Hello all. I'm new to the OTA world, and would appreciate advice on good antenna options (indoor would be great, but I can do outdoor, too). I went over to AntennaWeb and here's my chart:


yellow - vhf KOMU 8 NBC COLUMBIA MO 106° 7.8 8
* yellow - uhf KOMU-DT 8.1 NBC COLUMBIA MO 106° 7.8 36
yellow - uhf KMIZ 17 ABC COLUMBIA MO 218° 13.1 17
* yellow - uhf KMIZ-DT 17.1 ABC COLUMBIA MO 218° 13.1 22
red - vhf KMOS 6 PBS SEDALIA MO 149° 13.9 6
* red - uhf KMOS-DT 6.1 PBS SEDALIA MO 230° 32.3 15
blue - uhf KNLJ 25 REL JEFFERSON CITY MO 130° 22.6 25
blue - vhf KRCG 13 CBS JEFFERSON CITY MO 132° 22.9 13
* blue - vhf KRCG-DT 13.1 CBS JEFFERSON CITY MO 132° 22.9 12
blue - uhf K38II 38 FOX COLUMBIA MO 146° 10.7 38
blue - vhf KZOU-LP 11 MNT COLUMBIA MO 50° 4.8 11
blue - uhf K56AU 56 TBN COLUMBIA MO 70° 7.3 56
violet - vhf K38II-DT 2 FOX COLUMBIA MO 62° 4.4 2


Sorry for the jumbled listing. If anyone has advice, I'd appreciate it.

For additional info, I have a Vizio VX32L LCD and I have that hooked up to a Dish PVR 510 receiver for SD programming. It's currently hooked to the set via coax. Any tips based on having that info is also appreciated.

Thanks.

Hello all. I'm new to the OTA world, and would appreciate advice on good antenna options (indoor would be great, but I can do outdoor, too). I went over to AntennaWeb and here's my chart:


yellow - vhf KOMU 8 NBC COLUMBIA MO 106° 7.8 8
* yellow - uhf KOMU-DT 8.1 NBC COLUMBIA MO 106° 7.8 36
yellow - uhf KMIZ 17 ABC COLUMBIA MO 218° 13.1 17
* yellow - uhf KMIZ-DT 17.1 ABC COLUMBIA MO 218° 13.1 22
red - vhf KMOS 6 PBS SEDALIA MO 149° 13.9 6
* red - uhf KMOS-DT 6.1 PBS SEDALIA MO 230° 32.3 15
blue - uhf KNLJ 25 REL JEFFERSON CITY MO 130° 22.6 25
blue - vhf KRCG 13 CBS JEFFERSON CITY MO 132° 22.9 13
* blue - vhf KRCG-DT 13.1 CBS JEFFERSON CITY MO 132° 22.9 12
blue - uhf K38II 38 FOX COLUMBIA MO 146° 10.7 38
blue - vhf KZOU-LP 11 MNT COLUMBIA MO 50° 4.8 11
blue - uhf K56AU 56 TBN COLUMBIA MO 70° 7.3 56
violet - vhf K38II-DT 2 FOX COLUMBIA MO 62° 4.4 2


Sorry for the jumbled listing. If anyone has advice, I'd appreciate it.

For additional info, I have a Vizio VX32L LCD and I have that hooked up to a Dish PVR 510 receiver for SD programming. It's currently hooked to the set via coax. Any tips based on having that info is also appreciated.

