To Go OTA Reception or Not?

[sandange]

Hi all
Newbie here living on the edge of OTA reception in a mountainous area. My location is 45 5022 -- 74 0820.5 . North of Montreal, Quebec.
I did go to tvfool and the chart channels look bleak - Everything is 2 edge I'll try to post a link

[img]http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%3d7d5203d3e0a001/img]

With the right antenna(s) do you think I could get reception for channels with down to a -20 value db?

I would be happy with a channel range from 7- 60 .
The research I've done so far makes me think a 91XG or Winegard pr8800 for UHF,& for VHF I was thinking a C5 .

I don't really need channels over 50. I live in ski country so snow accumulation on the antenna is something to consider. I would tend to shy away from a very large antenna
I believe I would also need a preamp and a rotator.

I saw this one antenna advertised that would cover what I'm looking for but I haven't seen any test results or reviews to support their performance figures.
It would be real nice to just have to deal with 1 antenna.
I would welcome any information/reviews on this antenna model. Digitenna Model DUV-XF , digitenna . com/ DUV-XF. pdf

I presently run my Bell satellite to a crt HD ready (analog tuner) Toshiba 26" 26hf84 (5 years old) that has a hdmi in and papers say it can do 1080i.
I run a coaxial wire to the bedroom tv ( Old Panasonic 22 crt ) That I use as a monitor
I know I will either need a digital tuner Top box that has a hdmi out or have to buy a new hdtv. But that's another posting in another section.

Thanks for your patience.
Looking forward to your suggestions and comments
Sandy

[tigerbangs]

You have some big hills cutting oyu off from the Mount Royal tower, even though you are less than 25 miles from the tower. I believe that you'll see the analog VHF Montreal stations, channels 2.6.10. and 12 without much trouble with a good antenna, but the digital stations are most likely a no-go. I would use a fringe area VHF-UHF antenna like a Winegard HD-7082P or, if you can find one, a Wade-Delhi VU-935SR .
Generally speaking, reliable TV reception is not available when the net of the noise margin, antenna gain, insertion loss and amplifier noise loss comes to less than zero. A preamplifier will only help cover line losses, it will not increase raw signal-to-noise ratio when calculating reception. A -20 nM figure is unattainable in almost every situation, as most antenas will not provide more that 15dB gain, from which you must SUBTRACT cable and insertion losses AND amplifier noice margin. ie; a 15db gain antenna with 100' of RG6u coaxial cable will net out to about 11.6 dB gain at channel 20. A preamplifier can recover the cable loss, restoring the gain to 15dB, but the noise margin of the preamplifier must then be SUBTRACTED from the total noise margin to calculate available nM gain. Therefor a preamp with 3dB noise margin will allow a net gain of only 12dB.

[sandange]

Thanks tigerbangs for your quick and honest input. VHF channels reception is for short term especially if they will soon add/change to digital broadcast.
I thought since we are 975’ (297m) above sea level (Google) we would have a reasonable chance at getting some UHF reception (May be more so when the Canadian Channels switch over to digital.

So then by doing the math, at best I may expect to receive Channels on my tv fool listing from the top of the list down to a maximum of a –10 to -12bd with the right equipment?

I’m not fussy about how many channels we get, but I’m not happy with the “service” (reception is fine) from our satellite company and would like to move on.

I just looked at the Specs for these antennas. I understand there is more to it than these specs. If you could please enlighten me.


Wade-Delhi VU-935SR 12’ long VHF 7 to 12 UHF 11 db.

Winegard HD-7082P 9’ long VHF 6 to 11 UHF 10 - 13

Clearstream 5 30”x23” VHF Max 8.4

Winegard Hd 8800 4’ x 3’ UHF 13.5 – 15.5

91 GX 8’ x22” x20” UHF 11 –15.5


Sandy

[tigerbangs]

Becasue of atmospherics, I am reluctant to tell anyone that they will receive TV stations below 0nM reliabl, no matter what antenna they use. The antennas that you have mentioned are all good antennas, but, since Canada won't convert to digital untoil August of 2011, and that the channel assignments for digital are still in a state of flux, I would still recommend an all-channel antenna for you, like the Wade or the Winegard. I use the AntennasDirect XG-91 all the time, and really like it, but you still need VHF as well as UHF, and VHF-only antennas are now in very short supply. If you can find a Wade VIP-305SR, VIP-306SR or a VIP-307SR, then you can combine that antenna with an AntennasDirect XG-91 for a super-receiving combination. Use a Channel Master Titan 7777 preamplifier to combine the signals from the 2 antennas into one coax cable.

[sandange]

I see what you mean- as in “reliable” viewing reception. This is where your professionalism & experience are appreciated.
I tend to shy away from “1 antenna does it all” as I feel there would be compromise in (vhf, uhf) one or the others design & performance as well as the very large size in relation to the wind, snow and ice we get up here.
What do you think of this combination?

For UHF
I’m considering either a 91XG, or your other prescription for fringe CM4228.
Which one do you thing would do better in our harsh snow and ice conditions?

For VHF
According to my TV fool report I really only have to deal with VHF stations where the weakest is at + 4.9 db. Any thing weaker than – 16 is not possible.

I’m considering a Clearstream C5 rated at 8.4 db. I can live without channels 6 or under - also they will be moving soon.
It is a little more expensive, but I would pay a little more - Reasons are I think it’s well built, small, & light and would do well in the snow & ice. They also seem to be more easily available. What is you opinion of the C5?

I also would use

Tripod 5’, 12 ft mast on roof - 25’ antenna height from the ground

Channel Master Titan 7777 preamp

Channel Master 9521a rotator

100’ of RG 6, grounding wire, blocks, etc.

Any thing I left out? Trying to get my materials list together.
Sandy

[tigerbangs]

The Clearstream 5 is a little overpriced for the performance it offers: try a Winegard YA-1713 or an AntennaCraft Y-10-7-13 instead, and you re definitely on the right track.

[sandange]

Thanks for the help tigerbangs

Looking into the availability of antennas, etc, locally, But upcoming holiday plans are keeping me busy.
Who knows, I might get lucky with a boxing day special.

Have a happy holiday celebration
Sandy

[tigerbangs]

Stuff in Canada is always more expensive than it is here in the USA, and availability can be spotty. Wade-Delhi is a good bet if you can find it locally, since they are Canadian-made.

Happy Holoidays to you and yours!