Do I need a longer range/stronger antenna?

[TBDon]

Hi:
I'm located in Belleville, MI 48111. Most major affiliates are located NE ~20 miles out. I currently have an RCA ANT608(amplified) http://www.rcaaccessories.com/rcaaccess ... _ID=ANT806
...mounted outside on a 25foot pole. For a week(rainy & windy for the most part) I've been having difficulty picking up a solid signal simultaneously (especially during peak daytime hours) from the three major network stations (NBC,ABC,FOX-all NE, ~20 miles away). Then, Sunday evening was a clear, quiet evening and all 3 major networks came in clear(without having to rotate the antenna) and even the Toledo stations from the opposite direction came in clear(without rotating the antenna). It seems I have a fair weather antenna. Will a larger antenna help pull in a stronger signal? Geo selector recommended the antenna direct 43XG for UHF.

Second question; The main VHF station I'm interested in is the the FOX2 affiliate located at RF channel 7. Any chance, would the 43XG(UHF antenna) be able to receive VHF Radio Channel 7?

Thanks for your help.

[tigerbangs]

Yes, you definitely need a better antenna: those types of single element antennas with amplifiers are usually pretty worthless, and it doesn't surprise me that you are having reception issues in an otherwise decent reception area.

If you are solely interested in the Detroit TV stations, then you can use a VHF-high-band plus UHF antenna like a Winegard HD-7696P aimed at at 35 degrees from your location, as measured by a compass. If you also want the Toledo, Ann Arbor and Windsor, ON TV stations, then consider adding a rotator like a Channel Master 9521a to the antenna, which will allow you to aim the antenna at those stations for the best signal: I believe that you'll be amazed at how many TV stations are actually available to you.

[TBDon]

Tigerbangs, Thank you for the advice. I've been on cable for over 20 years so this is all new to me.

I neglected in my original post to mention I have an HDTV with a built in tuner. I can plug in directly to the TV without a need for an external digital tuner. I've been reading more of the posts here and my thoughts are gravitating toward the Winegard HD7696P. The Specs say it's tuned to pick up starting with RF Channel 7, which would be the primary VHF (WJBK/FOX) channel that I would like to receive and it is clustered with the majority of the UHF Detroit area channels. If I can pick up the Detroit area cluster without having to rotate the antenna I can add the rotator at a later date for other areas if need be.

I'm starting out with one TV on the antenna, may expand upto 4 TV's as time goes on.
1. Could you explain the equipment necessary for the additional TV sets?
2. Is the RG6u dual OK to use outside up the pole to the antenna or is RG6u quad shield required?

Thanks in advance for the input.

[tigerbangs]

RG-6u coax cable is just fin for TV reception: you don't need quad-shield cable, which is a lot more expensive, and uses unique fittings. If you plan to run 4 TV sets from this antenna, you will need a small distribution amplifier-solitter like a Channel Master CM-3414, which will provide enough power to run all 4 tv sets without signal loss. You will need to run coaxial cable from a central location inside your home, like an attic or basement to each TV set, an install the amplifier-splitter at the junction of all cables. If your house is currently wired for cable TV, you can use the cable TV wire as long as there is no cable signal running through the wire, however, most cable TV splits are made outside the house, so you may have to modify your distribution system so that you can insert a distribution amplifier somewhere in the line in between the antenna and the outdoor splitter.

[TBDon]

I've decided to go with the Winegard HD7696P. I ordered from Solidsignal.com yesterday. Solidsignal is about 10 miles away from my location so I opted to go pick the antenna up rather than having it shipped. They're located in a commercial/industrial park in what appeared to be a clean, well stocked warehouse.

My next question is: Is it OK to strap the RG6u antenna wire directly to the pole that the antenna is mounted to -or- does the wire need to be mounted off the pole. The thought being, will it cause any signal degradation/loss if the wire is strapped directly to the steel pole? No other wires at this point are on the pole. Could be a rotor in the future.

Thanks so much for your time and response!

[tigerbangs]

Since RG-6u is a shielded cable, it can be directly attached to a mast: I usually use zip-ties to do the job, as they will never rust or come undone. In the old days of flat twin-lead cable, the installer had to be very careful to stand off the wire from the masting to avoid multipath, but that is no longer the case: you can do practically ANYTHING to coax cable without hurting it or the TV image.

Please come back after you have done your installation and let us know how it all came out.!

[TBDon]

Do I need the bling? Gold plated or 24 carat gold? Truth or Myth? What will the gold do for me - or- should I say my TV reception. Seen the gold F- connectors for .49 and up.

http://valley-ent.com/catalog/compressi ... p-232.html

(Absolutely! Operational feedback forthcoming soon as the weather clears and I can install the antenna. )

[tigerbangs]

Gold connections don't corrode, but neither do the nickle-plated connections: don't waste your money... DO recommend that you use compression-type fittings like the Thomas and Betts or equivalent for best results and long life.

[TBDon]

The Winegard HD7696P has been installed on a 25 foot pole for 3 days now, with no amplifier or pre-amp, plugged directly into the ANT IN connector of an HDTV and has been oriented toward the Detroit area cluster of stations, 20~25 miles away. The reception from all of the major Detroit area cluster of stations, without having to rotate the antenna once positioned, ..................................has been flawless! I have not rotated/experimented with the antenna as of yet, but even with the antenna pointed toward the Detroit stations I'm receiving some of the Toledo channels, so I'm thinking Toledo reception would be consistent if I rotated the antenna toward the Toledo stations.

So, first indications are very good. I think the idea is to get the best reliable TV reception with the smallist antenna. Although this antenna is a larger antenna to me (9 feet long/3 feet wide), the reception so far has been perfect. I started out with a small single element antenna/with amplifier but was not comfortable with being able to receive the local stations reliably on a consistent basis. The upgrade cost ~$33 more than the first antenna but well worth it and fortunately I was able to return the first antenna. I'll be back with updates as time goes on and probably with more questions as I grow/add to the system/network.

Thanks for the assistance! Much appreciated.

[tigerbangs]

I'm glad to hear it, but not really surprised: a rotator will allow you to see the Toledo stations with the same level of reception that you get the Detroit signals.