Thinking of installing HDTV antenna

Zguy28

Zguy28

New Member
I'm thinking of installing an HDTV UHF antenna on my roof in Mechanicsville. I was looking at the Antenna Direct 91XG since I am about 40 miles from the digital broadcast towers for the DC stations. I'm a little worried about the hills around the Mechanicsville area (down closer to Chaptico) and there is also a huge antenna of some sort near me, so I'm not sure if that will cause interference.

Anybody around here done this or know anybody who has?
 
Justme2

Justme2

Member
Zguy28 said:
I'm thinking of installing an HDTV UHF antenna on my roof in Mechanicsville. I was looking at the Antenna Direct 91XG since I am about 40 miles from the digital broadcast towers for the DC stations. I'm a little worried about the hills around the Mechanicsville area (down closer to Chaptico) and there is also a huge antenna of some sort near me, so I'm not sure if that will cause interference.

Anybody around here done this or know anybody who has?
Click to expand...

Not down here but in Baltimore make sure your get one that rotates.
 
GWguy

GWguy

*
I have one, California area. I can only get 4 stations from the Eastern Shore, and then only with a 6dB amp in-line. Reception is spotty at best.
 
Merlin99

Merlin99

Visualize whirled peas
PREMO Member
Zguy28 said:
I'm thinking of installing an HDTV UHF antenna on my roof in Mechanicsville. I was looking at the Antenna Direct 91XG since I am about 40 miles from the digital broadcast towers for the DC stations. I'm a little worried about the hills around the Mechanicsville area (down closer to Chaptico) and there is also a huge antenna of some sort near me, so I'm not sure if that will cause interference.

Anybody around here done this or know anybody who has?
Click to expand...
The only problem with this antenna is that you can't get FM radio reception, if this isn't an issue to you then it's fine. I wouldn't worry about the antenna down the road, once you get a couple of hundred feet away it won't blow out the front end of the TV.
 
Zguy28

Zguy28

New Member
Merlin99 said:
The only problem with this antenna is that you can't get FM radio reception, if this isn't an issue to you then it's fine.
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SO it will block FM radio in my house? I hadn't heard that. Not a big deal.
I wouldn't worry about the antenna down the road, once you get a couple of hundred feet away it won't blow out the front end of the TV.
Click to expand...
Well that's encouraging.:buddies:
 
Ken King

Ken King

A little rusty but not crusty
PREMO Member
Zguy28 said:
SO it will block FM radio in my house? I hadn't heard that. Not a big deal. Well that's encouraging.:buddies:
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No, he's saying that the antenna you are thinking of getting will not pick up FM. Some antennas are multiple band capable and not just UHF.
 
kom526

kom526

They call me ... Sarcasmo
Dish Network and FOX are in a spat over money now and Dish customers may lose WTTG FOX 5 and WDCA 20 come November 1. That means that you'll have to get Sunday Ticket (BIG BUCKS) just to watch the Skins play. :bummer:
 
Zguy28

Zguy28

New Member
kom526 said:
Dish Network and FOX are in a spat over money now and Dish customers may lose WTTG FOX 5 and WDCA 20 come November 1. That means that you'll have to get Sunday Ticket (BIG BUCKS) just to watch the Skins play. :bummer:
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We're not talking about Dish Network or DirectTV.

WTTG broadcasts digital signal over the air in HD.
 
I

ItalianScallion

Harley Rider
Zguy28 said:
I'm thinking of installing an HDTV UHF antenna on my roof in Mechanicsville. I was looking at the Antenna Direct 91XG since I am about 40 miles from the digital broadcast towers for the DC stations. I'm a little worried about the hills around the Mechanicsville area (down closer to Chaptico) and there is also a huge antenna of some sort near me, so I'm not sure if that will cause interference.
Anybody around here done this or know anybody who has?
Click to expand...
What kind of "huge antenna" is near you?

The mileage specifications for an antenna are un-obstructed miles. Trees are going to be your worst enemy. I'm only about 15 air miles from DC and all of the local stations but my reception is choppy (pixelating) most of the time because of the many trees between my house & DC. Once the leaves fall off it gets somewhat better.

TV towers use line of sight transmission (not atmospheric reflection or "skip") to get the signal out. A good rule of thumb is: bigger is better. The more elements, the better the reception. The higher it is, the better the reception, but hills and trees will always cause problems. If you have a TV tower or are on a hilltop, it might work well for you. Check the line of sight from your house in the direction of the TV stations to get an idea what your antenna will be "seeing".

