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Dee Gee
New member
Username: Djinpoway
Post Number: 2
Registered: 06-2010
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, June 28, 2010 - 03:47 pm: | 
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Hello. In November of last year, I bought a Channel Master 4228HD from Fry's. I ended up returning it because I was only able to received 2 channels from different mounting locations (aimed using a GPS) - I basically gave up on OTA. I think I'm ready to give it another shot. I'm currently using COX Cable and need recommendations for an antenna. I would rather do an attic or garage install, but will roof-mount if that's the only way to get decent reception.
Here's my tvfool report: http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%3d9fbe309cc85801
I am only interested in San Diego Digital Channels, and Antennaweb says I need a "BLUE" rated antenna, confusing me even more:
*blue vhf KFMB-DT 8.1 CBS 220° 15.1 Miles RF 8
*blue vhf KGTV-DT 10.1 ABC 220° 15.0 Miles RF 10
*blue uhf KSWB-DT 69.1 FOX 149° 20.1 Miles RF 19
*blue uhf KNSD-DT 39.1 NBC 149° 20.0 Miles RF 40
*blue uhf KPBS-DT 15.1 PBS 149° 20.0 Miles RF 30
I just want a decent antenna that will pull in the stations listed and was leaning towards a VHF-HI/UHF antennas like the Winegard HD-769XP series with or without a rotator (the smaller, the better). Any comments/suggestions/help would be very much appreciated. Thank you. |
HDTV@92120
Advanced Member
Username: Hdtv92120
Post Number: 197
Registered: 03-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, June 28, 2010 - 10:47 pm: |
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I fear that your location will make OTA reception very challenging. All of your channels indicate 2Edge blockage.
I put an antenna up at work in Carmel Mtn Ranch. I can receive the Mt Miguel stations fine as I have LOS. But I cannot receive the Mt Soledad VHF stations at all.
If you wish to give it a try without a rotor I'd buy a separate VHF and UHF roof mounted antennas so you can point them individually.
Samsung PN50B650 / Sony KP-57HW40 / Sony KD-30XS955 / Sony KDL-32SL130 / Panasonic TC-26LX20
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Micawber
Advanced Member
Username: Micawber
Post Number: 241
Registered: 11-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, June 29, 2010 - 08:51 am: |
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With a good antenna system and short cable run or a preamp (I use a Winegard 8275)you stand a chance. This is my setup using a rotator but you should get by with the UHF and VHF antennas pointed differently as Hdtv92120 said.
I get all the LA stations listed, even KCET most of the time.
http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%3dc72344d7dd7c5f
99.5% Dark Matter
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JoeM
Advanced Member
Username: Joem
Post Number: 159
Registered: 09-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, June 30, 2010 - 10:12 pm: |
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Could you go into more detail on the construction of your mast and mount ?
For example it looks like the lower part of the mast is thicker and a different color than the upper part.
Where did you get that roof mount ? |
Micawber
Advanced Member
Username: Micawber
Post Number: 242
Registered: 11-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, July 01, 2010 - 08:23 am: |
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I made it from scrap metal. The lower support is steel angle bracket and is offset to clear the overhanging tile. The 2 inch lower steel tube was used for the big ham antennas. The smaller tube was bolted inside the 2 inch tube to mount a TV antenna above the ham antennas (removed now of course). The top ubolt is spaced out also so the mast clears the tile and the mast is vertical. Note that I put a bolt through the tube above the upper Ubolt to prevent the tube from rotating on stops and starts when I had the heavy ham antennas up. Not an issue with the light weight TV antennas.
Rotator is a Yaesu 450XL used for the large ham antennas. I can take some more pics of the mount if you are interested. I put it up over 15 years ago.
99.5% Dark Matter
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holl_ands
Advanced Member
Username: Holl_ands
Post Number: 2356
Registered: 06-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, July 01, 2010 - 04:07 pm: |
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Google "tv antenna eave mount"....or save $'s and DIY...
You can also find detailed installation instructions:
http://www.dennysantennaservice.com/1476678.html
(Message edited by holl_ands on July 01, 2010) |
Dee Gee
New member
Username: Djinpoway
Post Number: 3
Registered: 06-2010
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, July 01, 2010 - 06:05 pm: |
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I was at Fry's this afternoon and they carry the Winegard HD-7697P. Would this antenna suffice or would I be better off with a dual antenna setup similar to Micawber's? I also found this thread on the net, posted by someone who seems to know a lot:
http://www.highdefforum.com/local-hdtv-info-reception/14818-tigerbangs-prescript ion-deep-fringe-reception.html
The antennas listed originally are no longer available, but are replaced by Antennas Direct 91XG UHF & Winegard YA-1713 VHF. This system should work, but then again Micawber's might be better for where I'm at. Micawber, what antennas are those? Thanks. |
Micawber
Advanced Member
Username: Micawber
Post Number: 243
Registered: 11-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, July 01, 2010 - 08:01 pm: |
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The UHF is a Winegard 9095P and the VHF is a YA-1713. I modified the mounting of the YA-1713 to avoid overhanging the patio. Bird problem.
I am also using a Winegard 8275 preamp. The 9095 has a connection on it for the VHF antenna so there is no need for an external combiner.
(Message edited by Micawber on July 01, 2010)
99.5% Dark Matter
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holl_ands
Advanced Member
Username: Holl_ands
Post Number: 2357
Registered: 06-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, July 02, 2010 - 10:33 am: |
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Dee Gee: WG HD-7697P would require you to rotate the antenna
everytime you changed to/fm Ch8/10 and one of the UHF channels.
Go with separate UHF and Hi-VHF antennas pointed at almost
right angles to each other. You might want to mount the
Hi-VHF antenna at the center vice the end as shown above.
(Message edited by holl_ands on July 02, 2010) |
JoeM
Advanced Member
Username: Joem
Post Number: 160
Registered: 09-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, July 05, 2010 - 08:05 pm: |
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I'd advise against going with the narrow beamwidth UHF antennas like the CM4228 and XG91. I think that's one reason you had difficulties before. So the obvious choice left is the CM4221 4-bay bowtie. It has slightly less gain but a broader beamwidth, making it easier to get the signals. In between the beamwidths of the CM4221 and the other antennas (CM4228 and XG91) is the Antennas Direct CS4. All this info is from hdtvprimer.com
If you're serious, you have to go with an outside installation (inside reduces your gain). You'll probably have to try several spots to find out which is the best (tweek for the weakest station you want to watch). |
General over-the-air (OTA)