Antenna Sugestion for 21108 MD

[marshman442]

I am going to be dropping my Verizon Service and purchasing a OTA antenna. Which one would be a good choice for zip code 21108?I want to pick up both Baltimore and Washington DC stations.

Do I need to run two antenna's pointed towards these two different directions? Also which type of antenna's would be reccomended? I can mount the antenna's about 15' above the ground, but I am in a heavly wooded area.

[tigerbangs]

Your situation is a good one: both Baltimore and DC are within easy reach if you use a a proper antenna and a rotator. My suggestion would be to use a Winegard HD-7696P mounted on your roof along with a good rotator like a Channel Master 9521a. That combination will allow you to both cities without a problem.

http://www.winegard.com
http://www.vhannelmaster.com
http://manuals.solidsignal.com/AntInstallGuide.pdf

[marshman442]

Thanks for the info... I am sceptical of the long term reliability of the Antenna Rotator System. I would think this would become a problem over time, especially when exposed to the elements. What are some other options?

Also, Are there any limitations to the # of TV's that can be run of of a single antenna? I will have 2-3 TV's. How do you go about splicing the antenna(s) for multiple TV's?

Any input at to HDTV receivers that should be paired with the antenna's.

Any info would be great.

[tigerbangs]

Antenna rotators are a 60 year old technology, and are well-proven. They make receiving signals from multiple cities much easier than would otherwise be possible. In your situation, accomplishing what you want to do with multiple antennas is a very difficult situation, and would be a very expensive proposition, since antennas joined into a common network tend to cancel each other out. Running multiple TV sets from a single antenna is not at all difficult: If you have less than 4 TVs to run, use a Channel Master CM3414 splitter-amplifier to amplify and divide the signal to your TV sets. The instructions that I have included will explain how to wire multiple TV sets.

[marshman442]

The instructions that I have included will explain how to wire multiple TV sets.

How do I access these instructions? Are there any wiring diagrams?

[tigerbangs]

http://manuals.solidsignal.com/AntInstallGuide.pdf

[marshman442]

Ok.. My Bad. I did not see that link you posted. Thanks for the Info.

On another note, before I invest in a bunch of equipment only to find out that the picture quality I will get from an OTA signal SUCKS. Is there anyone who can weigh in on the qulaity picture I can expect to receive compaired to Verizon Fios or Comcast. I understand that there are alot of variables involved when dealing with reception of signals in geographic areas. But in general terms can I expect the HD picture quality I have come accustomed to from Verizon Fios from an OTA antenna? Is the receiption heavily influenced by weather?

[tigerbangs]

OTA digital reception picture quality is generally regarded as superior to subscription services providing the same content, since there the signal requires much less manipulation and conversion before transmission. OTA is only considered superior IF you provide a quality signal to your receiver: bad or inadequate antennas can cause tiling and marco-blocking that can make reception frustrating to watch. In your area, your TV signals are strong enough that you should have very few weather-related issues with reception of the Baltimore and Washington TV stations.