TV Fool  

Go Back   TV Fool > Over The Air Services > Help With Reception
Reload this Page Help with antenna choice
TV Fool Home FM Fool Home FAQ Community Calendar Search Register
TV Signal Analysis FM Signal Analysis Interactive TV Maps Google Earth Coverage Maps TV Callsign Lookup

Notices

Reply
 
Thread Tools
Old 1-Dec-2011, 3:30 AM   #1
pqgh001
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: 16142
Posts: 5
Help with antenna choice
Hi,
Here's the tvfool report:
http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...ec128a5e5ecb19

I have tried:
1. Channel Master 2016 pointed to west from the 1st floor of my house and received
21-1 wfmj
21-2 wbcb
33-1 wytv
33-2 my ytv
33-3 weather

No other directions have worked with this antenna. I must point out that one of the fins holding the cable connector was broken off the main rod, but held approximately in proper place and direction

2. Artec Digital TV Antenna with Flat Panel, AN1 Indoor Digital Flat Antenna
pointed in the same direction picked up:
21-1 wfmj
21-2 wbcb
27-1 wkbn
27-2 wyfx

Obviously, the Channel Master 2016 will be returned or exchanged. I have 4 tvs around the house and the antenna can be installed in the attic or up about 20 ft on the roof. I have 2 coax runs from the roof from old dish installation into 2 splitters feeding those 4 tv runs inside of the house.
Should I get the same 2016 or do you have any other recommendations for all 6-7 channels?
Thank you in advance.
pqgh001 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 1-Dec-2011, 6:15 PM   #2
Electron
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 1,832
Reception
The tv stations to the west in the yellow and pink zones are all UHF channels. Install a Winegard HD9095 antenna on above the roof pointed at the group of stations to the west. Connect the antenna to Channel Master CM3414 distribution amplifier , 4 way distribution amplifier. http://www.winegarddirect.com , http://www.channelmasterstore.com , http://www.amazon.com
Last edited by Electron; 1-Dec-2011 at 10:46 PM.
Electron is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 1-Dec-2011, 8:17 PM   #3
GroundUrMast
Moderator
 
GroundUrMast's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Greater Seattle Area
Posts: 4,773
Quote:
Originally Posted by Electron View Post
The tv stations to the west in the yellow and pink zones are all UHF channels. Install a Winegard HD9095 antenna pointed at the group of stations to the west. Connect the antenna to Channel Master CM3414 distribution amplifier , 4 way distribution amplifier. http://www.winegarddirect.com , http://www.channelmasterstore.com , http://www.amazon.com
I would use a very similar system. The antenna already suggested or an Antennas Direct XG91.

Instead of the CM3414, I would use an Antennas Direct CPA-18 mounted outside at the antenna. (The attic will attenuate already weak signals.) You will get slightly better signal-to-noise ratio (better signal quality) by placing the preamp close to the antenna as opposed to some distance away. The loss in the coax will reduce the signal-to-noise ratio and an amplifier will not be able to recover that signal-to-noise ratio. A passive 4-way splitter can then be located inside wherever it's convenient.
__________________
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.)

(Please direct account activation inquiries to 'admin')
GroundUrMast is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 1-Dec-2011, 8:40 PM   #4
pqgh001
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: 16142
Posts: 5
Height Correction
Thank you both very much.
I think the 25 ft height estimate was too high. The antenna will be at most 12 ft off the ground. I'm sorry about the confusion.
Here's the new report, in case it changes anything:
http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...ec1294e83efa14
pqgh001 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 1-Dec-2011, 8:58 PM   #5
GroundUrMast
Moderator
 
GroundUrMast's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Greater Seattle Area
Posts: 4,773
The new information is not a great change. I doubt you would have much success with an attic install.

If we were neighbors, you'd likely see a 5' tripod and 10' mast on my roof. 3starinc.com is one of many sources.

If programming from WPCP is of interest to you, you would also need a rotator. NTE offers a rotator and thrust bearing that can handle large antennas. The down-side to a rotator and multiple sets is that not everyone will be pleased with the direction the antenna is aimed.
__________________
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.)

(Please direct account activation inquiries to 'admin')
Last edited by GroundUrMast; 1-Dec-2011 at 9:03 PM.
GroundUrMast is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 29-Mar-2012, 6:56 PM   #6
pqgh001
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: 16142
Posts: 5
Matching amplifier?
After some preliminary tests, I ended up getting 4221HD Channel Master.
I get most channels 21, 27, 33 and 45 with a shorter (15 ft) cable. Once I added it to the Living Room run in the house (straight-no splitters 3 straight through connectors connecting shorter cables), the 33 is very weak and 45s channels disappeared. I tinkered with direction without success.

I think I'll need an amp. Would you have any recommendations for this specific antenna? Would I need one at the antenna or the first 'split'?
Thank you.


I'd like to thank all previous posters for replying.
pqgh001 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 29-Mar-2012, 7:41 PM   #7
GroundUrMast
Moderator
 
GroundUrMast's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Greater Seattle Area
Posts: 4,773
The best place for an amplifier is at the antenna. I would suggest an Antennas Direct PA-18. There are several other good options, but the PA-18 has the best noise performance in a package ready to mount in the weather.

If all the connections are in good shape, spliced cable is not going to be a problem. But with more connectors comes more potential for trouble. (There's the ideal and then there's the world you and I live in.)
__________________
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.)

(Please direct account activation inquiries to 'admin')
Last edited by GroundUrMast; 29-Mar-2012 at 7:46 PM. Reason: Thoughts re extra connectors
GroundUrMast is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 30-Mar-2012, 9:17 PM   #8
pqgh001
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: 16142
Posts: 5
Thank you.
Ordered PA-18 per your recommendation. I'll post followup.
pqgh001 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 21-May-2012, 8:01 PM   #9
pqgh001
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: 16142
Posts: 5
Thank you for your help.

One month in and I'm getting all stations I wanted on
1 TV set + 4221HD + PA-18
I didn't have the time to split and run another run, but I'm very happy with:
21-1 wfmj; 21-2 wbcb
27-1 wkbn; 27-2 wyfx
33-1 wytv; 33-2 my ytv; 33-3 weather
45-1 pbs from akron 45-2; 45-3; 45-4

33s are hit and miss at times, but everything else is picture perfect.
pqgh001 is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Go Back   TV Fool > Over The Air Services > Help With Reception
Reload this Page Help with antenna choice


« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT. The time now is 5:12 PM.

Contact Us - TV Fool - Archive - Top

Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Copyright © TV Fool, LLC