Antenna purchase advice

[bugeater]

I'm looking to save money by getting rid of cable. Wanted to get some advice on purchasing an antenna. I'm wanting to mount one in the attic, run the coax about 30ft to a 3-way splitter where the cable currently goes and send out through the house.

I'm would like to receive CBS, FOX, ABC, NBC, CW, and PBS.

Here is my report:

http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...9fbe4f8c1a4832

[John Candle]

At solidsignal.com the channelmaster 4228HD. Point the antenna to the south at channel 22

[kb2fzq]

When you get the antenna up, connect just ONE TV to the antenna coax downlead, and write down your signal strengths on all stations (use a single female to female f-connector coupler,get at Radio Shack)....then connect the splitter and check signal on all TV's....this will give you a baseline figure on what the actual strengths are in the event you loose stations once all 3 TV's are connected....this is not like cable where the signal is white hot coming into the TV's, as you add TV's, each TV might loose signal strength for certain stations...just be aware....

[bugeater]

Thanks guys that is very helpful. Just a couple of questions.
How do I check the signal strength?

Do I need to ground the antenna?

Can I get by a little cheaper with something like the 4221HD?

[Billiam]

Originally Posted by bugeater

Thanks guys that is very helpful. Just a couple of questions.
How do I check the signal strength?

Do I need to ground the antenna?

Can I get by a little cheaper with something like the 4221HD?

Your TV may have a Signal Strength indicator built in. My Samsung model does while my Sony does not. Play around with the different features or check the manual to find out.

Grounding is a good idea to avoid losing all of your equipment to a direct lightning strike. Use a surge protector inside and run your AC cords from each piece of equipment to that.

The 4221 HD should work fine just as long as you don't want the signals in red. I have one three feet off the ground inside my living room pointed towards KC which is 35 miles to the closest channels which show in yellow, and I get everything just fine without a pre amp.

[kb2fzq]

Grounding the antenna system is VERY important..
Scroll down to grounding here:
http://www.hdtvprimer.com/ANTENNAS/basics.html
Make sure you use copper wire....not aluminum...

[ADTech]

Originally Posted by kb2fzq

Grounding the antenna system is VERY important..
Scroll down to grounding here:
http://www.hdtvprimer.com/ANTENNAS/basics.html
Make sure you use copper wire....not aluminum...

Aluminum, among several other materials, is perfectly acceptable provided it is sized and installed properly.

See NEC 810.2(A) and 810.21(H)