I'm considering ditching cable TV and going streaming and broadcast. I
assume I can run the antenna feed to the same place where the cable
connects into the attic. This will be good enough for all the outlets
throughout the house, correct? My current cable connection requires a
powered amplifier though.

My biggest hesitation deals with the fact that I have some big maple
trees in my back yard that I believe would be in the direct path of the
direction I must aim the antenna. Is there a way to determine if this
is a problem before going through the entire installation process?

On Wed, 30 Jul 2014 20:41:36 +0000 (UTC), "badgolferman"
wrote:

I'm considering ditching cable TV and going streaming and broadcast. I
assume I can run the antenna feed to the same place where the cable
connects into the attic. This will be good enough for all the outlets
throughout the house, correct? My current cable connection requires a
powered amplifier though.

My biggest hesitation deals with the fact that I have some big maple
trees in my back yard that I believe would be in the direct path of the
direction I must aim the antenna. Is there a way to determine if this
is a problem before going through the entire installation process?

Old coax was often designed for lower frequencies only, so losses
increase at the higher UHF frequencies. However, a good amplifier can
permit you to use the old cable outlets in various rooms. By "good",
I mean an amplifier that is not easily overloaded by nearby high power
transmitters, not an amp that is advertised as having the highest
gain. Regarding your second question, try setting the antenna on a
ladder before going to all the trouble of securely mounting it.
Depending on your situation, that could be easy or hard.
Unfortuneately, I can't think of any way to test it before buying the
antenna.

Another thing to keep in mind is what frequency range you need. Older
antennas from the 50's & 60's were optimized for VHF which means they
were very large. Since many (but not all) of the stations are now on
UHF, you might get away with a very small UHF only antenna. It all
depends on what channels you want to watch and what channels are in
use in your area.

Regarding trees, they do affect reception, but not nearly as much as
they do with satellite dishes. If you have strong signals in your
area, you might get good reception in spite of the trees.

Good luck!

"badgolferman" wrote in message
...
I'm considering ditching cable TV and going streaming and broadcast. I
assume I can run the antenna feed to the same place where the cable
connects into the attic. This will be good enough for all the outlets
throughout the house, correct? My current cable connection requires a
powered amplifier though.

My biggest hesitation deals with the fact that I have some big maple
trees in my back yard that I believe would be in the direct path of the
direction I must aim the antenna. Is there a way to determine if this
is a problem before going through the entire installation process?


Get a TV and an antenna, hook them up and see what your reception is like.

It would help to know how many broadcast towers are in your area.

http://www.antennapoint.com/

Why not try it out in the attic first? The reception
is not likely to be that much better on the roof. I
used to have about 100 feet of coax going to the
cheapest Radio Shack antenna on the roof and it
worked great. I'm now near transmission towers and
get something like 45 stations (about 20 of which I
want) with a cheap antenna on the floor next to
the TV. (1st floor) I have a brother in NH who used
to have a gigantic antenna with a motor and got
3 stations in good weather. It all depends so much
on distance and on obstacles.

"badgolferman" wrote in message
...
| I'm considering ditching cable TV and going streaming and broadcast. I
| assume I can run the antenna feed to the same place where the cable
| connects into the attic. This will be good enough for all the outlets
| throughout the house, correct? My current cable connection requires a
| powered amplifier though.
|
| My biggest hesitation deals with the fact that I have some big maple
| trees in my back yard that I believe would be in the direct path of the
| direction I must aim the antenna. Is there a way to determine if this
| is a problem before going through the entire installation process?

"badgolferman" wrote in message
...
I'm considering ditching cable TV and going streaming and broadcast. I
assume I can run the antenna feed to the same place where the cable
connects into the attic. This will be good enough for all the outlets
throughout the house, correct? My current cable connection requires a
powered amplifier though.

My biggest hesitation deals with the fact that I have some big maple
trees in my back yard that I believe would be in the direct path of the
direction I must aim the antenna. Is there a way to determine if this
is a problem before going through the entire installation process?

Many modern TVs and digital tuners come with indicators that show the signal
strength of each station tuned. I'd first see if any TV/tuner devices I had
incorporated such a "meter" and take one up to the attic and use rabbit ears
to see what kind of signal strength I got.

I just bought a $40 amplified antenna with rotor from Amazon that I am very
happy with. Mounted to the attic ceiling I pull in over 45 stations now. I
also have some big tree around the house but they don't seem to interfere
with the signal, although I won't be chopping them down to prove that
contention! (-:

One big problem with the $40 rotor unit is that there's no way to tell which
way the antenna is pointed. The remote supplied with the unit rotates left
and right, and I am assuming if I go to one "lock" position and time how
long I press the rotate button, I can generally figure out where it's
pointing. We'll see. It's an enormous leap over the little paddle antenna
and/or rabbit ears I was using before.

http://www.amazon.com/DIGITAL-AMPLIF.../dp/B009PHTSRA

--
Bobby G.

