Question: A Decent Rooftop Antenna

ENIGMACODE

ENIGMACODE

DTVUSA Member
#21
#21
Thank you dkreichen

I've tried indoor antennas - no good - too many signal drops - still think about Antennacraft 5884, (as per No Static). Can you guys tell me whether I'll still need a digital converter? My TV's are all 7 years or newer.

Thanx
Mike
 
Fringe Reception

Fringe Reception

Super Moderator, Chief Content Editor
Staff member
#22
#22
Mike,

To find out information about almost any TV set, you can Google your TV by its specific model number and add 'specifications' or 'review' to your inquiry.

Jim
 
dkreichen1968

dkreichen1968

Moderator
Staff member
#23
#23
Most digital televisons are going to say DTV, (S)DTV or HDTV on them somewhere. I don't know of any exceptions. If your television says it is "HDTV ready" it will need an external tuner.
 
ENIGMACODE

ENIGMACODE

DTVUSA Member
#25
#25
Hi Guys

Ok - will pick up the 5884 - will probably strap it, (with short mast), to my cast iron Plumbing Vent which protrudes up about 4 feet. Will direct it NW as pointed out: http://www.locationstudio.net/Report.jpg

As I mentioned, I live in an old style Philly row home and have constructed a rooftop portable vent ladder, (collapsable), in my bathroom.

I'll get a kit which includes 50' of coax. Maybe I'll bring a small port TV and converter box up on the roof to tweak the signal.

"it will need an external tuner"

Can you guys recommed a decent tuner/digital converter. My #2 flatscreen TV's are HD ready except for one older CRT.

Thanks again
Mike
 
Fringe Reception

Fringe Reception

Super Moderator, Chief Content Editor
Staff member
#26
#26
ENIGMACODE said:
Hi Guys

Ok - will pick up the 5884 - will probably strap it, (with short mast), to my cast iron Plumbing Vent which protrudes up about 4 feet. Will direct it NW as pointed out: http://www.locationstudio.net/Report.jpg

As I mentioned, I live in an old style Philly row home and have constructed a rooftop portable vent ladder, (collapsable), in my bathroom.

I'll get a kit which includes 50' of coax. Maybe I'll bring a small port TV and converter box up on the roof to tweak the signal.

"it will need an external tuner"

Can you guys recommed a decent tuner/digital converter. My #2 flatscreen TV's are HD ready except for one older CRT.

Thanks again
Mike
Click to expand...
Mike,

Attaching a mast and antenna to a rooftop plumbing vent pipe or even the main vent stack is not recommended. The antenna mast will move in the wind and act like a long lever, which will move the vent pipe and eventually cause water leaks.

As far as a converter box, I do not recommend a Dish DTV PAL: mine overheated and I was forced to drill a dozen ventilation holes in its case (there are photos in my albums, here). I like a Channel Master CM-7000 box because it is made in Bulgaria rather than Red China. It has SD output but it does not the have analog bypass feature. Channel Master has a 'new' converter box with HD output now available, but most CRT televisions can't take real advantage of it.

Jim

PS The coax supplied in your antenna 'kit' may be RG-59, which has twice the loss of RG-6 over a distance.
 
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D

dave73

DTVUSA Member
#27
#27
If Enigmacode were to want to try separate VHF & UHF antennas, the Antennacraft CS600 is small enough for getting all VHF stations, including WPVI on RF 6. I'm using that antenna to get Chicago Class A digital station WOCK-CD in Gary, IN. I'm using a pre-amp in my case, but wouldn't recommend it in his case, since nearly all stations are 3 miles away. I'd also recommend like some other suggested, a 4 or 8 bay antenna for UHF, combined into a VHF/UHF combiner. At least the VHF antenna could be in a fixed direction, while the UHF antenna could be on a rotator, if he wants to try for other stations in different directions. If he only wants the Philadelphia stations, then the Antennacraft 5884 would be a good choice for just 1 antenna.
 
ENIGMACODE

ENIGMACODE

DTVUSA Member
#28
#28
"The antenna mast will move in the wind and act like a long lever, which will move the vent pipe and eventually cause water leaks."

Hey Guys - Thanx for all the information - I really appreciate it, but let's not forget my initial comments: As I mentioned, I'm a 64 year old Licensed Inspector, in the trades for over 35 years. That 4" Cast vent pipe is NOT going anywhere - a short mast 2-3 feet high, is NO Harm. The antenna is almost weightless. There's a few folks in the neighborhood with old TV antennas attached the same way for years ...

"If he only wants the Philadelphia stations, then the Antennacraft 5884 would be a good choice for just 1 antenna."
No thank you please, I'd like to get as much as I can. On another note, forgot to mention; I have 3 TV's currently coming off standard Comcast Splitters in my basement. Once I cut cable loose, do you guys think I would benefit from a distribution amplifier?

Ok; so far, I'll need 3 converter boxes, the right choice antenna, coax=RG-6, connectors, and I'll have to decide on a distribution system - standard splitter? And I'll use the existing coax in the walls.

