Need Antenna Advice- Old Bridge, New Jersey

[nico08]

Hi:

I was wondering if you could give me some advice. I have included the link to my report below.

I made my own antenna a couple of years ago but I only got like one or two channels.

I want to connect antenna to two HD TVs. I would prefer an attic antenna, but I would get a roof antenna if I could get a lot more channels.

There are no mounting restrictions. I live in a ranch house with 3 large trees in front yard. The roof is made of asphalt shingles.

I cant stand in attic, it is about 3 feet high at tallest point, but there is room for an antenna. There is no chimney. I think there is an old mounting pole on the roof from an old antenna from years ago. The antenna system does not need to be incorporated into a DirecTV or Dish system.

Optimum/Cablevision offers a VERY basic cable tv plan for 10-12 dollars a month. Should I go with that instead of paying for and relying on an antenna?

Do I need any of the following: mast; attentuator; amplifier; multiswitch; diplexer; a motor to rotate the antenna?

What kind of cable should I use? Do I need to ground the antenna?

Someone recommended the Wineguard HD8200U but it costs $117 and that seems expensive. Is there anything just as good at a lower price?

Thank you for your advice.

http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...1dda6b0cdcbc36

[nico08]

If you need more information from me in order to make a recommendation, please let me know

Yes I can recommend a smaller antenna.

Before I recommend a smaller antenna.

The 2 main groups of Tv transmitters are the New York area to the North East and the Philadelphia area to the South West.

Concerning the trees that are in the yard.

Will these trees be impeding/blocking reception to the north east or south west or both of those directions??

[elmo]

I'd be curious about that old antenna on the roof that you mention. Knowing what it is and it's condition makes a great test opportunity for you. I'd start out with it. Old antennas work just as good as new ones if they're in good shape.

What channels do you want? Those to the NE I'd assume.

And no one here will recommend cable unless you can't receive a signal period! Especially as you seem to have an opportunity to tune the major networks plus some for free. Tuned reliably, the quality will be better than cable.

The 8200 is probably more antenna than you'd need, but it'd get the job done, I'm sure.

[nico08]

Hi Elmo:

Thank you for the response. The old antenna was thrown away a long time ago, but the mast (?) for it is still connected to the roof.

I would like to get as many channels as I can get.

Is there a way to tell if the 8200 could be installed in my attic? Can all antennas be effectively installed in an attic?

Thanks.

[elmo]

If you search this site for attics, people will typically tell you to avoid it if you can. It's going to impact your signal strength to some degree. It's also going to have some multipath and signals will bounce around as well. Sometimes it works out though. But no one will really recommend it. You already have some signal issues with some elevation changes; an attic will just add to that. However, if you really want to do that, it's really simple enough to try a temp install. If it doesn't work, you go up on the roof. A question is, can you get the antenna into the attic and easily orient it in any necessary direction required? Framing often limits movement, unless you have a design like hip roofs that can leave a large open space.

As for antenna cost, divided by the cost of monthly cable, it easily pays for itself very quickly. Just don't buy based on marketing hype. If you just want those channels NE of you, I'd suggest a decent directional UHF/VHF-Hi antenna. The smallest I'd go would be like a Winegard HD7694p, but if in the attic, I'd probably want something bigger, like the 7696 (if you can find it - might be discontinued) or 7697. Bigger directional will get you more gain. There's two clusters of channels NE of you, so you'd aim in the middle of that group to find the sweet spot. Just 30 degrees of beam width should cover it. FWIW, I have a 7694 on the roof that reliably picks up some 2Edge 25dbNM signals about 30 miles away, w/o a direct aim, maybe about 10 degrees off since I'm splitting two clusters that are further apart than yours.

Again, the bigger you get, the further distance the antenna can pick up.

[nico08]

Hi Elmo:

Thanks for the advice. I checked on Amazon and all three models, HD7694p, 7696 and 7697 are still available.

[elmo]

As Teleview asked, what's the tree situation? Large blocking trees can be a signal killer. From the antenna position, you want as clear a view of the horizon as possible, and any trees, as far away as possible.

[nico08]

Originally Posted by teleview

Yes I can recommend a smaller antenna.

Before I recommend a smaller antenna.

The 2 main groups of Tv transmitters are the New York area to the North East and the Philadelphia area to the South West.

Concerning the trees that are in the yard.

Will these trees be impeding/blocking reception to the north east or south west or both of those directions??

Hi. Three trees that extend above the roof line are on the front lawn. These trees are in the northeast quadrant.

There are two other trees in the back yard, one of which extends somewhat above the roof line and is contained in the southwest quadrant.

Because of the trees in the directions of reception.

And your location has receivable Digital Broadcast Tv stations/channels in all three Tv channel bands.

The current Tv channel bands of , USA , Canada , Mexico , are.

VHF low band channels 2 thru 6.

VHF high band channels 7 thru 13.

UHF band channels 14 thru 51.

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Install above the Peak of the Roof in such a manner that the roof and house are not blocking reception to the north east and south west.

Install a Winegard HD7084P all channel 2 thru 51 channels antenna aimed to the north east at about 38 degree magnetic compass direction.

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

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The HD7084P antenna is smaller then the HD8200U antenna.

The HD7084P is 9 feet long.

The HD7696P antenna that is designed for reception of channels 7 thru 51, and is 9 feet long.

The HD7694P is to small for good reception at your location and is designed for reception of channels 7 thru 51.

THE HD7697P and HD7698P are both longer then 9 feet and are also designed for reception of channels 7 thru 51.

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Here are some strong and sturdy antenna mounts.

http://www.ronard.com/909911.html. Use the 5 foot tripod antenna mount.

http://www.ronard.com/34424560.html. Use the #4560 eave antenna mount.

http://www.ronard.com/ychim.html.

http://www.ronard.com.

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

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Here are some places to buy antennas and etc. .

http://www.solidsignal.com.

http://www.amazon.com.

http://www.winegarddirect.com.

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Install a Winegard HDP-269 preamp.

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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.solidsignal.com , or , http://www.hollandelectronics.com.

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As always , trees and tree leaves , plants and plant leaves , have a negative effect on reception , multi-path/reflections , absorbing , blocking , Broadcast Tv reception and so do buildings including your own roof and house and other obstructions.

The best practice is to install the HD7084P 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 roof and house.

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The Tv's Must Channel Scan for the , OTA=Over The Air , Digital Broadcast Tv stations channels , often 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.

Some Digital Tv's will Automatic channel scan for cable tv channels.

DO NOT channel scan for cable tv channels.

Go into the Tv Setup Menu and select 'Air Channels' ~ 'Antenna Channels'.

Scan for channels.

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