I'd really appreciate some help in understanding what reception my parents might get post-digital transition for OTA. They are in a rural area and get only a few analog signals now that often are more fuzzy than clear. I will be hooking up a digital CECB box with analog passthru soon in hopes of getting some sense as to the signals they will be able to receive and to get them used to the changes.

I'd appreciate understanding what reception might realistically be expected and perhaps what can be done to maximize that reception.

Note they do have a tower antenna...I'd guess maybe 30-40 ft...but I don't know if the rotor even works (they haven't tried it in years) and I'm suspect if the antenna on the tower is even complete with all its parts. The last time I was there it looked like a few "rods" might have been missing from the back of it.

I'm posting only the digital image from tvfool but that site shows quite a few analog stations will still be active afterward although they get few of those now. First image is current digital report and second is the post transition image.

Thanks so much

Also, is it strange that their best analog signal pre-change is at 32 miles away but same station shows 68 miles away as digital post transition...just the station moving transmitter location or bad data in the database?

rec630,

Looks like your folks will need a deep fringe set-up. I would avoid any kind of combo antenna if possible. You'll need separates, a rotor, and a good pre-amp with all the terrain issues.

I would suggest the Winegard YA-1713, 91-XG, CM 7777 pre-amp, and the CM 9521-A rotor. Anything less would be a recipe for unreliable digital reception.

Not sure how close you are to the 2 low powered FM stations in town; so make sure you have some type of FM trap employed in the system.

I would suggest trying the CECB first before buying anything; just to see what happens.

Good luck, Glen:)

rec630,

Looks like your folks will need a deep fringe set-up. I would avoid any kind of combo antenna if possible.Until you try it, it's impossible to predict what kind of reception is possible. A large directional VHF/UHF antenna, in many cases, can do as well as separate VHF & UHF antennas.

Until you try it, it's impossible to predict what kind of reception is possible. A large directional VHF/UHF antenna, in many cases, can do as well as separate VHF & UHF antennas.Any combo antenna is a compromise when it comes to the deep fringe "UHF" reception capabilities of a good separate antenna. The same is true for FM. I have never found any combo; or VHF only antenna that offers the selectivity, and sensitivity of a good directional FM only antenna.

Many older antennas seem to be optimized for VHF reception with UHF as an afterthought, and with elements missing they don't work too well for VHF either, so you're almost certain to need a new antenna.

The VHF stations are an ABC, a CBS, and two PBSs. There's also a CBS, ABC, and PBS on UHF further up the charts. So if you don't want the other two PBSs, you could go with a UHF-only setup. Probably a big yagi like the AntennasDirect XG91, as the other typical choice (Channel Master 4228) is said to be hard on rotors.

Amplifier? Maybe, maybe not. In the interests of putting stuff on the roof (or tower, or paying to do so) only once, I'd say more likely yes than no.

Any combo antenna is a compromise when it comes to the deep fringe "UHF" reception capabilities of a good separate antenna. The same is true for FM. I have never found any combo; or VHF only antenna that offers the selectivity, and sensitivity of a good directional FM only antenna.Yes, any combo is somewhat of a compromise, but like I said, in many cases a combo unit will be fine. Impossible to know until it's tried.

Agree about dedicated FM.

rec630,

I would suggest trying the CECB first before buying anything; just to see what happens.

Good luck, Glen:)

I should get a CECB there within a month. I first thought about buying them a new TV, but realized that was a waste of money if they couldn't get any signals. Personally, at my home I went from 8 or 9 analog channels to 1 digital channel with a CECB so I've got some work of my own to do after getting my parents set up


rec630: Since you already have an antenna structure up, I would suggest contacting a licensed and insured professional MATV technician for your options.

This is a small town in a rural area. They may have trouble finding anyone to climb the tower much less a licensed and insured technician...but thanks for the idea...I'll see what's in their yellow pages next time I'm there. Googling "MATV technician" didn't yield much.