Advice needed on what & how, cheaply

[confusedmom]

Hello,

I need advice on what kind of antenna is needed and how to install one. I have currently have Directv that works as long as the bill is paid. I recently had to run out and get a converter box and omni directional antenna before the kids drove me crazy.

I am not very tech savy, but here is what I do know. All 3 of my tv's will need a converter box and antenna. The one I currently have working was very simple to put together, the antenna is an RCA Digital Flat Multi-directional supports 1080 broadcast. It also looses reception everytime anyone walks to the kitchen or bathroom!! I have placed it as high as I could, but alas, it ain't gonna cut it!!

After reading previous post I went ahead to tvfool and here is the link:http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%3dccd13dd72f2b4e

I know what cables and splitters are, but I wouldn't know one from another. I have a satellite dish that points to the southeast that is mounted on the house. The house terrain is very hilly, if that helps any. Hopefully I can use the cables and splitter that are already run. Directv installed them.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Summer is coming soon and I would like to have it installed by then.

[confusedmom]

Ok the post has been viewed a few times... Does anyone have any suggestions??? Somewhere else I should look?? What kind of antenna I need ??? Specifications to look for ??? Or just buy the local Wallyworld outdoor special and pray it is not time and money wasted !!!

[a.lee.hagen]

antennaweb.org is a good website to get you started. It will give advice on antennas for you to buy regarding your location to any available TV antennas. I would purchase online because of not only pricing, but a better selection of available products. Without further information, it would be difficult to point you in a certain direction.

[a.lee.hagen]

http://www.fcc.gov/mb/engineering/maps/

better yet check this page out, it's a little more in depth and will give you a better idea of available channels. once you know how far the antennas are away from you, you can get a better idea of you personal antenna needs (i.e. signal strength, indoor/outdoor, need for preamp, and also vhf/uhf)

[smp375]

Antennaweb.org will get you started, as mentioned. Summitsource.com has unbeatable prices on antennas and accessories. I don't know anything about your geography, so I can't speak for what type of antenna you should use, but if you are anywhere urban or suburban you probably won't need anything too large. ALL antennas support 1080, the misconception is that there is a difference between old antennas and HD antennas; retailers play on this to make more money. You have to determine if you need only UHF or UHF/VHF (antennaweb will tell you this), then determine if you want to mount an antenna in your attic, or on the roof. You can easily combine an antenna to the DirectTV feed with a $3 combiner. Often, when feeding multiple televisions off a single antenna you will need an amplifier; when this is the case a distribution amplifier is best, but your satellite service network might already have a distribution amplifier installed. If you really want to put a separate antenna on each television you should make them yourself; a VERY GOOD UHF antenna can be built for <$10, just google "diy antenna."

[smp375]

Upon review of your tvfool results it appears you would need a small UHF/VHF antenna. The installation of an antenna is EASY and you would be much better off with an outdoor antenna than several indoor antennas. I was recently looking for converter boxes for my ex and I found good prices through google shopping, and on ebay. I think your best option would be to mount an antenna on the house, then use a combiner to connect it to the Satellite feed. All these connections are simple screw-on coax connections and the most difficult part would be to get the mount on the roof.

Something like this could be mounted near the satellite dish:
http://www.summitsource.com/channel-mas ... -7084.html
Be aware the mount pictured is not included, but this antenna is specifically designed to be used with satellite.

This would allow you to tie into the satellite feed:
http://www.summitsource.com/product_inf ... ts_id=6882

One of these at each television would allow you to split the signal between the satellite receiver and the converter box:
http://www.summitsource.com/product_inf ... ts_id=7897

You might need one of these somewhere along the line:
http://www.summitsource.com/1-ghz-f81-f ... -8714.html

Eight of these and a good wire cutter will allow you to use the 50' coax line included with the antenna to connect everything up:
http://www.summitsource.com/channel-mas ... -6950.html

Otherwise one of these at each television will be Okay:
http://www.summitsource.com/amplified-i ... -7009.html

GOOD LUCK!!!