Help with antenna issues!!!

[hendu4672]

I'm trying decide on the best option for receiving OTA HD signals. I really don't want to mount an antenna outside but I can mount one in my attic. I have heard that an antenna in the attic can greatly reduce the signal. All of the channels I am trying to get are less than 30 miles away. Can I still put one in the attic or do I have to bite the bullet and put one outside? I have been looking at winegard and channelmasters but I'm not sure what I really need. Please help!!!

[LeeS]

Welcome to HDTVoice,

Have you checked www.antennaweb.org? If so could you post the results for us to see. Pick 'show digital stations only' before cutting.

Just how much closer than 30 miles are the transmitters? An attic mounted antenna might work, and might not. You could lose 50% or more of your signal strength.

Does your Mits TV have a built in ATSC (OTA) tuner?

Lee

[hd4me2]

WVIT-DT 30.1 NBC NEW BRITAIN CT 229° 24.1 35
* yellow - uhf WUVN-DT 18.1 SAH HARTFORD CT 234° 19.0 46
* yellow - uhf WEDH-DT 32 PBS HARTFORD CT 229° 24.1 32
* green - uhf WFSB-DT 3.1 CBS HARTFORD CT 234° 19.1 33
* green - uhf WGBY-DT 57.1 PBS SPRINGFIELD MA 1° 18.0 58
* red - vhf WTXX-DT 12.1 WB WATERBURY CT 229° 23.9 12
* red - vhf WWLP-DT 22.1 NBC SPRINGFIELD MA 328° 9.6 11
* red - uhf WGGB-DT 40.1 ABC SPRINGFIELD MA 1° 18.0 55
* violet - uhf WCTX-DT 59.1 UPN NEW HAVEN CT 221° 43.8 39
* violet - uhf WCDC-DT 19.1 ABC ADAMS MA 340° 54.3 36
* violet - vhf WTNH-DT 8.1 ABC NEW HAVEN CT 221° 43.8 10
* violet - uhf WTIC-DT 31.1 FOX HARTFORD CT 229° 23.8 61
* violet - uhf WUNI-DT 29.1 UNI WORCESTER MA 75° 49.8 29

Here are the digital channels that come up with a zip of 06082. The channels are a bit scattered in direction so either you need to chose a preference or use a rotator on the antenna, something that may be hard to do in an attic. The antenna of choice for red and violet ratings in the UHF band is the Channel Master CM4228 and you will probably need the CM7775 pre-amp as well, you can also go with the CM7777 UHF/VHF pre-amp if you want to receive the VHF ABC station out of New Haven. The CM4228 is UHF but will work at the upper end of the VHF very well so you can get the ABC, channel 10, station.

[mcasil78]

Hello to all.

I just purchased the Samsung SIR-T451. I actually had a difficult time trying to find a Circuit City that had a unit in stock. I found one at $249 with a $50 rebate. I then ran to Radioshack and picked up the 150-1880 Antenna ($50). I was skeptical when I noticed the size, but trusted many forums that gave it props. Don't forget extra RG-6 (I went with quad shielded) and a female-female connector.

I came home from a soccer game and immediately attempted to connect the tuner and antenna to my current setup (pansonic PT-50LC13) that I purchased 1.5 years ago. At first I was receiving the "no signal" icon and was thinking the tiny antenna wasn't powerful enough. I then checked out some of the menus and autoprogrammed the t451. The antenna was on the ground and wasn't picking up anything. I then put the indoor antenna 7 ft in the air ontop of the entertainment center and oula; HDTV was streaming. I aimed the antenna in the direction that Antennaweb suggested with the ears as far apart as possible (the gain is turned all the way to the right). I am very happy to see that the signal strength of all the channels listed below is 8-9 bars. The only channel I don't receive is the fox 6.1 and 44.1. Additional channels include 13.2 NBC weather plus, 10.2 APT, 21.2 CBS. All have the excellent strength with minimal adjustment. The antenna is in the middle of the room, pointed towards no windows. I'm surprised. Now I can't wait to test the setup on some sporting events this weekend. At least I know the Superbowl qill be in HD...Sweet.

