Shameless Cry for Antenna Help! (Indoor, HDTV)

Long time lurker, first time poster. We finally decided to kick cable, and I want to see y'alls opinion for a modestly priced antenna setup (less than $100). I would prefer indoor if it can be unobtrusive, but can do outdoor if it is needed. Here is my answers to the sticky questions:


What is your primary objective:
I don’t want to spend much, just want a few Local Stations:_X__.
I want as many as I can reasonably get:_X__.
I want the best system I can, to replace my Cable/Satellite Service:___.
I want to get EVERYTHING I can, cost is NO object:___.

Main Assembly:
What kind of Terrestrial Antenna do you presently have:
(Make/Model/None): _none___. ____.

Is the Antenna to be/or installed:
On top of your TV (same Room), Attic, Rooftop or Pole: _same room (but flexible)_____.

If inside (same room) on which floor is the Viewing Area:
First, Second, which: __first_____Floor.

If in Attic, Roof or outside separate Mast/Pole:
How high above ground is your Antenna installed/proposed:
.____ft.

Do you have an Antenna Rotator:
(Make/Model/None): __none__. ____.

Are you presently using a Pre-Amplifier:
(Make/Model/None): __none__. ____.

Interior:
How many linear Cable feet is it between your Antenna and the most far TV:
._0-5__ft.



How many TV sets will be/are presently being used, on this system:
.__1_#.

How many Splitters are in use in your system:
Number & Qty of outlets for each? none

Are you using a Distribution Amplifier:
(Make/Model/None): _no___. ____.


Additional Information:
Are you/do you plan to integrate Cable or Satellite Services with this system:
Yes/No _no__.

Is there anything else you would like to provide concerning construction, obstructions or geographical issues?

Do you have a current Chart for the Free Local TV Channels in your Area?
TV Fool


Thanks All!

Really strong signals down to WBEK. With those kind of NM numbers most any uhf/vhf antenna should do the job but why did you list the antenna as being 25' up?

oops, I had tried it both ways, with 0' and 25'. I accidentally posted the 25'. Here is the other: TV Fool

joshlane4,

Both reception serveys are promising and almost any indoor 'set-top' UHF antenna should receive your local stations, however, it may have to be rotated 90 degrees, depending on the antenna farm or direction you want to look at.

I suggest you check out your local Craigslist dot org under Electronics to see if someone is selling a used indoor antenna. If it doesn't work well for you, we can work from its results and suggest improved antennas and you can resell it on CL.

Jim

If you have an east facing window, you should do nicely with a 2-bay antenna hanging in the window.

Originally Posted by MrPogi

If you have an east facing window, you should do nicely with a 2-bay antenna hanging in the window.

The only real issue I see with a 2 bay is that WCES is on VHF-Low (RF 6). With those signal strengths it may work, but you may need something with longer elements for WCES. Like a Winegard FreeVision FV-30BB.

Originally Posted by dkreichen1968

The only real issue I see with a 2 bay is that WCES is on VHF-Low (RF 6). With those signal strengths it may work, but you may need something with longer elements for WCES. Like a Winegard FreeVision FV-30BB.

I figured that 6 and 33 are both PBS, so I didn't suggest an antenna for VHF-lo.

If the OP wants PBS he'll want both 6 and 33 since they show different programs. It's like that around here too. We have PBS stations from Oxford (3 channels), Dayton (5 channels) and Cincinnati (5 channels) and I've never seen any of them show the same program at the same time. Not that it hasn't happened but if it has, it's rare.

Out of curiousity, do different PBS stations follow completely different schedules, or in any given day/week/month the same programmes will be on, just at different times/dates

Originally Posted by nbound-au

Out of curiousity, do different PBS stations follow completely different schedules, or in any given day/week/month the same programmes will be on, just at different times/dates

Their schedules vary. I have a number of PBS stations and they have varying schedules and, most importantly, different subchannels. They also have differing PQ: one channel has one 720p and 3 sd subs, one has dual 720p and one sd, another has 1080i and 2 sd subs.

So yes I understand the value of more than one PBS channel. But, does the OP need them both? And since this is an indoor install, that makes things more difficult. That said, if the OP wants to get both PBS channels, I would go with the Freevision as dkreichen1968 suggested.

