Newbie. Antenna advice?

[Terzaghi]

I am dumping cable. Advice on antennas for indoor use ( on AV rack next to tv) or attic install for my area? Looking for advice on which one I need, and which brands/ models are recommended.

http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...5b942c8a3ac392

Thanks!

[Terzaghi]

Also, it is almost just as easy for me to run a coax down the wall and hook into tv than it is to route to av rack, so if an attic installation is preferred installation would not be too bad.

[GroundUrMast]

Presuming your attic is a reception friendly environment... Many are not, then an RCA ANT-751 or Antennacraft HBU-11 would match the conditions shown in your ZIP code level report. (If your are actually blocked by terrain, a ZIP code level report can be quite misleading.)

[Terzaghi]

Thanks. I checked address specific and no major changes. Most broadcasts come from the south. In the attic on south side the roof comes all the way down the wall with stabdard asphalt shingles . Would that pose a problem? I have a window in my attic and a section above my garage with siding type material, but it faces north. Thanks

[GroundUrMast]

Asphalt shingles, tar paper and wood are usually not too much a problem. Metal flashing, gutters, foil layers on insulation, duct work and pipes are all great at reflecting and blocking signals. Stucco reinforcing wire and mesh is a very effective signal barrier also.

[Terzaghi]

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Atics and the inside of buildings Are Not a reception friendly environment and Never Will Be a reception friendly environment.

Start with a , http://www.antennacraft.net ,

HBU11K antenna in the attic aimed at about 174 degree magnetic compass direction.

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

Use a Real and Actual magnetic compass to aim antenna.

If reception situations/problems happen in the attic that are not resolvable with antenna aim and location adjustments in the attic.

Then move the HBU11K antenna to above the roof in such a manner that the roof and building are not , obstructing , impeding , blocking , reception inthe directions of , South West , South , South East , North , North East.

A antenna system amplifier will most likely not be required.

[Terzaghi]

I should have plenty of room to get above all duct work, etc. too

[Terzaghi]

Reviews indicate the ANT 751 picks up both UHF and VHF, and direction is important but not a huge issue.

With 150 degrees and 224 for most stations could I likely set a single antenna to get all channels?

Can this be set to work with 2 TV's (probably would not be used at the same time very often), or would a second antenna be required?

Thanks

[Terzaghi]

Ordered the ANT751. Will report back with results. Cable is cut off tomorrow, excited to stop paying for commercials.

[Terzaghi]

Just an update. With a cheap indoor $10 rca antenna I was able to get a few channels but not much. Shows cut in and out. With the ant 751 in the attic I am pulling tons of channels on 2 Tvs with no issues at all.

Optical audio out works great for my surround sound and picture is crystal clear.


Thanks for the help!

Now what to spend the $1000 per year I am saving on?

[dmfdmf]

Originally Posted by Terzaghi

With the ant 751 in the attic I am pulling tons of channels on 2 Tvs with no issues at all. Optical audio out works great for my surround sound and picture is crystal clear.

I am glad things are working so well.

You might find, as I did, that after a few weeks some of the stations have minor issues. If you wanted to get the best performance out of your ANT751 make sure that the balun drops straight down at a 90deg angle from the boom. I learned this trick inadvertently when my balun failed. Here is my story; http://forum.tvfool.com/showpost.php...1&postcount=48

In your case, with an attic install, you don't need a wire extension just make sure the balun hangs straight down away from the boom. You won't have issues with the wind so its an easy mod.

The other tip is to re-zero your TV tuner after you have everything in its final configuration. The TV tuner can save parameters from previous scans that are not optimal for the final configuration. To re-zero the tuner buy one of these terminating caps http://www.techtoolsupply.com/Produc...uctCode=F-59TH Unplug your antenna from the TV input and cap the TV input with the terminator cap and rescan your stations. You should get zero channels. Plug your antenna back in and rescan and you are good to go.

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Digital Tuners can develop -Digital Glitches- that are not cleared out with simple channel scans.

To clear tuner do Double Rescan.

http://www.wchstv.com/DoubleReScanAlert.pdf

[Terzaghi]

Thanks.

Right now I'm gettig all of the channels below with 100% strength, except the 17 channels cut out every once and a while.