Need a rooftop or attic antenna

[DawnM]

recommendation.

We are going to OTA TV in July. No more Dirtectv.

We have Roku boxes and will watch things on Huluplus and Netflix through there, BUT, we also want to get Over the Air TV.

I purchased an indoor antenna (actually I have two of them) and the channels just keep going on and off, in and out, and it drives me bonkers. Also, we don't even get some channels.

So, I think we need a stronger antenna, like a rooftop.

Any good recommendations? I have gone to AntennaWeb and most of my stations are 20 miles away or further, so I figure I will need something (maybe even two somethings) stronger.

Thanks,

Dawn

 

[bjscheel]

We are at least 50 miles from the local stations. We bought this last year:

http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-AMPLIFIED-R...272?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5ad0b7ecc8

It works so much better than our 15-20 year old roof antenna, and is really compact, so we bought one for the in-laws too. They put it in the attic. We never have the issue anymore of getting the signal. If you do, you press the remote to turn it till it tunes in (don't have to do this very often). It beats DH going on the roof and hollering "How about now? How about now?"

It has worked really well for us anyway.

 

[JDUCKY]

This Channel Master 2018 should work very well for you:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002KNFI0C

If you still have channels in the low VHF range (below channel 7), you may need to go this route (CM 3020) but that's mostly for deep fringe (>45 miles away):
http://www.amazon.com/Channelmaster...?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1307125392&sr=1-17


Anything that claims (like that ebay ad) to achieve >60 miles is ridiculous (unless you happen to live on top of a hill or have a 1000ft tower on which to mount your antenna) as the curvature of the earth will prevent line of sight. I'd be hesitant of the LAVA antenna, too, given those gain numbers. Makes me wonder if they're amplifying the heck out of the signal. If they are and you're only 20 miles away, you'll run into problems with channels bleeding over top of other channels and such.

Channel Master is tops.

I have the CM2018 in my attic (with no pre-amps and with a 50' run of cable down to my family room) pointed to Orlando's towers near the east coast (about 35 miles away from me) and, except for the odd dropout on WESH-2 (still broadcasting off a low VHF channel and they happen to be further north than most of the rest of the towers) I get great reception. I actually get a Tampa channel off the back-end of the antenna, too.

 

[DawnM]

How does multi-directional work if you want to watch 3 different TVs a the same time?

That is one concern I have.

Some people put up two, one facing one way and one facing the other, but I don't know if you need specific antennas for that or not.

Dawn

We are at least 50 miles from the local stations. We bought this last year:

http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-AMPLIFIED-R...272?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5ad0b7ecc8

It works so much better than our 15-20 year old roof antenna, and is really compact, so we bought one for the in-laws too. They put it in the attic. We never have the issue anymore of getting the signal. If you do, you press the remote to turn it till it tunes in (don't have to do this very often). It beats DH going on the roof and hollering "How about now? How about now?"

It has worked really well for us anyway.

 

[DawnM]

You have this one in your attic?

I would love something NOT on my roof! However, the larger part of the attic is on the South side of the house and the channels mostly come from the NORTH of us (we live South of Charlotte).

Is there any place you can buy one, try it out, and return if it doesn't work?

Dawn

This Channel Master 2018 should work very well for you:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002KNFI0C

If you still have channels in the low VHF range (below channel 7), you may need to go this route (CM 3020) but that's mostly for deep fringe (>45 miles away):
http://www.amazon.com/Channelmaster...?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1307125392&sr=1-17


Anything that claims (like that ebay ad) to achieve >60 miles is ridiculous (unless you happen to live on top of a hill or have a 1000ft tower on which to mount your antenna) as the curvature of the earth will prevent line of sight. I'd be hesitant of the LAVA antenna, too, given those gain numbers. Makes me wonder if they're amplifying the heck out of the signal. If they are and you're only 20 miles away, you'll run into problems with channels bleeding over top of other channels and such.

Channel Master is tops.

