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Old 1-Jun-2012, 4:41 PM   #1
AbsoluteZro
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Join Date: Jun 2012
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finally replacing dish with antenna

Here is my report: ------------

My areas of interest are really just the green and yellow parts, though I will be fine with just the green if I could manage to get ABC.

I am planning on buying the DB8 (might be overkill for my situation). It looks like my home already has an amplifier. The 3 way splitter connected to that amp says -5.5db on each of the cable outs. Does that sound good?

We currently have dish, so I'm thinking that ALL I have to do is unplug the dish and plug my antenna right into the same place on my roof. Will that work?

EDIT: Also, I am planning on building an HTPC, and would like to use a tuner card to record shows on PBS. What are the specifications I need to know about the PBS signal in choosing a tuner card?

Last edited by AbsoluteZro; 3-Jan-2013 at 5:51 AM. Reason: removing report link
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Old 1-Jun-2012, 8:28 PM   #2
GroundUrMast
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The DB8 is going to be too directional. I'd back off to a DB4e which has plenty of gain while still offering a wide forward beam, enough to receive the spread of signals to the SW and expect the signal from WGGB, real CH-40 to 'sneak' in the back. (Start with an aim point of about 235°.)

If you find WGGB is not reliably received with the antenna aimed SW, you can add an Antennacraft Y5713 or Y10713 and a UVSJ combiner. Aimed at 218°, you'll get WTNH, real CH-10. (You may also get WWLP through the back of the Antennacraft at the same time.)

You can reuse the coax that was serving the satellite dish. You will need to remove any matrix-switches or diplexers, these parts may look similar to over-the-air splitters or amplifiers but will block OTA frequencies. Also, be sure the antenna does not end up pointing straight into the roof, many dish mounts are low enough that that can be a problem depending on which way the antenna is aimed.

I'm very happy with my SiliconDust HDHR tuners. They don't take up any space inside the PC, they tune any digital OTA signal and you get two tuners in one box. http://forum.tvfool.com/showthread.php?t=820

If you have many sets to split to, you may want to add a CM3410 distribution amplifier just ahead of the passive splitter... but don't rush out and spend money on an amplifier until you've proven the need.
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If the well is dry and you don't see rain on the horizon, you'll need to dig the hole deeper. (If the antenna can't get the job done, an amp won't fix it.)

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Last edited by GroundUrMast; 1-Jun-2012 at 8:33 PM. Reason: Comment re. DA
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Old 2-Jun-2012, 6:23 AM   #3
Electron
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ALL Questions and Answers and Information - Broadcast Tv Reception and More

For reception of the digital Tv stations/channels in the green and yellow zones to the , north/east , south/east , south/west , west , north/west , aim a ANT751 antenna at about 155 degree magnetic compass.

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

Use no amplifier for 1 or 2 Tv locations connected.

Use a Channel Master CM3414 distribution amplifier for 3 or 4 locations connected.

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

Last edited by Electron; 2-Jun-2012 at 6:26 AM.
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