Surprise 85397
Hello Denny,
My address is __________Ave. Surprise, AZ 85397
I just bought a 32" Vizio flat screen LCD, it has a built in HDTV tuner. I have Dish Network running to that TV. My first question is, I'm told that the satellite are already running the digital signals, is this true? I'm not planning on getting the HD programming through dish (way over priced) but I know there are local channels out there that are in HD. What would be a good antenna for me based on that? And would I be getting tru HD since my TV has the built in tuner.
Thanks, Jeff
Greetings Jeff,
I examined the reception data from your location and found that all of the TV transmitters are in the same direction from your location to your Southeast. The absolute best antenna for consistent digital/HD reception at your location is the
miniMAX TV antenna. This antenna can be installed in your attic with the narrow end pointing SE to receive all of the Phoenix area digital/HD stations. Along with the antenna I suggest the Winegard
HDP 269 antenna preamplifier. This combination will provide you with perfect digital/HD reception on PBS 8, FOX 10, CW 61, IND 3, UNI 33, ION 51, ABC 15, CBS 5, NBC 12, DAY 39, MNT 45, and TBN 21. All channels would be received in digital/HD.
Dish Network does have some local channels available in digital/HD. I'm not certain if your area is one of those areas. I can tell you this, the absolute best HD picture comes from those received with a TV antenna.
I am very confident that this equipment properly installed (I'm here to help if you need it) will provide you with excellent reception for both analog and digital/HD signals.
If you would like detailed information on how to install the equipment, or if I can assist you in any way, please don't hesitate to contact me.
Product Status = in stock
Tucson 85718
Denny:
I am planning to purchase an HDTV. I would like to use an antenna for most of the obvious reasons. I live in Tucson, AZ 85718. Checking with antennaweb.com I find I can only get 2 of the several DT stations at my location. However, as I have a bit of electrical knowledge I am skeptical. I am a geophysicist that has worked in the low frequency domain (largely below one HZ) for quite awhile. I took the trouble to plot the topographic profile from my house (approx. 2800') to the tower sites on Mt Bigelow approx. 8500'. I then drew a straight line between the two points I note that nowhere does the topo rise above the straight line. In fact, due to the inaccuracies of plotting in this manner there are likely points which do protrude above the line (I can't see the tower lights at night although they
are less than 15 miles away). I realize that if no signal impinges on my antenna no amount of amplification will give me reception. The DT stations which I would like to get include both VHF and UHF causing a further complication (4.1, 6.1, 9.1, 11.1 and 13.1 plus a number of UHF stations. I found one portable instrument which measures signal strength and a number of other parameters. It is made by Sencore and appears impressive, however, a price tag of about $1300 takes it out of the running, at least for me. At this point I am willing to gamble the price of an antenna to see if I can get reception; price within reason, is acceptable ($100-$200). Have you got an antenna that might work? Any help/advice you could provide would be most appreciated and would likely lead to a sale. I find it interesting that most folks I talk to think you need cable, and don't even consider an antenna.
Incidentally I am impressed by your obvious knowledge in this area, where few people I have talked with have any understanding. Most just say get
cable.
Thanks,
Phil
Greetings Phil,
I'm also impressed with your knowledge. The antenna with the greatest gain is the
Winegard HD 708TV antenna. However, as I'm sure you know it doesn't matter how much gain the antenna boasts if the signal isn't present. If some signal is available the high gain of the 7084 may do the trick. Is there a chance that signal is present via reflection? Have you tried a cheap pair of rabbit ears? With your knowledge maybe you could put together some sort of antenna to see if any signal is present, however weak it may be. If any signal is received at all we would have a good chance for success with the proper antenna. Also you would not have to risk anything except the shipping to return the antenna if we failed.
If I can assist you further Phil please don't hesitate to contact me.
Best Regards,
Denny
TV Antenna Source
Denny:
Thanks so much for your timely and helpful input. I have recently (yesterday) confirmed that all of the local DT stations are located at the same place. Also three of them have their "standard" analog transmissions at the same site. Also I understand that all of the DT stations use the same tower. As I have a rotator on my old Channel Master which is presently orientated toward repeaters, I can easily check for an analog signal. Then possibly I can the rent a TV with a digital tuner, short term, to check for a DT signal, either direct and/or reflected. Finally if all this is positive I will be ordering the HD 7084 from you.
Thanks again,
Phil
Phil,
Before you order the TV antenna let me know the results of your tests. Generally my experience has shown if you can receive the analog signal from the tower you can also receive the digital. As a matter of fact most of my installations have shown the digital signal to actually be stronger than the analog from the same location to the same location. I don't know if that's a result of higher digital transmitter output or a characteristic of the digital signal.
Denny
Tucson 85719
Hi Denny,
I've been reading about antennas on your site and have a question about indoor antennas.
We have a couple of TVs on rolling stands that we move around the house to watch in different locations. That makes wiring a problem. We use rabbit ears with poor results and wonder if you could recommend an indoor antenna that could sit on or near the tv stand so we still have the portability we desire. If you have something, let me know and I'll order a couple. I'm sick of the bogus stuff from Radio Shack!
Thanks for any suggestions.
Regards,
Greg
Greetings Greg,
To be truthful indoor antennas are a hit and miss proposition. For indoor use I don't believe I can recommend an antenna that I would be certain to work any better than what you currently have. The best indoor TV antenna that has provided the best indoor test results is the Choice Select 5002 TV antenna. You may try one if you like and return it if you don't get satisfactory results. If I can assist you further please don't hesitate to contact.
Best Regards,
Denny
TV Antenna Source
Wellton 85356
Hi Denny,
I have made a big mistake. I bought an antenna and rotor from Wal-Mart. It is a 12' Phillips. I also got a Zenith rotor. I finally got everything installed after
working for two days on it. The rotor didn't work at all. The signal isn't very good. I am taking them back to Wal-Mart. I live "30" miles East of Yuma, Az. My zip code is "85356" There is a hill between Yuma and Wellton, where I live. The hill, or mountain, is high enough to make it difficult to get the Yuma signals. I think I get the TV signal from towers that are on the hill, not sure. I hope to get the Yuma stations with a good antenna. They are UHF and VHF. What would you recommend? Also, would like to know shipping charges.
Thanks!
Franklin
Greetings Franklin,
I took a look at the stations available at your location. Normally at the distances indicated I would recommend the Winegard HD 7080P VHF/UHF/Didital TV antenna. However, since you mentioned the hills I don’t think I would mess around with anything less than the Wingard HD 7084P VHF/UHF/HD digital antenna. This antenna has outstanding signal gain ability and would be the best choice to capture all of the signal getting to your location. In a nutshell, if this antenna doesn't do it no antenna will. Along with the antenna I recommend an Winegard AP 8700 antenna preamplifier. This combination will give you the absolute best results. Our best rotor is the Channel Master 9521. We do not add any shipping charges to the prices listed in the website. The price listed is the price you pay including shipping.
If I can assist you further please don't hesitate to contact me.
Best Regards,
Denny