Thanks.
I went outdoors, very happy with the Channel Master lineup, I got the "deep fringe" for around $90 give or take 3 years ago, not bad.
I think Lowes carries them, among the DIY stores.
Channel Master line-up (http://www.solidsignal.com/manu_display.asp?main_cat=03&manu=Channel%20Master&page=2)

The one I got, the "deep fringe", I love the name
http://pimages.solidsignal.com/CN3671_zoom.gif

I also recommend a pre-amplifier at the mast to boost your signal, like this one I used, this way when you split it among your HDTV/HD radio sources still strong and good quality signal
Channel Master CM 0068DSB VHF/UHF/FM Spartan 3 Outdoor Pre-Amp (http://www.solidsignal.com/prod_display.asp?PROD=CM0068DSB)
http://pimages.solidsignal.com/CM0068DSB_zoom.gif

I also recommend a pre-amplifier at the mast to boost your signal, like this one I used, this way when you split it among your HDTV/HD radio sources still strong and good quality signal
Channel Master CM 0068DSB VHF/UHF/FM Spartan 3 Outdoor Pre-Amp (http://www.solidsignal.com/prod_display.asp?PROD=CM0068DSB)
http://pimages.solidsignal.com/CM0068DSB_zoom.gif

Do you have to order these or can you pick one up at a store?

I went outdoors, very happy with the Channel Master lineup, I got the "deep fringe" for around $90 give or take 3 years ago, not bad.

I also recommend a pre-amplifier at the mast to boost your signal, like this one I used, this way when you split it among your HDTV/HD radio sources still strong and good quality signal
What the heck?! mackelroy is 8 to 23 miles from his broadcast stations and antennaweb is showing yellow to blue color codes. Why the heck are you recommending a deep fringe antenna and pre-amp??? No need for that as far as I can see. He needs a multi-directional or broad pickup pattern antenna setup, in the attic or outdoors.

mackelroy, your situation is somewhat complicated by that you have translators and low power stations that don't yet have a digital signal. K38II-DT Fox on VHF 2 is unusual; have to look that one up. So you need a antenna to get analog and digital for now and to be ready for the analog shutdown in 2009, although some of the translators may stay in analog for several years after 2009. What is your zip code so we can look up all the stations in your area?

afiggatt,

My zip is 65203.

I'm currently using an RCA amplified indoor antenna (rabbit ears and a UHF receiver) that I had laying around the house from a year ago when we moved and I couldn't live without TV for the couple of days it was going to take Dish to get out here and move my service.

Right now, with that chintzy little indoor antenna, I'm picking up KOMU (NBC) HD and KMIZ (ABC) HD. I'm bummed because it won't pick up a FOX HD channel, so I'm going to watch the super bowl in SD.

But this antenna is just a short-term solution. I want something that will maximize what is available to me over the air.

What the heck?! mackelroy is 8 to 23 miles from his broadcast stations and antennaweb is showing yellow to blue color codes. Why the heck are you recommending a deep fringe antenna and pre-amp??? No need for that as far as I can see. He needs a multi-directional or broad pickup pattern antenna setup, in the attic or outdoors.

mackelroy, your situation is somewhat complicated by that you have translators and low power stations that don't yet have a digital signal. K38II-DT Fox on VHF 2 is unusual; have to look that one up. So you need a antenna to get analog and digital for now and to be ready for the analog shutdown in 2009, although some of the translators may stay in analog for several years after 2009. What is your zip code so we can look up all the stations in your area?

Maybe you mis-read into my post, I never recommended any antenna, I directed him to look at the Channel Master line-up, they have many indoor/outdoor to choose from.

You are right, deep fringe is not correct for him, I never said it was, I was just sharing what I got for zip code 48843 looking into Detroit from Howell/Brigton. (50+ miles)

Match the Antenna to the need of course.

I still stick by pre-amp, if he plans to divide up the signal multiple times.
Even if not now, possible in the future he will have 2nd HDTV, then a receiver with HD Radio, etc. Relatively cheap ($50) and easy to install. Might even help him pick up more stations. I notice big difference when I have mine on or off. I get stations "off axis" from Fenton/Flint/Lansing.

Peace.

Maybe you mis-read into my post, I never recommended any antenna, I directed him to look at the Channel Master line-up, they have many indoor/outdoor to choose from.
...
I still stick by pre-amp, if he plans to divide up the signal multiple times.

