Luverne 36049
Howdy Denny. Greetings from south Alabama. My name is Ed Welch and I'm interested in buying an antenna. Our television setup is currently non-HDTV...an older Sony 31" CRT that's about twelve years old...standard definition, analog, etc.,.in the living room. We also have a smaller set in the kitchen. Both of these sets have their own Directv satellite receiver hooked up. The Sony has a small (5') vhf/uhf antenna hooked to it...the kitchen set has a rod antenna. Living on a hill down here I have noted that we tend to have pretty good TV reception when we have a half-decent antenna in the air.
As I stated, we don't have a high definition display but will be getting one in the next year or so. In the meantime I want to work on getting our antenna system tuned up for the "local" HD broadcasts. The antenna we have up now is a small one...looks like 4 VHF elements on each side of the boom...maybe 7 or 8 UHF elements and 3 or 4 elements making the reflector....seems like I gave maybe $25 or so for it way-back-when. I just put it back up last weekend after it laid on the ground for a couple of years (Hurricane Ivan prompted me to lay it down). Until the other day we were using it "as is" with you can imagine what kind of results! The Florida/Ohio game was coming up (and didn't have Fox on the satellite) so I stood it back up...I had forgot what good reception that little antenna had.
The small antenna that I've got seems to do a pretty decent job, but knowing that we'll be going HD in a year or so (and will have to go digital in a couple of years anyhow) I would like to pump it up some. Also, a couple of the stations that I currently receive I would like to bring in clearer. Thus I'm looking at purchasing a larger antenna. At the moment I'm looking at the Winegard HD 7080 and 7082. I think the performance of either of these would be overkill at the moment on analog, but when I go HD I think it will come in handy. I've got some 3-legged tower sections I could put up, but I think I had rather go with a telescoping mast for simplicity's sake...being twenty inches difference in the two of these antennae I don't think it would really matter between the two in regards to weight...but will a mast suffice for them? I've also got an old ratshack rotor I'll probably use.
I guess what I'm asking is for your opinion on what I need. :) If you look at the antennaweb.org chart please note that the distances to the towers seem to me to be a bit too close.
I would like to get the coax grounding block along with two sections of coax w/ends but when I select a piece of coax 32' long and then select another piece 45' long the cart simply creates one long piece 72' long. I know we can handle the coax issue via phone or email, but I thought I'd mention it to you in case you wanted to tinker on it. :)
Anyhow, if you could give me your opinion I'd appreciate it!
Thanks,
Ed
Luverne, Alabama
Greetings Ed,
It seems you have it pretty well figured out. As far as mounting the antenna, living on a hill at your location reduces the need for elevating of the antenna high in the air. It's your choice but I think the HD 7080P TV antenna is everything you need. If you feel more confident installing the HD 7082P antenna go ahead, I think your results will be excellent with either antenna. I would however recommend the Winegard AP 8700 antenna preamplifier. I think this combination would provide you with excellent results at your location.
If you haven't used your rotor for awhile I suggest you get it out and test it. Many times the lubrication will dry and the rotor will hum but will not turn. If this happens open the bottom turn the unit upside down and spray a lubricant into the housing along the the space between the housing and the internal parts, soak it good. While running the unit attempt to break it free. Even if it turns right from the start I still recommend lubricating it in the same manner before you install it.
I will look into the issue with ordering wire in the store, thanks for the heads up.
If I can assist you further please don't hesitate to contact me.
Best Regards,
Denny
TV Antenna Source
Mt. Olive 35117
Hi Denny,
You have a great website, very professional. I have just purchased a
Samsung HDTV with built in tuner, I live in Mt. Olive, AL 35117-3841 just north of Birmingham. I would like your recommendation on an antenna fof HD reception. The problem is due to restrictions in the neighborhood I will have to mount the antenna somehow in the attic, so the smaller the better.
Thanks for your help,
Randy
Greetings Randy,
Your location does not require an outdoor antenna, but I would still like to state that according to Federal law (Federal Communication act of 1996) no one can prevent you from installing an outdoor TV antenna. It is actually unlawful for Neighborhood Association etc... to write rules preventing outdoor TV antennas. Keep in mind a few size and location
stipulations do apply.
My recommendation for attic installation at your location is the Winegard PR 7015 VHF/UHF/DTV antenna. Currently all of your digital broadcast are on the UHF band (Ch. 14-69) however after the analog shutdown in 2009 at least two of your local channels will begin broadcasting on VHF. Also with the antenna a near perfect match for your location is the HDP 269 antenna preamplifier. This combination of equipment would provide excellent
reception results now and in the future. If the PR 7010 is a little large
to fit in your attic you could fall back to the PR 7000. I wouldn't be quite as confident with this recommendation, but you have to use what will fit
If I can assist you further please don't hesitate to contact me.
Best Regards,
Denny
TV Antenna Source
Hi Denny,
You have now got me wanting to go to the next Homeowners meeting, I have two or three neighbors that are also going to be interested in putting up antenna's, too. Would the Winegard MS 2000 perform better or am I to close to the towers for it use. I was looking at some pictures (when your email arrived) of it mounted on someone's roof and was thinking of mounting it on the back of the house just above the roof line. Most people would think it was a satellite dish even if they saw it back there.