"terrable" wrote:
"badgolferman" wrote in message
...
I'm considering ditching cable TV and going streaming and broadcast. I
assume I can run the antenna feed to the same place where the cable
connects into the attic. This will be good enough for all the outlets
throughout the house, correct? My current cable connection requires a
powered amplifier though.

My biggest hesitation deals with the fact that I have some big maple
trees in my back yard that I believe would be in the direct path of the
direction I must aim the antenna. Is there a way to determine if this
is a problem before going through the entire installation process?


Get a TV and an antenna, hook them up and see what your reception is like.

It would help to know how many broadcast towers are in your area.

http://www.antennapoint.com/

It obvious some locations require different directions for different
stations. I dont see a problem with current amplifier, but does your
selected antenna have a preamplifier, and likely will work anyway with
cable line amp. Cable should be higher frequency range than tv, and usually
has a block for uplink frequencies.

Greg

terrable wrote:


"badgolferman" wrote in message
...
I'm considering ditching cable TV and going streaming and
broadcast. I assume I can run the antenna feed to the same place
where the cable connects into the attic. This will be good enough
for all the outlets throughout the house, correct? My current
cable connection requires a powered amplifier though.

My biggest hesitation deals with the fact that I have some big maple
trees in my back yard that I believe would be in the direct path of
the direction I must aim the antenna. Is there a way to determine
if this is a problem before going through the entire installation
process?


Get a TV and an antenna, hook them up and see what your reception is
like.

It would help to know how many broadcast towers are in your area.

http://www.antennapoint.com/

There are nine towers in my area. Their distances average 23 miles
away with the directions all similar -- 195-202 degrees.

badgolferman wrote:
terrable wrote:


"badgolferman" wrote in message
...
I'm considering ditching cable TV and going streaming and
broadcast. I assume I can run the antenna feed to the same place
where the cable connects into the attic. This will be good enough
for all the outlets throughout the house, correct? My current
cable connection requires a powered amplifier though.

My biggest hesitation deals with the fact that I have some big maple
trees in my back yard that I believe would be in the direct path of
the direction I must aim the antenna. Is there a way to determine
if this is a problem before going through the entire installation
process?


Get a TV and an antenna, hook them up and see what your reception is
like.

It would help to know how many broadcast towers are in your area.

http://www.antennapoint.com/

There are nine towers in my area. Their distances average 23 miles
away with the directions all similar -- 195-202 degrees.

Hi,
That is not even great distance. Also same with difference in degrees in
direction. If attic is easy to access try attic space for mid size
antenna first. If you want to install amp. install it at the antenna
boom(or top of the mast).

On Thursday, July 31, 2014 12:37:18 PM UTC-4, Tony Hwang wrote:
badgolferman wrote:

terrable wrote:





"badgolferman" wrote in message

...

I'm considering ditching cable TV and going streaming and

broadcast. I assume I can run the antenna feed to the same place

where the cable connects into the attic. This will be good enough

for all the outlets throughout the house, correct? My current

cable connection requires a powered amplifier though.



My biggest hesitation deals with the fact that I have some big maple

trees in my back yard that I believe would be in the direct path of

the direction I must aim the antenna. Is there a way to determine

if this is a problem before going through the entire installation

process?





Get a TV and an antenna, hook them up and see what your reception is

like.



It would help to know how many broadcast towers are in your area.



http://www.antennapoint.com/



There are nine towers in my area. Their distances average 23 miles

away with the directions all similar -- 195-202 degrees.



Hi,

That is not even great distance. Also same with difference in degrees in

direction. If attic is easy to access try attic space for mid size

antenna first. If you want to install amp. install it at the antenna

boom(or top of the mast).

inside a attic comes with some issues. poor performance rainey days, even worse if snow accumulates on roof, any sort of metal roof makes antenna a failure...

and in all cases it wouldnt be as good as outdoors, and the higher elevation outdoors will likely help get better signal

"badgolferman" wrote in message
...
terrable wrote:


"badgolferman" wrote in message
...
I'm considering ditching cable TV and going streaming and
broadcast. I assume I can run the antenna feed to the same place
where the cable connects into the attic. This will be good enough
for all the outlets throughout the house, correct? My current
cable connection requires a powered amplifier though.

My biggest hesitation deals with the fact that I have some big maple
trees in my back yard that I believe would be in the direct path of
the direction I must aim the antenna. Is there a way to determine
if this is a problem before going through the entire installation
process?


