Teaneck NJ - Type of Antenna

[mrogovin]

I would like to get stations in several different directions within a 50 mi radius (100 mi if possible, but not critical). I think I have fairly good LOS as I am near the top of a hill, though there are some nearby trees. I tried a radio shack inexpensive directional and got at least NYC stations, but I want NJ and Long Island PBS stations as well. RIght now I have an analog TV which will need a converter and a TV tuner card for my PC which accepts both digital and analog signals. Both of these are on the first floor and each has a 50' cable that runs to a central splitter in the basement which currently connects to a cable TV feed outside. The splitter also can feed two upstairs locations, but these are unused (the cable feed outside also can split to serve additional sets upstairs but this wire is also not connected). I would run the antenna from the roof or chimney down the outside of the house and connect to the wire that runs to the basement splitter.

Would I need an antenna with amplifier? Will an omni antenna likely work without ghosting (I do not want to use a motorized antenna since that would make using the computer's DVR function difficult and I suspect that foul weather would eventually disable it). The big cost for me will be paying for installation (I do a lot of DIY, but not 25 feet or more above the ground) so I want to get this right the first time.

Thanks.

[tigerbangs]

If you want stations from all directions, an omnidirectional antenna is usually a poor choice, since they are essentially no-gain devices. You need a fringe-area antenna with a rotator mouted on yur rof. If you are looking for the Philadelphia stations, tou will need an all-channel antenna, as WPVI-DT, the ABC station in Philly is on channel 6. I would use a Winegard HD-7082P mounted on the roof along with a good rotator like a new-stock Channel master 9521a.