Hello another Newbie here!

smokumjames · 12-03-2012, 09:35 PM

Cancelled DirectTV and decided to join the Antenna club.
Will be posting my TVfool reports soon, but wanted to ask what will probably seem like a dumb question. Is it possible to set up one main antenna outside and split the signal to five different rooms all watching different shows at the same time?

Sorry the last time I had an antenna my TV had a tube in it!

James

projectsho89 · 12-04-2012, 04:16 AM

Quote:

Is it possible to set up one main antenna outside and split the signal to five different rooms all watching different shows at the same time?

Sure, as long as you don't have a rotor or an antenna switching scheme involved.

JB Antennaman · 12-04-2012, 04:40 AM

Sometimes I feel like the mayor of retardsville.

If you don't post a useable address - we can't give you advice.

There is no way of knowing what your situation is without a street level address.... DUH!

smokumjames · 12-04-2012, 05:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JB Antennaman

Sometimes I feel like the mayor of retardsville.

If you don't post a useable address - we can't give you advice.

There is no way of knowing what your situation is without a street level address.... DUH!

Said I will attach the Tvfool report soon haven't posted five times yet.

Guess understanding the rules moves me out of retardsville!

"I hope when I put up my Antenna it doesn't make me as bitter and rude as you"

IDRick · 12-04-2012, 08:12 AM

Hello SmokumJames!

Welcome to the forum! You can make three more test replies to this thread and then you can post your tvfool link or you can save the tvfool report to your HDD and then attach it to your next reply. Either method works fine! Looking forward to seeing you report! And yes, we can give you advice without having your address.

BTW, when you do post your results, can you also provide us with an approximate maximum length of cable run and how many splitters you will have in your distribution system? It will be invaluable for determining if a pre-amp or distribution amp is needed in your setup.

Best,

Rick

stereocraig · 12-04-2012, 10:34 AM

Regardless of what type of antenna system your TVFool is going to require, 5 TVs would probably justify using a distribution amp.

Each set acts just like hanging too many clothes on a clothesline.It brings the signal down on all of the sets.
This will happen, regardless, of how good your signal is.

smokumjames · 12-04-2012, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stereocraig

Regardless of what type of antenna system your TVFool is going to require, 5 TVs would probably justify using a distribution amp.

Each set acts just like hanging too many clothes on a clothesline.It brings the signal down on all of the sets.
This will happen, regardless, of how good your signal is.

test quote 3

smokumjames · 12-04-2012, 06:44 PM

4 test quote ddd 50 sec

smokumjames · 12-04-2012, 06:46 PM

ok 3 more characters

smokumjames · 12-05-2012, 07:24 AM

Here is the TVfool report. Also I have access to some old cabletv pdus like the pico macom TMP-m8 only these are made by scientific atlanta. Would these work for antenna tv as well?

Again thanks for all the feed back and help!!!

James

IDRick · 12-05-2012, 06:55 PM

James,

You have high VHF and UHF stations in your area. Signal strengths are very strong. I'd recommend a HBU-22 or a RCA-ANT751 for your application. Given the strong signal in your area, you cannot use a pre-amplifier and potentially do not need a distribution amplifier. I'd try it first without an amp and see how it goes.... If you need a distribution amp, I'd go with a Channel Master 3418. I'm not familiar with the pico macom TMP-m8 so cannot comment on its use. It may be the same thing as a CM3418 but I'm uncertain...

For a good discussion on antenna installation, see: http://manuals.solidsignal.com/AntInstallGuide.pdf

Antenna and amplifier Links:

http://www.solidsignal.com/pview.asp...sku=1607900201
http://www.solidsignal.com/pview.asp...u=044476064524
http://www.amazon.com/RCA-ANT751R-Ou.../dp/B0024R4B5C
http://www.solidsignal.com/pview.asp...ifier-(cm-3418)

Good luck, let us know how it turns out!

Best,

Rick

jim5506 · 12-05-2012, 07:51 PM

You have a plethora of station choices split between north and south of you, most are north and you also have both VHF high and UHF band signals.

You have a choice to make, go for signal from both directions or settle on channels from either Miami or Palm Beach.

Miami has more, stronger signals, probably the better choice.

For Miami we have VHF channels 7, 10 and 13with the rest being UHF, so we need an antenna or antennas that can handle both. Since the signals are good and strong you don't need a monster antenna, but we do need to overcome the splitting you will be imposing on the signal. Each split cuts you signal slightly by more than 1/2, so to get 5 TTs connected you need a 2:1 splitter followed by another 2:1 and a balanced 3:1 splitter. This will give you about -7dB cumulative off the second 2 way splitter and -11dB cumulative off the 3 way splitter.

