Antenna for 35209 (Birmingham, AL)

[rameyh]

Hey Guys,
I'm ready to get going with an off air antenna but am having problems getting all of my channels. I have 5 towers within 5 miles of my house, and within 30 degrees of each other. An indoor antenna works great for these!

Alas, I need ABC which is 25 miles away (blue) and over 30 degrees from the others. Will I have to get two antennas to get ABC and all the others?

On antenna web, I also notice an analog ABC station within 5 miles, but about 200 degrees from the others. If I get this one, will it be in HD?

I'm going to two televisions, one HD with built-in receiver and the other SD with a converter.

Thanks,
Ramey

[ProjectSHO89]

A compact high-VHF antenna such as the ClearStream C5 should work for both ABC and everything in you back yard. Point it at your ABC stations tower and go for it.

I'd also recommend a MINIMUM of 60-70 dB of FM attenuation to keep FM out of your tuner(s). You have a large number of 50-100kW FM stations that broadcast in your backyard in or within 5 miles of your zip code. Three HLSJs with the "L"" port terminated or three FM traps in series should do it.

There are no analog ABC stations in your area (or anywhere else except for possible CA or translators). The "a" to the left of the channel listing is explained in the legend under the chart.

[rameyh]

Great news! I'll give it a shot. Can you explain the second section a little more?

I'd also recommend a MINIMUM of 60-70 dB of FM attenuation to keep FM out of your tuner(s). You have a large number of 50-100kW FM stations that broadcast in your backyard in or within 5 miles of your zip code. Three HLSJs with the "L"" port terminated or three FM traps in series should do it.

I'm guessing it has to do with suppressing FM radio signals that are so close to my house, but what is a HLSJ or FM trap? Is this physically something I add to the antenna?

Thanks a TON for the reply!

[ProjectSHO89]

Examples:

HLSJ - http://yhst-18278607509093.stores.yahoo ... -0144.html
FM Filter/Trap - http://www.antennasdirect.com/store/FM_ ... ilter.html
Terminators - http://www.amazon.com/Ohm-Terminator-4- ... B0016A986K

Add them inline with the cable to your TV set or converter box.