I have the CM2018 in my attic (with no pre-amps and with a 50' run of cable down to my family room) pointed to Orlando's towers near the east coast (about 35 miles away from me) and, except for the odd dropout on WESH-2 (still broadcasting off a low VHF channel and they happen to be further north than most of the rest of the towers) I get great reception. I actually get a Tampa channel off the back-end of the antenna, too.

 

[JDUCKY]

As long as you can fit it between the rafters it should work (and assuming there are no obstructions between the towers and that part of your attic)

I have mine resting on top of some (haven't bought a mast to secure it properly...yet)

Actually, the CM 3016 is probably your best bet if you have VHF channels 2-6 in your area:
http://www.amazon.com/Channelmaster-CM-3016-Suburban-Advantage-Antenna/dp/B000SAKDLS


Otherwise, the first one linked above should suffice.

You should check w/Amazon (or whoever you decide to buy from) as to their return policy but I think Amazon's is pretty generous. But, I don't think you'll need to return it!

Before I moved to FL, I was 19 miles from the towers and I had an antenna in the attic and it worked perfectly. Still works fine in the attic and being 30-35 miles away. Rooftop would be best if you were on the fringe but that's not the case.

 

[Steve BWV'99]

I have a channel master bow-tie type antenna in the attic, dont remember the model but simalair to this http://www.frys.com/product/5820193

My towers are 40-50 miles away and get great reception. Like others, i recommend the channel masters. I got the bow-tie model (square) so it fits easier in the attic and I just rest it against the rafters. You can probably get a cheaper one (4-bay) since your towers are closer

I got mine in Frys. I know there arent any in the Carolina's but you may try radio shack or other electronic type stores.

 

[JDUCKY]

How does multi-directional work if you want to watch 3 different TVs a the same time?

That is one concern I have.

Some people put up two, one facing one way and one facing the other, but I don't know if you need specific antennas for that or not.

Dawn

If you want to watch OTA broadcasts on different TVs, you'd need to get a high-quality splitter (one that loses no more than 3.5dB per output). A good 2-way splitter will give you that easily for 2 TVs.

If you want to send the signal to 3 TVs, a 3-way splitter will typically offer 3.5dB loss on one output and 7dB on the other two. Check Amazon or some place like your local Radio Shack or Lowe's.

If you end up with consistent channel dropouts or pixelation no matter where the antenna is pointed, a lower power signal amp would probably help (wouldn't get one now...don't waste $$ if you don't need to! )

 

[DawnM]

Well, I guess what I was trying to ask is: if the antenna needs to move to pick up STation X because it is at 33 degrees, but station Y is at 340 degrees.....how does one person watch Station X while another person watches Station Y on a different TV?

Dawn

If you want to watch OTA broadcasts on different TVs, you'd need to get a high-quality splitter (one that loses no more than 3.5dB per output). A good 2-way splitter will give you that easily for 2 TVs.

If you want to send the signal to 3 TVs, a 3-way splitter will typically offer 3.5dB loss on one output and 7dB on the other two. Check Amazon or some place like your local Radio Shack or Lowe's.

If you end up with consistent channel dropouts or pixelation no matter where the antenna is pointed, a lower power signal amp would probably help (wouldn't get one now...don't waste $$ if you don't need to! )

 

[JDUCKY]

Well, I guess what I was trying to ask is: if the antenna needs to move to pick up STation X because it is at 33 degrees, but station Y is at 340 degrees.....how does one person watch Station X while another person watches Station Y on a different TV?

Dawn

Ah, yes, that is quite the conundrum.

I've never used (and personally don't trust too much) any omni-directional antenna so if it was that big of a deal, I'd be putting up multiple antennae in the attic.

Is that what antennaweb shows for your area?

 

[seashoreCM]

Even if two TV's are on the same channel, it is possible that after the signal is split it is too weak.

Try the antenna with a direct line to one TV first.

The significance of a roof antenna versus an attic antenna is that on the same house the roof antenna is higher up and can get a little bit more range that way.

Also if the attic insulation contains foil or (rare) the roof surface is metal then the antenna in the attic won't work well.

