Attic Antenna for zip codes 30024 and 30019

[rpayne]

Hi. I have two properties that I want to put outdoor antennas in the attic. Can anyone help me with choosing the proper setup to get a digital signal for both locations?

The first property is in zip code 30024. I would like to run the antenna to 3 or 4 sets eventually. Right now I only have one TV. The TV is a Panasonic TH-50PX60U Digital High Definition Plasma.

The second property is in 30019. I would like to run the antenna to 5 or 6 sets eventually. Right now I have three TVs. The first TV is a Panasonic TH-50PE700U High Definition Plasma. The second TV is a Panasonic TH-42PD50U Digital Progressive Plasma. The third TV is an analog Phillips 20PT633R01 flat screen that I have connected an APEX Digital TV Converter (DT250A) in order to get a digital signal.

Thanks.

[rpayne]

Hi. I have two properties that I want to put outdoor antennas in the attic. Can anyone help me with choosing the proper setup to get a digital signal for both locations?

The first property is in zip code 30024. I would like to run the antenna to 3 or 4 sets eventually. Right now I only have one TV. The TV is a Panasonic TH-50PX60U Digital High Definition Plasma.

The second property is in 30019. I would like to run the antenna to 5 or 6 sets eventually. Right now I have three TVs. The first TV is a Panasonic TH-50PE700U High Definition Plasma. The second TV is a Panasonic TH-42PD50U Digital Progressive Plasma. The third TV is an analog Phillips 20PT633R01 flat screen that I have connected an APEX Digital TV Converter (DT250A) in order to get a digital signal.

Thanks.

I am reposting this in hopes that someone will respond. I would like to get any advice on an antenna or equipment to buy to get a good digital signal. Thanks.

[tigerbangs]

I wouldn't suggest ANY antenna for attic mounting...if you are willing to consider roof-top installation, I can. with a fair amount of effort, design an antenna system and distribution system that will work for both locations

[rpayne]

Thanks for your help tigerbangs! I am definitely willing to consider a rooftop installation.

[tigerbangs]

For the property at 30024: signals are line-of-sight in this location and strong: you can use a relatively small antenna like a Winegard HD-7694P mounted on your roof and aimed at approx 210 degrees. Thge issue in Atlanta is always WGTV-DT, PBS, which operates on channel 8, and whose transmitter is located about 20 degrees south of the other major transmitters. We will have to use a compromise aiming position to be sure that we can see WGTV as well as all of the other major Atlanta transmitters. Once the antenna is mounted, you can run your coaxial cable to a central location in the building, and use a Winegard HDA-100 distribution amplifier, which requires AC power, followed in line by a 4 way, high qiality 1 gHz splitter, and then make your coaxial runs to each of your TV sets. This antenna system should give you problem-free receprion on all of your Atlanta stations.

The property at 30019 is a bit more problematic: signals strengths thre are greatly reduced, and signals are blocked by hills. This location will require a fringe-area installation to provide usable digital signals. In this installation, I would use a two-antenna system: an AntennasDirect 91XG mounted at the top of the mast plus a Winegard YA-1713 VHF high-band yagi mounted 4' below the 91XG on the same mast. Aim the XG-91 at 250 degrees, and aim the YA-1713 slightly south of the XG-91 at 245 degrees in order to pick up both WGTV-DT and WXIA-DT, which operates on channel 10. Connect the two coaxial cables to a Pico-Macom UFSJ joiner,then run the output of the joiner to a Winegard HDP-269 high-input preamplifier. Run the output of your preamplifier to a central location with AC power, the mount the preamp power supply then add a Winegard HDA-100 amplifier AFTER the preamplifier power supply. Run the output of the HDA-100 to a 4 way high quality splitter, then use 2-2-way splitters from the outputs of two of the 4 outputs on the 4-way splitter. This will give you a total of 6 outputs. When running the cables to the individial TV sets, be sure to put the SHORTEST cable lengths on the two-way splitters, and reserve the 2 ports on the original 4-way splitter for the longest cable runs you have to the TV sets. This array will give you the power you need to run 6 TV sets with enough signal strength o get reliable reception on all of the Atlanta digital stations.

Good Luck, and come back with any questions that you might have. I will include links to the products plus a good installtion guide to help you along.

http://www.winegard.com
http://www.antennasdirect.com
http://www.picomacom.com
http://www.channelmasterintl.com/docume ... lation.pdf

[rpayne]

Thanks Tigerbangs! You are AWESOME!

Regarding the 30019 property, I had been looking at the Winegard HD-7697P. What made yo choose the Antennas Direct over the Winegard in this case?

[tigerbangs]

The AntennasDirect has much better UHF reception than the HD-7697P. If you price out the two antennas, there is almost no difference in price between what I have recommended and the HD7697P. The fact that WGTV-Dt's transmitter is offset by about 20 degrees from the other Atlanta transmitters means that you can find a compromise position between WXIA's transmitter and WGTV's and that VHF antenna setting won't affect your UHF reception, which is likely to be more fragile than the VHF signals.

[rpayne]

I have ordered all of the supplies you recommended except the Pico-Macom UFSJ joiner. Do you have a particular one you recommend? They seem to have several and some seem pretty high end. Thanks for the advice.

[rpayne]

Nevermind. I found it as the Pico Macom UVSJ UHF-VHF Band Separator-Combiner. Thanks again for your help.

[tigerbangs]

Mental Dyslexia: I always seem to get those letters wrong on the UVSJ: Sorry about that!