newbie needs help on antenna selection

myselfnjit · 05-03-2009, 12:56 PM

Hi everyone,
I was looking for an antenna to get air reception to get out from under the cable company and really got myself into it. I had NO IDEA of how much there is to know.
I am looking for recommendations on antenna model, pre amp and etc., as I know NOTHING. I live in a very wooded area and my house has aluminum siding. I am going to roof mount but know not what to buy. My zip is 13827 and I went to tv fool and antenna web. They said blue and mostly violet!!!
Here is the map from tv fool

If I need to get more info for your help then let me know!!
thanks in advance
Steve

NonMcTubber · 05-03-2009, 01:36 PM

To myselfnjit,

Somewhat of a atypical TVFool report in that your choices are not great.

Basically any cheap roof mounted combo VHF/UHF antenna pointed due east will get you those close in ABC, CBS, Fox, and PBS networks and with a crack at the next 2 low power stations by adding a pre-amp.

But its going to probably take a much more complex set up to pull in that channel 18 basically due West which would get you NBC.

Getting more content variety after that does not look good.

But I am not really the most knowledgeable about antennas so lets see what others say.

tigerbangs · 05-03-2009, 03:12 PM

Binghamton has all the netwoks that you need: Use a Winegard HD-7694P mounted on your roof aimed at at 110 degrees, and you'll be FINE! WBGH-CA is your NBC affilliate in Binghamton, and you'll see it with the antenna I suggested...

http://www.winegard.com
http://www.channelmasterintl.com/doc...stallation.pdf

IDRick · 05-03-2009, 06:55 PM

+1, the 7694 is great choice in this situation. TB, thanks for the heads up info on WBGH broadcasting NBC!

myselfnjit · 05-03-2009, 09:27 PM

[quote=tigerbangs;863859]Binghamton has all the netwoks that you need: Use a Winegard HD-7694P mounted on your roof aimed at at 110 degrees, and you'll be FINE! WBGH-CA is your NBC affilliate in Binghamton, and you'll see it with the antenna I suggested...

THANKS!!
Should I need/get a preamp? I will be splitting between 2 tvs if that makes a difference. Also, I will be roof mounting, any additional hardware needed, needed mounting height?? Anything else I should know?

stevecom · 05-03-2009, 09:31 PM

i am in the same boat but i eould like to convert a directv dish into a a HD dish any info would be helpful

tigerbangs · 05-04-2009, 10:22 AM

THANKS!!
Should I need/get a preamp? I will be splitting between 2 tvs if that makes a difference. Also, I will be roof mounting, any additional hardware needed, needed mounting height?? Anything else I should know?[/quote]

If you need to split to 2 TV sets, your only stumbling block will be WBGH-CA, which will be somewhat weaker than the other stations. I would look at a Winegard HDA-100 installed in the line before a high-quality 2 way splitter to be sure that you have enough signal for all your TV sets.

If you look at the installation guide that I linked to you, you will find good information on roof mounting and cable requirement.

myselfnjit · 05-04-2009, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tigerbangs

THANKS!!
Should I need/get a preamp? I will be splitting between 2 tvs if that makes a difference. Also, I will be roof mounting, any additional hardware needed, needed mounting height?? Anything else I should know?

If you need to split to 2 TV sets, your only stumbling block will be WBGH-CA, which will be somewhat weaker than the other stations. I would look at a Winegard HDA-100 installed in the line before a high-quality 2 way splitter to be sure that you have enough signal for all your TV sets.

If you look at the installation guide that I linked to you, you will find good information on roof mounting and cable requirement.[/quote]

I looked at the guide, very helpful.
I will probably order a 3 ft tripod and a mast along with the antenna and hda-100.
thanks a bunch

gjvrieze · 05-04-2009, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by myselfnjit

If you need to split to 2 TV sets, your only stumbling block will be WBGH-CA, which will be somewhat weaker than the other stations. I would look at a Winegard HDA-100 installed in the line before a high-quality 2 way splitter to be sure that you have enough signal for all your TV sets.

If you look at the installation guide that I linked to you, you will find good information on roof mounting and cable requirement.

I looked at the guide, very helpful.
I will probably order a 3 ft tripod and a mast along with the antenna and hda-100.
thanks a bunch[/quote]

Post back with your results please, so we know how it turned out!

myselfnjit · 10-04-2009, 08:43 PM

hi there
finally getting around to ordering my ant. and have a couple of questions.

1. the winegard site recommends the 7697P, should I get it or the 7694 that was recommended by you guys? It is $50 more

2. what should I get for a tripod size and mast? I have trees that I am never going to get over.

winegard · 10-05-2009, 08:12 AM

Our antenna selector is set to be a little conservative. It is obviously heavily dependant on your situation.

It looks like the HD7694P would be fine. We would move up and recommend the HD7698P if you were interested in channel 10, MNT.

myselfnjit · 10-05-2009, 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by winegard

Our antenna selector is set to be a little conservative. It is obviously heavily dependant on your situation.

It looks like the HD7694P would be fine. We would move up and recommend the HD7698P if you were interested in channel 10, MNT.

