AntennaWeb says my stations are 40-50 miles away. Will OTA work?

[techstar25]

I'm considering trying OTA. I'm looking at the Samsung SIR-T151, and a radio shack outdoor antenna. I'm in Florida (zip 32907), which is of course nice and flat, but my stations are all 40-50 miles away in Orlando. Is that too far? Is it worth even trying? That seems like a very far distance. I read somewhere that 60 miles is the limit, but is 40-50 reasonable? WHen I tried to get normal old broadcast channels with an indoor antenna I only got like 5 channels. Any thoughts?

[sto22]

I've got one OTA HD channel available to me, 70 miles away.

I had a large directional antenna installed with an amplifier and I pick it up fine. (About 80-85 on the signal strength)

I'm in SW Missouri which is flat with some rolling hills. I've got the antenna on a two story home.

Once my "local" stations go HD, I'll buy a rotater. (They are only 35 miles away).

sto22

[57U]

I know someone who's about 100 miles from the transmitter and can get OTA, but you should see his antenna/mast. It's about 100 feet in the air and has 2-3 separate large antennae attached, a rotor and an amp. You basically need to overcome the curvature of the earth, and if you built a tower high enough, with enough gain, it would work. That's how satellites work...

Check out the two FAQs on Antennae and OTA.

[mamosley]

Antennaweb says I'm 60 to 65 miles from the towers in Dallas, TX. I have a settop antenna and can receive all the HD broadcasts fine. North Texas is relatively flat, I pretty much have line of sight to where the towers are though.

[tonyp56]

I use a amplified set top antenna, I am from 40-70+ miles away from any TV towers, I can receive all of the Digital channels thats in my area, some of them I have to adjust the antenna but I can receive them.
But, depending on your area, things like, tall buildings, hills, etc. can cause you to have problems, so you may have some problems, but you should be able to receive atleast some, if not most of the Digital channels in your area with the right antenna, amplifier, adjustments, etc...

[techstar25]

When you refer to set-top antenna do you mean the indoor kind that sits on or near the TV like the set-top box? I thought I might need a huge rooftop antenna for it to work.

[Ratman]

General antenna rules:

outdoor is best
the higher the better
all situations are different
you are dependant upon terrain, x-mitter power, x-mitter orientation, and distance.

Indoor antennas can work. But the problems could be:
frequent dropouts
obstuctions (trees, houses, etc)
building materials (aluminum siding, stucco, steel windows)
re-aiming with every channel change
Indoor antennas can cost more than twice the price of a traditional antenna.

IMO... try the indoor route first! But don't get your hopes up for consistent performance and the possibility of not getting all of the desired channels.

Second... try the attic with a traditional antenna. This can be quite successful, but still not optimal. (I use this method at approx. 20 miles from the towers)

Third... if all else fails, you have no choice to go on the roof. And even then, there is no guarantee.

[johnfaas]

What antenna's are you all using ? I also am 55 miles from NYC and 65 miles from philly and would want to get the best antenna for the job !

[LeeS]

Channel Master 3016, medium range UHF/VHF. Installed in my attic and only 12 miles from the transmitters. Steady 80-90% signal.

Lee

http://www.hdtvoice.com/voice/attachment.php?attachmentid=69

[Ratman]

What antenna's are you all using ? I also am 55 miles from NYC and 65 miles from philly and would want to get the best antenna for the job !

Well, distance is your biggest enemy. 65 miles is pretty distant for UHF, but not impossible.

You can probably try as many antennas as possible, but I'd be willing tp bet you would have a marginal/unstable signal. IMO... I wouldn't even waste my time go for 'the big guns' and and get it done right (hopefully) on the first attempt.

These are the two antennas I'd recommend:
http://www.winegard.com/offair/pdf/pr-9032.pdf

or the 4228:
www.channelmaster.com (click products, UHF only, 4228)

I'd also suggest that you get a rotator so that you can aim for NYC and/or Philly.

Get the antenna as high as possible (outdoors). The higher you go, the better.

Additionally, you may even consider/need a pre-amp to potentially give you an extra few dB.

Channel Master 7775 would be a good choice or the
Winegard AP-4800.

[mamosley]

When you refer to set-top antenna do you mean the indoor kind that sits on or near the TV like the set-top box? I thought I might need a huge rooftop antenna for it to work.
Yes, it's and elcheapo rca antenna I bought from Walmart that sits on top of the tv, in my case on top of the audio component rack since my tv doesn't have a suitable surface at teh top to sit it on.

[sto22]

Wow,

60-65 miles out with that antenna. :wow:

sto22

[ladancer]

I just bought the new Samsung T351 HD tuner and hooked it up with my Winegard 2000 vhf/uhf antenna in the attic and I get NO SIGNAL. I live in L.A. about 50 miles from all transmitters and get good reception for conventional tv. Do you think I should try a line amplifier first? Or move the antenna to the roof (undesirable due to wind) or get a new antenna/ampliofier combo?

Thanks,

Dave

[kevinw]

I just bought the new Samsung T351 HD tuner and hooked it up with my Winegard 2000 vhf/uhf antenna in the attic and I get NO SIGNAL. I live in L.A. about 50 miles from all transmitters and get good reception for conventional tv. Do you think I should try a line amplifier first? Or move the antenna to the roof (undesirable due to wind) or get a new antenna/ampliofier combo?

Thanks,

Dave
Get it out of the attic and get a rotor on it. A rotor or aka rotator really helps in dialing in the station.. I would also get a directional antenna. TheWingard 2000 is an omni directinaol and does not have very good range. 50 miles is a lot.
http://www.spectravox.com/gs2000.html or ist it this one http://store.yahoo.com/dtvgear/wigs.html

[twonami]

I'm a little over 90 miles from the twin cities and it's rolling hills in my area, I use a Radio Shack antenna, amp and rotor and the HD pictures are great.