Antenna set-up. One line, two antennas?

morrison0880 · 2-Jun-2012, 12:48 AM

Hey all!
I cut the cord wiith cable years ago and have always used an indoor antenna, which gave decent results. Recently I purchased a home, and the wiring is a mess, so I'm going to be redoing pretty much everything. I'm looking for some help though, so a little patience and help would be greatly appreciated.

I currently live between Milwaukee and Chicago. Here is my radar map

http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...1349977d52942a

Zip code is 53406. The antenna(s) will be 20 feet or so above the ground on the roof. I am currently using a ClearStream2 http://www.amazon.com/Antennas-Direc.../dp/B0017O3UHI and am going to mount it on the roof. I would be fine with just the Milwaukee channels, but I would love it if I could get a second antenna to pick up Chicago as well. A rotor is not an option.

Here is my idea: I'd like to set up two antenna connected to one line. I want to get an amplifier for the antennas to boost the signals. I would mount them on the roof and run the cable through the roof, where they would be split, with one running to the two upper bedrooms, and another to the downstairs living room and 3rd bedroom. What are your thoughts on the best way to do this? Recommended parts would be appreciated, as well as your thoughts on combining two antennas and amplifying both.

As I said, I'm pretty green here, so any advice at all would be fantastic. Thanks!

GroundUrMast · 2-Jun-2012, 1:26 AM

It would be best to start with a TV Fool report based on your specific location. The first report includes the warning, "WARNING: Address was only resolved to zip code level and might not be that close to your actual location. For more accurate results, try entering a specific address or coordinates." Please consider posing a more accurate TVFR.

Successfully combining two UHF antennas requires far more equipment than you might expect. The reason is, the signals from each will interfere with each other, resulting in less reliable reception from both directions. This is especially true when two stations are using the same channel.

I understand you don't want to use a rotator so I would suggest running separate coax from each antenna. Add an external tuner to the TVs that would need to be 'channel-surfing' friendly and A/B switching where the need to see both markets is only occasional. http://forum.tvfool.com/showthread.php?t=2882

If your actual signal prediction is similar to that shown in the ZIP Code level report, I'd use a Winegard HD7015 aimed north at the Milwaukee stations. The 7015 offers enough gain to drive a passive 4-way splitter with no amplifier needed... One can be added if the need is proven.

The Chicago signals are quite weak (per the ZIP Code level report). I'd get very aggressive, using an Antennas Direct 91XG equipped with their CPA19 preamp. I'd also explore higher mounting options to see what improvement in signal strength may be available... Another reason to run a few new TVFR's.

Electron · 2-Jun-2012, 1:49 AM

The tv fool report has been resolved to the zip code only.

For zip code only reception that may or may not represent your actual reception.

Install a Winegard HD7000R All Channel Antenna aimed at 0 degree magnetic compass (north).
Above the roof. Here is how to aim antennas , http://www.kyes.com/antenna/pointing/pointing.html.

Here are some antenna 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 soidsignal search box or buy from ronard.

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

No amplifier is required for one or two Tv's connected.

For 3 or 4 Tv's connected use a Channel Master CM3414 distribution amplifier.

http://www.channelmasterstore.com.

Electron · 2-Jun-2012, 2:03 AM

For reception of the south group of Tv stations at the zip code level of reception aim a Winegard HD7084P All Channel Antenna with a Winegard AP8275 preamp at about 180 degree magnetic compass (south).

The north antenna system and the South antenna system WILL NOT be connected together on the to the same coax.

The 2 antenna systems Will Have separate coax systems all the way to the location of the Tv or Tv's.

A remote control A/B antenna switch will be at each Tv location.

http://www.radioshack.com , # 15-1968 , or , http://www.mcmelectronics.com , # 32-4425

morrison0880 · 2-Jun-2012, 2:39 AM

Here is the more accurate report based on my address.
http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...134995e099a1e1

I see a lot of suggestions for the Winegard antennas. Are they that much better than the ClearStreams? The reason I chose that antenna initially is because of the low profile and the cleaner look. It seems to do a solid job picking up Milwaukee channels inside the home, with a room at ground level, so I assumed it would be fine for my installation? If so, I was considering getting the ClearStream 4 http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Antennas...ream&cp=1&lp=4 for the Chicago stations. I'm assuming the amplifiers you suggested will work for both?

