Portland Oregon antenna recommendations

[alpineaudio]

Hello

I'm new to this forum, but not new to OTA HD TV. I'm looking at updating what I use for an antenna as it's over 20 years old, on my detached garage on RG5 cabling. A power sub-station is on two sides of my house, and the direction I need to aim the antenna for tv signals is over the sub station. The antenna is going to be on top of a flat roof which is at 20', I'm running all new RG6 quad shielded cabling whose length is 123' where it runs into my quad tuner HTPC.

I've looked around the net for different antenna's, but only got more confused at all the different ones available, unfortunately stumbling on ones noted on the site ripoffreport. So I was hoping I could get some recommendations.

Here are some TV signal analysis results:
At 20' (antenna flat on my roof) http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...2c15d8d72d9064

At 25' (antenna on a 5' mast) http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...2c15de5a9e635c

At 30' (antenna on a 10' mast) http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...2c15522c8ccf1f

So I would be very appreciative if I could get some antenna recommendations, and if I possibly need an amplifier or any other suggestions you may have for my scenario.

Thanks
Todd

[timgr]

What antenna do you have now?

Good brands to look at would be Antennacraft, Antennas Direct, Channelmaster, Winegard. There are certainly more, but those are the ones I know of. These are reputable antenna companies that publish thorough technical specs on each of their antennas. Here's an example with what I would consider a lot of technical info - http://www.antennasdirect.com/cmss_f...s/DB4E-TDS.pdf Any antenna builder should be able to back up their performance claims with detailed technical documents.

The exception to this rule may be the RCA ANT751 antenna, which has good demonstrated performance but RCA does not supply much info at all. http://www.amazon.com/RCA-ANT751-Dur.../dp/B0024R4B5C However, it is attractive for its high reported performance, build quality, and modest price and size. It's likely most similar to the Antennacraft HBU11 or HBU22. http://www.antennacraft.net/Antennas/AntennasHBU.html

123' is a long run. However, you can likely get all the Green stations at ca 240 magnetic (except KRCW 5) with an ANT751 pointed that way. In that direction, the horizon must be unobstructed by trees, buildings, power lines, etc. With 123' of cable, you may need to add an amplifier on the mast to boost the signal and overcome the cable losses.

Alternately, you can start with more antenna gain (ie a bigger antenna) to get more signal and overcome the long cable run. You need an antenna that is optimized for both the VHF-high stations 7-13 and the UHF stations 14-51. The reception characteristics of these two bands are very different, so mixing the signals from two antennas, each tuned to the specific band, is one way to address this. Or you can go with a bigger antenna that captures both bands, like the HBU33 or HBU44.

[ADTech]

No amp needed. Worst case insertion loss for coax with RG6 is about 6 dB/100' at channel 51. Your LOWEST calculated NM for the weakest Portland low power station is 46 dB. Allow 8 dB IL for the coax, you still have 38 dB of margin for splitters and fading (which should be negligible with LOS signals) before clutter loss and antenna gain.

You don't need to "overcome" cable loss when your available signal budget is more than adequate to cover those losses.

[alpineaudio]

I currently have something like the HBU22. Can I ever get too big of an antenna? In reference to an antenna like the HB44, when aiming the antenna, which end do I point in the direction of the tv signal? How high of a mast would you recommend?

Thank you to all who have provided insight and info.

Todd

[ADTech]

I currently have something like the HBU22

Then you *should* be set.
2

Can I ever get too big of an antenna?

Somewhat yes and somewhat no. It depends

which end do I point in the direction of the tv signal?

The small or narrow end is the front.

How high of a mast would you recommend?

As high as it takes. There is no "one size fits all" recommendation possible.

[alpineaudio]

One big reason for me wanting to upgrade what we currently run with is that CBS, NBC and PBS all have problems at times. The screen gets rather digitized to the point it's not worth watching the show. The existing antenna is less than 20' above the ground and on aging coax. The mesh shielding disintegrates when you try and put a terminal on it.

Todd

[Jake V]

What is the condition of your current antenna? Did it used to receive all the desired stations well? It is quite possible that, if it is good condition, that all you need to do is to replace the balun, the coax, and any splitters in the setup. The electric substations near by could cause interference. Others can comment on that. But if you once had good reception on all the desired stations and they have not changed anything, then you should be able to again. [You might post a close-up of your current antenna for review, though a new HBU-22 will set you back about $40.]

[GroundUrMast]

If you can avoid aiming through trees or other obstructions, an HBU-33 or Winegard HD7694P should provide a premium solution. Your description of the coax leads me to the conclusion that the coax and existing antenna are long past due for replacement.

As already mentioned, there is plenty of signal power in the air, no amplification should be needed even if you're splitting to several TVs.