Digital antenna/professional installer.
HDTV antenna for my attic.
TV antenna local reception.
HD Stacker or Omnidirectional antenna.
Omnidirectional antenna
Omnidirection antenna mounted on chimney.
Shopping for an HDTV antenna
A simple antenna-presto TV.
TV antenna selection for HDTV.
Antenna output connection.

Digital TV antenna/professional installer

Hi Dennis,

I'd like your opinion on the following (although I'm not so sure I'll like what you say).

I called the people who installed the original antenna. They said that it may be something simple, like a bad connection or the antenna being blown so it points wrong. However, since the antenna is 18 years old, he says I may be better off installing a new digital antenna.

He also says I may need a rotor - that the digital signal is very sensitive to the direction in which the antenna is pointing. I happen to live so close to all the transmitters that there may really be a slight difference in the angles: I'm east of all of them, but maybe they're spread out along a few mile distance and so I need a rotor to turn the antenna a bit for the different channels.

He said he didn't think he agreed that I needed an amplifier, but he couldn't be sure until they come out and check everything out.

So, does this sound logical or like a ripoff?  I also may not have many other people to talk to: they said that many companies have gone out of business, given the economy and the prevalence of cable - and I haven't found too many companies online.

I'll await your answer.
                Thanks - Sara

Hello Sara,

Who ever you spoke with is certainly leaving all options open. I agree you may not need a signal amplifier. If you can sort out the cabling, make each cable run (length) as short as possible and use a signal splitter no larger then a 4 way signal splitter (divides the signal 4 times) you may get away without signal amplification >.

I don't agree that you'll need a rotor. The transmitting towers are close in direction and there has to be a sweet spot for the antenna direction that will bring in all channels.

The person misspoke about digital TV antennas. There's no such thing as a digital antenna. This fact can be verified at any reputable website such as the FCC, NAB, CEA and so on. Don't buy any antenna just because someone claims it's a digital or HDTV antenna >. It's simply not true. I refer to the two antennas I designed as "tuned specially for digital TV reception". The digital broadcast TV signals > no longer go higher then channel 51 in frequency and most no lower then 7 compared to analog channels covering  2 -69. So when I designed the EZ HD (pictured top right) and the HD Stacker antennas I had them specially tuned to receive channels 7 - 51 making the antennas much more effective for their size. So I try to refer to them as "tuned for digital reception" but not digital TV antennas.

My advice is to make it clear that you don't want to spend any more money then needed. You don't have a lot of money to spend (whether you do or not) on this project and ask them how much it would cost to have them look it over and give you a price. Tell them if you except the estimate that you would like to have the work done the same day so they can be prepared. This should avoid paying them twice for a trip back.

What it sounds like to me is someone may be playing it by ear and keeping all options open. They may be trying to find out how much money your willing to spend. This may not be the case but be aware that most service based businesses don't offer a written price list stating the cost of their services. This allows adjusting of the price higher or lower according to circumstances. If they feel you're willing to pay more they may charge more. Ask if they give free estimates if the recommended service is performed at that time. Before they come get somewhat familiar with the price of antennas, amplifiers so on. Have them itemize the service as to what parts are needed.

This company may be an honest reputable company and would never knowingly overcharge anyone. The advice I'm offering wasn't necessarily directed at them. I think it applies when dealing with any company that you're not familiar with including mine.

They're absolutely correct it could be a bad connection or the antennas blown out of line.

I hope this helps. Please, let me know what you decided to do and how it turned out.

Take Care, Denny

HDTV Antenna for My Attic

Hey Denny, I live in an area that I really don't want to put an antenna outside. I would like to install the antenna in my attic. I have 2 TV's both HDTVs and would like to connect the antenna to both. The area in the attic I can install the antenna is about 7  by 8 feet. My question, is there an antenna that will fit in that space and give me good reception. I live about 45 miles from the Twin Cities and my Terk set top antenna gets some of the stations but many of the channels get squares in the picture and go in and out. My address is ______ E. Lincoln Ave. Glencoe, 55334.

Thanks for the great website and thanks for your recommendation in advance.

Roger D.

Hi Roger,

Before you install any antenna in the attic > be sure there are no signal blocking materials in the path to the transmitters. Such as, brick, aluminum siding, foil faced insulation, metal roof, Etc... Asphalt shingle, vinyl siding, and plywood have minimal effect on signal strength.

The reception you described is common for smaller antennas, especially those located indoors on the set top. People moving around in the home, vehicles driving by, poor reception conditions Etc... can all contribute to signal interruption and hesitation known as pixellation on digital/HD reception. If you haven't already you may want to visit Best HDTV Antenna >.

I did some checking and I think I have the perfect antenna for you. All of the transmitting towers are to your East - Northeast broadcasting both VHF and UHF signals from Minneapolis/St Paul.

