View Full Version : Need some quick antenna info


joejoe1881
01-28-09, 05:01 PM
So I had everything planned perfect, HDTV delivered yesterday and HD programming installed today, until the snow came and my appointment was canceled. Can't reschedule a date before Sunday, and I'd be a little disappointed if everyone came over just to watch the game in SD.

So, I've done some quick research on OTA HD and it looked promising, bought the Phillips MANT510 from Sears plug it in and, I get 6-7 digital channels, PBS and no analog. I did a little more research and one of those maps at TVfool and I think I'm screwed.

Any info would be great, do I just need a bigger antenna?, roof mounted?. Can I buy these in a B&M or only online. Or is it just not going to happen. I live about 35 miles north of New York City, at ~400ft of elevation.

http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%3d8b07e3a9a0

I get the channels coming from NJ, 47.1, 50.1, 54.1, but nothing from the city. I would really love to get NBC.

Thanks in advance

gjvrieze
01-28-09, 05:26 PM
So I had everything planned perfect, HDTV delivered yesterday and HD programming installed today, until the snow came and my appointment was canceled. Can't reschedule a date before Sunday, and I'd be a little disappointed if everyone came over just to watch the game in SD.

So, I've done some quick research on OTA HD and it looked promising, bought the Phillips MANT510 from Sears plug it in and, I get 6-7 digital channels, PBS and no analog. I did a little more research and one of those maps at TVfool and I think I'm screwed.

Any info would be great, do I just need a bigger antenna?, roof mounted?. Can I buy these in a B&M or only online. Or is it just not going to happen. I live about 35 miles north of New York City, at ~400ft of elevation.

http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%3d8b07e3a9a0

I get the channels coming from NJ, 47.1, 50.1, 54.1, but nothing from the city. I would really love to get NBC.

Thanks in advance

With signals like, an outdoor antenna is almost a must, (the 3 with LOS will not fit this group) but the Empire State building signals (pretty much all of NYC stations) will need an outdoor antenna and Winegard HDP-269 or 87xx series amp would be a good idea.. I would prolly say go with the 769x series antennas, but you will not get VHF-LO station WNYZ with it....

Don_M
01-28-09, 05:45 PM
Take back the MANT510. Go to Radio Shack and pick up a U-75R UHF antenna, a coax transformer and enough RG-6 coax cable for the run into the house. (Their site will tell you which nearby stores have the antenna in stock, but you might want to call ahead anyway). Mount the antenna outdoors as high as you can while keeping its boom level, aiming toward the south-southwest. Connect the two leads from the transformer to the antenna's terminals, connect the RG-6 cable to the transformer, and run the cable straight to the TV's antenna input. Don't leave any slack in the coax cable coiled up (important for maintaining signal strength).

There's no guarantee this will reel in the signal, either, but it's a good antenna -- and it's about the best you can do on such short notice.

joejoe1881
01-28-09, 06:07 PM
Awesome guys, thanks for the quick replies.