rooftop antenna question: Long Island NY

[Antneye]

Guys,

I've been reading your antenna discussions and they are quite informative. Heres my situation. I am on Long Island...zip 11730. I want to get an OTA Antenna but am not sure what to buy. I am 45 miles from the towers and was considering buying the 15-2152 VU-90 from RS. The salesman is insisting that I am wasting my money and really need the 15-2156 VU-190 which is twice as big and twice as much $$'s. The specas are as follows:

15-2152: VHF=90 miles, uhf=70 miles, boom=80"
15-2156: VHF=190 miles, UHF= 100 miles, boom 160"

Is this guy just trying to get money out of me? at 45 miles wouldnt i be ok with the 2152?

I would love it if some follow long islanders relay there experiences (Im in East Islip) and what types of antennas are working for them. If your not from Long Island, I still want to hear what you think...all help is welcome!!!!!

[LeeS]

Are there hills or other obstructions between you and the tower? That could be a factor between the two. The 2152 should do nicely, if not take it back. Eat a little crow :) I checked the next smaller antenna, 15-2151, it might and might not work.

Please let us know what you decided on and how it worked out. If you are going down to radio shack look on the boxes of the antennas and let me know what the colored wedges are inside the circle on the 2151, 2152 and 2156. One of these days I need to make a trip to radio shack and look for myself :)

Lee

Another option is the UHF only, it is small and easier to handle and setup. If you've been reading the posts you know the downside is that it won't pick up VHF and they may shift the transmitters back to VHF.

15-2160 $22 Good to 75 miles Small when compared to the UHF/VHF units.

[Antneye]

Thanks for the quick response.

In answer to your question, Long Island is relatively flat (except for the North Shore...I'm on south shore and look almost due west to Manhattan). The only obstructions would probably be tall buildings, but none are around for many many miles. On a clear day you used to be able to see The Twin Towers from the beach. Now the towers are on the empire state builing which can still be seen, just not nearly as good as the WTC was.

When I am back in RS (might wait about 2 weeks since my upgraded Directv setup with new hd box wont be in until then) I will make certain to check the boxes.

I can't take the "eat a little crow" route because the guy at RS says once an antenna has been assembled they will not accept a return since you can never get it back in the box. I've heard this elsewhere so I dont want to chance it. I am considering splitting the difference with him and getting the one in between my choice and his "suggestion".

Lees, I would appreciate it if you could take a look at my antenna web information for zip 11730 and let me know what you recommend. I dont care about anything but the Manhattan towers so I dont feel i need a rotor or anything fancy.


Long Islanders......I know you are out there...what are you guys using??????????

[LeeS]

I did look it up and you are in good shape if the the one tower(s) are what you are after. Around 285 degrees, should give you all the major networks (ABC, CBS, NBC, PBS, FOX, PAX, UNI, TFA). Some are under review still and my not be transmitting yet, ABC and NBC should be up by the end of the year (if not already). Check www.antennaweb.org and refine the direction with your address. Of course you make the fine adjustments at the antenna when you have it up.

I'll check with my Radio Shack about the returns, we've been told that you can take them back. I'll go get an answer first hand. Never had problems with other returns.

[kevinw]

I have the 160. It is a discontinued model that was between the 2 youare talking about. I would go bigger than smaller. Why make 2 trips to the roof when 1 will work. BTW I am about 45 miles from the towers in atlanta and I NEED an amp to get good signal. The antenna is mounted on the chimney of my 2 story home, about 60 feet off the ground.

[Antneye]

Kevin,

the model you have is now probably the 15-2154 VU-120 XR...it is rated for 120 miles VHF and 90 miles UHF/FM. This is the one I was leaning towards in order to compromise between my 1st choice and the overkill ( I think) of the RS salesperson. It has a 120" boom.

Are you telling me that even though i'm 45 miles away with an antenna rated for 90 that i will need an amplifier to get my dt's?
why would that be the case? Are they lying on their ratings? Do you think i would also need an amp on the monster the RS guy is recommending?

Long Island people.....I'm still waiting on you guys......What r using?

I really want t get this right on the 1st try since i may not be able to return it.

[Doc]

I'm in Westbury, LI, NY 11590 and I purchased the VU-190XR last year. I'm closer than you ar and I receive CBS, Fox, UPN9, and WPIX well. I can not receive channel 22-DT because of my location.(the tower is is Plainview) My signal is split multiple times for other tvs so I recently added Channel Master 7777 to increase the signal for all tvs and it helped.

I have a Channel Master CM4248 which I will be installing with a Channel Master CM9521A rotator once all the stations are back on line and return to their correct UHF channels (WPIX is currently on 12 which is a VHF band). I need the rotator to aim the antenna for Channel 22-DT.

You will never be sorry buying the biggest antenna you can. If the signal is too weak an amplifier only amplifies the noise.

[Antneye]

Thanks doc,

If you dont mind, what are your signal strengths for the DT's? are they coming in strong? Or are you on the fringe?

[LeeS]

Kevin,

What is antennaweb.org's recommendation for your location? Just curious. The only 'hands on' I have is with my system and a friends. antennweb's recommendation for us was pretty much right on.

Lee

[kevinw]

Per antennaweb.org and titnantv.com I should be using a medium directional with a pre amp. My findings is that the charts are based upon stations actually broadcasting at full power. None do at this time. ZIP-30548

VU 75-XR VHF = 75 mi, UHF = 50 mi, Length =
VU 120-XR VHF = 120 mi, UHF = 90 mi, Length = 130"
VU 160-XR VHF = 160 mi, UHF = 100 mi, Length = 140"
VU 190-XR VHF = 190 mi, UHF = ?, Length = 160"

I have found that the antenna ratings are really about 1/2 of what they say.
You will never be sorry buying the biggest antenna you can. If the signal is too weak an amplifier only amplifies the noise.

Thanks for reinforcing the idea...

[Antneye]

I have been researching other antenna and ran across the channel master 3020 (which is available at lowes). It is a little smaller than the monster RS, but it appears to give more realistic numbers for reception.

They list the antenna at 100 VHF/60 UHF.They also mention that the avg gain is as follows:

VHF LO 3.6
VHF HI 8.6
UHF 9.5

Can someone explain what this means? Keep i mind that I am about 45 miles from manhattan towers........how does this relate to me? Is there a certain avg gain i should be looking for?

[ghola]

I live in East Rockaway. I would recommend buying a small, cheap set top unit first. For 20 bucks or so you should get results, and if you get it from RS, you CAN return it, no problem getting it back in the box. I have a set top and a rooftop, but mostly for convenience. My rooftop points west, to ESB, and my set top is pointing northeast, and it picks up WLIW HD pretty well. I looked at all the charts, all the websites, but in the end you just have to hook something up and try it.

[daddis01]

I got the VU 75-XR VHF, the $35 one at RS. The sales guy tried to get me to move up several notches too, even though the station is only 30 miles from my house (flat, no buildings in the way). The previous poster is correct, you can return the antenna, and I believe it would be quite simple to get it back in the box. You must however have the box to return it. I wasn't into overbuying and I wanted to go as small as possible since I was doing an attic mount. All hooked up and it works great.