Antenna selection help, etc

[OTAtime]

It is time for some cutbacks, so I'm planning to install an OTA antenna and ditch Dish Network. Below is a link to my report based on address. I ran the report at 15 feet above ground level; however, thinking I can get at least 5 more feet. I need to measure to be precise.

http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...990098f4afc74f

I'm planning to install in my attic. Installing outdoors isn't an option for me unless I install behind the house and below roof line. Based on azimuths it looks like I would then be pointing back through my roof, which would have me going through two layers instead of just one if in the attic (unless I'm missing other aspects of it being outdoors). I also can get better elevation in the attic in my case. My roof construction is wood with asphalt shingles.

I was planning to run a coax from the antenna in attic down outside my house to a point to where I can split to run to 4-5 rooms in my house. Is there other equipment I would need to install anywhere along the path for my case (anywhere from attic all the way to TVs)?

My primary goal was just to get some network stations (FOX, NBC, CBS, and ABC). However, of course while purchasing and installing antenna I would rather go ahead and take advantage of as many channels as I can as long as they seem worthwhile. Although I understand that "worthwhile" depends on my particular interests. That is another area I could use some help. That is, what are some of these other channels that I can possibly pick up in my location?

Comments/suggestions on an antenna to purchase?

Hopefully I've covered everything for now. Thanks in advance for any and all help!

[mtownsend]

Installing outdoors isn't an option for me unless I install behind the house and below roof line.

If you are limiting your antenna installation options due to an HOA, landlord, or other local rules, you should be aware that there is an over-the-air reception devices ("OTARD") rule provided by the federal government. This rule protects your right to install a mast and antenna on the roof in most situations (a few exceptions do exist). Being a federal rule, this takes precedence over any landlord, HOA, city, county, or state level restrictions that might exist.

You can learn more about the OTARD rule on the FCC's web site here.

An antenna above the roof line will almost always provide the best results (cleanest and strongest signal).

If you ultimately decide to still go with an attic installation, there will be some signal loss due to the building, and more signal reflections (a form of interference) to contend with. Since your "green" signals are starting out strong, it should be possible to make an attic installation work, but there are just a few more things to take into consideration.

[OTAtime]

Great, thanks for all the information! It was due to a HOA I mentioned that; however, the only way I can get above roof line would be install a pole/tower and I'm really not wanting to do that anyways.

[GroundUrMast]

To get an idea of which stations are carrying which network(s), take a look at http://www.rabbitears.info/market.ph...n=WHIQ#station

Some stations carry only one program, others carry several.

I would suggest using an Antennas Direct DB4e. Start with the antenna facing about 220°, which should give you the strong local signals. Then try turning the antenna toward the west slowly... you may be able to add the CW affiliate WHDF without loosing the main group of stations. I would try running this with no amplifier. When I run the numbers it looks as if you have enough signal power to drive an 8-way splitter and the loss of 100' of coax, assuming 15 dB of loss due to the roof. Be sure to terminate unused splitter ports with 75 ohm resistor caps.

I would also add an Antennacraft Y10713 aimed at real channel 11, WTZT. According to rabbitears.info, they carry RTV network, which runs reruns from several past decades of TV history. Beginning aim point is going to be about 270°. Always fine tune the aim before final tightening of the clamps.

To combine the two antennas, use a UVSJ.

http://www.amazon.com/Antennas-Direc...&keywords=db4e

http://www.antennacraft.net/Antennas/AntennasVHF.html

http://www.solidsignal.com/pview.asp...nna-%28UVSJ%29

http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1...&storeId=10051

[OTAtime]

GroundUrMast, thanks so much for all the valuable information! I've already got the order placed for the DB4e. I'm just going to go with a 4 way splitter for now since that is all the rooms we currently have a TV anyways (thinking of adding another later, but will get a different splitter then if follow through with that). Great to hear that I should have enough power for 8, so hoping keeping it lower for now will help the signal even better.