Get a TV and an antenna, hook them up and see what your reception is
like.

It would help to know how many broadcast towers are in your area.

http://www.antennapoint.com/

There are nine towers in my area. Their distances average 23 miles
away with the directions all similar -- 195-202 degrees.

Is it nine towers or nine transmitters?

Philadelphia has one tower cluster with 11 transmitters.

New York has one tower with 8 transmitters.

"terrable" wrote:
"badgolferman" wrote in message
...
terrable wrote:


"badgolferman" wrote in message
...
I'm considering ditching cable TV and going streaming and
broadcast. I assume I can run the antenna feed to the same place
where the cable connects into the attic. This will be good enough
for all the outlets throughout the house, correct? My current
cable connection requires a powered amplifier though.

My biggest hesitation deals with the fact that I have some big maple
trees in my back yard that I believe would be in the direct path of
the direction I must aim the antenna. Is there a way to determine
if this is a problem before going through the entire installation
process?


Get a TV and an antenna, hook them up and see what your reception is
like.

It would help to know how many broadcast towers are in your area.

http://www.antennapoint.com/

There are nine towers in my area. Their distances average 23 miles
away with the directions all similar -- 195-202 degrees.

Is it nine towers or nine transmitters?

Philadelphia has one tower cluster with 11 transmitters.

New York has one tower with 8 transmitters.

Pittsburgh has at least three antenna locations. Some people have to rotate
180 degrees. Then there are outlining towns 50-75 miles away. I get about
50 stations with indoor rabbit ears in living room. I'm about 100-200 feet
lower than some distant hills, which is much better than bein down in one
of our rolling hillsides. I was going to try a better outside antenna.
Perhaps one day.

Greg

gregz wrote:
"terrable" wrote:
"badgolferman" wrote in message
...
terrable wrote:


"badgolferman" wrote in message
...
I'm considering ditching cable TV and going streaming and
broadcast. I assume I can run the antenna feed to the same place
where the cable connects into the attic. This will be good enough
for all the outlets throughout the house, correct? My current
cable connection requires a powered amplifier though.

My biggest hesitation deals with the fact that I have some big maple
trees in my back yard that I believe would be in the direct path of
the direction I must aim the antenna. Is there a way to determine
if this is a problem before going through the entire installation
process?


Get a TV and an antenna, hook them up and see what your reception is
like.

It would help to know how many broadcast towers are in your area.

http://www.antennapoint.com/

There are nine towers in my area. Their distances average 23 miles
away with the directions all similar -- 195-202 degrees.

Is it nine towers or nine transmitters?

Philadelphia has one tower cluster with 11 transmitters.

New York has one tower with 8 transmitters.

Pittsburgh has at least three antenna locations. Some people have to rotate
180 degrees. Then there are outlining towns 50-75 miles away. I get about
50 stations with indoor rabbit ears in living room. I'm about 100-200 feet
lower than some distant hills, which is much better than bein down in one
of our rolling hillsides. I was going to try a better outside antenna.
Perhaps one day.

Greg

Well I said 50, but I'm getting 28 stations. Some of the distant stations
use VHF high band, more than I thought. I would need better antenna for
some distant stations. Half the stations I have no idea source. Channel
numbers show up example 11.1 .

Greg

On Friday, August 1, 2014 2:34:38 AM UTC-4, Gz wrote:
"terrable" wrote:

"badgolferman" wrote in message

...

terrable wrote:





"badgolferman" wrote in message

...

I'm considering ditching cable TV and going streaming and

broadcast. I assume I can run the antenna feed to the same place

where the cable connects into the attic. This will be good enough

for all the outlets throughout the house, correct? My current

cable connection requires a powered amplifier though.



My biggest hesitation deals with the fact that I have some big maple

trees in my back yard that I believe would be in the direct path of

the direction I must aim the antenna. Is there a way to determine

if this is a problem before going through the entire installation

process?





Get a TV and an antenna, hook them up and see what your reception is

like.



It would help to know how many broadcast towers are in your area.



http://www.antennapoint.com/



There are nine towers in my area. Their distances average 23 miles

away with the directions all similar -- 195-202 degrees.



Is it nine towers or nine transmitters?



Philadelphia has one tower cluster with 11 transmitters.



New York has one tower with 8 transmitters.



Pittsburgh has at least three antenna locations. Some people have to rotate

180 degrees. Then there are outlining towns 50-75 miles away. I get about

50 stations with indoor rabbit ears in living room. I'm about 100-200 feet

lower than some distant hills, which is much better than bein down in one

of our rolling hillsides. I was going to try a better outside antenna.

Perhaps one day.



