Help me design a top-notch antenna set-up

[kokopup]

I’m in a new area, only watch TV occasionally, and so I’m exploring the possibility of getting an antenna for all my TV (no cable, no satellite) and radio. I already have a Panasonic plasma HD so I could watch OTA HD signals (I think?) if I could pick them up. I went to antennaweb.com and the stations I’m most interested in are pasted below. Most seem to fall in the blue “medium directional antenna with pre-amp” category; most are 40-60 miles away. Stations are split between ones north of me and those south of me, so I probably need a rotator. I’d also like to get FM signals since the reception is poor here.

In lieu of $600+ a year for satellite service, I’d be happy to invest in a top-of-the-line set-up to get basic TV. However, I know nothing about antennas.
---Do you have hardware recommendations for antenna, pre-amp, rotator, and anything else I need?
---Also, is there a “guide to antennas” somewhere on-line to read?
---Finally, where to buy?

Thanks!

red - uhf WHUT 32 PBS WASH DC 30° 43.5
red - uhf WDCA 20 MNT WASH DC 30° 43.5
red - uhf WDCW 50 CW WASH DC 35° 45.0
blue - uhf WETA 26 PBS WASH DC 30° 43.6
blue - vhf WJLA 7 ABC WASH DC 32° 43.1
* blue - uhf WJLA-DT 7.1 ABC WASH DC 32° 43.1
blue - vhf WTTG 5 FOX WASH DC 31° 43.4
blue - vhf WRC 4 NBC WASH DC 32° 42.4
* blue - uhf WRC-DT 4.1 NBC WASH DC 32° 42.4
blue - vhf WTVR 6 CBS RICHMOND VA 195° 55.8
blue - vhf WRIC 8 ABC PETERSBURG VA 201° 60.5
blue - uhf WRLH 35 FOX RICHMOND VA 206° 62.3
blue - vhf WWBT 12 NBC RICHMOND VA 196° 60.1
blue - uhf WCVE 23 PBS RICHMOND VA 201° 60.5
blue - vhf WUSA 9 CBS WASHINGTON DC 32° 43.1
* blue - uhf WUSA-DT 9.1 CBS WASH DC 32° 43.1
* violet - uhf WHUT-DT 33 PBS WASH DC TBD 32° 43.1
* violet - uhf WTTG-DT 5.1 FOX WASH DC 31° 43.4
* violet - uhf WETA-DT 26.1 PBS WASH DC 30° 38.3

 

[WyrTwister]

Any trees , buildings , hills , mountains , etc. in the way ?

I am not sure which would be better , a rotor or 2 antenna . Some one else would need to advise how to combine the signals from 2 antennsa ? Think that might end up with less upkeep over time ?

Get the antenna as tall as practical & use guy wires if necessary .

Also , for movies , might check out BetFlixs and a super good DVD player ?

Wyr

I’m in a new area, only watch TV occasionally, and so I’m exploring the possibility of getting an antenna for all my TV (no cable, no satellite) and radio. I already have a Panasonic plasma HD so I could watch OTA HD signals (I think?) if I could pick them up. I went to antennaweb.com and the stations I’m most interested in are pasted below. Most seem to fall in the blue “medium directional antenna with pre-amp” category; most are 40-60 miles away. Stations are split between ones north of me and those south of me, so I probably need a rotator. I’d also like to get FM signals since the reception is poor here.

In lieu of $600+ a year for satellite service, I’d be happy to invest in a top-of-the-line set-up to get basic TV. However, I know nothing about antennas.
---Do you have hardware recommendations for antenna, pre-amp, rotator, and anything else I need?
---Also, is there a “guide to antennas” somewhere on-line to read?
---Finally, where to buy?

Thanks!

red - uhf WHUT 32 PBS WASH DC 30° 43.5
red - uhf WDCA 20 MNT WASH DC 30° 43.5
red - uhf WDCW 50 CW WASH DC 35° 45.0
blue - uhf WETA 26 PBS WASH DC 30° 43.6
blue - vhf WJLA 7 ABC WASH DC 32° 43.1
* blue - uhf WJLA-DT 7.1 ABC WASH DC 32° 43.1
blue - vhf WTTG 5 FOX WASH DC 31° 43.4
blue - vhf WRC 4 NBC WASH DC 32° 42.4
* blue - uhf WRC-DT 4.1 NBC WASH DC 32° 42.4
blue - vhf WTVR 6 CBS RICHMOND VA 195° 55.8
blue - vhf WRIC 8 ABC PETERSBURG VA 201° 60.5
blue - uhf WRLH 35 FOX RICHMOND VA 206° 62.3
blue - vhf WWBT 12 NBC RICHMOND VA 196° 60.1
blue - uhf WCVE 23 PBS RICHMOND VA 201° 60.5
blue - vhf WUSA 9 CBS WASHINGTON DC 32° 43.1
* blue - uhf WUSA-DT 9.1 CBS WASH DC 32° 43.1
* violet - uhf WHUT-DT 33 PBS WASH DC TBD 32° 43.1
* violet - uhf WTTG-DT 5.1 FOX WASH DC 31° 43.4
* violet - uhf WETA-DT 26.1 PBS WASH DC 30° 38.3

 

[kokopup]

Any trees , buildings , hills , mountains , etc. in the way ?

Also , for movies , might check out BetFlixs and a super good DVD player ?