OK
What mast and tripod would you recommend for either setup??

myselfnjit · 10-05-2009, 07:54 PM

any help with the mounting thing?

IDRick · 10-05-2009, 08:28 PM

You can find a good discussion on antenna installation installation options here:

http://manuals.solidsignal.com/AntInstallGuide.pdf
http://www.dennysantennaservice.com/1170980.html

myselfnjit · 10-28-2009, 07:04 PM

Well I got the recommended, the Winegard 7694P!
Got a mast and tripod. Also, Summit Source sent me 50 ft of Coaxial (without ends). It is 22 gauge RG - 59/u. Is this good??? Should I use it our buy something else? I am going to have about a 50 foot run.

Thanks
Steve

05-03-2009, 01:36 PM	#2
NonMcTubber High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 815	To myselfnjit, Somewhat of a atypical TVFool report in that your choices are not great. Basically any cheap roof mounted combo VHF/UHF antenna pointed due east will get you those close in ABC, CBS, Fox, and PBS networks and with a crack at the next 2 low power stations by adding a pre-amp. But its going to probably take a much more complex set up to pull in that channel 18 basically due West which would get you NBC. Getting more content variety after that does not look good. But I am not really the most knowledgeable about antennas so lets see what others say. __________________ High definition is not the definition of my life. But knowledge is power and HD does have some potential to increase content variety and choices.

05-03-2009, 03:12 PM	#3
tigerbangs Antenna Maven Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Springfield, MA Age: 54 Posts: 2,116	Binghamton has all the netwoks that you need: Use a Winegard HD-7694P mounted on your roof aimed at at 110 degrees, and you'll be FINE! WBGH-CA is your NBC affilliate in Binghamton, and you'll see it with the antenna I suggested... http://www.winegard.com http://www.channelmasterintl.com/doc...stallation.pdf __________________ Real men don't use indoor antennas; neither do real women! Last edited by tigerbangs; 05-03-2009 at 07:19 PM.

05-03-2009, 09:31 PM	#6
stevecom What is HD? Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 1	another newbee i am in the same boat but i eould like to convert a directv dish into a a HD dish any info would be helpful

05-04-2009, 10:22 AM	#7
tigerbangs Antenna Maven Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Springfield, MA Age: 54 Posts: 2,116	THANKS!! Should I need/get a preamp? I will be splitting between 2 tvs if that makes a difference. Also, I will be roof mounting, any additional hardware needed, needed mounting height?? Anything else I should know?[/quote] If you need to split to 2 TV sets, your only stumbling block will be WBGH-CA, which will be somewhat weaker than the other stations. I would look at a Winegard HDA-100 installed in the line before a high-quality 2 way splitter to be sure that you have enough signal for all your TV sets. If you look at the installation guide that I linked to you, you will find good information on roof mounting and cable requirement. __________________ Real men don't use indoor antennas; neither do real women!

10-05-2009, 08:12 AM	#11
winegard A couch and an HDTV to go please. Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 11	Our antenna selector is set to be a little conservative. It is obviously heavily dependant on your situation. It looks like the HD7694P would be fine. We would move up and recommend the HD7698P if you were interested in channel 10, MNT. __________________ Andy Crowner Winegard Company VHF/UHF HDTV Antennas HDTV Antenna Selector Antenna Help and Guides

05-03-2009, 06:55 PM	#4
IDRick High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Eastern Idaho Posts: 1,106	+1, the 7694 is great choice in this situation. TB, thanks for the heads up info on WBGH broadcasting NBC!

05-03-2009, 09:27 PM	#5
myselfnjit How can anyone watch standard def? Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 24	[quote=tigerbangs;863859]Binghamton has all the netwoks that you need: Use a Winegard HD-7694P mounted on your roof aimed at at 110 degrees, and you'll be FINE! WBGH-CA is your NBC affilliate in Binghamton, and you'll see it with the antenna I suggested... THANKS!! Should I need/get a preamp? I will be splitting between 2 tvs if that makes a difference. Also, I will be roof mounting, any additional hardware needed, needed mounting height?? Anything else I should know?

10-04-2009, 08:43 PM	#10
myselfnjit How can anyone watch standard def? Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 24	hi there finally getting around to ordering my ant. and have a couple of questions. 1. the winegard site recommends the 7697P, should I get it or the 7694 that was recommended by you guys? It is $50 more 2. what should I get for a tripod size and mast? I have trees that I am never going to get over.

10-05-2009, 07:54 PM	#13
myselfnjit How can anyone watch standard def? Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 24	any help with the mounting thing?

10-05-2009, 08:28 PM	#14
IDRick High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Eastern Idaho Posts: 1,106	You can find a good discussion on antenna installation installation options here: http://manuals.solidsignal.com/AntInstallGuide.pdf http://www.dennysantennaservice.com/1170980.html

10-28-2009, 07:04 PM	#15
myselfnjit How can anyone watch standard def? Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 24	Finally got it! Well I got the recommended, the Winegard 7694P! Got a mast and tripod. Also, Summit Source sent me 50 ft of Coaxial (without ends). It is 22 gauge RG - 59/u. Is this good??? Should I use it our buy something else? I am going to have about a 50 foot run. Thanks Steve

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