[kturcotte]

I've had satellite for the past 10 years, but I'm highly considering getting rid of Directv and going OTA only, but I need some help. I've never really played with OTA, so this is kind of new territory for me.

I'm outside of Portland, ME, in East Baldwin (04024). I went to tvfool.com and ran their analysis test. I've attached that.

I'm only interested in picking up channels 44 (6) 8 (8) 10 (10) 38 (13) 23 (23) 35 (35) & 43 (51).

This is what I'm thinking:

Getting the small Winegard GS1100 Sensar III VHF/UHF Antenna, attaching it to the dish mount (After I remove the dish) and pointing it NW.

Getting the Channel Master 4221HD 4-bay HDTV/UHF Antenna, mounting it to another dish mount, and pointing it NE. Antenna's will be about 10 feet apart.

Will this get all the channels I want, without interference?

Also, it will initially be split 3 ways, and then one of the leads will be split 2 ways, and then 2 ways again. Should I get an amplifier? Also, how do I go about combining the antenna signals (Just a regular 2 way splitter)?

 

[gjvrieze]



Quote:
Originally Posted by kturcotte /forum/post/15448269


I've had satellite for the past 10 years, but I'm highly considering getting rid of Directv and going OTA only, but I need some help. I've never really played with OTA, so this is kind of new territory for me.

I'm outside of Portland, ME, in East Baldwin (04024). I went to tvfool.com and ran their analysis test. I've attached that.

I'm only interested in picking up channels 44 (6) 8 (8) 10 (10) 38 (13) 23 (23) 35 (35) & 43 (51).

This is what I'm thinking:

Getting the small Winegard GS1100 Sensar III VHF/UHF Antenna, attaching it to the dish mount (After I remove the dish) and pointing it NW.

Getting the Channel Master 4221HD 4-bay HDTV/UHF Antenna, mounting it to another dish mount, and pointing it NE. Antenna's will be about 10 feet apart.

Will this get all the channels I want, without interference?

Also, it will initially be split 3 ways, and then one of the leads will be split 2 ways, and then 2 ways again. Should I get an amplifier? Also, how do I go about combining the antenna signals (Just a regular 2 way splitter)?

I would grab the 4221, get it up as high as you can from the peak, put a Winegard HD269 amp on it and aim straight North and see what results are, before buying the other antenna..... I like the beam width on the 4221 will be enough with amp and up high to get everything that you want... With a 3 port splitter, I think there will be enough loss to not overload with the afore mentioned amp...

 

[kturcotte]



Quote:
Originally Posted by gjvrieze /forum/post/15448787


I would grab the 4221, get it up as high as you can from the peak, put a Winegard HD269 amp on it and aim straight North and see what results are, before buying the other antenna..... I like the beam width on the 4221 will be enough with amp and up high to get everything that you want... With a 3 port splitter, I think there will be enough loss to not overload with the afore mentioned amp...

Will the 4221 pick up channel 8 though?

 

[kturcotte]



Quote:
Originally Posted by kturcotte /forum/post/15448832


Will the 4221 pick up channel 8 though?

Also, curious, what would be required to pick up ABC channel 9 WMUR? Be nice to have it, but not necessary.

 

[SowegaBowler]

According to HDTV Primer , the 4221 has some gain on VHF-high, but not as much on channels 8 and 9 as many VHF outdoor antennas, or even rabbit ears. So, you may want to consider a separate VHF antenna if the 4221 does not pick up 8 or 9.

 

[kturcotte]



Quote:
Originally Posted by SowegaBowler /forum/post/15449924


According to HDTV Primer , the 4221 has some gain on VHF-high, but not as much on channels 8 and 9 as many VHF outdoor antennas, or even rabbit ears. So, you may want to consider a separate VHF antenna if the 4221 does not pick up 8 or 9.

What about the Channel Master CM-3671? Would that pick up everything, including WMUH, without having to use a rotator (This is for DVR)?

 

[gjvrieze]



Quote:
Originally Posted by kturcotte /forum/post/15448832


Will the 4221 pick up channel 8 though?

Yes, at 4.6miles out, the rf field is so strong, you will prolly get it on bare coax cabling....

Quote:
Originally Posted by kturcotte /forum/post/15449340


Also, curious, what would be required to pick up ABC channel 9 WMUR? Be nice to have it, but not necessary.

Nope, you need a VHF antenna for WMUR, with a high gain amp, which is going to hard given the power levels of the locals will overload a high gain amp....


WCBB may need a VHF-HI antenna pointed at it, depends on how you get, the 4221 may have enough gain to get it, but I think going with the VHF antenna with a a joiner makes a lot of sense.... the Winegard YA1713 is my favorite....

 

[gjvrieze]



Quote:
Originally Posted by kturcotte /forum/post/15450322


What about the Channel Master CM-3671? Would that pick up everything, including WMUH, without having to use a rotator (This is for DVR)?

I was never intending use of a rotor, a little presumptive on my part, but more and more people hate the rotoring of the antenna because of DVRs/multi-tvs....

 

[IDRick]



Quote:
Originally Posted by kturcotte /forum/post/15450322


What about the Channel Master CM-3671? Would that pick up everything, including WMUH, without having to use a rotator (This is for DVR)?

WMUR, ch 9 ABC, is a deep fringe station from your location. It will require a deep fringe solution to *potentially* acquire (high gain antenna, pre-amp, high mount height, and pointing directly at the tower). There is no way you could receive this station without using a rotor (unless you want to give up all the other stations). Overloading the pre-amp is a distinct possibility with your high power, nearby stations.

 

[SowegaBowler]

The 3671 is very capable of VHF and UHF reception, again according to HDTV Primer, but it also looks like it is fairly directional, meaning you may have to point it in the direction of the transmitter(s) for best results; in other words, a rotator may be required...YMMV.

 

[kturcotte]



Quote:
Originally Posted by SowegaBowler /forum/post/15450549


The 3671 is very capable of VHF and UHF reception, again according to HDTV Primer, but it also looks like it is fairly directional, meaning you may have to point it in the direction of the transmitter(s) for best results; in other words, a rotator may be required...YMMV.

I didn't think I'd be able to get WMUH, but it was worth a try.

So what would be a better solution? My original plan:

Getting the small Winegard GS1100 Sensar III VHF/UHF Antenna, attaching it to the dish mount (After I remove the dish) and pointing it NW.

Getting the Channel Master 4221HD 4-bay HDTV/UHF Antenna, mounting it to another dish mount, and pointing it NE. Antenna's will be about 10 feet apart.

Or get the Channel Master 4228HD and pick up ALL channels with the one antenna?

 

[gjvrieze]



Quote:
Originally Posted by kturcotte /forum/post/15450672


I didn't think I'd be able to get WMUH, but it was worth a try.

So what would be a better solution? My original plan:

Getting the small Winegard GS1100 Sensar III VHF/UHF Antenna, attaching it to the dish mount (After I remove the dish) and pointing it NW.

Getting the Channel Master 4221HD 4-bay HDTV/UHF Antenna, mounting it to another dish mount, and pointing it NE. Antenna's will be about 10 feet apart.

Or get the Channel Master 4228HD and pick up ALL channels with the one antenna?

Nothing wrong with option 3, but I think the 4221, may be a little cheaper and still do the job...


EDIT: forgot to mention, you should estimate with a 10ft mast, above peak of the roof, what is your tvfool result for that height figured?

 

[kturcotte]

How reliable is OTA reception? Better/same/worse than DBS?

 

[Ratman]

Depends.

It can be any of the above.