I was re-acting more to the recommendation for a pre-amp. He has stations and translators only 4 to 8 miles away. A pre-amp may result in overloading of the front end of the tuner for the nearby stations and their adjacent channels.

I will have to look at the zip code in detail later.

I was re-acting more to the recommendation for a pre-amp. He has stations and translators only 4 to 8 miles away. A pre-amp may result in overloading of the front end of the tuner for the nearby stations and their adjacent channels.

I will have to look at the zip code in detail later.

I understand, his situtation is much different than mine.

just FYI, here is my antennaweb.org map, with my set-up I get ALL the digital stations listed.
I'm a fixed mast, pointed at 117 deg to get the Detroit stations.
Frankly, sometimes in very-very bad weather some of the off-axis stations pixelate sometimes, but not often.
Obvious, but I have to state this here:
To the OP (and others), be very-very careful putting up outdoor antenna on your roof.
I underestimated how dangerous this would be. My 2+ story garage roof is a 45deg pitch, at first I thought I could walk up that to mount it, WRONG.
I therefore had to get out my 32 foot ladder and use that to install the antenna at my gable end. Very dangerous carrying a fully extended antenna up there. I even used (2) 2 x 4' to securly brace the ladder to my home side so it would not move, a wise thing since while carrying the antenna up there and it swayed I'm sure the ladder would have fallen sideways w/o those.
My brother was there to help, but with only 1 big ladder he could not do much, if we had 2 big ladders would have been so much safer, but who has two big ladders at home?? I have the one 32 footer because every 4 years I have to re-stain my log home on the outside.
http://lh4.google.com/mtbdudex/R6eA-d8r7sI/AAAAAAAABJk/Ksh67D_w6gI/s800/MikeDTAntennaMap.JPG

My zip is 65203.

I'm currently using an RCA amplified indoor antenna (rabbit ears and a UHF receiver) that I had laying around the house from a year ago when we moved and I couldn't live without TV for the couple of days it was going to take Dish to get out here and move my service.

Right now, with that chintzy little indoor antenna, I'm picking up KOMU (NBC) HD and KMIZ (ABC) HD. I'm bummed because it won't pick up a FOX HD channel,...
Your zip code places you around 115 miles from a Kansas City station and ~ 120 miles from several Springfield, MO station which are likely too far even for a seriously deep fringe setup. So I am focusing on the stations in your vicinity. I generated a edited list of stations below for your zip code and adding 400' to antenna height under options in antennaweb.org to get a more complete list of digital stations. (Ignore the color codes)

Digital stations:
* yellow - uhf KOMU-DT 8.1 NBC COLUMBIA MO 113° 6.3 36
* yellow - vhf KRCG-DT 13.1 CBS JEFFERSON CITY MO 136° 21.9 12
* yellow - uhf KMIZ-DT 17.1 ABC COLUMBIA MO 222° 14.4 22
* yellow - uhf KMOS-DT 6.1 PBS SEDALIA MO 231° 33.8 15
* green - uhf KNLJ-DT 20.1 REL JEFFERSON CITY MO 134° 21.5 20

Analog stations not replicated by digital stations:
yellow - uhf K38II 38 FOX COLUMBIA MO 155° 10.1 38
green - uhf K56AU 56 TBN COLUMBIA MO 66° 5.6 56
lt green - uhf K41OI 41 TBN JEFFERSON CITY MO 155° 10.1 41
lt green - vhf KZOU-LP 11 MNT COLUMBIA MO 36° 3.4 11
lt green - vhf K38II-DT 2 FOX COLUMBIA MO 50° 2.9 2 <- error?

