Antenna Suggestions

[defiant79]

Hello,

First off, I have found lots of valuable information from this site but I need some suggestions to help my setup.

I am currently using an RCA ANT806 for my antenna, mainly because this is a rental home and I don't really want to put up a more permanant antenna since I'm not 100% sure what the landlord will think and plus I want to be able to easily take it with me should we move. This antenna came with a small inline amp, and I have mounted the Antenna on the front side of our front porch. I had about 12 different channels when running straight to the TV on analog. I ordered a Dish Network TR-40 (had some good reviews) for our digital box, and upon hooking it up I have about 2-4 watchable channels. I'ved tried moving the antenna around, but it didn't seem to make much difference (even put it on the side of the house on the second story and it picked up nothing!).

My zip code is 43311 in Bellefontaine, OH, and I know I'm listed in a bad spot. The TV stations around us claim that their towers our pumping the digital signal at full strength and they have people almost an hour away from me getting the signal, but I sure can't.

Thanks for any and all help!

[tigerbangs]

The problem is that that the closest network stations are in Dayton, 50 miles from you, and that's too far to expect reception with an indoor antenna. You do have WLIO-DT nearby, an NBC station that comes from Lima and is on channel 8 digital, but if you want all of your networks, Dayton is the place to look.

You will need a UHF-only antenna for Dayton, and your landlord cannot prevent you from installing an antenna to get local TV reception, according to the FCC. You do need his or her permission before drilling any holes or attaching anything permanent to the house, however. I suggest using a chimney mount, if you have a chimney, for that reason, since a chimney mount is non-penetrating, and can be removed without any damage to the property.

As for what antenna to use: try an AntennasDirect XG-91 mounted on the chimney, Use a high-input preamplifier like a Winegard HDP-269, high-quality RG-6u coaxial cable, run to your TV converter. The preamplifier will have a power supply that needs AC power that will mount behind the TV set. Aime the antenna 210 degrees from your location. That antenna is fairly low-profile and very powerful: you'll see the Dayton stations with that antenna system, and you'll be able to run up to 4 TV sts when using the preamplifier.

Here are some links to the equipment and a good installation guide:

http://www.antennasdirect.com
http://www.winegard.com
http://www.pctinternational.com/channel ... lation.pdf

[defiant79]

I will check that antenna out, its about the same price as the RCA one I currently have. I will take the RCA antenna back since I just got it. Our house doesn't have a big chimney, but there is a small one that has the exhaust from the furnace and hot water heater. Thanks for the quick reply! Does the antenna come with everything needed to mount it to the chimney? or is there some kind of kit? I'm half tempted just to order basic cable, but then paying for the same channels I could get for free will bother me.

Thanks again!

[tigerbangs]

You will need the coaxial cable and a chimney mounting kit. Solid Signal has the XG-91 delivered for $74.99: the other equipment will cost you about $30-$35.00...