LeeS
09-28-2003, 03:41 AM
The following information will get you started.
Here's the link to the OTA Antenna FAQ:
http://www.hdtvoice.com/voice/showthread.php?s=&threadid=3784
Here's the link to the Forum containing many threads on OTA antennas:
http://www.hdtvoice.com/voice/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=207
Bearing and Distance to the Transmitters - Antenna Size and Type
Use this site to determine the DTV/HD stations in your area. Use the CEA Antenna Mark to determine the type/size antenna you need. Use your full address for a better bearing to the tower(s).
http://www.antennaweb.org
To determine the distance to the transmitting tower(s) go to this site http://www.geocode.com/modules.php?name=TestDrive_Eagle and enter your address, get the decimal latitude and longitude (the longitude will be a negative number)
Then go to this site http://www.2150.com/broadcast/ and enter the numbers you got from the previous link. This site will give you the distances to the transmitters. Don't worry about the magnetic declination, just use the bearing from you got from antennaweb.org.
Antenna Links
Here are five Radio Shack links that may be of interest. The first one is in pdf (Acrobat) format:
http://www.radioshack.com/images/refguide/c04-p012.pdf
This one if full of specs:
http://support.radioshack.com/support_video/doc44/44032.htm
This is their Indoor Antenna page:
http://www.radioshack.com/category.asp?catalog%5Fname=CTLG&category%5Fname=CTLG%5F003%5F001%5F001%5F000&Page=1
This is their Outdoor Antenna page:
http://www.radioshack.com/category.asp?catalog%5Fname=CTLG&category%5Fname=CTLG%5F003%5F001%5F002%5F000&Page=1
This link for preamplifiers, distribution amps and splitters:
http://www.radioshack.com/category.asp?catalog%5Fname=CTLG&category%5Fname=CTLG%5F003%5F001%5F003%5F001&Page=1
I checked with my local Radio Shack Store and was told that they will take an antenna back if it is complete and in the original package.
This link to http://www.starkelectronic.com/ has info/prices on Channel Master and Winegard Antennas plus much more.
Channel Master Main Page, navigate to 'Products' then the Outdoor and Indoor Antenna pages:
http://www.channelmaster.com
At the bottom of each antenna page (Crossfire, Advantage or UHF) you can find a link to the 'Antenna Reference Chart'.
This link to Winegard OTA Antennas has nice specs, actually shows the polar patterns for their antennas.
http://www.winegard.com/offair/offairmain.htm
This link provides information on Channel Master and Winegard preamplifiers and distribution amplifiers; also see the Stark Electronics link above:
http://www.tvantenna.com/support/tutorials/amplifiers.html
There are four basic rules for TV signal reception that you should keep in mind:
1. Outdoor is generally better.
Outdoor antennas have a better view of the transmitting station, with no building-induced signal loss. They receive less interference from other household electronic/electrical appliances, and they are less likely to receive reflected ghost signals from the building structure.
2. Higher is better.
The higher an antenna is, the more direct signal it can receive from the TV transmitter, while at the same time reducing the reception of interfering signals from other household electronic/electrical appliances and reflected ghost-causing signals from other nearby structures. The higher the better, but any antenna should be at least four feet above the structure to which it is mounted, and ideally above the roofline.
3. Closer is better.
If a position above the roofline is not possible, the antenna should at least be on the side of your building facing the TV signal broadcast tower.
4. Bigger is better.
The larger an antenna, the more signal it receives. This is especially important on channels 2-6, where the longer wavelength requires a larger antenna in order to be efficiently received. Larger antennas also become directional which reduces ghosting caused by reflected signals coming from the side and the rear of the receiving antenna.
Here's the link to the OTA Antenna FAQ:
http://www.hdtvoice.com/voice/showthread.php?s=&threadid=3784
Here's the link to the Forum containing many threads on OTA antennas:
http://www.hdtvoice.com/voice/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=207
Bearing and Distance to the Transmitters - Antenna Size and Type
Use this site to determine the DTV/HD stations in your area. Use the CEA Antenna Mark to determine the type/size antenna you need. Use your full address for a better bearing to the tower(s).
http://www.antennaweb.org
To determine the distance to the transmitting tower(s) go to this site http://www.geocode.com/modules.php?name=TestDrive_Eagle and enter your address, get the decimal latitude and longitude (the longitude will be a negative number)
Then go to this site http://www.2150.com/broadcast/ and enter the numbers you got from the previous link. This site will give you the distances to the transmitters. Don't worry about the magnetic declination, just use the bearing from you got from antennaweb.org.
Antenna Links
Here are five Radio Shack links that may be of interest. The first one is in pdf (Acrobat) format:
http://www.radioshack.com/images/refguide/c04-p012.pdf
This one if full of specs:
http://support.radioshack.com/support_video/doc44/44032.htm
This is their Indoor Antenna page:
http://www.radioshack.com/category.asp?catalog%5Fname=CTLG&category%5Fname=CTLG%5F003%5F001%5F001%5F000&Page=1
This is their Outdoor Antenna page:
http://www.radioshack.com/category.asp?catalog%5Fname=CTLG&category%5Fname=CTLG%5F003%5F001%5F002%5F000&Page=1
This link for preamplifiers, distribution amps and splitters:
http://www.radioshack.com/category.asp?catalog%5Fname=CTLG&category%5Fname=CTLG%5F003%5F001%5F003%5F001&Page=1
I checked with my local Radio Shack Store and was told that they will take an antenna back if it is complete and in the original package.
This link to http://www.starkelectronic.com/ has info/prices on Channel Master and Winegard Antennas plus much more.
Channel Master Main Page, navigate to 'Products' then the Outdoor and Indoor Antenna pages:
http://www.channelmaster.com
At the bottom of each antenna page (Crossfire, Advantage or UHF) you can find a link to the 'Antenna Reference Chart'.
This link to Winegard OTA Antennas has nice specs, actually shows the polar patterns for their antennas.
http://www.winegard.com/offair/offairmain.htm
This link provides information on Channel Master and Winegard preamplifiers and distribution amplifiers; also see the Stark Electronics link above:
http://www.tvantenna.com/support/tutorials/amplifiers.html
There are four basic rules for TV signal reception that you should keep in mind:
1. Outdoor is generally better.
Outdoor antennas have a better view of the transmitting station, with no building-induced signal loss. They receive less interference from other household electronic/electrical appliances, and they are less likely to receive reflected ghost signals from the building structure.
2. Higher is better.
The higher an antenna is, the more direct signal it can receive from the TV transmitter, while at the same time reducing the reception of interfering signals from other household electronic/electrical appliances and reflected ghost-causing signals from other nearby structures. The higher the better, but any antenna should be at least four feet above the structure to which it is mounted, and ideally above the roofline.
3. Closer is better.
If a position above the roofline is not possible, the antenna should at least be on the side of your building facing the TV signal broadcast tower.
4. Bigger is better.
The larger an antenna, the more signal it receives. This is especially important on channels 2-6, where the longer wavelength requires a larger antenna in order to be efficiently received. Larger antennas also become directional which reduces ghosting caused by reflected signals coming from the side and the rear of the receiving antenna.
