Is this a good choice?

[James]

Hi,

1. Nearest zip code - 17853 Long – 40N 44’ 46.26”, Lat – 77W 00’ 2.34”
2. Number of sets, 1
3. Digital only
4. Choice of new TV to be purchased in February/March 09 will probably be a Panasonic TH 50PZ80U. Presently have a Sharp 27R-S100.

Have purchase a digital converter and can receive the following channels on a twin bow tie mounted in the attic:
Looking East
WNEP16.1, 16.2 (49), WBRE 28 (11), WOLF 56.1, 56.2, 56.3 (45),
WYOU 22.1 (13)
Distance from transmitters is approx 66 miles, heading of 74 degrees
(Above from antennaweb.com using my long & lat)

Receive the following channels on 2 arrow shaped antenna’s (Radio Shack I think) mounted in the attic
Looking South
WHTM 27.1, 27.2, 27.3 (10), WITF 33.1, 33.3 (36)
Distance from transmitters is approx.30 miles and headings between 177 & 186 degrees.
(Above from antennaweb.com using my long & lat)

Antennas are separated by about 20’. Also using a Archer (Radio Shack) pre amp.

Because of fade out during storms, and hoping to be able to receive WVIA 44.1 (41), WHP 21.1 (4), WLYH 15 (23), WGAL 8 (8). I’m looking at purchasing two Wineguard HD 7084P, one pointing East, and one pointing South. Is this a good choice or does anyone have a better suggestion.

Would like to keep the antenna’s in the attic because of all the thunderstorms with lightning strikes in my area. Two tall trees within 75’ of the house have been hit.

Thank you,

Jim

[tigerbangs]

You will severely limit your reception if you choose to continue to mount your antennas in the attic. I also don't understand why you won't use a rotator rather than the 3 antenna set-up that you currently have, as you have way too much metal up in the attic to make any sense out of your TV stations. If this was my installation, I would use ONE antenna array with a rotator, and forgo the two or three antenna idea.

If this was my installation, I would suggest using an AntennasDirect XG-91UHF antenna plus a Winegard YA-1713 VHF high-band yagi mounted on a Channel Master 9521a rotator, and use a Channel Master Titan 7777 preamplifier. Mount the rig ON THE ROOF, and take the necessary precautions to dissipate the static electric charge of lightning. It's foolish to think that your antenna is immune from the effects of lightning in the attic, as antennas are almost NEVER struck directly by lightning, but can pick up the discharge from a lightning bolt from as much as several miles away. An ungrounded antenna mounted in the attic is more likely to cause property damage than a properly installed and grounded antenna is when mounted on the roof.

WHP-DT, the only low-band VHF channel that you currently have, will be moving back to channel 21 after Feb. 17, 2009, so there is little reason to buy an antenna (s) that pick up low-band VHF, as you'll have no low-band signal to pick-up.

Get rid of the Radio Shack amplifiers, as they have high levels of signal noise that can actually harm digital reception more than they help it. Digital reception is a function of signal-to-noise ration more than it is sheer signal strength, and a preamplifier with 6-7DB of inherent noise can ruin an otherwise useable signal. Digital TV signals can work with very low levels of signal strength, but not with high levels of added noise.

Install this antenna system as I have described, and you'll have enough signal reserve to eliminate signal fading from Scranton- Wilkes-Barre and you'll see everything that you are looking for from the Lancaster-Harrisburg area.

http://www.channelmaster.com
http://www.winegard.com
http://www.pctinternational.com/channel ... lation.pdf

[James]

Thank you. I think that instead of mounting on the roof, I'll pickup a mast. Remember seeing a small device to place inline for lightning.
Again, thank you!

[tigerbangs]

If you can find a ground-mounted mast-tower that is reasonably priced, that's a very good choice!