Antenna Advice: Mostly UHF, Within 25 Miles

[hevnsnt]

Hello All,

I know that a lot of newbies come in here asking for advice for antennas.. And I am sorry but I am going to do it as well. I have been reading up on this quite a bit, but I have found myself at a pass... Looking for a little advice.

First the Antenna Web List

yellow - uhf KPXE-DT 50.1 i KANSAS CITY MO 58° 17.5 51
yellow - uhf KMCI-DT 38.1 IND LAWRENCE KS 66° 15.3 36
yellow - uhf KSHB-DT 41.1 NBC KANSAS CITY MO 66° 15.3 42
yellow - uhf KCTV-DT 5.1 CBS KANSAS CITY MO 42° 16.5 24
yellow - uhf KCWE-DT 29.1 UPN KANSAS CITY MO 47° 19.8 31
green - vhf KMBC-DT 9.1 ABC KANSAS CITY MO 47° 19.8 7
lt green - uhf KSMO-DT 62.1 WB KANSAS CITY MO 50° 21.9 47
red - uhf KCPT-DT 19.1 PBS KANSAS CITY MO 50° 21.3 18
red - uhf WDAF-DT 4.1 FOX KANSAS CITY MO 40° 16.1 34

As you can see, Pretty much every digital channel available to me is UHF, except that darn ABC.. I would really like that channel, and of course it is on a low(er) VHF freq. Argh.

Now lets move to the location of all the transmitters, if you take the two extremes (40° & 66°) you get a difference of 26° which (from what I have read anyway) is pretty much right at the directional limit.

As far as where I am going to be mounting it, I would REALLY like to mount it in my attic, I live in KS and my house has Asphalt shingles. As you can see my distance is less than 21 miles to each transmitter.

As far as my budget goes I would like to stay around/below $100, but I am really looking for recommendations and advice. I just don't know what everyone has to offer -- there is just so many out there it is kinda hard to get started.

Thanks for making this site great! :bow:

[Splicer]

You may wish to look in my signature for the antenna I use. It is an indoor antenna and about $50.00. I have nothing but nice things to say about this antenna. The VHF portion is not remote controlled like UHF portion is but for only 1 VHF you should be able to set it and forget it. I am about 30 miles from the towers.

My next suggestion is to see if there are anyother statiions from another city that carries ABC on a UHF band. That is EXACTLY what I do. I am 30 miles from 2 different cities and so I get my ABC from the second city. Actually I was getting NBC as well from the 2nd city for the olympics but used the 1st city NBC station to watch the Daytona 500.

[Ratman]

hevnsnt,

An attic mount is worth a try before going to the roof. Just be aware that it will cut your signal to some degree. Also with the ~25 degree spead, that may force you to go outside (or add a rotor).

Anyway, try this:
VU75XR (15-2151)
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2103084&cp=&kw=antenna&parentPage=search

or this:

Channel Master 3016
http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=159752-000000693-3016&lpage=none

[hevnsnt]

Thanks guys.. For these two, which is the better antenna? I have heard that some people complain about the RS quality.. But when we are talking about a ~$30 antenna does it really matter?

While we are on the subject, will these $30 antennas do as good as some of the others I was looking at (specifically the AntennasDirect V15 (http://www.antennasdirect.com/V15_vhf_antenna.html)?)

I just want to make sure that I buy what I am going to need the first time, and try not to do the "return game" if you know what I mean.

[mjones73]

"I just want to make sure that I buy what I am going to need the first time, and try not to do the "return game" if you know what I mean."

When it comes to OTA and finding the right antenna, sometimes you have no choice, what works for one person isn't always going to work for you.

[Ratman]

For the sake of saving ~$50, I'd certainly try the R/S or CM.

[hevnsnt]

For the sake of saving ~$50, I'd certainly try the R/S or CM.

Well you guys certainly have pointed me in that direction.. I am looking at the CM right now. From what I am reading it looks like it has everything I need.. Before I buy, is there ANYTHING I need to consider that I have not already?

[Ratman]

For an attic mount.... only RG6 coax and F-type connectors.
Make sure there is plenty of clearance for the antenna.
Try to keep the antenna away from any metal (ductwork?).

[rochmndx]

I would get the CM 3016, just because I like Channel Master much more than Radio $hack. Just make sure that you don't have aluminum backing on the insulation in your attic, that would REALLY kill your signal.