Randy
That's exactly right Randy, by using the MS 2000 problems could arise from your close proximity to the transmitters.
Denny
New Hope 53760
Denny,I live in New Hope Al. 35760 I'am about 25 miles from Huntsville Al.35801 I've a new HDTV and I got dish tv.But they don't offer locals on HD. I've got a outside antemma its the 8 bowtie style.I get some of the locals but not all.Do you have are offer an antenna that you think would be better.I don't mind buying a new antenna it I know I will better HDTV.I just hate to spend money for nothing.Thank You. DJ
Greetings,
I investigated the channels at your location and found the transmitting towers from Huntsville are 15 to 20 mile from your location at 330 degrees. The antenna you described should have no trouble receiving the channels from Huntsville. I would make sure it is pointed correctly (330 degrees) and check all of your connections. Since all of the stations broadcast on UHF you may want to consider a antenna preamplifier if you don't already have one. I would recommend the
Winegard AP 4700 antenna amplifier. All of your digital channels are broadcasting on the UHF frequency and will remain that way after the analog shutdown date in February 2009. The antenna you have is a UHF antenna and should work just fine. If you would like to explain your system set up in a little more detail I would be happy to help you troubleshoot the problem. The things I need to know are do you have coax cable? do you use signal splitters? do you already have a antenna preamplifier with an amplifier located up near the antenna? etc...
If I can assist you further please don't hesitate to contact me.
Best Regards,
Denny
Phenix City 36867
I live in Phenix City, Alabama about 20 miles from the local channel locations in Columbus, GA. I just recently added a DirectTV HD receiver and their attached HDTV off air antenna. I only receive one of the four location channels with this off air antenna. The channel strength per the system for these other 3 channels bounces between zero and 25% and is not enough to receive picture. Any suggestions on what I would replace the DirectTV off air antenna with?
Thanks
Rick
Greetings Rick,
I would recommend the
Choice Select 5002 digital TV antenna. We tested this antenna indoors and could consistently receive HD digital channels at a distance of 45 miles. The farthest channels we received with good signal was 58.8 and 64.5 miles from our
reasonably good reception location, poor terrain conditions would probably reduce those results. This antenna is really simple to install. I would try it indoors first and only install it outside if necessary. It doesn't look like much of an antenna, but it works. We are totally impressed by its performance.
If I can assist you further please don't hesitate to contact me.
Best Regards,
Denny
Talladega 35160
Hi Denny,
Love your website! I live in Talladega AL. my zip code is 35160. We just purchased a new HDTV and would like to get our local HDTV channels with a TV antenna. I am considering the HD 7082P. What do you think. We want the Birmingham channels.
Thanks
Lori
Greetings Lori,
The Winegard HD 7082P TV antenna is a great choice for your location. The Birmingham transmitting towers are about 45 miles from your location and would probably allow for a little smaller antenna. However when in doubt to to avoid possible pixelation during bad reception conditions I agree with your choice. I wouldn't hesitate to install the AP 8700 preamplifier along with the antenna. You do have a few other channel in different directions if you wanted to add a rotor to the antenna system.
If I can assist you further please don't hesitate to contact me.
Best Regards,
Denny
TV Antenna Source
Theodore 36582
I live in Theodore, Alabama in zip code 36582. I live about 13 miles from the Alabama / Mississippi state line. I just purchased this home and it does not have an outdoor antenna of any kind. I was wondering if I could receive the best signals from Mobile / Pensacola or the Pascagoula or Biloxi Mississippi area.
Sinclair Broadcasting, Owner of the ABC affiliate, WEAR 3, In Pensacola, and Mediacom Cable are at war. They are threatening to discontinue providing the ABC signal. I do not want to not have ABC Available. Also after hurricanes, the Cable is out. Please give me an idea as to which Antenna I need, as well as some idea of what I can expect from it. Thanks, Fred in Theodore
Greetings Fred,
I examined the stations available at your location. All of your networks are within 40 miles or less of your location. I recommend the
Winegard MS 2000 omni directional TV antenna. This antenna receives VHF/UHF and of course the new digital signals. It does very well when the channels are within 50 miles and it does not require rotation. I do recommend mounting it above your roofline if at all possible.
If I can assist you further please don't hesitate to contact me.
Best Regards,
Denny
TV Antenna Source
Verbena 36091
I live in Verbena, Alabama in zip code 36091. I live on Lake Mitchell near the Mitchell Dam and Blue Creek Marina. I just purchased this home and it does not have an outdoor antenna of any kind. I was wondering if I could receive any signals, HD or otherwise in such a remote location. I see lots of large antenna's on houses but I would hate to invest in something that is not worth the effort. Please give me a some idea of what I can expect from an antenna. Thanks, Chip on Lake Mitchell
Greetings Chip,
If I can assist you further please don't hesitate to contact me.
Best Regards,
Denny
