Norwalk CT antenna suggestions to receive NYC OTA stations

[thodama]

Attempting to "cut the cord" by using a combination of Roku and OTA antenna. Roku working well, but initial results with antenna not so hot. My plan was to go fixed directional, UHF or combo, to get NYC stations which are 39.9 miles from our house, at a heading of 229 degrees true north. We're in Norwalk CT, 06851. TV Fool report here:

http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapp ... 919488d523

A mounting position toward the front-center of our house has the least obstruction to NYC from trees, so size/visibility is a consideration.

Started off trying an RCA ANT751, due to compact size and many positive reviews which seemed to be from users with similar requirements. Fed through RCA TVPRAMP1R into a Channel Master CM-7000PAL DVR/tuner. Temporarily clamped antenna mount to a 30' ladder leaned against the front of our house, pointed the antenna at 229 degrees. Received zero stations. Played around with the aiming for a couple of hours. I briefly picked up three stations on Long Island, but when I tried to tune them the signal dropped due to weakness.

Wondering if there was a problem with part of the setup, to receive such poor results, but double checked all components, and didn't see any connection issues. Didn't try for New Haven instead, but I suppose that may be an option.

Window is closing for return of the antenna to Amazon in the next week or two... any suggestions much appreciated.

[tigerbangs]

The NYC signals are moderately strong in your area, but the ANT751 is probably too small to do the job prooperly, and I don't know anything about the RCA preamplifier, but those components are not what I would have suggested, in any event. If you only want the NYC stations, I would use a Winegard HD-7696P mounted on then highest part of the roof, aimed at 243 degrees, the correct compass heading for your shot at NYC. I would get rid of the RCA preamp and get yourself an AntennasDirect PA-19 UHF-VHF low-noise preamplifier, instead. As long as your cabling and fittings are good, and the antenna is aimed properly, the NYC stations should be a snap to get. If you want to get a little more adventuresome, you can get some of the CT stations, and Long island stations if you add an antenna rotator to the system, as WTNH and WCTX from New Haven should be easy to get in your location, as well as a number of LI stations like WLIW.

http://www.winegard.com/kbase/upload/HD7696P.pdf

http://www.antennasdirect.com/store/cle ... r_kit.html

http://manuals.solidsignal.com/AntInsta ... ampaign=CJ

[thodama]

Thanks for your suggestions... I'll take a look at the items you recommend.
[I believe the 243 degree heading you mention is the magnetic equivalent of the 229 "true north" heading I referred to, so I think I was OK there. Was using an electronic compass where I could select either mode... I verified the heading in both modes.]