Antenna setup recommendations needed for rural area

[cmuspmed]

I live in Clinton, MI. Zip code 49236. Am fed up with paying monthly cable rates for basically nothing beyond what can be received with antennas. However, am new to the whole antenna arena and don't know what I need or what is best. Have signals from all directions (Detroit, Lansing, Toledo). Have two converter boxes on two TVs. I tried to use a "strong" indoor antenna and couldn't get any signals. Home is 2 stories essentially in the middle of town. No significant obstructions (trees, tall buildings, etc) in the area. Plan to mount to highest point on roof in some manner.

Any suggestions on type of antenna, specs I should be looking at, any other information you all can provide would be greatly appreciated.

[tigerbangs]

You have lots of stations coming from all directions, including the Detroit and Toledo stations. No one signal is overpoweringly strong in your area, so my suggestion would be to use a fringe-area VHF-UHF antenna like a Winegard HD-7084P mounted on top of a rotator, and I would use a Channel Master Titan 7777 preamplifier feeding a high-quality 4-way coax splitter: I think that you are looking at more than 30 different TV signals available at your location using the suggested equipment.

[cmuspmed]

Any specific recommendations on a rotator?

Also, any recommendations on best way to mount? Any how-to sites you recommend?

[tigerbangs]

I usually use a Channel Master 9521a rotator: you can get specific information from some of the online vendors like summitsource.com, solidsignal.com and starkelectronic.com

[cmuspmed]

I was considering an eave gable mount for the antenna (Winegard SW0012). Is this a better or worse option than a standard rooftop mount?

[tigerbangs]

That will work as long as you don't go more than 5' above the roofline...

[cmuspmed]

Dumb followup question. Why is that? And how high is too high with a standard rooftop mount?

[cmuspmed]

Additional followup question. Is the 5 ft height restriction a problem with the antenna/etc suggested?

[tigerbangs]

No, not at all: I based yuur reception conditions on an overall height from the ground of 30' I have a feeling that when you get this all installed, that you are going to be pretty amazed...LOL

[cmuspmed]

Okay, so I now have the four components and I understand the majority of the setup. I have a couple questions.

1) The rotator connects to the mast, correct? And there should be some post from the antenna to the rotator, correct? The antenna does not have a post to connect to the rotator. What do I need?

2) Is there concern that the cable running from the antenna will twist around the mast because of the rotator? If so, are there any tricks to avoiding it? Or am I misunderstanding the concept here?