30.5169716, -88.8828506

Zip Code: 39565

I want to try to get either WPMI HD out of Mobile or WDSU HD out of New Orleans. As long as get one of them, I don't care about any other channel. I understand that both stations may not be transmitting fully due to Hurricane damage.

I went to Radio Shack and looked at the biggest antenna they got which supposed has a 100 plus mile range. However, before I set up that monster, I would like some advice to see if this set up would work for me.

I have a two story house with a metal roof. I am okay with an outdoor antenna, I just need one that works.

Here is the tvfools results:

http://www.tvfool.com/index.php?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29

I would connect this to my Motorola HD Cable Box.

The 100+ mile range would be for VHF. The digital stations you are looking for are on UHF channels 47 and 43.

At a range of ~75 miles, the prospects do not appear very bright. I think you would need to go with the best dedicated UHF antennas, such as the Channel Master CM4228 or the Antennas Direct 91XG, with a good pre-amp, such as the CM 7777.

Even then, it will probably be very difficult to pick up these stations reliably.

30.5169716, -88.8828506

Zip Code: 39565

I want to try to get either WPMI HD out of Mobile or WDSU HD out of New Orleans. As long as get one of them, I don't care about any other channel. I understand that both stations may not be transmitting fully due to Hurricane damage.

I went to Radio Shack and looked at the biggest antenna they got which supposed has a 100 plus mile range.
The large size of that Radio Shack antenna is for long range at low VHF channels with their long 3 to 5 meter wavelengths. The two stations you listed are on UHF and will stay on UHF in 2009. Plugging in a 800' antenna height for your location shows me the two stations you want:

WPMI-DT 15.1 NBC MOBILE AL 85° 76.1 47 [2009: UHF 15]
WDSU-DT 6.1 NBC NEW ORLEANS LA 239° 75.2 43 [2009: UHF 43]

Based on the tvfool analysis, you have a better shot at WPMI-DT which will be moving from UHF 43 to UHF 15 in February, 2009. I agree, the AntennasDirect 91-XG with a Channel Master 7777 and a rotator offers your best shot at picking up either NBC station. See the comparing commercial antennas and antenna basics link at http://www.hdtvprimer.com/ISSUES/erecting_antenna.html for info.

However, your Motorola cable box can't receive ATSC broadcasts, it is for cable only. You need a TV or a external STB or DVR with a good ATSC tuner to receive digital broadcasts.

I have a projector with obviously no "antenna" input. I'm going to try those ideas as my local cable company does not have NBC in HD yet (due to some issues from Katrina for the NBC Stations) which means the Saints Game this Thursday is a problem. The SD feed of NBC on Cableone stinks right now. Thanks to both of you for the help.

I have that Radio Shack monster (the VU-190XR), and I can receive a couple of Charlotte stations fairly reliably 24/7 at 72 miles, and a couple more regularly in the evening. I have some rolling terrain in between which you may not have.

So it might work for you, but I agree that the 91XG is a better choice. Much of the weight of the VU-190XR is wasted for your purposes, and for mine. I bought mine when I was still analog-only and needed low-VHF capability for our local NBC station. Now I'm looking to replace it with a 91XG and a high-VHF-only antenna after the weather cools down a bit.

jtbell -- Just a note. The CM-4228 works for both UHF & high-VHF (channel 9 & up - the gain is lower for those channels relative to channel 20, however - see the Channel Master site). I have one and it gets my UHF locals at a 50-mile range with excellent signal strength. Plus it gets my local PBS UHF stations that are closer (<25 miles) but are about 30 degrees off axis from the network towers. I have the CM-4228 on a 20' roof mounted mast (the maximum legal height allowed here). I also have a rotor, but after pointing the antenna roughly towards the network towers, I haven't had to use it.