I wasn't going to save any (shipping, etc) with going ahead and getting the Y10713 now, so thinking I'll get the other installed and going first and then add it later. I would just use the UVSJ in the attic to combine the signals before running down to split to the other TVs, correct?

As far as mounting, is there any advantages/disadvantages to mounting the antennas as close to the roof decking as possible? Or, mounting out in free space?

I just thought in some photos I had seen that some had mounted them very close to the wood decking. I didn't know if this was on purpose, or just how their particular mounting worked out for them.

I'm guessing trying to avoid anywhere there may be metal flashing is idea as well.

Thanks to all for providing such a great forum!

[GroundUrMast]

You're correct, the UVSJ can go in the attic. If practical, arrange the cabling to minimize the length of coax UHF signals need to travel. VHF signal are attenuated less than UHF so a few extra feet of coax from the VHF antenna to the UVSJ would be preferred over a long run from the UHF antenna to the UVSJ.

All antennas are going to perform best if they are mounted away from other objects. Metal is very problematic, wood is less so, but still affects the characteristics of the antenna.

For the best reception install a , CS2 UHF/VHF Complete antenna. http://www.antennasdirect.com/store/...VHF-Combo.html , above the roof aimed at about 240 degree magnetic compass. Here is how to aim antennas , http://www.kyes.com/antenna/pointing.html.

Here are some roof top mounts , http://www.ronard.com/909911.html , http://www.ronard.com/34424560.html , 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.

Here are places to buy antennas and etc. , http://www.solidsignal.com , http://www.antennasdirect.com , http://www.amazon.com.

For 4 Tv's connected use a Channel Master CM3414 distribution amplifier.

For more then 4 Tv's connected use a CM3418 distribution amplifier.

http://www.channelmasterstore.com

Here is the Federal Antenna Law that says Yes you can , Install , Maintain , Use , antennas above the roof , and no you do not have to hide antennas.

Hoa's and covennuts and etc. , are well aware of this Federal Antenna Law yet still seek to scam people.

http://www.fcc.gov/mb/facts/otard.html.

[OTAtime]

Just a quick update for those interested in how things worked for my particular case and to say thanks again for the help from the great folks on here.

As mentioned earlier, per GroundUrMast's recommendation I ordered the DB4e. I ordered from Amazon (best price I came across) along with a mount and a 4 way splitter. I opted for all the free shipping even though I was anxious to get it all in. To my surprise the antenna and mount showed up on Thursday (I had just ordered on Tuesday) and then the splitter on Saturday.

I got everything installed yesterday and am VERY pleased with the quality of reception along with quantity of channels. This is without doing any adjustments at this point from the initial installation at 220 degrees. This is also without using any amplifier.

I still plan to run through the channels and compare to the report to see if I'm missing anything I might can make adjustments for and receive. Although, from memory thinking I'm already getting WHDF that it was thought I might have to adjust further West to get.

It actually seems I may be getting more than what I saw on the report, but again I need to run through the list and compare. For example, for real channel 41 I'm getting 41-1, 41-2, and 41-3.

I still may add the recommended VHF antenna to get the one other channel as well, but already very happy with what I've got.

Just wanted to say thanks again for such a great site! I'm at one week from making the initial post and ready to make the call tonight to ditch the Dish

The old days of Analog Tv transmission only one analog signal can be in a 'channel'.

In that same channel. With no Analog Tv signal in there.

As an example.

UHF channel 15.

More the one digital Tv channels will fit in to the UHF 15 channel.

Hense the.

15.1

15.2

15.3

15.4

And even.

15.5

15.6

and still have room for a radio station or two.

and still have room for multi-channel audio like , English , Spanish , French , and etc.
the program/movie , as an example is Total Recall , and can select other audio languages of Total Recall.

and still have room for stereo and surround sound.

and still have room for Closed Captioning.

and even room for data services.

All in that UHF channel 15 , that only one analog Tv channel would fit in.