I recommend the HD Stacker >. The HD Stacker antenna performs as well as antennas twice its size. My son Tony and I have installed this antenna at several locations in our area with great success, and our customer's are reporting the same kind of success at different location Nationwide.

To supply 2 TV's I suggest the LNA 200 antenna preamplifier > along with the antenna.

If you have any further questions, or if I can assist you in anyway, please don't hesitate to contact me.

Best Regards,
Denny

TV Antenna Local Reception

Denny,

I need a TV antenna for local channels. My channels are in different direction but all are 70 miles or less. I live in the country in a 2 story house with few trees. Do you think the Omnidirectional antenna will work for me?
Thanks, Larry

Hi Larry,

An omnidirectional antenna will likely not work well for the stations at 70 miles. If the 70 mile stations are important you will likely have to use a rotor and a long range directional antenna >.

Best Regards,
Denny

Directional Antenna or Omnidirectional Antenna???

Denny,

According to the CEA (antennaweb.org) from  my location (zip 63121) a medium directional tv antenna is suggested.  All my stations of interest (2,4,5,9,11,30) are between 175-195 degrees (from magnetic North).
I’m leaning toward the omnidirectional antenna based on the assumption that a rotor would not be required.

Thanks for your time. George

George,

If antennaweb is recommending a medium directional antenna I wouldn't recommend the omnidirectional antenna. Usually when a medium directional antenna is recommended the omnidirectional antennas are not a good choice. A better choice is the EZ HD antenna >. This antenna is a good choice when a medium directional antenna is recommended. Aim the antenna at about 185 degrees and it will receive all channels.

Along with the antenna I also recommend the use of a preamplifier. A very good choice for your situation is the Winegard LNA 200 preamplifier >

Take care, if you need anything else just let me know.

Denny

Is an omnidirectiona antenna good for me?

Hello,
I stumbled upon your website while doing some Internet research and found it very informative. I just had a few questions before I pull the trigger and make a purchase.

First, I am looking at omnidirectional antennas and was curious if you thought it would be good for my needs. I really am only concerned with getting local channels. My zip is 92868 and it looks like most channels are a little over 30 miles away.

Second, I am somewhat concerned about the amount of work that would need to go into a rooftop installation since I am a renter. So I am toying around with the idea of installing in the attic. But was wondering if I do a chimney install, if this would require less work (i.e., no drilling into the roof) than a roof top install. If I do decide to do an attic install, what steps do you recommend?

Lastly, this is a pretty basic question, but when running the coax from the antenna to the TV, do I just go straight from tv antenna to the TV? Or do I run it to a main power source and then just hook up the TV to one of the in wall coax outputs?

Thank You,
Charles

Greetings Charles,

I submitted your zip code to the FCC signal analyzer > and took a look myself.

As far as attic mount > vs. roof  top, you will find roof top always provides a stronger signal. How much better depends on the type of materials used in the construction of the building. The other advantage of roof top is the antenna elevation is greater on the roof. If you should decide to mount the TV antenna in the attic it's quite simple to do. Drill a hole in the first couple of inches of a pipe. The an omnidirectional antenna may work but because all of the TV station transmitters are in the same direction the EZ HD antenna > is a much better choice. This antenna has greater raw signal gain and will work better in the attic. 

I hope I answered all of your questions. If I can assist you further please do not hesitate to contact me.

Best Regards,
Denny

Denny,

Thanks for the response.I do have a few tall buildings around me, but not to dense...I may just give it a shot and see I can get good results.

Could you possibly shed a little light on grounding the antenna?

Thank You,
Charles

Charles,

A ground wire should be attached to the antenna mount and a ground block should be installed on the coax cable both with a ground wire leading to an adequate ground. (ground rod etc.) See TV antenna installation guide chapter five TV antenna grounding procedures >. Also see: Sections 4 and 5 at antenna system installation >. However, if you decide to mount the antenna in the attic antenna grounding is not neccessary.

Best Regards,
Denny

Omnidirectional TV antenna Mounted on a Chimney

Hi Denny,
My name is Jason and I found your website and you seem to have the most extensive information and knowledge on the web!  I live in zip code 15601 and have a 2 story home.  There is a hill and a building on top of it about 3 blocks from my house which also happens to be the same direction (Pittsburgh) as several of the stations I need.  Would the Omnidirectional antenna mounted on my chimney be sufficient?  Based on antenna web's website, most of the channels are in the blue or violet area.  I once tried one of the Terk antennas that fit on my dish and it picked up the channel 4 perfect (red color) and roughly picked up 11 and 53 (blue).

Thanks,
Jason

Greetings Jason,

I have never had much luck with Terk dish antennas. I just visited the FCC signal analyzer and I don't believe the omni antenna will work at your location. The signals are rated somewhat weak. Too weak for an omnidirectional antenna. If you want reliable TV reception you will need a more powerful directional antenna such as the HD Stacker antenna >. The antenna can be installed aiming West/Northwest and receive all of the Pittsburgh area stations.

