Can I use a standard antenna for HDOTA?

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.tv.tech.hdtv (More info?)

Probably a stupid (and frequently-asked) question, but I'm not an RF
engineer so here goes:

I bought a house a year ago with a roof-mounted antenna. I left it in
place even though I have satellite service. Now that I've taken the HD
plunge, I'd like to sample the local HDOTA wares -- however, after
taking that plunge I really don't want to spring for an all-new 21st
century gee-wow antenna if the one up on the roof will suffice. Do I
need a new antenna specially made for HDOTA broadcasting?


Jim, ignernt
--
"Lord, give me strength, at least until 12:01 pm EST, 20 Jan 2009."

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.tv.tech.hdtv (More info?)

a standard UHF antenna for your area:

www.antennaweb.org will tell you what and where!


--
charper1
------------------------------------------------------------------------
This message was posted via http/www.satelliteguys.us by charper1

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.tv.tech.hdtv (More info?)

Jim Hill wrote:
>
> Probably a stupid (and frequently-asked) question, but I'm not an RF
> engineer so here goes:
>
> I bought a house a year ago with a roof-mounted antenna. I left it in
> place even though I have satellite service. Now that I've taken the HD
> plunge, I'd like to sample the local HDOTA wares -- however, after
> taking that plunge I really don't want to spring for an all-new 21st
> century gee-wow antenna if the one up on the roof will suffice. Do I
> need a new antenna specially made for HDOTA broadcasting?
>
> Jim, ignernt
> --
> "Lord, give me strength, at least until 12:01 pm EST, 20 Jan 2009."


Jim:

There are VHF (chan 2 thru 13) & UHF Antennas (Chan 14 thru 69)

There are also combo Antennas that do both VHF & UHF 'frequencies'...

VHF antennas are big, UHF antennas smaller, Combos biggest.

Receiving Analog or Digital/HD Chans makes no difference
to an antenna...

Most Digital/HD channels are on UHF (14 thru 69)...

THese UHF antennas are typically Yagi or 4 Bay Bow Ties..
at $25 a pop from Channel Master or WineGard dealers

HD normally uses RG-6 Antenna cable ... not RG-59... !

GO to web site and determine the Digital Channels in your
area, miles to tower, direction, & Digital Channel...

http/www.antennaweb.org & enter your 5 or 9 Dig ZIP Code

Matching a Picture of your Antenna with a UHF one may
identify what's on your roof... OR just Try it...

A good 4 bay bow tie UHF works like this...
Bad for channels 2-6, poor/OK ch 7 - 13, Superb 14-69...


SElect the Digital Channels only... last column is Dig Chan No.

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.tv.tech.hdtv (More info?)

On Wed, 24 Nov 2004 20:17:52 +0000 (UTC), jimhill@swcp.com (Jim Hill)
wrote:

>Probably a stupid (and frequently-asked) question, but I'm not an RF
>engineer so here goes:
>
>I bought a house a year ago with a roof-mounted antenna. I left it in
>place even though I have satellite service. Now that I've taken the HD
>plunge, I'd like to sample the local HDOTA wares -- however, after
>taking that plunge I really don't want to spring for an all-new 21st
>century gee-wow antenna if the one up on the roof will suffice. Do I
>need a new antenna specially made for HDOTA broadcasting?
>
>
>Jim, ignernt


There is no need for a special antenna. HD broadcasts are perfectly
receivable with a regular antenna.
In most areas OTA HD transmitters are using UHF, so a simple 4 bowtie
or even a simple UHF loop will do.
Check your area and get the info on the type antenna you will need at
http/www.antennaweb.org/aw/welcome.aspx

Find out how others in your area are doing at:

http/www.hdtvpub.com/

I have both an outdoor Winegard Sensar (installed by DirectTV and
utterly useless for my situation) and an RCA ANT1250 amplified indoor
antenna, which I use now. This amplified indoor picks up all my local
HD broadcasts perfectly, in a basement no less. I am about 10 miles
from the transmitting towers.
Depending where and howfar away from the transmitters your situation
may differ. But there is certainly no need for "special" antennas.
Anyone trying to sell you a special HD antenna is a crook, IMO.
Chances are pretty good the antenna you already have will do just
fine.
Good luck and enjoy the show.

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.tv.tech.hdtv (More info?)

charper1 wrote:
>
>a standard UHF antenna for your area:
>www.antennaweb.org will tell you what and where!

Thanks!


Jim
--
"Lord, give me strength, at least until 12:01 pm EST, 20 Jan 2009."

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.tv.tech.hdtv (More info?)

VernMan@my.home wrote:
>On Wed, 24 Nov 2004 20:17:52 +0000 (UTC), jimhill@swcp.com (Jim Hill)
>wrote:
>
>>Do I need a new antenna specially made for HDOTA broadcasting?

>Find out how others in your area are doing at:
>http/www.hdtvpub.com/

Cool. I found an entry from someone else up here and he says he's
getting the Albuquerque stations perfectly with a setup similar to mine.
I'll spend a little of my Thanksgiving on the roof!

Thanks for all the info.


Jim
--
"Lord, give me strength, at least until 12:01 pm EST, 20 Jan 2009."

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.tv.tech.hdtv (More info?)

"Jim Hill" <jimhill@swcp.com> wrote in message
news:co2q9g$poa$1@iruka.swcp.com...
> Probably a stupid (and frequently-asked) question, but I'm not an RF
> engineer so here goes:
>
> I bought a house a year ago with a roof-mounted antenna. I left it in
> place even though I have satellite service. Now that I've taken the HD
> plunge, I'd like to sample the local HDOTA wares -- however, after
> taking that plunge I really don't want to spring for an all-new 21st
> century gee-wow antenna if the one up on the roof will suffice. Do I
> need a new antenna specially made for HDOTA broadcasting?
>

plug it in and try it out. My old roof-top antenna works great for OTA
signals. HD football games are incredible, and I am 50 miles from the
towers. I Get ALL the Digital channels .




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[norm]

Archived from groups: alt.tv.tech.hdtv (More info?)

Any good VHF or UHF antenna will work. Digital requires nothing an analog
antenna can't deliver. If your antenna has a coax lead and you can access
from your TV location, hook it up to your HD tuner and see if it works. If
it doesn't 1) Hook it to an analog TV and see how strong and clean your VHF
and UHF channels are. Examine your antenna for broken or bent elements. Try
re-aiming it if your channels are ghosty. 2) If you see ignition noise or
static say from a running appliance of some sort, take a look at your coax.
First check the connectors on both ends. If they are loose or look suspect,
replace them. Check your transformer connection to your the antenna if you
have one. Check out the coax for splits and cracks. If it is white coax,
that stuff doesn't like sun light and will deteriorate rapidly. If you have
59U and you suspect Coax to be your trouble, try RG6U. Just some ideas
before you buy an new antenna.
Norm







"Jim Hill" <jimhill@swcp.com> wrote in message
news:co2q9g$poa$1@iruka.swcp.com...> Probably a stupid (and
frequently-asked) question, but I'm not an RF
> engineer so here goes:
>
> I bought a house a year ago with a roof-mounted antenna. I left it in
> place even though I have satellite service. Now that I've taken the HD
> plunge, I'd like to sample the local HDOTA wares -- however, after
> taking that plunge I really don't want to spring for an all-new 21st
> century gee-wow antenna if the one up on the roof will suffice. Do I
> need a new antenna specially made for HDOTA broadcasting?
>
>
> Jim, ignernt
> --
> "Lord, give me strength, at least until 12:01 pm EST, 20 Jan 2009."