Another thing: Most antennae are highly over rated. I have this antenna:
http://www.solidsignal.com/pview.asp?mc=03&p=DB8&d=Antennas-Direct-DB8-UHF-HDTV-TV-Bowtie-Antenna-(DB8)&c=TV Antennas&sku=853748001088
and it isn't bad but the trees kill some of my reception. It gives me a great picture when conditions are favorable but not when it is rainy or windy. Btw, I had to buy an amplifier with it...
 
kom526

kom526

They call me ... Sarcasmo
Zguy28 said:
We're not talking about Dish Network or DirectTV.

WTTG broadcasts digital signal over the air in HD.
Click to expand...

I realize that, I was putting it out there in case Dish Network customers didn't know about the issues with FOX and the possibility of losing FOX 5 come 1 Nov.
 
S

SJC

New Member
If you are using an outside antennae try putting a 25-30db amplifier that has the power unit in the house and the amplifier mast mounted close to the antennae. this works in Charlotte Hall area and I get some of the upper channels and once in awhile Baltimore.
 
Zguy28

Zguy28

New Member
ItalianScallion said:
What kind of "huge antenna" is near you?
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Its a cell phone antenna in Chaptico. About a mile away, but it is the opposite direction from DC.

The mileage specifications for an antenna are un-obstructed miles. Trees are going to be your worst enemy. I'm only about 15 air miles from DC and all of the local stations but my reception is choppy (pixelating) most of the time because of the many trees between my house & DC. Once the leaves fall off it gets somewhat better.

TV towers use line of sight transmission (not atmospheric reflection or "skip") to get the signal out. A good rule of thumb is: bigger is better. The more elements, the better the reception. The higher it is, the better the reception, but hills and trees will always cause problems. If you have a TV tower or are on a hilltop, it might work well for you. Check the line of sight from your house in the direction of the TV stations to get an idea what your antenna will be "seeing".

Another thing: Most antennae are highly over rated. I have this antenna:
http://www.solidsignal.com/pview.asp?mc=03&p=DB8&d=Antennas-Direct-DB8-UHF-HDTV-TV-Bowtie-Antenna-(DB8)&c=TV Antennas&sku=853748001088
and it isn't bad but the trees kill some of my reception. It gives me a great picture when conditions are favorable but not when it is rainy or windy. Btw, I had to buy an amplifier with it...
Click to expand...
THis is what I'm concerned about. I've done some research and it seems the 91XG is one of the best directional antenna's on the market but I still have concerns.

1. I'm 40 miles away, so it might be too powerful for that since I'm medium range.
2. There are trees and hills around me (I'm in the back part of Country Lakes towards the bottom of a hill. However, my house is two story, so it might be enough.

I may just have to spend the 60 bucks and give it a shot. If needed, I'll throw in a pre-amp as well.

Btw, how big is that DB8? It doesn't look like a WWII radar station on your roof does it? :lol:
 
GWguy

GWguy

*
Zguy28 said:
Its a cell phone antenna in Chaptico. About a mile away, but it is the opposite direction from DC.

THis is what I'm concerned about. I've done some research and it seems the 91XG is one of the best directional antenna's on the market but I still have concerns.

1. I'm 40 miles away, so it might be too powerful for that since I'm medium range.
2. There are trees and hills around me (I'm in the back part of Country Lakes towards the bottom of a hill. However, my house is two story, so it might be enough.

I may just have to spend the 60 bucks and give it a shot. If needed, I'll throw in a pre-amp as well.

Btw, how big is that DB8? It doesn't look like a WWII radar station on your roof does it? :lol:
Click to expand...

Not an issue. Get all the signal you can.
 
Zguy28

Zguy28

New Member
GWguy said:
Not an issue. Get all the signal you can.
Click to expand...

That's what I figured, but then I had read some stuff on one of these geek sites that suggested otherwise.

Anyway, I just noticed as well that ABC 7 and CBS 9 are broadcasting HD over VHF, not UHF. So, got to go back and look again for an antenna that gets VHF. :doh:

ETA: I just went on antennaweb.com and put in my exact location and it told me I was obstructed by the surrounding hills. :(
 
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