 

[DawnM]

Ah, well, we might need two rooftop antennas if we go that route then.

Antenna Web does seem to indicate we should be able to get all channels of importance with any antenna and it turns out we do get most stations a one TV antenna on two of our TVs with an amplified. We tried a non-amplified antenna and got horrible reception, pixilated, going in and out, etc....

We might get more channels with a rooftop, but not sure it is necessary.

HOWEVER, the basement is an issue. There are no windows (and no doors, which offers this chilling challenge.....ok, not really, but my mind went there!)

Anyway, the basement is cinder block and gets no signal.

We thought of maybe running an outdoor antenna just to that TV and using a regular amplified antenna for the upstairs TVs.

Thanks.

Dawn

 

[JDUCKY]

Ah, well, we might need two rooftop antennas if we go that route then.

Antenna Web does seem to indicate we should be able to get all channels of importance with any antenna and it turns out we do get most stations a one TV antenna on two of our TVs with an amplified. We tried a non-amplified antenna and got horrible reception, pixilated, going in and out, etc....

We might get more channels with a rooftop, but not sure it is necessary.

HOWEVER, the basement is an issue. There are no windows (and no doors, which offers this chilling challenge.....ok, not really, but my mind went there!)

Anyway, the basement is cinder block and gets no signal.

We thought of maybe running an outdoor antenna just to that TV and using a regular amplified antenna for the upstairs TVs.

Thanks.

Dawn

Well, you're dealing with, what, "rabbit ear" type indoor antenna? Those aren't very good. I used one for a while and we had to keep moving/adjusting it and even then sometimes couldn't get a signal.

Putting one of those ChannelMasters up in your attic will GREATLY improve your signal.

And, if you want to split that feed to multiple TVs, just get a good 3-way splitter like I described earlier, as long as one antenna pulls in all of your channels.

After that, if you still suffer some loss of signal or pixelation, then look into getting a lower power pre-amp and install that between the antenna lead and the cable running to your splitter.

From the splitter, run coax cable directly to each TV. Doesn't matter if the TV is in the basement, a garage, or whereever, as long as you can run coax cable to it from the splitter up in the attic.

 

[sam_gordon]

Well, you're dealing with, what, "rabbit ear" type indoor antenna? Those aren't very good. I used one for a while and we had to keep moving/adjusting it and even then sometimes couldn't get a signal.

Putting one of those ChannelMasters up in your attic will GREATLY improve your signal.

And, if you want to split that feed to multiple TVs, just get a good 3-way splitter like I described earlier, as long as one antenna pulls in all of your channels.

After that, if you still suffer some loss of signal or pixelation, then look into getting a lower power pre-amp and install that between the antenna lead and the cable running to your splitter.

From the splitter, run coax cable directly to each TV. Doesn't matter if the TV is in the basement, a garage, or whereever, as long as you can run coax cable to it from the splitter up in the attic.

Depending on how long the run is from the antenna to the TVs will also factor into whether you need the amplifier or not. As JDUCKY said, a splitter will be marked how much signal loss there is on each output. Basically every time you split a signal you cut the level in 1/2. A three way splitter will (for all intents & purposes), split the signal in two, then take one output and split it again.

If you go with the three way splitter find out the output that's marked '-3.5db' and connect that to furthest TV. The two outputs marked with '-7db' should go to the closer TVs.

I think you might be better off getting a four way splitter (this way the loss is even across all outputs) and a small amplifier placed before the splitter. If I do my math right, you should only need about a 10db amplifier. But this will require power at the amplifier site.

FWIW, I have an attic mounted antenna with a line running to my basement. It then hits an amplifier then a four way splitter to feed three TVs.

Regarding your question about someone watching one station in one room and a different station in another room... it doesn't matter. The antenna doesn't care who's watching what. Each TV is simply looking at whatever the antenna is aimed at.

 

[DawnM]

Well, no, not really rabbit ears like the old fashioned ones. I have a Terk HDTVa with an amplifier.

