Suggestions for OTA antenna

[cmeinck]

I purchased the Silver Sensor and very little luck. I had channel 7 ABC here in NY. The D* installer offered to complete my HD install w/ the TERK 44 antenna. However, he bailed and left the antenna in the box. From what I've read, maybe that's a good thing. So, I'm 0-2. I'd like to purchase a medium outdoor antenna, but don't have a clue what to do. What supplies will I need and how difficult is this to mount. Any suggestions on where to buy and what to buy?

This is what antennaweb.org says...

*yellow - uhfWLIW-DT21.1PBSGarden CityNY358°7.322
*lt green - uhfWABC-DT7.1ABCNew YorkNY293°30.345
*lt green - uhfWFTY-DT23.1TFASMITHTOWNNY73°27.923
*red - uhfWXTV-DT41.1UNIPATERSONNJ292°30.240
*red - uhfWNYW-DT5.1FOXNew YorkNY292°30.244
*red - uhfWPXN-DT30.1PAXNEW YORKNY287°31.430
*red - uhfWNJU-DT36TELLINDENNJFCC Ext287°31.436
*red - uhfWCBS-DT2.1CBSNew YorkNY292°30.256
*blue - uhfWRNN-DT48.1INDKINGSTONNY347°61.948
*violet - uhfWLNY-DT55.1INDRIVERHEADNY74°29.957
*violet - uhfWNYE-DT24PBSNEW YORKNYTesting284°29.424

[LeeS]

Take the Terk back.

If you haven't, check the two FAQs on OTA and Antennas.

You've already done the antennaweb check :)

Have to leave for work, I'll post after I get there, workload permitting.

Check through the posts in this section of the forum. Lots of discussion about installs and what to use. RadioShack is a good source of hardware.

Be back a little later,
Lee

[LeeS]

Take a look at the medium range UHF antennas on this page. Antennas Direct has a good warranty and return policy.

http://www.antennasdirect.com/MediumRangeAntennas.htm

You'll need a rotor because of the different directions involved. Here's a link to RadioShack Outdoor Antenna Supplies.

http://www.radioshack.com/category.asp?catalog%5Fname=CTLG&category%5Fname=CTLG%5F003%5F001%5F003%5F000&Page=1

If you have a sturdy chimney, chimney mounts are good. Browse through the hardware and see if anything fits your situation. The last thing I like to do is make holes in the roof :( but sometimes that is the only choice.

Lee

[cmeinck]

Can I mount this in my basement or not such a good idea?

[LeeS]

Not a good idea, you want to be as high as possible. If you were considering an attic mount I would go with a long range antenna due to the signal loss.

Lee

[cmeinck]

I'm getting cold feet about doing this install. I rent the lower half of a house and while the landlord okay'ed a Direct TV install, I don't think he'd like me putting holes in his roof. I'm thinking about mounting a Wineguard Square Shooter outside. Do you think I'd have luck w/ it? I only want the major stations NBC,FOX, ABC, UPN, PIX.
*red - uhfWNYW-DT5.1FOXNew YorkNY292°30.244
*lt green - uhfWABC-DT7.1ABCNew YorkNY293°30.345

Is D* going to offer local HD in NY soon? I guess that's a question for another board.

-Chris

[cmeinck]

I decided to go with a Winegard Square Shooter. The decision appears to be a good one, since the D* installer left the mounts when he moved my dish to a higher location. I don't get much in terms of reception, but fed it into a TV Distribution amp (with FM Trap(. I bought it years ago to boost my cable reception. I'm able to get FOX, ABC, UPN, but I'm getting some dropout on ABC. When I click on the satellite meter, it seems to be fluctuating. I'm thinking that I need a preamp that is made for this sole purpose. Any suggestions? Is there something I can pick up at a local Radio Shack. I'd rather avoid the online retailers, since I might return it if it doesn't work. I'm hoping this will put over the top and give me solid normal reception. Thanks for all your help.

One more note... the coaxial didn't fit into the SquareShooter because it was too fat, so I have another coaxial running from the SS to a splitter and then running my 100 ft coaxial into the house. Could this be the cause?

[Ratman]

H-m-m...
The D* installer moved the dish to higher location?
Sounds like your line of sight may be obstructed. Problem #1

#2... a distribution amp (depending on it's placement) could inject noise. Especially is some outputs are open/unterminated. Also, perhaps you are overdriving the signal or just amplifiying a 'bad' signal, making it worse.

#3... Pre-amp and distribution amp? No... one or the other, but not both.

#4... What's the splitter for? That will drop your signal by -3.5 dB.

#5...100' of coax is the point where you start to lose signal. Hopefully, you are using RG6.

What is 'too fat' mean? The entire cable or the copper center conducter?

I agree with your logic about online and returnability. Radio Shack does have some pre-amps. They are not known for their performance, but it doesn't hurt to try. In the long run either a Channel Master or Winegard is the most recommended.

IMO... start simple. See if you can run a 'home run' of coax (RG6) from the STB to the antenna (temporarily). From there, add the 'magic hardware' to see if you get improvement.

keep us informed.

[cmeinck]

The D* is facing South West and there is a big tree there. My original dish mount was on the lower roof and facing South West. However, the addition of leaves in springtime and Satellite B forced him to move the dish higher. Good thing is he left the mount on the lower roof. Without it, there was no way I'd be able to mount this thing. The mount for the D* Terk dish is the same as the WineGard. So, I just removed the Winegard from it's mount and used the one on the roof. It's facing West and seems to pull stations ok.The RG6 (purchased from Home Depot) is made by RCA and the ends of the cable is heavier gauge. Because of the gauge at the ends, it wouldn't screw onto the Winegard (hence, I used a splitter). I picked up a new gold splitter from Target today to try and improve things. The cable is then wired into a no-name TV-VCR Distribution Amp. I'm receiving solid signal from ABC (just minor drop out last night which I attribute to weather). It was a joy watching Fast and Furious. I had company over and they were in awe of the TV, HDTV reception and sound. Clearly, I felt accomplishment knowing it was due to my antenna mounting. :cheers:

One thing I'm going to try is removing the splitter. I'm going to shave the plastic off the back of the Winegard and run the straight cable to the Square Shooter.

My biggest question: What's the difference between a TV-VCR Distribution Amp and a pre-amp? Will it make a big difference going from Distribution Amp to the Pre-amp? I assume that I'm safe w/ either Winegard or Channel Master.

Thanks for all your help.

By the way, Home Depot had this great little coaxial mounts (little plastic coaxial holders with nails on the side. It worked great for mounting along the side of the house.