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Need OTA antenna advice

post #1 of 10
6/20/08 at 12:27pm
Thread Starter 
I was hoping for feedback on an OTA Antenna I seek to purchase. Since analogue is not completely dead yet I was hoping for both for now.
This is going to be for a summer home in the Shahola\\Milford area of the pocono's in PA, zip for reference to use can be 18458 or 18337.

I hate using ebay as a point of reference but I was looking into the following antenna models, any feedback on them would be greatly appreciated. So far all specs look very close and similar, so I was wondering if any of these particular models was better than another:

Code:
http://cgi.*********/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=360061829473

http://cgi.*********/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=380037584530

http://cgi.*********/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=160251701209

http://cgi.*********/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=380038076032

just replace ebay dot com where the asterisks appear you know the drill ;-)
Thanks in Advance!!!
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post #2 of 10
6/24/08 at 7:37am
I hate using ebay also since all of those models I wouldn't touch with a 10' pole. Those would be 4 examples of antennas I would say NOT to get.
Do you own this building or just renting it?

According to that zip code the closest station is 33 miles away;
http://www.2150.com/broadcast/defaul...=Show+Stations

Then 42 miles. Being in the mountains, that could be a mixed blessing. If you are up high, that's good, if not, that's bad.
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post #3 of 10
6/25/08 at 7:50am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by videobruce View Post

I hate using ebay also since all of those models I wouldn't touch with a 10' pole. Those would be 4 examples of antennas I would say NOT to get.
Do you own this building or just renting it?

According to that zip code the closest station is 33 miles away;
http://www.2150.com/broadcast/defaul...=Show+Stations

Then 42 miles. Being in the mountains, that could be a mixed blessing. If you are up high, that's good, if not, that's bad.

Thanks for the reply, this is for a summerhouse that me and my family do own, and the elevation is higher there than where I live as my primary residence in Brooklyn, NY, if I had to guess I would say 1000ft higher but I don't know how high geographically speaking. What antenna would you recommend then, it is an area with lots of trees and the antenna is outside on a 30ft pole, with coax running into the house. And yes some tree's would interfere but not so many that I think would be a real intrusion on reception, I do get analogue reception descent on some channels now.

Also, you mentioned some of the models listed in my first post you wouldn't even touch, I was wondering what specs I should look for then as I suppose the ones I listed are not spec'd high enough for what I need.
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post #4 of 10
6/25/08 at 8:33am
As far as 'what antenna is best'. There is no best anything.
The two most popular models are the Channel master 4228 and the Antennas Direct 91xg. I perfer the 4228 from a established company with a established design.

You say you have a "pole". How close to the house is it? regarding elevation, it's what's between you and them that is the biggest issue, not only much elevation.
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post #5 of 10
6/25/08 at 8:42am
I'll look at the zip code later. But don't get an antenna on Ebay or pay any attention to claims there. You came to the right place. For a house in the Poconos, you are very likely going to have to get a rooftop long range antenna setup. Useful web links to check for info:

Antenna basics & models; http://www.hdtvprimer.com/ISSUES/erecting_antenna.html.
Projected station & signal strength list: Plug in the exact location if possible - www.tvfool.com.
OTA Digital reception FAQ - http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=611957.
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post #6 of 10
6/25/08 at 9:35am
Quote:
Originally Posted by xtacydima View Post

the antenna is outside on a 30ft pole, with coax running into the house. And yes some tree's would interfere but not so many that I think would be a real intrusion on reception, I do get analogue reception descent on some channels now.

You may not even need a different antenna, your exsisting antenna may be just fine if it's not damaged.

If you can, just take the exsisting one down clean it up check the connections and feed cable, maybe install a quality pre-amp.

I've found with some of my friends that I've helped lately it's more a matter of making sure the signal they had was getting to the right place than thier antenna.

I'm not saying that a quality high gain antenna won't help but it may not be as important as you might think.
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post #7 of 10
6/25/08 at 10:01am
The biggest improvements could be changing the fittings and the cable itself.
How old are they?
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post #8 of 10
6/25/08 at 2:30pm
Thread Starter 
hmm, answering some of these migth be difficult, because when my family bought the place approx 3 years ago, the antenna setup was already there. It look slike a typical old-school antenna and I would guess it can be as old as 20yrs of age. The antenna is very large, I would say about 6 feet long and has an array looking grid, kind of like a big arrow. Next time I go away for the weekend I will try to get on a ladder and see if I can get any markings or brand names out of it, but somehow I doubt I will find any of this info out.

Also, and this may seem premature of me, I assumed since it was such an old antenna it would not do as well as for example the Channel master 4228 or the Antennas Direct 91xg, however, I will get a converter box and try it as is, perhaps it can indeed catch channels in digital as it is now. Although I do wish I could somehow find the specs or a brand name on it.

I will keep info posted.
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post #9 of 10
6/25/08 at 3:09pm
What DMA are you getting the current analog channels from ?
I do get analogue reception descent on some channels now.
Regards
Owenf
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post #10 of 10
6/26/08 at 10:54am
xtacydima: Snap us a quick picture of the setup. We can probably be able to identify it for you.
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