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26-Mar-2012, 2:21 AM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 3
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OTA newbie looking for some antenna advice
I'm currently looking into dropping my DirecTV service in favor of going OTA. I've never messed with OTA so I'm a bit confused on what I need. I'm looking to pickup your basic locals (abc/cbs/fox/nbc/cw). PBS would be nice but its not a necessity. I'm planning on running this all into a HTPC w/a capture card. I've run a signal report and it looks like I'm right on the edge of being able to use a attic mounted antenna.
So my question is: Is it likely i could get a attic mounted antenna to work for the channels I want to pick up? I can mount on the roof, I'd just prefer to have it out of the way (and it seems like it would be easier to mount in an attic). Either way, I could use advise on what antenna I do need as I'm somewhat clueless  .
Signal Report:
http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...0b8628d6247259
Thanks!
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26-Mar-2012, 4:38 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 1,832
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Tv antennas and Tv reception
The tv transmissions at your location are strong and easy to receive. If the building is wood frame with wood or vinyl siding and no metal backed insulation and has no metal roof or solar panels. Then a indoor antenna will receive Ok , A Non Amplified Channel Master CM4010 or Terk HDTVi , aimed at about 25 degree magnetic compass. Here is how to aim indoor antennas , http://www.kyes.com/antenna/pointing/pointing.html.
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26-Mar-2012, 2:41 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: south-central PA.
Posts: 453
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antennaman
This is easy. Most of your station are to your North, and strong enough to use a UHF antenna. In the attic would work however you will have twice the signal if you mount outside. I recomend a compact antenna, 10.5" X 12" X 4" built from fiberglass that would work very well and look great. You can paint it the color of your home.
www.tripleplayantenna.com
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26-Mar-2012, 4:36 PM
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#4
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Junior Member
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 3
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So that type of antenna would also pick up fox for me as well? The report shows that fox is right on the edge of needing a roof mounted antenna. Though maybe there's more to understanding the report then the color coding.
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26-Mar-2012, 5:25 PM
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#5
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Moderator
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Greater Seattle Area
Posts: 4,773
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Reliable reception of the stations west and east of you will require a rotator or two antennas. Because you mentioned HTPC, I'm inclined to advise against a rotator. Instead, I'd suggest multiple tuners, each fed by fixed aim antennas.
A premium solution would be an Antennas Direct C2V facing north connected to a SiliconDust HDHR3 network attached tuner.
The East / West signals would call for a Winegard YA1713 pointed toward 257° and an Antennas Direct DB2e facing 79°. These two antennas would combine at a UVSJ and then feed a second HDHR3. The YA1713 would to give you gain and directivity, both needed to overcome the lower signal level and multipath caused in part by the terrain between you and the KCPQ transmitter.
Unless you plan to split the signal to many sets, no amplifier should be used.
__________________
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; 26-Mar-2012 at 5:28 PM.
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26-Mar-2012, 5:45 PM
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#6
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Moderator
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Greater Seattle Area
Posts: 4,773
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@signals unlimited, In this OPs application the terrain is going to produce multipath, something that argues against an antenna with essentially an omnidirectional pattern or one with little gain & directivity. The KCPQ signal specifically calls for an antenna designed to cover the high-VHF band. You products appear to be UHF band only.
Searching through your web site, I've not been able to find any technical specifications for any of your products. That makes it very difficult to begin to develop any confidence in your products.
Other OTA equipment vendors participate in this forum so to be fair, your are welcome also. Expect to be challenged, respect for you product will need to be earned.
__________________
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')
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26-Mar-2012, 6:15 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 1,832
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Tv antennas and Tv reception
I have a call and e-mail into KCPQ to see if KCPQ UHF Real channel 22 Fox with a Hi Definition picture is transmitting , no response yet. For reception of KCPQ VHF channel 13 Fox with a Hi Definition picture , install a Antennas Direct C2V antenna above the roof aimed at about 30 degree magnetic compass. All the channels in the green , yellow and KCPQ 13 Fox in the red reception zones will be received.
Last edited by Electron; 26-Mar-2012 at 7:56 PM.
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26-Mar-2012, 6:52 PM
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#8
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Moderator
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Greater Seattle Area
Posts: 4,773
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First hand knowledge re. KCPQ: Real CH-22 is not yet on the air. Their fill-in feed broadcast from Capitol Hill on real CH-25, virtual channel 22.2 is allocated approximately half the bit rate compared to the primary feed on virtual channel 13.1.
This is visible when watching HD feeds of local news and sporting events. Otherwise, the 22.2 fill-in signal is the same as 13.1.
Virtual Ch-13.2 is a 24/7 weather program. It's not presently available except via the signal from Gold Mountain (to the west).
A separate point, the signals from Tiger Mountain (to the east) include ION, ION-Life, Qubo, TuffTV and others.
__________________
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; 26-Mar-2012 at 6:55 PM.
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26-Mar-2012, 7:43 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 1,832
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Tv antennas and Tv reception
It looks like Fox is being transmitted as a digital sub channel on KZJO Real digital channel 25 , Virtual channel 22. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KZJO. The digital channels on KZJO are , MyNetwork - 720P Hi Definition picture , Fox 480i standard definition picture and Antenna Tv 480i standard definition picture. KZJO is the Strongest Signal at your location and will be easy to receive with a indoor antenna.
Last edited by Electron; 26-Mar-2012 at 7:51 PM.
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27-Mar-2012, 3:22 AM
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#10
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Junior Member
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Electron
It looks like Fox is being transmitted as a digital sub channel on KZJO Real digital channel 25 , Virtual channel 22. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KZJO. The digital channels on KZJO are , MyNetwork - 720P Hi Definition picture , Fox 480i standard definition picture and Antenna Tv 480i standard definition picture. KZJO is the Strongest Signal at your location and will be easy to receive with a indoor antenna. |
Hmm, since I watch sports and would want full HD for fox it sounds like I probably want to go with an option like the C2V. If I'm lucky I'll be able to just use the mount for my DTV dish.
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27-Mar-2012, 5:32 AM
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#11
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Moderator
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Greater Seattle Area
Posts: 4,773
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The C2V would do very well facing downtown Seattle (split the aim between Queen Anne and Capitol Hills). The signals from that direction are strong and not obscured by terrain.
An antenna aimed toward Bremerton (where CH-13, KCPQ transmits from) is going to be blocked by the hills of West Seattle. If you want to try the C2V to start, that makes good sense economically. You can add a YA1713 if you prove the need.
__________________
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')
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27-Mar-2012, 7:05 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 1,832
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Tv antennas and Tv reception
Most of the digital tv transmissions are Very Strong at your location , Test reception of KCPQ-DT 13 Fox with out a amplifier first. If a amplifier is required then install a Channel Master CM3410 distribution amplifier or CM3412 or CM3414. The C2V must be Up High above the roof. Tv antennas require elbow room with nothing crowding in to upset reception. Tv antennas receive better with a nice clear view of the transmitter. 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 mounts from solidsignal by typing the word ronard in the solidsignal search box or buy from ronard. Aim the C2V at about 30 degree magnetic compass. Here is how to aim antennas , http://www.kyes.com/antenna/pointing/pointing.html Here are places to buy antennas and etc. , http://www.solidsignal.com , http://www.amazon.com , http://www.antennasdirect.com , http://www.channelmasterstore.com , http://www.tigerdirect.com , http://www.ramelectronics.net , http://www.digicircle.com , http://www.hdtvsupply.com.
Last edited by Electron; 27-Mar-2012 at 7:09 AM.
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