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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