Wyr

I'm in a semi-rural area, so:
---buildings: none
--- trees: yes, in the area but my house is on a mostly open 4-acre lot, clear view to most of the sky.
---hills: none to the south, small incline to the north
---mountains: no

I'm a big Netflix fan, which is how I survive w/o cable or satellite!

 

[lunkie]

Would first start off by reading through this http://www.hdtvprimer.com/ (may take a few hours) and pay attention as to what not to buy. With a 4-acre lot sounds like you have room to put up something of some size, You'll most likely need it as your in the red/blue/violet areas. The higher, the bigger, the better. With a rotor too.

 

[Tower Guy]

The list that you posted is mixed analog and digital. These are your digitals only.

* yellow - uhf WNVT-DT 30.1 IND GOLDVEIN VA 0° 18.0 30
* red - uhf WPXW-DT 66.1 i MANASSAS VA 15° 28.8 43
* blue - uhf WJLA-DT 7.1 ABC WASHINGTON DC 32° 43.1 39
* blue - uhf WTTG-DT 5.1 FOX WASHINGTON DC 31° 43.4 36
* blue - uhf WRC-DT 4.1 NBC WASHINGTON DC 32° 42.4 48
* blue - uhf WUSA-DT 9.1 CBS WASHINGTON DC 32° 43.1 34
* violet - uhf WFDC-DT 14.1 TFA ARLINGTON VA 32° 42.4 15
* violet - uhf WETA-DT 26.1 PBS WASHINGTON DC 30° 38.3 27
* violet - uhf WHUT-DT 33 PBS WASHINGTON DC TBD 32° 43.1 33

They are all UHF. The violet colors suggests a HD9095P or 91XG on a tripod on the roof. A UHF only preamp such as the Winegard AP4700 is good. Try it without a rotator. The first two stations are stronger and may work off axis or you may not care about them.

 

[WyrTwister]

I'm in a semi-rural area, so:
---buildings: none
--- trees: yes, in the area but my house is on a mostly open 4-acre lot, clear view to most of the sky.
---hills: none to the south, small incline to the north
---mountains: no

I'm a big Netflix fan, which is how I survive w/o cable or satellite!

OK , I am going to guess you need the most " powerful " antenna you can buy , without going so far as to look like a NASA ground station .

As I said , maybe 2 antennas & forget the rotor ? Think there is another thread on this forum about combining signals , might check it .

Also , plan on maintaince , sooner or later the sunlight will get the better of either the coax or some of the plastic insulators on the antenna .

Figure out how high you can get the antenna & still be practical .

Figure out the path for the coax or coaxes . Buy GOOD coax .

You may need a pre-amp , but I know next to nothing about them .

When it comes time to aim the antennas , either temporiarly locate a TV outside or scrounge up some walkey talkeys to communicate between you at the antenna and your partner at the TV , inside the house .

If none of this yealds satisfactory picture , you might go to the FTA forum and consider that route . There are a few HD channels broadcast in the clear . And several standard definition " local " channels in the clear . Ans some sports feeds in the clear .

Wyr

 

[kokopup]

I"m working my way through the HDTVprimer; thanks.

Yep, the list was both digital and analog stations. Richmond stations will go HD at some point, but they're not listed yet. Regardless, I need to get some Richmond stations (for news) as well as the DC stations, so I'm looking at either a rotor or a 2-antenna set up.

Thanks again for the leads and tips.

 

[riffjim4069]

kokopup,

A lot of good information concerning OTA reception was posted in the old Washington D.C. Are VOOMers thread along with the below threads and posts. Since you're in my area, I use a CM-4228 w/matching CM-7775 UHF pre-amp to receive Washington DC (55+ miles) and a second CM-4228/CM-7775 to receive programming from Richmond (51+ miles) - it has worked well the past 4+ years. However, since some of the DC and Richmond area broadcasters will be returning to the VHF frequency when the analog-digital transition is complete in February 2009, then I would recommend investing in a good UHF/VHF antenna. I would also recommend checking out the AVSForum Washington DC and Richmond area HDTV threads since they are the best source for information on local OTA reception.

http://www.satelliteguys.us/showpost.php?p=101356&postcount=179
http://www.satelliteguys.us/showpost.php?p=413180&postcount=2
http://www.satelliteguys.us/showpost.php?p=725143&postcount=8
http://www.satelliteguys.us/showpost.php?p=272986&postcount=2
http://www.satelliteguys.us/showthread.php?t=70418&highlight=richmond
http://www.satelliteguys.us/showpost.php?p=555842&postcount=5
http://www.satelliteguys.us/showpost.php?p=337640&postcount=3
http://www.satelliteguys.us/showthread.php?t=28341&highlight=richmond
http://www.satelliteguys.us/showthread.php?t=47749&highlight=richmond

 

[riffjim4069]

I"m working my way through the HDTVprimer; thanks.

Yep, the list was both digital and analog stations. Richmond stations will go HD at some point, but they're not listed yet. Regardless, I need to get some Richmond stations (for news) as well as the DC stations, so I'm looking at either a rotor or a 2-antenna set up.

Thanks again for the leads and tips.

The Richmond stations have been HD for several years. I prefer using two antennas with an A/B switch. The DC stations are better run, and I prefer their local news. However, I'll flip over to Richmond to find out-of-market NFL and College Football games...