Antenna help - Parker, CO

I live in a suburb about 20 miles southeast of Denver, and I've had a really hard time getting OTA signals to come through consistently. I'm through constantly adjusting the antenna just to watch TV, and looking for a permanent solution that will yield consistent channel viewing. I'm currently using an Antennas Direct CSM1 w/ amp mounted in the garage (which is on the other side of the house from my TV), connected to my TV through coaxial. Here's my TV Fool report:

TV Fool

Currently, I can receive Fox (ch. 32) and CBS (ch. 35) without any issues. ABC (ch. 7) and NBC (ch. 9) are the real tricky ones. ABC comes in at about half signal strength, with occasional cutouts. NBC I can't get at all.



I'm considering switching to an outdoor mounted antenna, and was wondering what would be the best for what I'm trying to get.

Thanks in advance for your suggestions!

Would you mind rerunning your TVfool report for a rooftop antenna height? Say 20 feet. The micron antennas aren't designed for VHF-high (7,9 and 13), so you really should consider a dual band antenna or two antennas. One of the big issues with TV reception in the Denver market is the fact that, due to enviromentalist meddling, the broadcast towers are spred up and down the front range from Squaw Mountain in the South to Fort Lupton in the North. Even so, with the right roof top antenna set up you should get 30+ channels. Based on the TVfool you're showing right now, I'd go with a VHF high antenna like a Antennacraft Y5713 or Antennas Direct C5 comboed with a 4 bay bow tie antenna like an Antennas Direct DB4e or a Channel Master CM4221. You would connect the two using a UVSJ. The C5 comes with a UVSJ.

I also recommend checking out the antenna system I use here in Monument.

My Antenna System

Here's the TV Fool report rerun with a rooftop height:

TV Fool

And if you don't mind, how much did your current antenna set-up cost? (ballpark)

Second, how difficult is it to set-up?

Thanks for your help—it's really appreciated!

As I suspected, raising the height improved your TVfool report greatly.

There is less than $20 of materials in each antenna. Of course I got my baluns at OEM Parts in Colorado Springs for $2 a piece. You can get all the parts at Lowes or Home Depot. In Parker you may not need an amp.

I do have two of the loop/dipole antennas that I've been selling to people for $20 a piece. My cost, not counting labor, is like $10-12 when I buy materials in bulk. We don't live that far apart. About 30 miles based on our TVfool reports.

Most of the bends on the Gray Hoverman are 90 degrees. I built mine in about an hour.





The insulators are 1/2 PVC pipe "T's" that are $0.25 at Home Depot.

The main cost becomes the UVSJ which is $6.74 with shipping and handling.

Peter, I am in Parker also ... I purchased a CS5 but have not permenantly installed it (attic or roof).
Inside the home, I am getting approx 30 channels with the CS5, but looks like I have the same initial results as you ... the major networks that come in are PBS and CBS. ABC and NBC are the difficult ones, and I haven't had a lot on NBC yet.

Were you able to acquire NBC? If so, what antenna did you end up going with?
-Mike

You either need an antenna with VHF performance, or a really good spot for your UHF antenna (to make up for the fact its VHF gain may be low or even negative).