Hello again, Hobiecat:
Thanks for the attic test results and the photo. The trees are pretty thick, but your signals are strong. I've seen other cases like your location work, but you will not know for sure until you test it.
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What are the chances that if I extend the sat stand by 3 feet and install my antenna facing about 340 that I will get 13.1 and 7.1 clearly.
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It's difficult to predict. The signals will be stronger because there will not be the attic loss, but as you said the trees are still there. There is the possibility that the 7777 preamp will be overloaded if the signals are a lot stronger. Channel Master says the 7777 should not be used in strong signal areas, but the tvfool report doesn't take into consideration trees or other buildings in the signal path.
http://www.channelmaster.com/TV_Ante..._p/cm-7777.htm
If you extend the sat stand by 3 feet it might not be stable enough for the 7698 antenna unless it has braces. You might need a different type of mount, like a tripod mount or a ground mounted mast that extends above the roof.
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Should I place the antenna horizontal, of face it up (I assume 45+ degrees) towards the top of the trees.
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If you did tilt it, 45 degrees would be too much, and there is no provision for tilting the front up with the 7698. Try it horizontal first. Tilting would be a custom job.
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Does the amp go outside on the antenna pole - is it environmentally safe.
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The 7777 and 7778 are designed to be mounted outside near the antenna with the power inserter and transformer inside.
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4. The current sat wire is already grounded, if I add the amp near the antenna will the ground transfer through it and through a standard RG6 patch cord, or do I need to add something.
5. To ground the pole, what gauge wire do I need?
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The coax shield should be grounded with a grounding block that is connected to the house electrical system ground with 10 gauge copper wire for electrical safety and to reject interference. For further compliance with the electrical code (NEC), the mast should also be grounded in a similar manner to drain any buildup of static charge, but the system will not survive a direct strike.
Some dish installers use a "piggyback" method of grounding the mount and coax shield, but it isn't according to code.
Satellite System Grounding
Part 2 - NEC Overview
Presented by Todd Humphrey
http://www.dbsinstall.com/diy/Grounding-2.asp
Todd Humphrey doesn't speak for the NFPA that publishes the NEC code, but he has some ideas that are helpful. The local electrical inspector has the final say if you are willing to get him involved. Some inspectors are more friendly than others; a local electrician could tell you.
It's usually OK to use the dish coax, but don't use other dish equipment like a multi switch or splitter, they might not be suitable.