My zip is 48865. Desired towers are between 30 and 50 miles out, and in multiple directions, between SW (Grand Rapids, MI) and SE (Lansing, MI). Both cities are roughly the same distance away. I have a steel roof, so I suppose an external application might be required (roof peak is about 28 feet above ground level).

What would you suggest? Are there any omni-directional antennas that can bring in signals from these kind of distances? I'd consider dual antennas (one pointing SE , one SW), but of course, I'd rather not to wait for a rotor to turn, nor worry about manually switching antennas.

I case it makes any difference, I will be getting a pair of digital-analog boxes soon (just got my coupons).

I've read and searched, but these forums are just too damn big!!! The local threads seem to just be people whining about their cable service.

Any insight is appreciated!

if i see the info correctly at tvfool.com you'll have stations on low VHF, high VHF and UHF after the switch next year. There are so many a rotor is certainly your best option unless there are some channels you don't care for. Distances seem to be all over the place. if it was me I'd get something like the Terrestrial Digital 91-XG for the UHF channels and a separate low and high band VHF only plus a pre-amp and a rotor. omni directionals are made but unless you are less than 25-30 miles out I don't think they are that great. You might not want to wait for a rotor to make its turn but that might be your only option. Not knowing what stations you actuallly want to get it's kind of hard to offer suggestions.

Right now I'm receiving my DTV using a Zenith DTT900 with an outside antenna pointing in the wrong direction. With analog, this would be stupid, but with the 6th generation chip, this is not an issue. Having the antenna pointed in the correct direction is the best thing to do, but you may not have to rotate the antenna.

Right now as I type this, I am receiving KSWB-DT (San Diego) which is roughly 90 to 100 miles from my home in Torrance, CA. The antenna is pointing to San Diego and the local stations (about 30 miles away) are coming in at at off angle to the antenna.

Try point the antenna at the weakest/most distance stations and the closest stations may still still come in.

Bob Diaz

Thanks a lot for your input - excellent food for thought. Your right bozey45 - the stations are all over the map. That's why I've been so confused! I may have to consider the rotor, but I didn't even really think about the smart antenna angle that BobDiaz brought up. Perhaps I'll work on that first, as I could always add the rotor later if required. Thanks so much!

Steve

Steve,
Bob is reporting on reception with his DTT900. His antenna isn't intelligent, his tuner is, enough so that he gets a good picture without aiming at the transmitter.

SmartAntenna is a different-but-related topic. It requires a specific make and model antenna and a STB tuner designed to control it. Find more here.
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=9945940#post9945940
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=13185169#post13185169
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=13266691#post13266691

But based on these reports, I don't think it has the range you need. Regardless, you should try a CECB first, before addressing its shortfalls.

Have fun,
Frank

Layout the cash for the rotator. Yeah, it is almost always the most expensive part, but it is a difference maker on signals that are just a smidge off of receivable.

My zip is 48865. I'd rather not to wait for a rotor to turn, nor worry about manually switching antennas.

I'd do it in stages.

First an all channel antenna such as a Winegard HD7082P aimed at 220 degrees would get WWMT-DT, CBS; WOOD-DT, NBC; WXMI-DT, FOX; and if you are lucky, WOTV-DT, ABC. To increase your chances on WOTV get a taller mast or tower.

Next, pick which stations you'd prefer to add. A second antenna(s) with Channel Master Jointenna(s) can put it all together.

You might also want to consider a rotor that is normally left at 220 degrees and is turned only to get one of the stations that is at a different azimuth.

If you have a 5th or 6th generation ATSC tuner you might not even have to rotate your antenna for a lot of the channels so often.

Where I live, I have HDTV broadcast towers in three directions, at about 350, 90, and 170 deg (North, East and South). I tried those omni antennas - no value.

Since we have multiple tv's- a rotor was not considered. I may use one for fine tune adjustments from below tho!

Instead, I stacked three Yagi type (cheapo Radio Shack vhf-uhf antennas), with a 3way splitter in reverse, along with an outdoor mast mounted amplifier. The splitter I selected has one port that is less loss than the other two, to attach to the antenna pointing to the most distant broadcast tower. Even though I am loosing 4.5db through the splitter, the 9db+ antenna gain and 12db amp gain makes up the difference. Probably inducing some noise as all amps will do, but not noticeable as I am amplifying so close to the antenna.

After next year when VHF (analog) goes away, I will swap the antennas out for three matched UHF high end yagi's, 21-32 element.

Now every set can watch every digital channel perfectly. Some of my analog vhf is not very good. Probably due to the stacking of the low freq vhf antenna elements too close together interfering with the yagi design , no problem on UHF digital ATSC.

After next year when VHF (analog) goes away, I will swap the antennas out for three matched UHF high end yagi's, 21-32 element.


Why? VHF isn't dead and the combo Yagi's may be all you need!