Precise ant. positioning tricks?

Can the antenna be best positioned using only a (SWR?) meter?

I typically have to operate/install solo, and don't really want to pay hundreds for this one-time use.

Y'all have any tricks? T.I.A. Mike

If you are talking about using one of the Signal strength meters intended for SAT alignment it will be completly useless for OTA-HDTV alignment or even analog NTSC . I know this really bites - but ended up buying one of the bottom of the line Sencore DTV mters (Model 1453) - this is very useful for aligning antennas for DTV/HDTV as well as analysiing other problems . The most common thing I seem to run into is completly rotted out co-ax or antennas older than any of the inhabitants of the home. good rule of thumb: antennas are not whiskey - older is usually not better.

Go to antennaweb.org and get the right coordinates for your stations, then buy a $20 compass. Once you locate north, the rest is easy. Find a happy medium if your stations are a few degrees off from each other. My stations ranged from 10 to 14 dergees which, with a quality antenna pulled them all in at 78-85% signal strength @ 50 miles out. You will then have the personal satisfaction of having done it yourself and saved $$$$$ GOOD Luck!!

I have been to (and printed) the map from antennaweb. I have a compass and know the orientation.

I am not familiar with just HOW directional the HD antenna is, which will determine just how picky the subsequent alignment and precise antenna location will be. My reading has indicated that precisely locating the antenna, laterally and vertically, with small changes sometimes making a large difference, is crucial for this expensive venture.

My HD tuner does not display any sort of signal display, which is why I was asking the question about 'tricks'.

I ordered the 4228 and the 7777 pre-amp from Warren Electronic Distributing. I will get the mast and all locally, planning to do a chimney mount.

The nice fellow at Warren said that a chimney mount is best; recommending 5'-10' above. He also stated that at 48+ miles from the 'farm', the pre-amp should not overload the HD tuner (won a Voom on e-###).

Late next week I hope to see proper HD on my projector (for now). Unless the SEDs are out soon, I'll probably pop for a 50"+ plasma monitor. While 50 is a bit small for my viewing distance and a proper theatre effect, they are priced much lower than the 60s.

If i'm wrong about this - someone please correct me - but I believe the 4228 has a 20 Deg. acceptance angle ( that part of the RF world that it collects the most information from) - It has relativly steep skirts either side of this. A lot of the "I moved it a quarter inch and picked up 9 more stations" are folks either working with indoor antenna or antennas under a roof - these types of installs have a wealth of strange and entertaining?? problems with reflections(multipath) . You're doing the right thing - high ,outside , align using your compass and just don't point the antenna into the ground and you should have a excellent chance of doing it once and being done with it. Enjoy HDTV/DTV - it's simply stunning!