Thanks for all your help
Mike
 
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dennisg

DTVUSA Rookie
#29
#29
I made a log periodic tv frequency antenna in 1980 from plans in an electronics magazine ~1972 or so. It performed well ~60 miles is all I could test)and cost nothing to make. A friend made his also and HE claimed good long distance reception(over 100 miles). They are bulky tho ( I'd guess 6 feet by ten) and would not work on a mast as they are a wood frame with wires strung across it. The gain is high. and at the price, several can be made and stacked vertically and horizontally.
 
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Fringe Reception

Fringe Reception

Super Moderator, Chief Content Editor
Staff member
#30
#30
dennisg said:
I made a log periodic tv frequency antenna in 1980 from plans in an electronics magazine ~1972 or so. It performed well ~60 miles is all I could test)and cost nothing to make. A friend made his also and HE claimed good long distance reception(over 100 miles). They are bulky tho ( I'd guess 6 feet by ten) and would not work on a mast as they are a wood frame with wires strung across it. The gain is high. and at the price, several can be made and stacked vertically and horizontally.
Click to expand...
:welcome: Dennis,

Your Log-Periodic antenna/s would still work for the few low-band VHF stations that remain on the air, however, unless it was resized it would be a poor choice as an antenna meant to receive UHF channels.

Jim
 
Fringe Reception

Fringe Reception

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#31
#31
ENIGMACODE said:
... On another note, forgot to mention; I have 3 TV's currently coming off standard Comcast Splitters in my basement. Once I cut cable loose, do you guys think I would benefit from a distribution amplifier?

Ok; so far, I'll need 3 converter boxes, the right choice antenna, coax=RG-6, connectors, and I'll have to decide on a distribution system - standard splitter? And I'll use the existing coax in the walls.

Thanks for all your help
Mike
Click to expand...
Mike,

I highly doubt you will need any type of amplifier, and the existing (most likely) RG-59 will probably work perfectly. I wish my antenna survey looked like yours.

Jim
 
ENIGMACODE

ENIGMACODE

DTVUSA Member
#32
#32
Hi again Jim
Hi Dennis
Thanx for all your help!

Ok;

So I'll settle back for the Antennacraft 5884? No distribution amplifier, just a standard splitter. 3 Converter boxes, (since I have 3 newer TV's), RG59 will suffice. Can you recommend a decent brand digital converter box?

Thanx again
Mike
 
Fringe Reception

Fringe Reception

Super Moderator, Chief Content Editor
Staff member
#33
#33
Mike,

If your TVs are 'newer' are you sure none of them have a digital tuner built in to them? You can Google the model number with the word specifications and usually find complete details. Scroll up to post #26 for my converter box recommendations.

I am a bit confused about what I read at SolidSignal under 'specifications' regarding the AntennaCraft 5884. Not its' specifications at all!

"The Color King Series is a perfect companion antenna series for DBS satellite systems. Pre-assembled and easy to install".

Jim
 
ENIGMACODE

ENIGMACODE

DTVUSA Member
#34
#34
ENIGMACODE

ENIGMACODE

DTVUSA Member
#35
#35
Specs

Hi ya Jimmy

Specs for TV Tuners:

Toshiba MD14F11 14 inch TV/DVD Combo TV - Standard Televisions - Product Reviews and Prices - Shopping.com < Built in NTSC

Samsung SyncMaster 940MW Specs (LCD monitor - 19") - LCD Monitors - CNET Reviews < Analog Video Format NTSC, PAL, SECAM

http://www.p4c.philips.com/files/m/m...99_dfu_aen.pdf < Tuner Broadcast Channels VHF 2-13, UHF 14-69

Specs for AntennaCraft 5884
Antennacraft 5884 @ Willy's Electronics
 
dkreichen1968

dkreichen1968

Moderator
Staff member
#36
#36
I like the Digital Streams from Radio Shack. Good picture quality, fairly strong tuner, decent signal strength meter, excellent Electronic Programing Guide (even if it will only show data for the tuned channel), and a pretty decent price for these refurbished units.

Digital Stream Factory Recertified Converter Box : TV &#38; Video | RadioShack.com

The early units fell victim to the bad Chinese capacitor curse, but the actual design, refurbs, and late production are solid.
 
ENIGMACODE

ENIGMACODE

DTVUSA Member
#37
#37
Hi there - thank you!

Can you tell me please, for which TV will I need the converter box?

Toshiba MD14F11 14 inch < Tuner = Built in NTSC

Samsung SyncMaster 940MW < Tuner = Analog Video Format NTSC, PAL, SECAM

Magnavox MC194EMG < Tuner = Broadcast Channels VHF 2-13, UHF 14-69

Thanx
Mike
 
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Fringe Reception

Fringe Reception

Super Moderator, Chief Content Editor
Staff member
#40
#40
Mike,

I like my Channel Master CM-7000 converter boxes. They are made in Bulgaria rather than Red China and they have steel rather than plastic cases so they can be grounded. They are equal or better than the tuner in my Sony Bravia. To be fair, the Sony works somewhat harder to receive HD but the CM is a great SD box.

Jim
 
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