Help with OTA antenna selection requested.

ekessler507

Just upgraded my DirecTV connection to HD and was originally told I could use my existing OTA Trek42 antenna for HD. Well, the installer shows up with the new dish and it is NOT the 3LNB oval, but a new oversized dish that does not use diplexers.
Needless to say, I was not very pleased to find out additional cost would be involved with getting my OTA HD channels. I am looking for suggestions of the best exterior VHF/UHF antenna as well as the best amplified indoor VHF/UHF antenna.
I live in Erie, Pennsylvania, zip code 16510. Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks!

BTW, the viewing unit is a Sharp LC45GD4U.


EK

VegasFlyby

Why is it you can't use the Terk? Because it won' fit or because of a diplexer issue?

I just put up a Terk 44 and was very pleased with it, despite all the bad reviews it has received. I used to have an indoor uhf/vhf antenna that worked great. Here's the link if you want to try it out.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1122653825126

I'm sure there are cheaper ones that will work the same but I got the best results with this one.

I would also call D* to complain. They will probably give you some programming credits for the hassle.

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Diogenes

your digital stations are 6- 7 miles away and in the UHF I would get a small 4 bay uhf antenna. Now, if you cannot run coax directly from the 4 bay antenna to the receiver inside the house, you should be able to run short cables from the dish and from the 4 bay UHF antenna into a seperate diplexer (available from Lowes's), then attach your existing coax to the output of this diplexer. PS this dish is not the AT-9 is it? How many LNB's does it have?

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Rick0725

antenna selection

-alot has to do with probabilities. the chances of having an antenna work properly for you without the hassle of returning (if you buy online for example), based upon experiences. We tend to go to the tried and true antenna...ones that work well consistently.

Wish I can try every antenna out there. plus not eveyone can use an outdoor antenna or have the tools (ladder,etc) to go all the way.

the antenna in that catagory (terk, "gimmick antennas", etc.) does not work well for everyone and tend to be on the pricey side (marketing). there are so many darn variables and you hope it could be cut and dry. if the antenna works for you on the first try...you win.

I would suggest a small uhf there in erie pa...cm4221.

ekessler507

I cannot use the Terk because of the lack of diplexers on the dish. Supposedly, it is the HD dish for the newest satellites. I will have to call D* to get more specifics ... as well as complain about the situation.


EK

Diogenes

you could put your own diplexer in, if this is the AT-9 the diplexer may or my not work

what you need

i) a diplexer (LOWE's)
ii) two short coax cables to run from the TERK and the dish to the diplexer

steps

1) disconnect the existing coax that goes to the house from the dish, label it Coax A

2) connect coax A to the output of the diplexer

3) take one of the short coax cables you bought, attach it to the TERK, attach the other end to one input of the diplexer.

4) take the other short coax cable attach it to the dish (where you detached coax A) take the other end of this cable and connect it to the other end of the diplexer.

Second option, call D* and tell them your diplexer no longer works, thanks to their installation, and have them run a second coax for your antenna and run that coax directly into your receiver, eliminating the need for a diplexer at all.

__________________
A good definition of insanity is trying the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.
Anybody seen my lamp?

ekessler507

Well, after two no-response calls to D*, I spent a few minutes on eBay and ID'd the dish. It is the new A-9 5LNB dish, which is frickin' huge. I am glad it is on the back-side of the roof and NOT visable from the street.

So, can I obtain a diplexer and use my Trek42 with this or am I relgated to the additional cost senario?


EK

Diogenes

search at-9 and diplexer, there are some people here who have had some success using a diplexer with an AT-9. I still think a separate cable run for the antenna would be best.

__________________
A good definition of insanity is trying the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.
Anybody seen my lamp?