If I can assist further please don't hesitate to contact me.

Best Regards,
Denny

Shopping for an HDTV antenna

I'm totally confused about which HDTV antenna to buy. The more I shop around the more confused I become. Can you please help me?
Robyn

Greetings Robyn,

I can understand why your confused if when you say shop around your referring to surfing the internet. I have found a lot of contradictory and misleading information. It seems everyone has the best TV antenna and if you don't buy from them you won't get good reception.

First thing I would recommend you do is visit HDTV Antenna "Fact or Fiction >. Next, send me your zip code so I can help determine what TV antenna would be best for you. Last, remember one thing, as good as it may sound, magic antennas do not exist. If it sounds to good to be true it probably is.

Denny

Denny

My zip code is 68019. Thanks, Robyn

Robyn,

I examined the broadcast stations in your area. All broadcast networks are available to you from Omaha at a distance of about sixty miles. The terrain between your location and the transmitters is open and flat ideal for TV reception. I recommend the HD Stacker antenna > with a LNA 200 preamplifier >. No need for a rotor all the Omaha transmitter are within a few degrees of each other from you location.

Using a compass aim the small end of the antenna > to about 155 degrees. Some minor adjustment may be required to get it just right.

If I can help you further please don't hesitate to contact me.

Best Regards,
Denny 

Dear Denny,

I have the antenna and accessories you sent installed. The reception is perfect and I no longer have a cable bill!!! I can't than you enough for all your help. I will recommend you every chance I get.
Sincerely, Robyn

A Simple TV Antenna-Presto TV

Denny,

I am looking to put an tv antenna in the second floor of my garage. I have been researching different types of antennas and have become thoroughly confused! All I want is to watch a little clear TV every so often and do not want to pay high cable bills for a lot of junk!

Can you explain the best set up?  I know from what I have read so far this is right up your alley. The house is all run with cable to each room.  My thought was to mount the antenna in the second floor of my garage, run coax to the exterior of the house where the current cable wiring exists and presto TV!
Am I on the right track in my thinking?  What type of TV antenna etc. do you suggest?  Doesn't need to be fancy or expensive cause like I said don't have TV now so not looking to go all HD or anything. Just simple TV will be fine.

Thank you in advance for any help.
Danny

Hi Danny,

Please send me your zip code so I can better choose the right TV antenna and accessories for you. Does your garage have aluminum siding or brick or is it wood construction ?

Best Regards,
Denny

Denny,

My Zip Code is 03884.  The garage is wood construction with vinyl siding and asphalt shingles.  No metal outside of drip edge on the eves.  I forgot to mention that I would prefer an tv antenna that did not need to rotate as again it will be an interior application.
Thank you so much for the quick response!!!  I was not planning on hearing anything for at least a couple of days if not more. Thanks, Danny

Danny,

I have examined the various TV transmitting station in your area. I looked at their directions, output
power, distance and their affiliation ABC, NBC, etc... 

Use the HD Stacker antenna > (our best TV antenna) with the Winegard LNA 200 pre-amplifier >. Aim the antenna at the Boston transmitters. The Boston transmitter location for ABC, NBC, CBS, PBS, Fox, UPN and a couple of independents are at 200 degrees on the compass and about 65 miles away from your location. This application would not require a rotor.

I hope this helps you. If I can be of further assistance please don't hesitate to contact me.

Have a nice day!

I want to get a hdtv antenna, and have two questions.

1.  I did the test on your site and defiantly need multidirectional. All but one was 14 miles away. Unfortunately the one is 35 miles away which I guess puts me in the mid range models. Two are coming up vhf ch 13.1 and ch 8.1.

2. Will I also need a vhf antenna or will the uhf handle those since they are higher than 7? I want to record these hd shows on a hd recorded. Do you know of a way to record two shows at the same time? I know satellite you can, but I want to do this just with the ota antenna.
thanks
jim

Greetings, Jim

Originally all HDTV digital channels were UHF broadcasts. But now most areas do require a VHF/UHF antenna >. I wouldn't be comfortable with any TV antenna that wasn't VHF/UHF capable. That covers you even if new channels come on the air.

I hope I answered your questions, if I can be of anymore service don't hesitate to contact me.
 
Best Regards,
Denny

Antenna Output

Hello again I just talked with you on Wednesday I just placed my order with you. But I did not see if any 300 to 75 ohm converter was needed or offered any where? Is one needed?
Anyway it was very nice talking with you.    
Thank you   Tyler

Tyler,
All of the antennas we offer are direct 75 ohm output or have a matching transformer included with the antenna that will allow coax cable connection.

Thank you for the order and it was nice talking to you too. Let me know how everything works out.

Regards,
Denny

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