I used the whole 100 foot cable and didn't cut into it yet. If I do add the preamp it will have to be about 20 feet from the antenna itself on the tower as the cable passes that way. It won't be as effective as it would closer to the antenna but we can't reach the baum now that the antenna is up so would have to cut into the cable further away. :(

reception tonight is horrible. I am glad I didn't move the tower antenna like I was planning because I am able to get some things on it that should be on the bigger one but are not there right now. Is that because of the height?

Yep, probably due to height.
Preamp will help with that 100ft cable, though if you're shortening it, it might not be (as) necessary.

I wouldnt make any adjustments until the dxing activity cools off (it will when the temp drops to more seasonal levels) - then you'll know if the reception is something you control or not.

I have a signal booster and I use it on the tower antenna. When I put it on the larger antenna it actually cuts the signal. It is strange.

I have 100' cables on both my antennas. Can I actually gang them? Or would it be a real disaster since they are different and aimed with some signal crossover?

Generally, it's not advised to combine different antennae.
Only similar (ideally, identical) antennas will produce good results

Folks,

I'm fairly new to the OTA scene but want to get into this the right way...

I live in Brooklin and want to put an antenna in my attic with a CM777 Pre-Amp....

Can anyone recommend the best Antenna to use to get optimum results including Buffalo stations? I'm going to diplex the signal to 3 TV's.

Thanks in advance and let me know if you need anymore information.

BM

Welcome.

Go to the TVFool website, punch in your address and post the results/link here, your address is not shown in the results. This will give an idea of what channels you should be able to get (i.e., Buffalo or not), and what OTA gear you need.

bmallard,

Also do a keyword search in "search this thread" for Brooklin. There have been several others posting here about Brooklin. Welcome!

hi guys thanks for the replies... i did look for Brooklin posts and from what I could see, they all have outdoor antennas...

here is my results link...

http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%3d81a3d435515ebf

You don't want an "indoor" antenna for an attic mount. Though you're mounting it indoors, you use an outdoor antenna for its superior reception results.

Any reason you need it in the attic? You'll get far better results with it outside, where it's intended to be.

main reason..... wife...

she doesnt want a big antenna on the roof.... thought this would be a good solution.

Assuming you're cutting cable/sat in its place, show her the extra $1000 a year to be spent elsewhere and she might change her mind.

That, and antennae are typically far less obtrusive than the sat dishes you see littered everywhere. (and in some cases, 2-4 to a house!)

Unless you're looking for them, you're hard pressed to actually notice an antenna sticking out.

Do a little test - take your wife to a neighbourhood you know has antennae around.. to.. let's say, admire the christmas decorations (lets make this december, because anyone with decorations up now.. :mad: .. ahem..)

Once you're done, ask her how many antennae she spotted.

As for your original question, which I forgot to answer earlier (oops!)

Most people in the area go with either two 4221's (one pointed to TO, one to Buff) or a single 4228 pointed towards buff and TO on the side (or pointed at TO and buff on the side. But pointing to buff gives you the fringe benefit of rochester either temporarily or permanently from the other side)

bmallard:

Your TVFool report is very good for both TO and BUF.

There is a thread here about getting the wife on board. Mine was reluctant until she saw the results- Free HD!!

Anyways, you could try the attic instal and see what you get for both BUF and TO, if happy, no need to go outside. If you do go outside, you could place the tripod on the roof, or place the tower in the back of the house/yard- depends on your situation.

I think there is a thread here about what antenna is better for attics- yagi or multi-bay...

looks like if I want this done right, I need to set this up on my roof for best results...

Looking at other peoples challenges in this for our area is getting both T.O. signals and Buffalo Signals...


Is there an 8 bay antenna that you can direct the bays individually? would this solve that problem?

BM

Hi Bmallard,
I looked at your tvfool report and signal look very low, you might have a hard time getting bot toronto and buffalo with one antenna. Have you considered a rotor?
I installed a DB-8, on a roof in Brooklyn for a client, he was quite happy. He had a much better tvfool report, was in a new development south-east, so I could see the lake from his roof.
I've heard those foldable antennas don't work so good, the only one i've actually seen results from in Markham very very poor.

Yep, stay away from those folding, articulated antennas. When parts of an antenna are intentionally moved out of alignment the performance suffers in a myriad of ways. There is a reason why good antennas are designed the way they are. :)

Thanks for the advice... Stamp and Tom

I think I would prefer 2 antennas over a Rotor if I had to go that route... would that not make more sense if I want to diplex the cable to 3 TV's?

Whats the best way to connect 2 Antennas? will I need two Pre Amps?

when you say diplex, do you mean slipt to 3 TV's? Diplexing would be combining with a Satellite signal and then extracting them apart again.

yes, sorry I mean split to 3 TV's

I should have mentioned that your TVFool report looked good for a 2-antenna set-up or rotor. My TVFool report is not as good as yours- I'm using a 2 antenna set-up and get all TO/BUF, except ION, which I believe you have a better chance then me to get.

If you can't do it yourself, I would connect with Tom.

If you want some pro advice, the Able guy lives up the street from me. Nice people - can always give them a call and ask what the pro's recommend.
Their 'shop' is on Perry st, near that Tim's at Brock & Maple (just south of the tracks there)
Able's pretty much the only pro antenna company left, AFAIK.

They'll come to your place to give a quote too, but it's probably faster and easier to just drop by and ask some questions.