The Terk works well on our upstairs TV but gets nothing through the cinder block and dirt of our basement without windows.

Dawn

 

[DawnM]

Depending on how long the run is from the antenna to the TVs will also factor into whether you need the amplifier or not. As JDUCKY said, a splitter will be marked how much signal loss there is on each output. Basically every time you split a signal you cut the level in 1/2. A three way splitter will (for all intents & purposes), split the signal in two, then take one output and split it again.

If you go with the three way splitter find out the output that's marked '-3.5db' and connect that to furthest TV. The two outputs marked with '-7db' should go to the closer TVs.

I think you might be better off getting a four way splitter (this way the loss is even across all outputs) and a small amplifier placed before the splitter. If I do my math right, you should only need about a 10db amplifier. But this will require power at the amplifier site.

FWIW, I have an attic mounted antenna with a line running to my basement. It then hits an amplifier then a four way splitter to feed three TVs.

Thanks.

your question about someone watching one station in one room and a different station in another room... it doesn't matter. The antenna doesn't care who's watching what. Each TV is simply looking at whatever the antenna is aimed at.

Well, my question was really this: If I want to watch a channel that comes from the North on the upstairs TV and the kids want to watch a channel downstairs that comes in from the South or West, will both channels come in if the antenna is facing only in one direction?

 

[seashoreCM]

If I want to watch a channel that comes from the North on the upstairs TV and the kids want to watch a channel downstairs that comes in from the South or West, will both channels come in if the antenna is facing only in one direction?

The station on the far side of the antenna may or may not come in depending on how strong it is.

For most channels rabbit ears don't work that well. It is the ring or bowtie that comes with the rabbit ears that does the actual pickup of most stations nowadays . If your area has stations that actually broadcast on channels 2-13 (not necessarily the number in the station's logo) then the rabbit ears pulled out, together with connecting th VHF antenna wire instead of the UHF wire, picks them up better.

 

[JDUCKY]

Thanks.



Well, my question was really this: If I want to watch a channel that comes from the North on the upstairs TV and the kids want to watch a channel downstairs that comes in from the South or West, will both channels come in if the antenna is facing only in one direction?

In that situation, depending upon the antenna and the actual locations of the towers, you might want to bridge a couple of antenna together. I've done that before, well, actually, more like create a two-antenna array to boost signal for long-distance reception (and TV DXing)

But, also, if the towers are close enough, you might be able to pick up all channels with one antenna in your attic (or better chance a rooftop installation).

Like I mentioned before, I'm picking up a Tampa station off the backside of my antenna and it comes in pretty consistently.

Won't know 'til you try!

 

[DawnM]

Yes, I think the plan right now is to get one and see if that will do the trick.

I feel like I really don't know what I am doing because these aren't products that are easily returnable, so I am trying to ask around and research before purchasing!

We really ONLY need whatever Charlotte stations are available, although there are a few (FOX and CW) that come out of a station to the West a bit.

We don't need stations out of Columbia (90 miles away) or anything.

Dawn

In that situation, depending upon the antenna and the actual locations of the towers, you might want to bridge a couple of antenna together. I've done that before, well, actually, more like create a two-antenna array to boost signal for long-distance reception (and TV DXing)

But, also, if the towers are close enough, you might be able to pick up all channels with one antenna in your attic (or better chance a rooftop installation).

Like I mentioned before, I'm picking up a Tampa station off the backside of my antenna and it comes in pretty consistently.

Won't know 'til you try!

 

[DawnM]

Right. I did realize that. My terk antenna has rabbit ears on it, but I don't even pull those out as I don't care to watch the one or two non-digital stations we get anyway.

Dawn

The station on the far side of the antenna may or may not come in depending on how strong it is.

For most channels rabbit ears don't work that well. It is the ring or bowtie that comes with the rabbit ears that does the actual pickup of most stations nowadays . If your area has stations that actually broadcast on channels 2-13 (not necessarily the number in the station's logo) then the rabbit ears pulled out, together with connecting th VHF antenna wire instead of the UHF wire, picks them up better.