New Setup Advice.

[wvengineer]

TV signal report at ground level:

http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...d243c5aa9e08fc

TV signal report at 30' above ground level:

http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...d2438f4254a142

FM signal report:

http://www.fmfool.com/modeling/tmp/106fc0a0a4/getfm.php

(Let's see if the FM report works)

I'm only interested in the five channels 9.4 miles away. I would like to install the antenna in the attic. The house has asphalt shingles and vinyl siding. I haven't measured this yet, but I'll probably have to run 100' to 150' of coax. There will be one splitter to feed the second TV. I was initially looking at an ANT751, but thought I'd better ask the experts. Looking for opinions i.e. antenna, FM trap, Pre-amp, etc.

Thanks,
Lance

[timgr]

An attic installation can work in an urban setting where there is lots of signal, but it may not work for you.

If you want to try the ANT751, I think they'll have one at your local Walmart. Give it a try in the attic, and on the roof, and see how it does. If it does not work, take it back. Note that the trees are bare this time of year, so if you are aiming through bare trees and get enough signal now, you may not get any signal in the spring. See "Trees and UHF" here http://www.hdtvprimer.com/antennas/siting.html

For those stations, you don't need VHF, so a UHF array like the Antennas Direct DB4e, or the Antennacraft U2000 or U4000 would likely be better than the ANT751.

If you want to experiment with siting your antenna, the Eagle-Aspen is really cheap http://www.amazon.com/Eagle-Aspen-EA.../dp/B000GIT002 and would give you some idea of what you'll need to get those stations.

[wvengineer]

Thanks for the reply. I'm now looking at a DB4. If I need a preamp do you have any suggestions? I'll try it without one first. Thanks.

[timgr]

I'm using an Antennacraft 10G221 - but you don't need the UHF-VHF capability. The RCA preamp gets recommended a lot here. http://www.amazon.com/RCA-TVPRAMP1R-.../dp/B003P92D9Y

[StephanieS]

I concur with Tigmr's position that an attic installation for this level of signal is may not work. I'll go one step further, at best you'll be prone to break up and drop outs.

The issue is that with attic installations, plentiful signal is required to have a high likelihood of success. This is something you don't have. The translators at magnetic 122 are low power (100 watts) and asking them when at approximately 20db signal strength to penetrate your roof with enough signal to be decoded is a tall order.

Generally, when your desired signals start to fall below 25db signal strength outdoor installation is the only way to go. With an attic installation you are introducing a solid object that a broadcast signal must pass through. When signals are weak to begin with, then making them go through a solid object comprises them to where even a strong antenna like a Antennas Direct DB8e may not be able to capture enough signal to provide reliable viewing. You can go ahead with an attic installation, but be very aware that chances of drop outs and or no decoding at all for some of these translators is a very real possibility. The attic installation you seek will gut a large amount of available signal.

If I were installing here, I'd go with a robust set up in a outdoor configuration. An Antennas Direct DB8e with the RCA TVAMP1R preamp feeling your coax down to a non-amplified splitter.

Sometimes folks like to "hide" antennas for aesthetics. In strong signal areas, you can get away with this. In your situation, I would not advise even attempting an attic install. Installing outdoors a DB8e orientated to magnetic 122 with the setup mentioned above gives you an excellent chance at successful and reliable reception.

Cheers.

[wvengineer]

Originally Posted by StephanieS

I concur with Tigmr's position that an attic installation for this level of signal is may not work. I'll go one step further, at best you'll be prone to break up and drop outs.

The issue is that with attic installations, plentiful signal is required to have a high likelihood of success. This is something you don't have. The translators at magnetic 122 are low power (100 watts) and asking them when at approximately 20db signal strength to penetrate your roof with enough signal to be decoded is a tall order.

Generally, when your desired signals start to fall below 25db signal strength outdoor installation is the only way to go. With an attic installation you are introducing a solid object that a broadcast signal must pass through. When signals are weak to begin with, then making them go through a solid object comprises them to where even a strong antenna like a Antennas Direct DB8e may not be able to capture enough signal to provide reliable viewing. You can go ahead with an attic installation, but be very aware that chances of drop outs and or no decoding at all for some of these translators is a very real possibility. The attic installation you seek will gut a large amount of available signal.

If I were installing here, I'd go with a robust set up in a outdoor configuration. An Antennas Direct DB8e with the RCA TVAMP1R preamp feeling your coax down to a non-amplified splitter.

Sometimes folks like to "hide" antennas for aesthetics. In strong signal areas, you can get away with this. In your situation, I would not advise even attempting an attic install. Installing outdoors a DB8e orientated to magnetic 122 with the setup mentioned above gives you an excellent chance at successful and reliable reception.

Cheers.

So I finally got around to installing this set up on the roof just as StephanieS described. I get my core channels flawlessly. I also get channel 60.1 Ion about half even though the DB8e is pointing at 122 mag. This encompasses six channels including a kids channel. Would it seem like a good idea to turn one of the bays of the antenna towards 71 magn? Or would this most likely cost me too much signal. Could I add another antenna more catered to this signal and combine it with the other antenna? I appreciate all the help by the way.

[rabbit73]

I also get channel 60.1 Ion about half even though the DB8e is pointing at 122 mag. This encompasses six channels including a kids channel.....Could I add another antenna more catered to this signal and combine it with the other antenna?

Add another antenna for VHF-High because ION is on real channel 12. Combine the two antennas with a UVSJ.

ION is a lot weaker than your core channels, so you need a VHF-High antenna with some gain. You can try the MCM 30-2475:
http://www.mcmelectronics.com/product/30-2475

The ION signal has a 2Edge path because of terrain interference:
http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...dALLTV%26n%3d8

Your FM report shows WQWV on 103.7 MHz with a signal power of -25.0 dBm, which is 65.1 dB stronger than ION. Channel 12 is 204 to 210 MHz, and the second harmonic (2x) of WQWV is 207.4 MHz which falls on channel 12. You should add to your order two FM traps:
http://www.mcmelectronics.com/product/33-341

If that doesn't work, you will need to add some amplification.

I don't know if you are using an amp now. I don't know how long the coax line is.

I don't know how many TVs you are feeding.

I don't know if there are any trees in the signal path.

If the antenna is outside, 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.

[wvengineer]

rabbit73,

I have a RCA TVPRAMP1R installed. My input is going into the UHF/VHF input (not trying to sound like an idiot, just being thorough). The FM trap is on. The shield and mast are both properly grounded. I would guess maybe 40' of coax to the splitter 6' to one TV and 20' to the other TV. Could I get away with connecting the VHF-High antenna to the remaining VHF input on the preamp? Or do I need the UVSJ? Thanks.

[ADTech]

Could I get away with connecting the VHF-High antenna to the remaining VHF input on the preamp?

Yes. You must also change the switch from "Combined" to "Separate", no external UVSJ is required as that function is integral to the amp when that operating mode is selected.

Be aware that there have been problems with those switches as well as the individual amplifier channels, I've got one of those amps on my desk that has a dead VHF path.