Antenna Recomendation

[chess]

I live in the 63361 area code. On antennaweb.org I live almost exactly 2 miles to the east of default entering the zip.

I'm looking for a mid range (red,blue) directional antenna to get UHF and VHF. One of the local VHF stations does their HD feed on 12 vhf(13.1 digital). Its about 37mi and the UHF stations are 40-58mi. So I'm thinking a 60mi UHF antenna would still pull the 12 vhf just fine. Terrain is rather flat and unobstructed. I can get the analog version of 8 and 13 with a $15 internal rabbit ears so I know I can recieve signal relatively easy with a mid-range roofmount outdoor antenna. I would prefer one with a small foot print. Some I've considered since I've read UHF antennas still pick up High VHF pretty well.

http://www.antennasdirect.com/42XG_television_antenna.html
http://www.summitsource.com/antenna...l-radio-shack-red-zone-part-mxu37-p-6234.html

and even this(scared of bad reviews though)

http://www.hdtvantennalabs.com/reviews/Terk-HDTVo-reviews.html

I'm going to experiement with some homemade lowend jobs when I get my Dish 611 HD DVR receiver hooked up on 3/10. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[chess]

 

[chess]

for some reason an image in the message won't reply. Here is a screen cap of my antennaweb results.

http://www.nicholstech.net/dtv.JPG

 

[Jim5506]

Well... Ideally you need two antennas, very high up on a mast or tower and a rotator.

Best case would be a Winegard 8200p with an Antennas Direct XG91 stacked above it both feeding a Channel Master 7777 pre-amp which has discrete UHF and VHF inputs.

This setup probably will get you more than antennaweb.org predicts since their models are conservative.

If you have trouble finding the Winegard, a Channel Master 3671 is a good second fiddle. It is UPS shipable, unlike the 8200 which is really big, but you need that for channels 2, 4 and 5.

Not an inexpensive proposition, but you asked for it.

 

[breadman]

I have the 91xg mounted on 50ft tower and my personal experience is the blue and violet stations are still hard to receive. I do receive signals from 60-80 miles but rarely lock on to stations at that distance. Keep in mind your terrain and the power at which your stations transmit are also factors. Also you didn't say whether you were wanting analog or digital(I am speaking only of digital)

 

[chess]

STL was of no concern. Mainly CBS(12) and NBC(36). I went with el cheapo u-75r from RS. Haven't hooked up the digital receiver yet but receive clear vhf 8 and 13. and almost clear distant UHF channels like 17. I think I won't have any issues and even just one OTA hd for the cost of a $25 antenna is worth it. I have it mounted on the edge of my roof from an old satellite pole. I have a clear shot and good elevation so the expense of a mast was not worth it.

 

[dodge]

Winegard HD8200p

Skywalker Communications has the Winegard HD8200P for 109.99 a great buy for a well made antenna... The radio Shack vu190 is 99.99 and for 10 bux more you get something that will last 3x as long.

 

[Tower Guy]

for some reason an image in the message won't reply. Here is a screen cap of my antennaweb results.

http://www.nicholstech.net/dtv.JPG

Option #1 Add a VHF antenna to the U-75 and use the 7777 amp to add them togther. Aim the VHF antenna at KRCG-DT, the U-75 at KOMU-DT. The model of VHF antenna would depend on if you wanted PBS analog. There's only two digital stations that you are likely to get.

Option #2 You could try a medium sized all channel antenna aimed at KOMU-DT, the VHF lobe might get KRCG-DT OK.

 

[chess]

u-75r pointed at 250 degrees. cbs, nbc, and pbs all in at 82%, 97%, 72%. At night I got abc and fox in at 70%. That tower is 60 miles away and they don't have a very good signal. KMOS is over 80miles away and I get it at 72% all the time. Very happy for my $25 investment, no amp used yet, dish hd is unbelievable. Never going back.

 

[lunkie]

I have a clear shot and good elevation .

Even a "cheapo" antenna will work pretty good as long as you have this going for ya.