WCES is Georgia PBS, while WEBA is South Carolina PBS. Since the OP is in Georgia, he may want WCES.

- Trip

Yeah, it would be great to have both stations, but my true needs are:

-aesthetically it cannot annoy my wife - (this actually eliminates a lot of indoor antennas)
-it require minimal work to install and maintain

A correctly installed antenna will work without intervention for a decade or more. A small-medium atticmounted antenna will likely do the job for your setup (and the wife wont even see it!)

This wiki page lists the stations/subchannels you will hopefully receive.
Media in Augusta, Georgia - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Originally Posted by joshlane4

-aesthetically it cannot annoy my wife

That's understandable but PLEASE don't get one of those flat antennas that have become somewhat popular. Those have been shown to cause almost as many divorces as cheating!

They cut out during American Idol, gosh dangit!

First you're on the couch and then in the dog house and then...

But seriously, I like MrPogi's suggestion of a 2-bay (it would most likely pick up PBS ch. 6 at that close distance) but a cheap set of rabbit ears with a loop should work too. Just make sure the store you buy it from has a liberal return policy in case you need to upgrade to something better.

Originally Posted by Tim58hsv

That's understandable but PLEASE don't get one of those flat antennas that have become somewhat popular. Those have been shown to cause almost as many divorces as cheating!

Okay (ducks in preparation for anger) I ordered the infamous Leaf in an effort to make the wife happy. It did okay with several stations, but Fox was choppy and PBS didn't come through at all. Have no fear, I've learned the error in my ways, and I'm sending the Leaf back. I just ordered the Channel Master HD-4221. When I get that mounted in the attic I'll update y'all.

Originally Posted by joshlane4

Okay (ducks in preparation for anger) I ordered the infamous Leaf in an effort to make the wife happy. It did okay with several stations, but Fox was choppy and PBS didn't come through at all. Have no fear, I've learned the error in my ways, and I'm sending the Leaf back. I just ordered the Channel Master HD-4221. When I get that mounted in the attic I'll update y'all.

Let us know if you have issues with the 4221. Since you are going with the attic mount you have a lot more options since in theory you can fill the entire attic with antennas without it bothering your wife.

Say, one of these for CBS: http://www.radioshack.com/product/in...tent=CT2032189

And one of these for PBS(WCES): http://www.radioshack.com/product/in...tent=CT2032189

With a cascading connection through a UVSJ: http://www.solidsignal.com/pview.asp...Antenna-(UVSJ)

And, a HLSJ: http://www.solidsignal.com/pview.asp...iece-(ZHLSJ-1)

Okay, your wife might think you were a little crazy until see saw the 100% reliable reception with no monthly bill.

Another less expensive option would be to have a Winegard FreeVision FV-30BB aimed at 115 degrees magnetic and the Antennacraft Y526 pointed at WCES (233 degrees magnetic) and connected together using the HLSJ.

in theory you can fill the entire attic with antennas without it bothering your wife.

I don't know why many women are so opposed to antennas on the roof. It's not like it hurts to look at, and nobody really ever looks up.

(Source: Me, asking people if they've ever looked up at the night sky, and getting blank stares!)

Originally Posted by MrPogi

I don't know why many women are so opposed to antennas on the roof. It's not like it hurts to look at, and nobody really ever looks up.

(Source: Me, asking people if they've ever looked up at the night sky, and getting blank stares!)

Well given all the 1950's antennas in downtown Denver that no one has bothered to take down I really doubt that women really care about roof antennas unless they are new. "That thing looks ugly!!!" That is of course unless it's "aways been there" in which case they've never actually noticed.

Don't get me started on (psycho) "chick logic."

Originally Posted by dkreichen1968

...Don't get me started on (psycho) "chick logic."

Dan,

Here's proof!

Jim

Originally Posted by joshlane4

Okay (ducks in preparation for anger) I ordered the infamous Leaf in an effort to make the wife happy. It did okay with several stations, but Fox was choppy and PBS didn't come through at all. Have no fear, I've learned the error in my ways, and I'm sending the Leaf back. I just ordered the Channel Master HD-4221. When I get that mounted in the attic I'll update y'all.

Well hey, at least you tried it with what is suppose to be the best flat panel antenna on the market. The channel master 4-bay you've ordered in place of it should do the trick for ya'. Let us know.