Thinking of installing HDTV antenna

[Zguy28]

:fixed:

Ok, whatever. I wasn't really paying that much attention.

 

[TWL]

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.

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

TV Fool gives better results than antennaweb. Using TV Fool and areas around Chaptico for reference, you should be able to pick up 7 and 9 with the 91XG or DB8 even though they are UHF antennas. The rest of the DC channels shouldn't be a problem.

 

[Zguy28]

TV Fool gives better results than antennaweb. Using TV Fool and areas around Chaptico for reference, you should be able to pick up 7 and 9 with the 91XG or DB8 even though they are UHF antennas. The rest of the DC channels shouldn't be a problem.

I don't understand how a UHF-only antenna can pick up VHF? How is that possible?

 

[GWguy]

I don't understand how a UHF-only antenna can pick up VHF? How is that possible?

Just about any antenna will pick up just about any signal, but it may not be tuned for maximum reception for a given frequency. Most rooftop antennas are VHF/UHF combo anyway.

 

[TWL]

I don't understand how a UHF-only antenna can pick up VHF? How is that possible?

Because the wavelength in the UHF band is approx. 1/3 of that in the VHF-HI band. The elements of antennas are already a fraction of the wavelength. You can make the elements shorter and pick up a signal but it will have some loss. Say you had an antenna which is centered on CH 29 the element length would be approx 10.5". It would be approx. 1/3 of 31.25" of the element length to pick up CH 9.

 

[Ken King]

Given that most digital signals are in the UHF band a high quality UHF antenna seems the best bet, though a combo UHF/VHF might still be desirable. You can use Antenna Point to see what stations and band are available in your area.

 

[ItalianScallion]

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?

The DB8 is a 3' wide by 2' tall screen type of antenna. It is very visible on the front edge of my house but it's not an eyesore. My HOA had no problems with it.

You won't have any problems with the cell tower.

I got the 2nd biggest antenna there was because I knew how they over rate them but I still needed an amplifier. The signal still pixelates even with the amplifier (very aggravating)! Mine is advertised to be good for up to 70 miles but, again, un-obstructed miles.

There are some days when my reception is crystal clear and solid. Then there are times when I cannot even get my regular channels (usually windy & rainy days and some nights). I get a blank screen saying "channel not available". Trees are always a problem for TV reception. I have mature, 100' tall oak trees north & west of me and my antenna is only 20 feet in the air.

I seriously doubt that you could buy an antenna that is too big for your needs. I got the Channel Master CM7777 amp when I bought the DB8. It's a 2 piece type and one unit goes on the antenna mast and the other unit sits in the house (just like the rotator). You'll probably need a rotator also and cables for each. The rotator uses 3 or 4 conductor cable and the amplifier uses the coax from the antenna to power the outside unit.

I studied this issue long and hard before I bought anything so my best advice to you is not to expect perfect, uninterrupted reception unless you can afford a 50' tall tower also.

 

[Zguy28]

The DB8 is a 3' wide by 2' tall screen type of antenna. It is very visible on the front edge of my house but it's not an eyesore. My HOA had no problems with it.

You won't have any problems with the cell tower.

I got the 2nd biggest antenna there was because I knew how they over rate them but I still needed an amplifier. The signal still pixelates even with the amplifier (very aggravating)! Mine is advertised to be good for up to 70 miles but, again, un-obstructed miles.

There are some days when my reception is crystal clear and solid. Then there are times when I cannot even get my regular channels (usually windy & rainy days and some nights). I get a blank screen saying "channel not available". Trees are always a problem for TV reception. I have mature, 100' tall oak trees north & west of me and my antenna is only 20 feet in the air.

I seriously doubt that you could buy an antenna that is too big for your needs. I got the Channel Master CM7777 amp when I bought the DB8. It's a 2 piece type and one unit goes on the antenna mast and the other unit sits in the house (just like the rotator). You'll probably need a rotator also and cables for each. The rotator uses 3 or 4 conductor cable and the amplifier uses the coax from the antenna to power the outside unit.

I studied this issue long and hard before I bought anything so my best advice to you is not to expect perfect, uninterrupted reception unless you can afford a 50' tall tower also.

Yeah, I'm hesitant to buy without doing my homework. I looked at the DB8 first, but then I was on a site that did comparison testing with a spectrum analyzer and it showed that the 91XG may be better for me since it uni-directional. So if I point it at DC it supposedly can pick up as far away as 100 miles which is plenty.

 

[ItalianScallion]

Yeah, I'm hesitant to buy without doing my homework. I looked at the DB8 first, but then I was on a site that did comparison testing with a spectrum analyzer and it showed that the 91XG may be better for me since it uni-directional. So if I point it at DC it supposedly can pick up as far away as 100 miles which is plenty.

There are pros and cons to each antenna. Unidirectional ones often require a rotator to get all the channels.
Multi directional ones pick up more signals from a wider area and require less rotating because of it.
You're about 20 miles farther south of me so, if you get the 91XG, let me know how it works because this one might be going on the "free agent" list... I paid $109 for this thing 2 years ago and now I see it going for $60 on "solid signal's" website?

 

[Zguy28]

There are pros and cons to each antenna. Unidirectional ones often require a rotator to get all the channels.
Multi directional ones pick up more signals from a wider area and require less rotating because of it.
You're about 20 miles farther south of me so, if you get the 91XG, let me know how it works because this one might be going on the "free agent" list... I paid $109 for this thing 2 years ago and now I see it going for $60 on "solid signal's" website?

Yeah, I noticed that. I'm looking on Amazon.com.