Antenna Help

Ponderosa · 23-Aug-2011, 12:29 AM

Hello All,

I'm looking for some assistance in choosing a new antenna. I currently have a DB2 antenna attached to my roof, about 15 feet AGL. It runs through a Winegard HDP-269 Preamp, through about 50 feet of coax, and to a digital converter box on a single TV. I am currently able to receive "real" channels 13 and 45 rock solid, 15 is also good, 28 and 36 are okay, and 20 comes in every now and then.

I'd like to improve the performance of the channels I get now, and perhaps add a few more. Must have channels are: 13, 15, 20, 28, 36, 45. Nice to have channels would be: 7, 34, 51. My house is surrounded by 30'+ pine trees if that helps.

All the stations I'm interested in appear to be within a 90 degree arc, and I'd like to stick with just a single antenna if possible. I've looked at the CM4221HD, CM4228HD, 91XG and some others. I think I'm on information overload and could use some help from the pros. Any assistance you could provide would be most appreciated.

Thank you!

My TV Fool report is at the following link: http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...9e74b7572907ff

John Candle · 23-Aug-2011, 7:03 AM

I recommend a Winegard HD7696P antenna with a Antennas Direct CPA-19 preamp , aimed at about 194 degree magnetic compass. Here is how to aim antennas , http://www.kyes.com/antenna/pointing/pointing.html

ADTech · 23-Aug-2011, 3:13 PM

Seriously, if you want reliable reception of UHF stations the trees will need to be avoided. Either the antenna or the trees will have to move or you'll be stuck with poor reception, especially when the trees are wet and the wind blows.

I'd likely suggest separate UHF and high-VHF antennas since you'd benefit from having them aimed in slightly different directions. Aim the high-VHF antenna to balance reception of the real channels 7 & 13 and the UHF antenna in a more southerly direction to focus on the UHF stations. Combine the antennas with a UVSJ and feed the combined signal into your existing amp.

Ponderosa · 23-Aug-2011, 8:53 PM

Thank you both for the quick replies! I agree, a two antenna set up would be the ideal. If I do go that route, is there a recommendation (based on my location) of what two antennas might work best for me?

Also, the HD7696P looks like a terrific antenna - I don't think I had considered that one before. It is quite a bit larger in size than I was hoping to get away with. Of course I may not have an option. If I forego the idea of having to pull in CH 7, can I get away with a slightly smaller antenna?

Thanks again!

GroundUrMast · 23-Aug-2011, 9:12 PM

Given the trees... you should err toward larger, not smaller.

Ponderosa · 23-Aug-2011, 10:45 PM

I couldn't locate the 7696P on Wingard's website. Was it replaced by another model perhaps? Do you think the 7694P would work for my location?

John Candle · 24-Aug-2011, 8:32 AM

http://www.winegarddirect.com/viewit...96P)&p=HD7696P . Also here are places to buy antennas and etc. , http://www.solidsignal.com , http://www.amazon.com , http://www.starkelectronic.com , http://www.3starinc.com

John Candle · 24-Aug-2011, 8:57 AM

As AD Tech has suggested you can go with 2 antennas , a Antennas Direct Clear Stream 5 aimed at about 230 degree magnetic compass for the reception of KXLY 13 ABC and KSPS 7 PBS. The CS5 comes with a UVSJ = UHF-VHF-separator-joiner. And the second is a Antenna Craft U4000 , UHF antenna aimed at 194 degree magnetic compass. The 2 antennas are connected to geather with the UVSJ and the output of the UVSJ is connected to the CPA-19 preamp. This 2 antenna set up will work better then the one antenna.