Now, an antenna, even something as small an the RCA ANT751R would probably work, but we want a bit of margin for error in our signal, so I'd probably go with something like tha Channel Master CM-2016 or the Winegard HD7694P. Either one of these will give you a nice strong signal capable of being degraded by splitting and cable runs.

If you want signals from BOTH directions, you might look at some of the home made Grey-Hoverman or similar antennas that can receive both UHF and some VHF and by not installing a reflector on the back it gives you an antenna that receives signals from two directions 180 degrees from each other. This might be a bit of a gamble since without the reflector, these antenas are about 1/2 the strength they are with it, but your signals are good - it might just work.

To get things going, you might install either the CM or Winegard and then start building your home made experiment for later fun.

IDRick · 12-05-2012, 08:43 PM

Based on my testing, the UHF and VHF gain on the RCA ANT751 is about 6 to 8 dB (higher at higher frequencies). The expected signal strength equals the NM on tvfool + antenna gain minus environmental loss. Given that most channels in the area have NM's in the high 50's and 60's, the the ANT751 is more than adequate. The 7694 is a fine antenna and would provide more margin but how much margin does one really need? After subtracting distribution losses, signal strength should still be in high 30's, even 40's. Going with 7694 would increase the margin by 3 to 4 dB's.

smokumjames · 12-06-2012, 05:26 AM

Thanks to all for the quick response. I will start the reading and research now and will let you know what I end up going with and how the split to five rooms goes (with or without a dis. amp.)

I have two rooms set up with some rabbit ear antennas I got at radio shack for now and get 48channels on one tv and 52 on the other with good picture quality. On a side note I have three young kids who have found that books and coloring are just as fun as cartoon network in the morning. Imagine that!!

Thanks again.

zip2play · 12-06-2012, 10:02 AM

Quote:

I have two rooms set up with some rabbit ear antennas I got at radio shack for now and get 48 channels on one tv and 52

Five more of these set-top antennae will be a whole lot easier and cheaper than an outdoor antenna, an ampliifier and a gajilion feet of wiring snaking all through your house.
My approach is to always take the easiest route first...you can always go for complicated later.

12-03-2012, 09:35 PM	#1
smokumjames My plasma is High Def. Join Date: Dec 2012 Posts: 7	Hello another Newbie here! Cancelled DirectTV and decided to join the Antenna club. Will be posting my TVfool reports soon, but wanted to ask what will probably seem like a dumb question. Is it possible to set up one main antenna outside and split the signal to five different rooms all watching different shows at the same time? Sorry the last time I had an antenna my TV had a tube in it! James

12-04-2012, 04:40 AM	#3
JB Antennaman High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 1,391	Sometimes I feel like the mayor of retardsville. If you don't post a useable address - we can't give you advice. There is no way of knowing what your situation is without a street level address.... DUH! __________________ Any intelligent fool can make things bigger, more complex, and more violent. It takes a touch of genius -- and a lot of courage -- to move in the opposite direction.

12-04-2012, 08:12 AM	#5
IDRick High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Eastern Idaho Posts: 2,715	Hello SmokumJames! Welcome to the forum! You can make three more test replies to this thread and then you can post your tvfool link or you can save the tvfool report to your HDD and then attach it to your next reply. Either method works fine! Looking forward to seeing you report! And yes, we can give you advice without having your address. BTW, when you do post your results, can you also provide us with an approximate maximum length of cable run and how many splitters you will have in your distribution system? It will be invaluable for determining if a pre-amp or distribution amp is needed in your setup. Best, Rick Last edited by IDRick; 12-04-2012 at 08:16 AM.

12-04-2012, 10:34 AM	#6
stereocraig High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 129	Regardless of what type of antenna system your TVFool is going to require, 5 TVs would probably justify using a distribution amp. Each set acts just like hanging too many clothes on a clothesline.It brings the signal down on all of the sets. This will happen, regardless, of how good your signal is. straybeat likes this.

