[Matt Paulk]

Hey all. I'm very new to the HDTV scene and was wondering if anyone out there can offer me some pointers. I live in Richmond, Virginia. We're only a few miles from the local television towers and I wanted to try to get our local channels in HDTV (after seeing DirecTV in HD, how could I not want such a thing). My friend is quite fluent in the HD thing and he has helped educate me a little. I know that I can't get a HD signal for my local channels through my DirecTV satellite, so I guess I need to buy a UHF antenna to mount on my roof. I was considering the Channel Master 4221. It has a range of 45 miles, which should be plenty I think to get my local signals since the tower are only a few miles away. Will that allow me to get 6, 8, and 12 (CBS, ABC, and NBC respectively) in HD?

 

[sregener]

Quote:

Originally posted by Matt Paulk I was considering the Channel Master 4221. It has a range of 45 miles, which should be plenty I think to get my local signals since the tower are only a few miles away. Will that allow me to get 6, 8, and 12 (CBS, ABC, and NBC respectively) in HD?

The 4221 is an excellent choice for your location and desires. While you should get those stations digitally if you mount the antenna properly and have it pointed in the right direction, you need to double-check that your local stations are, in fact, passing through an HD signal when it's available. Not all stations do.

 

[Tron]

To find out what digital channels are available go to here:
http://www.antennaweb.org/aw/Address.asp

or here:
http://hdpictures.com/stations.htm

If the digital stations are all above channel 13 then a UHF antenna is all you need. If you are within a few miles of the transmitters the CM 4221 is fine.

 

[Matt Paulk]

Thanks very much. I previously went to that web site and my local channels are broadcasting some shows in HD. I am also considering buying an eve mount so that I can mount this puppy at the peak of my roof. Sound like an OK idea? Also, do you think I need to put something on the co-axial cable before running it into my house (I seem to remember someone saying something about needing to ground the cable before running it into the house.)?

 

[Tron]

Chimney mount is supposed to be better if you have a chimney. Gable mount is fine.


You ought to run a solid copper grounding wire from the antenna mast to a grounding rod (which is in the ground). There is a grounding rod where your electrical services enter the house. The cable itself should go through a grounding block which also connects to the grounding rod. The grounding block is a small item that sells for a couple of bucks. A grounding rod should be about ten bucks if the existing one is in an inconvenient location. The ground for the mast is in case of lightning. the grounding block for the cable is for static electricity buildup from the wind.

 

[DonBerg]

Looks like there is 4 digital TV stations currently broadcasting in the Richmond, Virginia area with 3 more due to come online next month:


* yellow WRIC-DT 22 ABC Petersburg VA Now Live 227°

* yellow WTVR-DT 25 CBS Richmond VA Now Live 227°

* yellow WRLH-DT 26 FOX Richmond VA Now Live 227°

* yellow WWBT-DT 54 NBC Richmond VA Now Live 166°


* yellow WCVE-DT 42 PBS Richmond VA May 1 2003 228°

* yellow WCVW-DT 44 PBS Richmond VA May 1 2003 228°

* yellow WUPV-DT 47 UPN Ashland VA May 1 2003 64°


They are all broadcasting in the UHF band and strong (yellow) signal levels so even a good indoor UHF antenna like the Silver Sensor should work.

There is a 60degree span between the NBC station and the other 3 stations - that is OK for a CM4221 if you point it in the middle, at around 200 degrees.