Greg

I live near pittsburgh too. The problem with OTA channels? You could get a 100 but most are just duplicates

I have a big antenna, and a rotor. But decided to leave the antenna pointed south, since while I can get channels from wheeling, youngstown and others those channels are nearly all the same content....

On 07/30/14 04:41 pm, badgolferman wrote:

I'm considering ditching cable TV and going streaming and broadcast. I
assume I can run the antenna feed to the same place where the cable
connects into the attic. This will be good enough for all the outlets
throughout the house, correct? My current cable connection requires a
powered amplifier though.

My biggest hesitation deals with the fact that I have some big maple
trees in my back yard that I believe would be in the direct path of the
direction I must aim the antenna. Is there a way to determine if this
is a problem before going through the entire installation process?

We recently ditched DirecTV and hardly miss it.

Check tvfool.com and antennaweb.org. Both will tell you the distance and
bearing of the transmitters from your area -- or even from your address
-- and suggest the kind of antenna you need.

An amplified system may overload on strong signals from nearby transmitters.

The transmitters for the stations in which I am interested range between
30+ miles at 12 degrees and 30+ miles at 125 degrees, with closer towers
in intermediate directions, so the only practical solution is to combine
the signals from two antenna pointing in different directions. Using a
rotator with a single antenna would require resetting the direction all
the time and could well prevent watching one program while recording
another.

Perce

On Thursday, July 31, 2014 12:37:18 PM UTC-4, Tony Hwang wrote:
badgolferman wrote:

terrable wrote:





"badgolferman" wrote in message

...

I'm considering ditching cable TV and going streaming and

broadcast. I assume I can run the antenna feed to the same place

where the cable connects into the attic. This will be good enough

for all the outlets throughout the house, correct? My current

cable connection requires a powered amplifier though.



My biggest hesitation deals with the fact that I have some big maple

trees in my back yard that I believe would be in the direct path of

the direction I must aim the antenna. Is there a way to determine

if this is a problem before going through the entire installation

process?





Get a TV and an antenna, hook them up and see what your reception is

like.



It would help to know how many broadcast towers are in your area.



http://www.antennapoint.com/



There are nine towers in my area. Their distances average 23 miles

away with the directions all similar -- 195-202 degrees.



Hi,

That is not even great distance. Also same with difference in degrees in

direction. If attic is easy to access try attic space for mid size

antenna first. If you want to install amp. install it at the antenna

boom(or top of the mast).

+1

Following has guidance on antenna sizing based on your location:

http://www.antennaweb.org/

On Thursday, July 31, 2014 4:51:01 PM UTC-4, bob haller wrote:
On Thursday, July 31, 2014 12:37:18 PM UTC-4, Tony Hwang wrote:

badgolferman wrote:



terrable wrote:











"badgolferman" wrote in message



...



I'm considering ditching cable TV and going streaming and



broadcast. I assume I can run the antenna feed to the same place



where the cable connects into the attic. This will be good enough



for all the outlets throughout the house, correct? My current



cable connection requires a powered amplifier though.







My biggest hesitation deals with the fact that I have some big maple



trees in my back yard that I believe would be in the direct path of



the direction I must aim the antenna. Is there a way to determine



if this is a problem before going through the entire installation



process?











Get a TV and an antenna, hook them up and see what your reception is



like.







It would help to know how many broadcast towers are in your area.







http://www.antennapoint.com/







There are nine towers in my area. Their distances average 23 miles



away with the directions all similar -- 195-202 degrees.







Hi,



That is not even great distance. Also same with difference in degrees in



direction. If attic is easy to access try attic space for mid size



antenna first. If you want to install amp. install it at the antenna



boom(or top of the mast).



inside a attic comes with some issues. poor performance rainey days, even worse if snow accumulates on roof, any sort of metal roof makes antenna a failure...


Putting an antenna on the roof also comes with some issues. At
only 23 miles from the Xmitter, I'd sure try the attic first. It's easy
to just prop one up there.






and in all cases it wouldnt be as good as outdoors, and the higher elevation outdoors will likely help get better signal

Antenna siting is a science and a black art.
I've read of reports where an antenna did better 4 feet off the ground
than on top of a 2 story home. It is all particular to your unique
situation.

Best to look at it as a receiving system, the combination of antenna,
rotor, preamp (if needed) coax, splitters, TV, DVR, antenna mounting
hardware, and whatever else is hooked up to the system.

I would first drive around your area and see what the older homes in the
area used for antennas. Were they small? huge? rotors?

Then consider checking out the following websites:

http://www.hdtvprimer.com/ANTENNAS/comparing.html
http://www.hdtvprimer.com/ISSUES/erecting_antenna.html
http://www.tvfool.com/

Good luck,
Steve