BPuce - Antenna Selection?

BPuce · 7-Mar-2012, 12:32 AM

Hi... I just dumped cable and now looking for antenna advice.... Wondering what my best antenna / rotor option is. I also thought about using multiple antennas pointed in different directions but upon doing some reading this seems trouble prone...I have 3 relatively new TV's to feed a signal to.. Used to have a gable end mounted CM Quantum w/pre-amp & rotor years ago until the weather got to it. Would consider new gable mounting a new set-up or perhaps even do a tower if it is worth it? My old antenna was mounted about 25 ft high so i have included info for my location assuming 25 ft height here:
http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...0b86ab2fa66e62

(Also attached the info as well)
Any advice would be much appreciated... thanks... Bernie.

Dave Loudin · 7-Mar-2012, 7:30 PM

With the number of strong signals over a wide range of angles, what you need is NOT antenna gain, but wide range of sensitivity. Fortunately, these go hand in hand.

Although you do not need the Lo-VHF capability of these antennas, the inexpensive AntennaCraft AC9 or Winegard HD7000R should do well, and you should not need an amplifier. Start with an aim of 290 degrees and tweak to "fit". If you need a boost to feed your TV's then get a distribution amp.

GroundUrMast · 7-Mar-2012, 7:59 PM

There are several possible complications that arise when using a rotator but there are other options: http://forum.tvfool.com/showthread.php?t=2882 & http://forum.tvfool.com/showthread.php?t=820

@DL posted just before me... I think his recommendations are quite good... though I was thinking about larger antennas fixed toward Detroit, I'll let @DL's recommendation stand without contradiction.

A second, larger antenna on a rotator would give you access to more Canadian and US signals. Whether you wired that second feed to one, some or all TVs would be up to you. A Winegard HD7698P paired with an Antennas Direct CPA-19 preamp and NTE U-106 + TB-105 (rotator & thrust bearing) would be a capable secondary system.

Electron · 7-Mar-2012, 8:08 PM

Your location has many strong signal strength tv stations all around the compass. Install a Channel Master Cm 3000A antenna above the roof in such a manner that the the antenna has a good unobstructed view in all directions.

BPuce · 8-Mar-2012, 12:32 AM

Hi everyone... Your variety of well considered suggestions have prompted some questions:

Given what I am saving by dumping cable I don't mind investing in the optimum antenna system for my location. Ideally it will be as user friendly as practical and get me as many stations as I can. I do want to pick up the Canadian stations too.

1. I was originally thinking about trying to tie together multiple antennae pointed in different directions but did some reading and learned that this is not easily done or very practical for a home installation. Also read up on ganging antennae as well as HD Stacker and realize that there are almost infinite possibilities and there is no substitute for experienced advice.

2. Do you think a CM 3000 omnidirectional antenna would pick up the Canadian stations? Is this antenna really omnidirectional or does it still have a "front" to be aimed and if so where should it be aimed for best effect? If this antenna is strong enough to do the whole job it would be great! Or would some stations be out of reach?

3. If i go with a fixed antenna and a separate directional antenna & rotor could they be mounted with the fixed antenna lower and 2nd antenna higher up same mast without them interfering with each other?
And then i'd have to run 2 separate lines and separate A/B switch for each of the 3 TV's that i want to serve.... No way to combine signals into one feed line without problems...

4. If i were to go for extra tv tuners i'd need three... Will look into cost... I would still need to run two coax lines to each TV but not to big of an issue.

5. Sounds like no pre-amp required or at least try without first and see what i get... (except for CM 3000) .. also try without distribution amp 1st and see what i get... makes sense...

6. Large trees on neighbouring properties may be a problem (mature maples pyramid oaks and poplars)... even a tower would not get above them... Would a tower help much or should i just stay at 25 feet height? (Old CM Quantum w/pre-amp that i used to have was BIG and worked well for about 20 years until ice storm got it and i went to cable.... of course i could only affort one TV back then!)

7. I have an aluminum roof but since antennae would be above the roof i'm
thinking it won't have an effect. Correct?

I really appreciate everyone's responses and look forward to any additional wisdom that you may be able to share. ... Thanks again! B.

GroundUrMast · 8-Mar-2012, 3:05 PM

Re. Question #6) The neighbors trees stand out as the primary concern. If you can't get around or over them, a larger, more directional antenna may be needed for reliable reception. In some cases, the best you can do is go low to avoid the foliage.

If aiming toward Detroit involves the large trees, I'll express serious doubts about using an omnidirectional such as the CM3000 and advocate for a Winegard HD7694P.

Electron · 9-Mar-2012, 5:27 PM

I agree , the big thick dense trees will be a problem for reception with the CM3000A. So install the HD7694P. Start with a aim point with HD7694P antenna at about 290 degree magnetic compass. Here is how to aim antennas , http://www.kyes.com/antenna/pointing/pointing.html. THe HD7694P antenna is fairly directional in the forward direction , and will receive at other angles to the antenna and will receive some through the back of the antenna. This is the way that I look up to see what the programing is on tv stations/channels ( this will help in identifying what tv stations are being received and in what direction ) . In the Google search box I type in , as an example , wxyz tv , the two main source of information are wikipedia and rabbitears.info that will show up in the list of web sites as a result of typing , wxyz tv , in the Google search box. Some variations of the search would be , wxyz 41 or wxyz-dt 41.

Electron · 9-Mar-2012, 5:49 PM

Mount the HD7694P antenna about 4 or 5 feet above the metal roof. After a time of evaluation of what tv stations and channels are being received and you find that a tv station/s are not received that you would like to receive try turning the HD7694P antenna to the left and right. At some point a second antenna might need to be installed. Return here to this post that you have started and we can help you more. Antenna rotors are not friendly for channel surfing , must wait for the antenna to rotate. And not every one in the house will agree with where the antenna is aimed.

Electron · 9-Mar-2012, 5:57 PM

http://www.saveandreplay.com or http://www.trentondistributors.com ,will have the antenna and etc. , here are some examples of antenna mounts , saveandreplay or trentondistributors will have the same type and kind mounts by other makers , http:/www.ronard.com/909911.html , http://www,ronard.com/34424560.html , http://www.ronard.com/ychim.html , http:/www.ronard.com. I recommend the ronard mounts here in the USA because of the Very High Quality.