Bad location in Phoenix - suggestions

[Baelzar]

My mother lives right in the warm embrace of a bunch of damn hills in the Moon Valley area of Phoenix.

Almost directly South about 19 miles away are the transmitters.

Any ideas? I know she can legally put up a 30' pole + antenna, but her HOA won't like it.

I was also looking at Dish network - all she's really after is the local channels in HD on 4 tvs.

Thanks in advance.

 

[FaT Air]

Post your report generated at tvfool to get some ideas. Thanks.

 

[Baelzar]

Here you go. Does this report deal with line of sight issues?

 

[FaT Air]

Does this report deal with line of sight issues?

Seen in the Path column. Does not account for buildings and trees or any other local signal obstructions.

A Winegard HD7694P VHF-HI/UHF HDTV Antenna aimed straight south should do it .

For a performance improvement a dual antenna setup:
30-2425 - HDTV 4 Bay Fringe UHF Bowtie Television Antenna
30-2475 - Fringe Directional Antenna VHF-Hi
(same as I use except they are 90 degrees to one another)
2425 above the 2475 with a U/V antenna joiner
Use equal length coax to each antenna.
Use quality RG-6 and connectors.
With any antenna, it may be beneficial to test location by moving E/W/N/S a bit to find a 'sweet spot'
If you can see the peak the signals are coming over it may help to tilt the antenna up towards it.
Lets see what others suggest (?)

 

[lfp302]

The 1EDGE and 2EDGE entries indicate that the signal has to diffract around the hills.

 

[Baelzar]

It looks like some sort of "attic antenna" will do fine then - all the channels she wants are in the green/yellow. Any recommendations for an antenna? I guess It will be mounted outside, either on the side of the house or perhaps a tree (those useless tall palm trees might come in handy after all!).

 

[harshness]

While there are a lot of two-edge scenarios, most of the power figures are within range (<75dBm). I would recommend a directional antenna as you may find that you need to point to one side or the other of the hill to get optimal performance. Multipath (bouncing off the hill to the west) seems likely to be an issue so a narrow reception angle is probably important (a high front-to-back ratio probably won't hurt either).

 

[boba]

I'll second Fat Air Winegard HD7694P covers the VHF & UHF needed and not huge..

 

[boba]

I'll second Fat Air Winegard HD7694P covers the VHF & UHF needed and not huge..

 

[Baelzar]

Oh hell, I didn't see Fat Air's recommendation - I thought that was all his sig! Sorry Fat Air! Thanks for the reco.

 

[FaT Air]

I wouldn't consider mounting in a tree. Moving about in a breeze isn't recommended. Once the sweet spot is found, rigid mounting is required.

 

[Baelzar]

I wouldn't consider mounting in a tree. Moving about in a breeze isn't recommended. Once the sweet spot is found, rigid mounting is required.

On the roof then? Any height added?

 

[FaT Air]

As far north of any trees that may be at the same, or greater height. Preferably 100ft away and not much higher, Ideally, no trees.
If roof mounted with non metallic shingles a 3 ft J-pole should suffice. For better wind survival a 3ft tripod with a 5ft pole.
http://www.mcmelectronics.com/browse/Mounts-Masts/0000000787

 

[dishdude]

In another thread, I think you mentioned she has DirecTV? Mount one of these to the existing J mount. I have one in the attic and I pick all the Phoenix locals up.

http://www.channelmaster.com/STEALTHtenna_Digital_HDTV_Outdoor_TV_Antenna_p/cm-3010hd.htm

 

[FaT Air]

What does your (exact address) tvfool look like for comparison?

 

[boba]

What is the house construction? A lot are stucco with tile roofs, that could complicate installation.

 

[Baelzar]

What does your (exact address) tvfool look like for comparison?

If you're asking me, look at post #3 above. I think you're asking Dishdude though.

boba, construction is stucco with a flat roof, yeah.

 

[FaT Air]

If you're asking me, look at post #3 above. I think you're asking Dishdude though.

Yup, need Dishdudes 'fool' for a comparison. May have more favorable signal @ their location.

construction is stucco with a flat roof,

If unable to make an attachment into the roof you may have to use an NPRM with a pad weighed down with cement blocks.