12-04-2012, 06:44 PM	#8
smokumjames My plasma is High Def. Join Date: Dec 2012 Posts: 7	test quote 4 4 test quote ddd 50 sec Last edited by smokumjames; 12-04-2012 at 06:44 PM. Reason: one more 5 post

12-04-2012, 06:46 PM	#9
smokumjames My plasma is High Def. Join Date: Dec 2012 Posts: 7	50 more sec ok 3 more characters

12-05-2012, 06:55 PM	#11
IDRick High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Eastern Idaho Posts: 2,715	James, You have high VHF and UHF stations in your area. Signal strengths are very strong. I'd recommend a HBU-22 or a RCA-ANT751 for your application. Given the strong signal in your area, you cannot use a pre-amplifier and potentially do not need a distribution amplifier. I'd try it first without an amp and see how it goes.... If you need a distribution amp, I'd go with a Channel Master 3418. I'm not familiar with the pico macom TMP-m8 so cannot comment on its use. It may be the same thing as a CM3418 but I'm uncertain... For a good discussion on antenna installation, see: http://manuals.solidsignal.com/AntInstallGuide.pdf Antenna and amplifier Links: http://www.solidsignal.com/pview.asp...sku=1607900201 http://www.solidsignal.com/pview.asp...u=044476064524 http://www.amazon.com/RCA-ANT751R-Ou.../dp/B0024R4B5C http://www.solidsignal.com/pview.asp...ifier-(cm-3418) Good luck, let us know how it turns out! Best, Rick Last edited by IDRick; 12-05-2012 at 06:59 PM. Reason: added links

12-05-2012, 07:51 PM	#12
jim5506 Yellow Submarine Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Lubbock, Texas Posts: 3,303	You have a plethora of station choices split between north and south of you, most are north and you also have both VHF high and UHF band signals. You have a choice to make, go for signal from both directions or settle on channels from either Miami or Palm Beach. Miami has more, stronger signals, probably the better choice. For Miami we have VHF channels 7, 10 and 13with the rest being UHF, so we need an antenna or antennas that can handle both. Since the signals are good and strong you don't need a monster antenna, but we do need to overcome the splitting you will be imposing on the signal. Each split cuts you signal slightly by more than 1/2, so to get 5 TTs connected you need a 2:1 splitter followed by another 2:1 and a balanced 3:1 splitter. This will give you about -7dB cumulative off the second 2 way splitter and -11dB cumulative off the 3 way splitter. Now, an antenna, even something as small an the RCA ANT751R would probably work, but we want a bit of margin for error in our signal, so I'd probably go with something like tha Channel Master CM-2016 or the Winegard HD7694P. Either one of these will give you a nice strong signal capable of being degraded by splitting and cable runs. If you want signals from BOTH directions, you might look at some of the home made Grey-Hoverman or similar antennas that can receive both UHF and some VHF and by not installing a reflector on the back it gives you an antenna that receives signals from two directions 180 degrees from each other. This might be a bit of a gamble since without the reflector, these antenas are about 1/2 the strength they are with it, but your signals are good - it might just work. To get things going, you might install either the CM or Winegard and then start building your home made experiment for later fun. __________________ Seeking colinear harmonics! Programming: Dish AT120 Displays: Sony VPH-D50Q FPCRT - 7 ft on the wall; Hitachi 57R59 RPCRT; Panasonic 42" Plasma; 26" Sanyo LCD Receivers: DishNetwork ViP722k; DishNetwork ViP211K;2 - DishNetwork ViP211; 2 - TiVo HD Series 3; 2 - TiVo Series 2's; Accurian 6000; Samsung SIR-T351; Panasonic ShowStopper 2000; ATI HDTV Wonder Dish 1000 on 110,119,129; Dish 500 on 61.5; DPP44 Sony 80GB PS3; Toshiba HD-DVD

12-05-2012, 08:43 PM	#13
IDRick High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Eastern Idaho Posts: 2,715	Based on my testing, the UHF and VHF gain on the RCA ANT751 is about 6 to 8 dB (higher at higher frequencies). The expected signal strength equals the NM on tvfool + antenna gain minus environmental loss. Given that most channels in the area have NM's in the high 50's and 60's, the the ANT751 is more than adequate. The 7694 is a fine antenna and would provide more margin but how much margin does one really need? After subtracting distribution losses, signal strength should still be in high 30's, even 40's. Going with 7694 would increase the margin by 3 to 4 dB's.

12-06-2012, 05:26 AM	#14
smokumjames My plasma is High Def. Join Date: Dec 2012 Posts: 7	Thanks Thanks to all for the quick response. I will start the reading and research now and will let you know what I end up going with and how the split to five rooms goes (with or without a dis. amp.) I have two rooms set up with some rabbit ear antennas I got at radio shack for now and get 48channels on one tv and 52 on the other with good picture quality. On a side note I have three young kids who have found that books and coloring are just as fun as cartoon network in the morning. Imagine that!! Thanks again.

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