[Hikariu]

What equipment would I need to buy to hook up an outdoor HD Antenna to connect to HD over the air TV stations about 50 miles away. I need something that I can use and then split into about 50 different RV campsite hookups so the campers have basic service.


What antenna do I need? (links please

Is it as simple as using a nice high gain antenna and amplifying the cable?


Any information would be very helpful. I've never bothered with HD TV Antenna over the air before.

 

[ADTech]



Quote:
Is it as simple as using a nice high gain antenna and amplifying the cable?

Very generically, yes.


In practice, someone needs to do a site evaluation to evaluate actual signal powers available to a receiving antenna. Then, the entire scope of the distribution network needs to be analyzed to determine how much amplification is needed based on layout and lengths.


This really is the something that a master antenna systems specialist should do if you want it done right the first time. The project and expertise won't be cheap, but it will work correctly.

 

[AntAltMike]

I regularly service a 400 site campground that diplexes broadcast HDTV with 40 channels of analog DirecTV and distributes it using underground hardline wiring. The only "funky" thing about that system is that for most residents to avail themselves of the broadcast HDTV, they have to go into their TVs menu and switch over from "cable" to "antenna", but since we have all of those primary channels replicated in analog, cable STD NTSC, the campground doesn't have to deal with "unhappy campers" who might otherwise be unable to watch desirable network programming if they got confounded by their TV's set-up regimen.


If the desired transmitters are not located in about the same direction and are not of about the same signal strength, then some reception headend engineering would be in order. Fortunately, with broadcast digital signals, distribution systems can withstand more variation in signal strengths of included channels than could analog systems.

 

[JimboG]

Hikariu,


Go to www.tvfool.com to get an idea of what TV stations you can receive at your campsite. Consider what available channels you want to offer to the RV sites.


Ideally all of the stations that you want are broadcasting at high power levels from the same location, with only a UHF antenna or UHF and hi band VHF antenna needed. Since you have a decent sized campground you should be able to place the antenna for optimal reception and perhaps use a relatively high self supporting tower.


Like ADTech said, pay a master antenna TV system expert to do it right the first time. Best of luck and thank you for being proactive enough to offer real HD programming to the campers who frequent your site. By the way, where is the RV park if any of us want to visit once you get your antenna and distribution system set up?

 

[Scooper]



Quote:
Originally Posted by Hikariu /forum/post/19582098


What equipment would I need to buy to hook up an outdoor HD Antenna to connect to HD over the air TV stations about 50 miles away. I need something that I can use and then split into about 50 different RV campsite hookups so the campers have basic service.


What antenna do I need? (links please

Is it as simple as using a nice high gain antenna and amplifying the cable?


Any information would be very helpful. I've never bothered with HD TV Antenna over the air before.

You need an expert like AntAltMike to do this right the first time. Or somebody with his skill set in your area - maybe some of the engineers at your local TV stations do this kind of thing on the side ? Check with apartments and hotels in your area on who they get to do this.

 

[kenglish]

Add your city or area to your profile, so we know where you are located.


I know a guy in Utah that has done a couple like that, but not sure about the "travel distance" involved. Basically, you're talking about an OTA MATV system, but it can be "complicated", or "not so complicated". It does require some measurements and computations, and juggling the numbers to figure what needs to be done.