Here are my antennaweb.org stats:
red - uhf WIAT-DT 42.1 CBS BIRMINGHAM AL 166° 11.4 30
* red - uhf WVTM-DT 13.1 NBC BIRMINGHAM AL 162° 11.2 52
* red - uhf WBRC-DT 6.1 FOX BIRMINGHAM AL 163° 11.3 50
* violet - vhf WCFT-DT 5.1 ABC TUSCALOOSA AL 253° 34.7 5
* violet - uhf WJSU-DT 58 ABC ANNISTON AL TBD 97° 25.7 58
* violet - uhf WTTO-DT 21.1 WB HOMEWOOD AL 166° 11.4 28
* violet - uhf WPXH-DT 44.1 PAX GADSDEN AL 54° 28.2 45
* violet - uhf WBIQ-DT 10.1 PBS BIRMINGHAM AL 166° 11.4 53

I had a difficult time decide whether to purchase the LG lst-4200 or this unit. For a first user of HD OTA (over the air) I really didn't feel like spending $379 for the LG, although I have heard that it is the top of the line 4th gen set top box. ($200 was a good place to start, and if I didn't like I could return with no questions asked.)

Has anyone compared the LG LST-4200 ATSC/NTSC/QAM tuner to the Samsung SIR-t451? I am interested in just how flexible the tuner options are for the LG. I know it can tune both NTSC and ATSC from an antenna input.

I have messed around with the new setup for 2 hours now. The only complaint I really have is that the channels change slow. The HD comes in quick but to surf the channels takes a little longer than I'm used to. Furthermore, the remote is a little weak. I sit 15 feet from the tuner and it just does't have the oomph of an RF remote. Is there anyway to attach an RF remote?

Peace out,
Mark

[tigerbangs]

I'm trying decide on the best option for receiving OTA HD signals. I really don't want to mount an antenna outside but I can mount one in my attic. I have heard that an antenna in the attic can greatly reduce the signal. All of the channels I am trying to get are less than 30 miles away. Can I still put one in the attic or do I have to bite the bullet and put one outside? I have been looking at winegard and channelmasters but I'm not sure what I really need. Please help!!!

I live just down the road from you in West Hartford, and have installed a few antennas in Enfield in my time: The Springfield stations are a little bit closer to you than the Hartford stations are. I think that you'll find that an attic-mounted antenna will cause more problems than it's worth: lots of multipath problems, and an attic limits the size and rotation of the antenna.

The toughest station for you will be WTNH-DT, the ABC affiliate in New Haven. WGGB-DT from Springfield is not yet HDTV capable, so New Haven will be the only ABC station available for you. If you want the Superbowl, FOX-61 from Hartford will be your only choice, so you better get moving!

While I know that you want to avoid an outdoor antenna, you really need a good directional all-channel antenna on a rotator mounted outdoors if you want reliable HDTV reception. Signal Electronic Supply in West Hartford is a distributor for Winegard, Channel Master and Wade-Delhi antennas. Wade-Delhi are the new name for the Jerrold line of Canadian-made antennas. I use one, and will tell you that they are exceptionally well-made and have great station-pulling power. I would suggest a fringe-area model for Enfield, like a Wade-Delhi VU-935SR with the optional VU8PZ UHF powerzooom attachment. Other good antennas for your area include the Channel Master Crossfire 3678 or the Winegard HD7084P.

You should use a rotator in your area, since the stations come from about 5 different directions, but I would suggest that you hold off on a preamplifier until you see how your reception is: preamplifiers can overload HDTV tuners if the local stations are strong.

I strongly suggest an all-channel antenna in this area, because we have 3 available VHF digital stations, WTNH-DT, WWLP-DT and WTXX-DT on channels 10, 11, and 12 respectively

Good luck, and write back if you have any questions

http://www.wade-antenna.com
http://www.channelmaster.com
http://www.winegard.com