satellite clip-on antenna

[googlehooch]

I'm getting ready to have DishNetwork installed early next week and I want to get my local channels OTA and was wondering if those clip on antennas are UHF/VHF? I actually have DirecTV now using the clip on antenna and I'm having problems receiving the only VHF channel in my area. I don't want to use that "clip-on" if it won't do me any good.

Along those lines, does anyone have any good tips on installing a Satellite/OTA combination antennas? The sales lady was telling me that many of the install guys are saying that you generally don't need an OTA antenna because the local broadcast channels are picked up from the dish somehow in HD. I didn't see how that was possible. But if someone has had this experience, I would love to hear about them. :)

Thanks all,
GoogleHooch

[tigerbangs]

A saleslady, eh? I'm sure you were looking in her eyes all the time she spoke, right? LOL! Dish Network does not have all of the networks available in HD, and that's why they still have receivers with OTA capability. Your sales lady was talking out of her @$$. WKYC-DT operates on channel 2: a notoriously difficult station to get using a "gimmick" antenna; just ask the people in Chicago who can't get WBBM-DT on channel 2. Your best solution if you want WKYC-DT, and any other DT station is to use a good all-channel antenna mounted on the roof. Since most of the transmitters are in Parma, you probably don't need a rotator, but consider a good inexpensive antenna such as a Winegard HD7080 or a Channel Master Crossfire 3677, either of which should provide you with a perfect picture when properly installed.

http://www.channelmaster.com
http://www.winegard.com
http://www.channelmaster.com/pdf/AntInstallGuide.pdf

You can be out of the door with everything you need for about $100.00, including antenna, masting and grounding equipment and cabling, and either of these antennas will outperform ANY indoor antenna!

[googlehooch]

I kinda figured this girl was out of her mind.

Yes you're correct, WKYC is horrible. Thanks for the great advice. I will check out what will be the best approach for this install. I was hopin' to get it all done in one pass, but will probably have to get up on the roof myself another time to put it up.

Thanks again,
GoogleHooch

[googlehooch]

I was wondering what you thought of this type of antenna, Tigerbangs?
http://www.winegard.com/offair/urban.htm

Here's the antennaweb (CEA) info:

yellow - uhf WVIZ-DT 25.1 PBS CLEVELAND OH 38° 9.6 26
yellow - uhf WQHS-DT 61.1 UNI CLEVELAND OH 39° 13.0 34
yellow - uhf WUAB-DT 28.1 UPN LORAIN OH 36° 12.4 28
yellow - uhf WDLI-DT 39.1 TBN CANTON OH 140° 17.0 39
yellow - uhf WEAO-DT 50.1 PBS AKRON OH 140° 14.2 50
yellow - uhf WEWS-DT 5.1 ABC CLEVELAND OH 37° 12.1 15
yellow - uhf WJW-DT 8.1 FOX CLEVELAND OH 40° 11.5 31
yellow - uhf WBNX-DT 30 WB AKRON OH TBD 40° 13.3 30
green - vhf WKYC-DT 3.1 NBC CLEVELAND OH 41° 13.6 2
green - vhf WOIO-DT 19.1 CBS SHKR HEIGHTS OH 40° 13.5 10
violet - uhf WOAC-DT 47.1 SAH CANTON OH 114° 27.1 47

As you pointed out earlier I have a narrow orientation window that I need to worry about. Would that antenna cover the range I'm looking for? I couldn't find any good specs on that one. Plus that type would mount very easily on the satellite mast.

Thanks again for your help,
GoogleHooch

[tigerbangs]

I would advise against that one: it is amplified, and and omnidirectional, which spells multipath trouble. Omnidirectional antennas are notoriously poor on low-band VHF channels, as well. Unfortunately there is no magic bullet for low-band VHF reception: you need a directional outdoor UHF-VHF antenna, like one of the models I suggested above. It should be mounted on the highest point of the roof and aimed directly at the transmitters, otherwise, I'm afraid that you are going to continue to have a lot of problems with WKYC-DT

[googlehooch]

Thanks again,
I'm having the dishnetwork installer mount the dish on the highest part of the roof close to the chimney so I can mount the new antenna, when I get it, close to the dish and keep the cabling in check.

Actually, I saw some posts on some RadioShack antennas:

Catalog #: 15-2151 Model: VU-75 XR
Catalog #: 15-2152 Model: VU-90 XR

I'm just thinking of these because I can quickly get these from the local store and have it up faster. :)

GoogleHooch

[tigerbangs]

Neither antenna is a particularly good antenna. Call these people, and you can probably have the antenna overnight:

The Electronic Center
1300 Cherry Avenue N.E.
Canton, OH 44714
Phone: (330) 456-7133


Don't buy the Advantage line of Channel Master antennas: they are inferior to the Crossfire line...

[googlehooch]

Heck, in Canton I can go pick it up :)

Thanks

[tigerbangs]

I would call them first to see if they have them is stock, though...

[fredinva]

googlehooch.

Put an ota antenna on top of the roof - fine, and best.

Put the Dish down lower so you can clean out any possible snow accumulation. That is if you don't have a tree problem.

Run separatre cables, PERIOD!!!

fred

[tigerbangs]

Great advice, Fred!

[googlehooch]

tigerbangs -
Just thought I would let ya know that I got off my lazy arse and called that number you refered me to. Unfortunately the number has changed (330.244.8888) but worse yet, they only deal in industrial equipment and not antennas. He didn't have anyone to refer me too either.

Thanks for all your help though,
GoogleHooch

[tigerbangs]

I can suggest that you try a couple of other electronic supply houses, like Stark Electronics in Worcester, MA

http://www.starkelectronic.com

or Signal Electronic Supply in Good Old West Hartford, CT

http://www.signalelectronics.com

or Warren Electronics in Moline, IL

http://www.warrenelectronics.com/

or Solid Signal Electronics in West Bloomfield, MI

http://www.solidsignal.com/

This should keep you busy for a while! LOL Good Luck!