Antenna Selection Help - Cincinnati OH

[gschnettler]

Hi. I recently cancelled my Satellite TV service since I found that we were mostly just watching network TV channels. I purchased a Channel Master 7000-PAL DVR which works great for recording shows - nearly as good as the Satellite company DVR. I am currently searching for the best antenna option.

I started with some old rabbit ears from Radio Shack and was able to get all of the basic Cincinnati channels. Next I built a shoebox antenna just for fun and was surprised to see that it picked up even more channels including 1 Dayton station (channel 7), even from indoors. I then built a Hoverman antenna and found that it performs about the same as my shoebox antenna, even if I put it outside.

Overnight, the Channel Master DVR continues to search for new stations and I was very surprised to see that it picked up channels 41 and 67 which I have never even heard of. When I tried to actually watch those channels, I was not able to, because the signal was too weak. But my point is that I think I'm close.

I am interested in getting as many channels as possible. I have a house that has a finished attic which is our third floor. I also have access to mount an antenna outside where the satellite dish currently is. This is on the roof facing West. Per my wife that's my only acceptable location for a roof mounted antenna. She does not want one up on the chimney. Still, where the satellite dish is I have about 180 degree coverage from South to West to North. There are no obstructions other than a few trees and the neighbors' houses

My address is:
3539 Zumstein Av. Cincinnati, OH 45208

What do you recommend for me? Would a simple omni-directional antenna mounted outdoors do the job of pulling in both the Dayton and Cincinnati stations? I only have one TV that I'm concerned about (I can use shoebox antennas for the others).

Thanks for your help.

- Gary

[tigerbangs]

You have the Dayton stations also available at your location as well as the Cincy stations. You are close enough to the Cincy transmitters that rabbit ears should suffice unless you are in a basement or other sheltered structure. if you just want to shore-up the Cincy stations, consider using a small VHF-high-band plus UHF antenna like an AntennaCraft HBU-22 aimed at 250 degrees. if you also want to see the Dayton stations, upgrade that antenna to an AntennaCraft HBU-33 and add a rotator like a Channel Master 9521a, which will allow you to turn the antenna towards the Dayton transmitters. which are all on UHF.