GroundUrMast · 2-Jun-2012, 2:57 AM

The new report is dramatically better, particularly regarding your prospects for reliable Chicago reception.

The Antennas Direct Clear Stream antennas are excellent UHF antennas. However, you have both UHF and VHF signals available. So Winegard's combo product is a better solution in your situation.

Because the new report is so different facing south, I'd recommend a very large all channel antenna such as the Winegard HD8200U, paired with the Antennas Direct CPA-19 preamp. It's not unreasonable to expect to see the signal from WOCK, real CH-4 if you try for it.

I still think the 7015 is a good option pointed toward Milwaukee, no amplifier needed on that antenna.

Unless you want to spend thousands of $'s on Cable TV head-end equipment, and test gear, wire the two antenna systems separately. Combining the two antennas into a common coax will give you far fewer reliable signals due to several forms of interference.

Your particular location probably has more OTA signals available than any other location in the country... or the world for that matter. (Envy!)

morrison0880 · 2-Jun-2012, 3:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GroundUrMast

The new report is dramatically better, particularly regarding your prospects for reliable Chicago reception.

The Antennas Direct Clear Stream antennas are excellent UHF antennas. However, you have both UHF and VHF signals available. So Winegard's combo product is a better solution in your situation.

Because the new report is so different facing south, I'd recommend a very large all channel antenna such as the Winegard HD8200U, paired with the Antennas Direct CPA-19 preamp. It's not unreasonable to expect to see the signal from WOCK, real CH-4 if you try for it.

I still think the 7015 is a good option pointed toward Milwaukee, no amplifier needed on that antenna.

Unless you want to spend thousands of $'s on Cable TV head-end equipment, and test gear, wire the two antenna systems separately. Combining the two antennas into a common coax will give you far fewer reliable signals due to several forms of interference.

Your particular location probably has more OTA signals available than any other location in the country... or the world for that matter. (Envy!)

GroundUrMast, thank you so much! You've been incredibly helpful to me. I'm going to take your advice and give it a whirl. I'm sure I'll be back here before long explaining what I f'd up, but I'm leaving tonight with much, much more information than I did when I started. Thanks again, talk to you soon!

Electron · 2-Jun-2012, 4:09 AM

Thats better , the signal strengths are stronger.

Your location has receivable digital tv stations/channels in All Three Tv Bands.

#1. VHF low band Real digital channels 2 thru 6.

#2. VHF high band Real digital channels 7 thru 13.

#3. UHF Real digital channels 14 thru 69.

WMVS Real digital channel 8 PBS. Is to the north.

WWAZ-TV Real digital channel 5 Independent station. Is to the north.

WBBM-DT Real digital channel 12 CBS. Is to the south.

WLS-TV Real digital channel 7 ABC. Is to the south.

WOCK-LD Real digital channel 4. Is to the south. http://americaone.com.

And the rest of the receivable digital Tv channels to the north and south are UHF digital channels.

The Tv transmissions are stronger to the south the new report shows.

The Winegard HD7084P antenna is the correct antenna for the south stations.

So with 1 or 2 Tv's connected use a Winegard AP8700 preamp.

And with 3 , 4 , or more Tv's connected use a Winegard AP8275 preamp.

Electron · 2-Jun-2012, 4:44 AM

Winegard are High Quality antennas that is why the antennas are recommended often.

There is no one antenna that is the best antenna for all reception situations.

Antennas are not selected by the way a antenna looks.

Tv signals are flat out , not attracted to the looks of a antenna.

I recommended the correct antennas that are designed for the reception situation.

Electron · 2-Jun-2012, 5:28 AM

The Tv/s Must Scan for the 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 scan for cable tv channels.