Antenna advise in suburbs of Chicago

tomas · 7-Dec-2012, 2:38 AM

I'm in the north suburbs of Chicago, pretty much on the border to Wisconsin. I'm planning to install the antenna in the attic about 25' above ground, and want to use 2-3 tv's. I'm at a loss what antenna(s) that would be a good fit. I basically just want to get the regular NBC, ABC, CBS, PBS and FOX

http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...cc496e1f5ff860

Any/all comments and advice greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Tomas

7-Dec-2012, 5:46 AM

The Tv reception is Weak at your location.

Install a Winegard HD7084P above the roof in such a manner that roof and house are not blocking reception to Milwaukee at 17 degree magnetic compass direction or Chicago at 154 degree magnetic compass direction and you have a choice of either direction with the one HD7084P antenna.

The Digital Tv stations/channels are about the same signal strengths either direction.

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

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 if using a eave antenna mount use the #4560 ,

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.
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Install a Antennas Direct CPA-19 preamp. The CPA-19 preamp has been discontinued , the longer you wait the less likely one will be found.

If do not find a CPA-19 preamp then use 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.hollandelectronics.com , or , http://www.solidsignal.com.
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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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As always , trees and tree leaves do a real fine job of reducing or blocking Tv reception and so do buildings and other obstructions including your own house.

It is best to install the HD7084P antenna at a location that has the least amount to no amount of obstructions in the directions of reception including your own house.

The Tv/s Must Channel Scan for the Digital Broadcast Tv Channels , sometimes 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.

DO NOT channel scan for cable tv channels.

tomas · 1-May-2013, 2:43 AM

Would this be the best antenna for my location? Or, is there a better one like the Winegard HD8200U?

1-May-2013, 4:01 AM

Install the Winegard HD7084P antenna.

Aim the HD7084P antenna at about 154 degree magnetic compass direction.

GroundUrMast · 1-May-2013, 4:21 AM

The 7084 beats the 8200 in the Low-VHF band, slightly. If you have a desire to try for reception of WOCK, real CH-4 or WIWN, real CH-5 the L-VHF performance is going to be a plus. But ultimately, the differences are minimal.

http://www.winegarddirect.com/viewit...4P%29&p=HD7084

http://www.winegarddirect.com/viewit...U%29&p=HD8200U

tomas · 4-May-2013, 3:57 AM

Thank you for your help so far. I've decided to do a gable install on my house, here's my updated report @ 35' (if it changes anything?) http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...1dda6b093c1723

Would anyone recommend installing a rotator just for fine tuning? I don't have a 30' ladder, so I would have to rent one every time I have to get up on the roof. I would keep it aimed at 154 degrees towards Chicago. What would be a good basic rotator? (don't need a fancy remote for it)

Also, I assume I need to install some kind of grounding wire to the gable mount? Can someone point me to a guide how to correctly install it? Thank you!

4-May-2013, 5:29 AM

Tv antenna rotating with a antenna rotator Is Not channel surfing friendly , must wait for antenna to rotate and there Will Be Domestic Situations about the direction the antenna is aimed - Chicago or Milwaukee.

I recommend start with the HD7084P antenna aimed at Chicago at about 154 degree magnetic compass direction.

Some of the Milwaukee Tv stations will be received - through/at - the back angle of the HD7084P antenna that is aimed at Chicago.

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As time goes by and you decide that many Tv stations of both directions are required - Chicago and Milwaukee.

Then install a Second Antenna System that is the same setup as the first antenna system.

One antenna system is aimed at Chicago and the other antenna system is aimed at Milwaukee.

The 2 SEPARATE Antenna Systems -->Will Not<-- be connected together on to one coax.

The Separate antenna systems Will Be Separate All The Way to the Tv locations.

At each Tv location a Remote control A/B antenna switch is connected to the Separate antenna systems. http://www.mcmelectronics.com , #32-4425 .

Remote control A/B antenna switching Is Channel Surfing Friendly , press the button on the hand held remote control , Change Antennas And Keep on Channel Surfing.

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Concerning inital antenna aiming of one antenna at Chicago or Milwaukee.

Most Digital Tv's have a signal strength meter and some digital Tv's also have a signal quality meter.

The tvfool radar report shows the Chicago Digital Tv stations are all in a group the same direction.

The tvfool radar report shows that the Milwaukee Digital Tv stations are all in a group the same direction.

Being that the Tv stations are all in a group , then adjust the antenna aim to get the most amount of Tv stations down the tvfool channel list ~ weaker signal strength Tv stations , you will not be able to get them all , all the way to the bottom of the channel list --> and that is Ok.

A antenna rotator will most likely not be required for reception of Chicago or Milwaukee because the Tv stations of those 2 directions are in close groups.
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However , If you like.
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GUM will have a recommendation for a antenna rotator for the Big HD7084P antenna , and you can tweek the antenna aim when ever you like.

And that is Ok.

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You are now aware of the +'s and -'s of antenna rotator and no antenna rotator.

GroundUrMast · 5-May-2013, 6:27 AM

My personal choice is to avoid a rotator if possible...

http://forum.tvfool.com/showthread.php?t=820
http://forum.tvfool.com/showthread.php?t=2882
http://forum.tvfool.com/showthread.php?t=8275

If you need or want a rotator, the Channel Master CM-9521A is probably the easiest to find at an affordable price. The NTE U-106 and matching TB-105 thrust bearing would be better in this case, as it would carry a heavy, long or wide antenna with far less chance of wind damage to the rotator housing. http://www.3starinc.com/antenna_rotors.html

A premium option would be the Hy-Gain AR-40. http://www.hy-gain.com/Product.php?productid=AR-40