Replace Cable TV to Multiple TV's

[mstickma]

We want to eliminate our $50 per month cable TV with boxes at each TV like the ROKU, and also free local TV by antenna. I would gladly accept any suggestions you could make for our situation. My zip code is 45377, the lat-long is 39.88869 & -84.207849. My lot and surrounding area is residential and my lot has a couple of trees that hug the house on the each of the south, east and west sides. Also my house is a two-story, so I can get the antenna up fairly high. There are no tall buildings or towers nearby.
I would like to have antenna reception on 4 TV's through the house. All my TV's are the older non-HDTV analog types. I have not needed to buy digital converters because Time Warner takes care of the signal coming in. What antenna would you suggest. Can I tap into my coax that is already run to each TV for distributing the antenna reception? Also can you suggest a splitter and if needed, an amplifier?

Thanks in advance for your help!
Mike

[tim58hsv]

You can use the existing coaxial and splitters. You'll also need a rotor (don't buy it from Radio Shack. They're junk) and four digital converter boxes. The antenna should be either an XG91 or an 8-bay. The 8-bay may pick up vhf channel WKRC from Cincinnati but the XG91almost surly won't.

Disclaimer:
The trees around your house may cause a problem with reception but I'm confident that at least the Dayton channels will come in 24/7 loud and clear.

[tigerbangs]

I disagree: if WKRC is important to you, then you should install a VHF-high-band plus UHF antenna like a WInegard HD-7696P or an AntennaCeaft HBU-44: the 8 bay antennas do not have enough gain at 60 miles to get a proper VHF signal. As for distributing the signal to all four TV sets, you will need a distribution amplifier installed in the line between the antenna and the splitter to give you enough signal to reliably run all 4 TV sets

[mstickma]

Thanks for the replies to my questions.

What stations can I reach if I mount the antenna in the attic? If the antenna needs to be mounted on the roof, who sells the mounts? Will I need a rotor since both the Dayton and Cincinnati stations are generally in the same direction?

[tigerbangs]

Do not mount the antenna in the attic if you want Cincinnati: you are too far away to expect to get Cincinnati reliably with an attic installation. The Dayton station will likely come in with an attic installation, but you do not need such a large antenna for Dayton-only reception. Dayton is close-by and the stations are all UHF. If you only want Dayton, look at a small UHF-only yagi like an AntennasDirect XG-42 or an AntennaCraft MXU-47

[erion109]

I am also trying to eliminate my cable and switch over to an HD antenna to feed my house. I have three TVs with built in HD tuners that all feed off of my main cable line to the house. What would you recommend for my area? I live at zip 37211 and my long/lat is: 36.017401, -86.728942. Can you please tell me my best option to receive the most major channels and what is going to be my best value in HD antenna and any other equipment needed. Would it be best to mount something outside the house or in the attic? Your help is greatly appreciated!!!