is also IMPORTANT to have the antenna aimed correctly in the attic , just sticking the antenna in the attic any O direction will not be the best for reception.

WCSH-DT UHF channel 44 NBC.
and
WPME-DT UHF channel 35 MyN.

Are both Very weak Tv signals at your location.

Attics are a - close in environment - that cause close in multipath , reflected signals bouncing around in the attic , too much reflected signals and the Tv tuners computer will shut down on one or more channels.

Yes you can start with the antenna in the attic.

[kutasi]

Thanks for the help/info again. I do appreciate it. A friend has offered to help install on the roof if i pay in beer and beef and return the favor of helping with a dishwasher issue he has. So roof looks like it will work i just need to get a couple hundred feet of coax to ground and run signal.

Could i run the signal to where the cable/sat used to come in and then have antenna feed where the coax currently is in the house?

Yes the satellite -> Coax Wiring <- can be used to distribute the Tv antenna reception.

Remove satellite connection hardware such as , diplexers , power supplies , power injectors , specialized splitters and etc. .

[kutasi]

Thanks for the reply teleview didn't think to check for some of the cable add ons, i don't think there are any just a splitter, but will verify before i begin.

thanks again for the help to all, hopefully i will be OTA before 12/1