What antenna to get?

[mdsteele]

Howdy. I'm needing some info as to what antenna I need to buy to get DTV. Near as I can tell, my location is : lat, 36.488575.... and long, is 80.06344..... I'm in a low area and there's tall trees all around. So far, I only get 3 or 4 channels and all but 1 or 2 is blocky. I have a very old, large antenna that was used years ago. It works great for radio reception, but not tv.

Thanks.

[tigerbangs]

Based on what I can see, you have easy access to 3 TV markets, and better than a sixteen channels available to you if you install the right antenna. You have a couple of VHF digital stations in your area, but most of them are on UHF. If you replace what you have on the roof with what i suggest, you'll do very well.

Use a Winegard HD-7696P VHF-high-band plus UHF antenna mounted up as high as you can get it. You'll want a good rotator, since the stations lie in several different directions. I usually use a Channel Master 9521a rotator, which has a cobvenient remote control that makes tuning the antenna very easy. Use all new RG-6u from the antenna to your TV set, or converter box, and run the rotator cable along the same path. Once you get everything installed, you are going to have to scan your tuner to find all of the stations. I will incluse a link to your specific TVFool.com report, which will include the antenna compass points for the various stations in your area. You will probably have to scan for stations at each major compass point indicated in the TVFool chart.
http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapp ... 36200622d0

http://www.winegard.com
http://www.channelmaster.com
http://www.channelmasterintl.com/docume ... lation.pdf

[mdsteele]

Hey. Thanks for the info. Just talked to my neighbor. He's 100 yards to the southeast of me, and probably ten feet higher. His antenna is a round disk looking thing about 12" to 14" across, and is maybe 15' high. It rotates inside the shell, and he's getting 35 channels. He's surrounded by trees also.

He bought it years ago for a police scanner and doesn't remember what it is. What's the difference in what he's got and that big array thing you sent a link to? Actually, my array looks a lot like what is pictured in the winegard photo. It just hasn't been used for tv in 15 plus years. Is he just in a better spot?

Thanks.

[tigerbangs]

he's probably NOT in a better spot. The disk that he has is not meant to get fringe-area signals. If you count all of the sub channels on the stations that you will be able to get with the antenna system that I suggested, you are likely to see upwards of over 60 channels. The antenna that I suggested to you is a LOT more powerful than is disk-shaped antenna.

[mdsteele]

Thanks so much for the info. One more question if I may.
My antenna array looks a lot like the one in the winegard pic. It doesn't have as many prongs on the horizontal area, and the pointer is not as long, but seems to be in good shape for its age. It's 6' tall and at least 5' wide, with two 16"verticals that go up and down at a 45 degree angle. Should I go ahead and buy a new antenna or see what the old one will do?

Sorry for so many questions, but I'm on layoff and watching every dollar. I'd just love to get away from pay tv.

Again, thanks for all the help.

[tigerbangs]

The only way to know is to hook it up and find out....Without knowing what kind of antenna it is, or where it's pointed, I really have no idea. If your coax cable is old, replace it first.

[mdsteele]

Thanks for the help. This thing has been on the house for 26 years. Coax? This cable is the old flat style. I'll use this one to pull a new coax. I'll let you know what happens.

thanks again.

[mdsteele]

Sorry. Reread your second post. Will do. I'll use the old one for the stereo. Thank you, for your time.

[mdsteele]

Hey Tigerbangs. I ended up getting the rotator that you suggested. I bought a new rg-6, and connector. I used the old antenna, just to see what happened. I'm getting 37 channels! Some are repeats, but all come in great.

I know, I know. You told me to get the other antenna and it's still an option, if you think it's really gonna bring the channels in.(That thing is TEN feet long!) I've scanned in all directions, and it seems like "north" is the best for getting all available channels. Maybe I should have gotten the antenna you suggested and not the rotator? Just guessing here as I know nothing about this stuff.

Anyway, anymore info or suggestions are welcome. Thanks again, Mark.