I did this to sort out what channels you need to cover. Four of your digital stations are currently on UHF, KRCG-DT is on upper VHF 12. KOMU-DT NBC 8 will move from UHF 36 to VHF 8 after the analog shutdown in Feb, 2009. The entry for K38II-DT looks wrong, I suspect it is a database error as apparently Fox is being carried as a subchannl on KMIZ-DT 22.2. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/K38II. I think you will have to wait until 2009 to get Fox in HD. OTOH, all the major networks and PBS look to be available in digital, except for My Network.

The bottom line is you have stations in different directions from 36° to 231° out to 30 miles. You need to pick up UHF and upper VHF. One possibility is a Channel Master 4221 4 Bay bowtie which can pick stations over a wide spread in azimuth and should be ok for the upper VHF stations as they are closer in range. You will need to mount it in the attic or outdoors, outdoors with a rotator on the roof would be optimum. You may want to consider a true omni-directional antenna, but someone else needs to make specific recommendations on models.

Thanks afiggatt, and everyone else.

I was looking at the antenna you suggested, and I thought it looked a bit like some of the DIY antennas I've seen in various forums/blog/youtube postings. So I thought I'd try that route first, as the expense outlay isn't much at all.

My first attempt is posted in the attached pic. I'm curious as to whether or not I've created something worthwhile. What I've created is sort of a hybrid of an antenna I saw posted on youtube (http://youtube.com/watch?v=EWQhlmJTMzw) and on a blog (http://uhfhdtvantenna.blogspot.com/).

I used the measurements found in the youtube video (bowties spaced 5 3/4 inches apart at the centers) and incorporated my own version of the reflector found on the blog antenna. The center board that this is attached to is a 2x4. Right now I've only tested it in the living room next to the television, but early results are encouraging. It nails the digital signal from KOMU, and it seems to hold a better lock on the KMIZ digital signal than the cheapo rabbit ears/uhf antenna I mentioned in my earlier post. Still no luck with KRCG, but that's probably because it's a vhf signal, and I've created a uhf antenna. And the only thing that is discouraging so far is that the cheapo indoor antenna will kind of pick up the KMOS digital signal, but I've not had luck yet with my home brew antenna.

One question I have is regarding the spacing of the bowties. I mentioned that I'm using 5 3/4-inch spacing, but the blog antenna stated a 7-inch spacing. Would one be better than the other? And is my reflector helping the situation at all? (I certainly hope it's not hurting it.)

Ultimately, I plan to install this home made antenna in the attic. I probably need to get it up there and test it out before any definitive statements can be made, but I wanted to ask about the measurements in the event that someone has some insight before I get home and try the attic installation out.

I am having trouble getting this local CBS station. I have a UHF antenna and can get all the other channels. But what is the best way to go to pull in this vhf channel. I really don't think I will be able to mount an antenna on the roof. Am I out of luck or would there be some kind of antenna I would be able to hook up indoors to get 13.1. I also have dish network and they are in talks with KRCG about broadcasting rights (they want too much money). So, I've heard Dish will be getting the local's in HD this year, but who knows and even if they do they may not have CBS. So, I'm trying to figure out the best way to get CBS before football season starts. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

joliver99. Try a set of rabbit ears.

I have and can get a fuzzy 13. But no luck with 13.1

I have and can get a fuzzy 13. But no luck with 13.1

Where are you located? I show KCRG on 9 for analog and 52 for DTV right now (returning to 9).

Are you thinking of WHO/13? It is on 19 for DTV but will be returning to 13.

This is KRCG 13 - CBS in mid Missouri, the Columbia, Jefferson City area.

Fuzzy on analog 13?

Yes, fuzzy analog 13 and not luck with digital 13.1.

Yes, fuzzy analog 13 and not luck with digital 13.1.

Any chance you can put up an outdoor antenna? Getting any kind of real gain (directionality) on VHF with an indoor antenna class is difficult. I have an outdoor grade antenna in my attic for this purpose. Though VHF technically gets through walls better, in practice I have not found the signals to be very reliable indoors. Gains are more easily achieved in UHF, with small, indoor antennas.