http://blackswanlive.com/images/Radar-All.png

Sorry for the laziness, I'll read through the technical posts after I get an understanding of what caliber of antenna I require.

Also, can anyone recommend a good antenna for me? A lot of the posts I'm finding are very aged.

Thanks!
-bsl

Welcome!

We'll need further information to provide good guidance on antenna selection:

* Where do you want to mount the antenna -- outdoors, attic or indoors? (Most here heavily favor outdoor solutions, though we might be able to help with an attic installation. Set-top antennas are a matter of trial and error for each viewer, so we don't generally advise on those, but can provide some links for ideas.)

* How many TVs do you wish to connect to your new antenna?

* Which stations do you want to watch? Is the Orlando market all you're after, or do you want to reach out farther and/or in different directions?

* What's your approximate budget?

Lastly, thank you for providing the TVFool report for your current conditions, but we'll need a second report -- this time, for the post-transition. (It will say "POST TRANSITION" just above the address.) No sense designing an antenna system for a signal environment that won't exist beyond June 12!

Thanks for the quick reply Don.

To answer your questions:

* Where do you want to mount the antenna -- outdoors, attic or indoors? (Most here heavily favor outdoor solutions, though we might be able to help with an attic installation. Set-top antennas are a matter of trial and error for each viewer, so we don't generally advise on those, but can provide some links for ideas.)

It would be an outdoor antenna.

* How many TVs do you wish to connect to your new antenna?

I currently have 2 HD capable TVs and 1 SD TV (no additional TVs in the foreseeable future).

* Which stations do you want to watch? Is the Orlando market all you're after, or do you want to reach out farther and/or in different directions?

I'm pretty sure Orlando would cover all the channels I need, but I wasn't sure if I would be able to receive them. I am about 50 miles (as the bird flies) from Orlando, 80 miles from Daytona Beach, and about 20 miles from Cocoa Beach. (I'm in West Melbourne)

* What's your approximate budget?

No real budget, if installing an antenna would give me HD quality national networks (ABC, FOX, NBC, PBS, ...) and get me off of BrightHouse's nipple then I would be willing to spend ~$500.

Lastly, thank you for providing the TVFool report for your current conditions, but we'll need a second report -- this time, for the post-transition. (It will say "POST TRANSITION" just above the address.) No sense designing an antenna system for a signal environment that won't exist beyond June 12!

http://blackswanlive.com/images/Radar-All2.png

And here's the antennaweb.org view, which is what made me concerned about not being able to get HD

All Stations:
http://blackswanlive.com/images/AntennaWeb.png

Digital Stations:
http://blackswanlive.com/images/AntennaWeb_digital.png

Thanks! That's exactly what was needed.

AntennaWeb scares a lot of people (needlessly, IMO) because it's very conservative. TVFool is a much more precise tool, which is why most folks here prefer it. You should be able to receive every major station in the Orlando market reliably, and then some, with the components suggested below.

As for expense, here's some good news: Perhaps $200 for components/materials and $100-$200 for professional installation should get you an antenna system that will provide years of reliable reception.

All of the suggestions below should be ordered online; only a few folks have an antenna shop/professional installer nearby who deal in quality equipment like this. Here's a list of vendors. (http://www.hdtvprimer.com/ANTENNAS/glossaryR.html#stores) For best prices and decent service, stick with Warren, Stark, Summit Source or Solid Signal.

On to the specifics:

* Winegard HD-7696P antenna for channels 7-69
* Winegard HDP-269 antenna pre-amp

If you'll be doing the work yourself:

* Any good quality, balanced, three-way splitter
* Mast, mount, RG-6 coaxial cable, coax connectors, grounding equipment, cable stand-offs, etc.

This (http://www.hdtvprimer.com/ISSUES/erecting_antenna.html) is a good, comprehensive DIY guide on antenna installations.

If you plan on hiring a professional to install the system, ask if he/she can furnish the accessory components. They may be less expensive this way, even with the contractor's markup, since shipping can be steep on heavy/bulky items such as mount, masting and bulk cable.

Thanks Don, you're the man!

bsl,

Thank you very much for posting the exact information that people on the forum need to make an appropriate recommendation. Don's suggestion of a Winegard HD-7696P hi band VHF (channels 7-13) and UHF antenna (channels 14-52 post transition) with Winegard preamp is a first rate recommendation.

With Florida's flat terrain and all of your major network affiliates co-located at one transmitter farm, you really have optimal conditions for DTV reception. Don't let Antennaweb's overly cautious estimates deter you from putting up a good quality antenna. At the same time, given Florida's frequent hurricane weather, you might want to try mounting the antenna in the attic rather than in the wind. Additionally, you may want to see what sort of reception you get with a Channelmaster 4221 antenna. While the 4221 technically is a UHF antenna, you can get some gain for hi band VHF as well. I get great reception of the local UHF stations and two post transition DTV stations on channels 8 and 10 here in San Diego with a Channelmaster 4221 used indoors. Then again, I'm considerably closer to my VHF stations then you are.

If you do go with the full bore roof top installation that Don recommended you should get excellent signal strength and have a pretty good margin for signal loss caused by wind, weather, leaves, etc. Fewer drop outs and less missed dialogue can make for a happier household. :D

Jimbo,

Thank you for that advise. I don't know why I hadn't factored in the hurricane weather, but you are very correct! I'll look into mounting the antenna in my attic .

A lot of experts sniff at attic installations because, under the best of circumstances, you lose about half the available signal strength versus an antenna installed outdoors at the same height. OTOH, an attic-mounted antenna isn't vulnerable to the elements (like, umm, hurricanes), won't corrode nearly as quickly, and won't need grounding (though grounding the coax through a power strip remains a good idea).

The W-G HD-769x series of antennas is a terrific choice for many applications. In your situation, I was a bit concerned that a 7694 might not be quite enough antenna; the 7696, meanwhile, is more than enough for an outdoor mount. It should work OK in the attic as long as:

-- It can be aimed at the Orlando stations accurately.

-- Trees or leaves won't block the signals at the lower installation height available in the attic.

-- It won't be obstructed by metal, stone, brick or concrete building materials located in front of it, i.e., the signal path. This includes a radiant barrier in the roof, roof tiles, stucco/aluminum/stone/brick siding, foil-lined insulation of any kind, and/or steel or foil-lined duct work. These materials block signals. Wood-frame siding and asphalt-shingle-over-plywood roofing are both OK.

-- The antenna can be mounted at least two feet away from any electrical wiring or metallic building materials.

At about 40 miles from the transmitters, you're right on the edge of the maximum distance at which an attic antenna can provide reliable reception in most circumstances. It's worth a try, but be prepared to go with an outdoor mount if the result is less than satisfying.

I'm across from you in Pasco County and use a telescoping 30 ft. mast. When the wind threatens I just go out and let it down; had to do that several times lately for high winds here. I use a rotor with my set up to get channels over in Orlando with separate VHF and UHF antennas and a CM7777 amp. There is a channel 56 over there that booms in here all day analog and digital. So if you find a attic antennas won't do then a telescoping mast might be the answer. The antenna rotation is on a 10 ft. mast in addition to the 30 ft. When the antenna is all the way down only the 10 ft. mast is above the roofline and that so far has done fine.