OFF-AIR Antenna

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True. I do have to push that little button on my Directv remote that says " TV Input " in order to switch to my OTA antenna, but seriously, what could be easier ?
 
True. I do have to push that little button on my Directv remote that says " TV Input " in order to switch to my OTA antenna, but seriously, what could be easier ?

The obvious answer would be to have them integrated into your D* box !

I did the same thing in the early days of HD before I decided to get a HD DVR.
 
log into your account and under equipment then accessories you can order it from Directv

Yeap, that's what they told me to do, I was about to order them off Ebay, but I'm glad I didn't because I was able to get the newest model directly from them, I ordered two of these and got them today, got them both hooked up and working like a charm, reception seems to be even better with my OFF-AIR antenna now than before, happy camper here.
 
Ely said:
Yeap, that's what they told me to do, I was about to order them off Ebay, but I'm glad I didn't because I was able to get the newest model directly from them, I ordered two of these and got them today, got them both hooked up and working like a charm, reception seems to be even better with my OFF-AIR antenna now than before, happy camper here.

Can you pick up additional stations with the better reception?
 
HiDefRev said:
True. I do have to push that little button on my Directv remote that says " TV Input " in order to switch to my OTA antenna, but seriously, what could be easier ?

But you can't record programs to your DVR this way.
 
Can you pick up additional stations with the better reception?

Yes many more, I'm seriously starting to think there was something wrong with the built in tunner in my previous HD DVR, I'm getting all my locals plus the sub channels, before I could not get all the locals and the majority of the sub channels I could not get, I always thought it was because of the length of the cable from the antenna to the receiver because on the living room receiver I was getting all the channels, but now I see this is not the case, very happy with this tunner.
 
Yes many more, I'm seriously starting to think there was something wrong with the built in tunner in my previous HD DVR, I'm getting all my locals plus the sub channels, before I could not get all the locals and the majority of the sub channels I could not get, I always thought it was because of the length of the cable from the antenna to the receiver because on the living room receiver I was getting all the channels, but now I see this is not the case, very happy with this tunner.
Are you now getting both your locals on satellite and on the OTA antenna that include the sub-channels or did you add OTA channels from an adjacent DMA?
I am in a spot where I can always get some channels from another DMA and sometimes (early mornings in the summer) a third. I am about to install a bigger OTA antenna so maybe I will get that 3rd DMA more often and the second all of the stations all of the time.
I am upgrading from one of those little Japanese antennas (very good with UHF real RF channels but I need better VHF real) to the Solid Signal HD Stacker with a Winegard AP-8275 preamplifier. I am out in the boonies so overload is no issue except I intend to have the FM trap set to IN position due to a local FM station at 98.3MHz and one of the TV stations I am trying to get is on real VHF 11.
I have the antenna all put together and my helper will be here Saturday. I'll let you guys know how it all works out after the install.
 
Yes many more, I'm seriously starting to think there was something wrong with the built in tunner in my previous HD DVR, I'm getting all my locals plus the sub channels, before I could not get all the locals and the majority of the sub channels I could not get, I always thought it was because of the length of the cable from the antenna to the receiver because on the living room receiver I was getting all the channels, but now I see this is not the case, very happy with this tunner.

It's probably because it a new generation of electronics.
 
Are you now getting both your locals on satellite and on the OTA antenna that include the sub-channels or did you add OTA channels from an adjacent DMA?
I am in a spot where I can always get some channels from another DMA and sometimes (early mornings in the summer) a third. I am about to install a bigger OTA antenna so maybe I will get that 3rd DMA more often and the second all of the stations all of the time.
I am upgrading from one of those little Japanese antennas (very good with UHF real RF channels but I need better VHF real) to the Solid Signal HD Stacker with a Winegard AP-8275 preamplifier. I am out in the boonies so overload is no issue except I intend to have the FM trap set to IN position due to a local FM station at 98.3MHz and one of the TV stations I am trying to get is on real VHF 11.
I have the antenna all put together and my helper will be here Saturday. I'll let you guys know how it all works out after the install.

The general rule with antennas and DIGITAL, the HIGHER the BETTER.

Also make sure you use a Rotor, so you can turn it at will from your TV.
 
The general rule with antennas and DIGITAL, the HIGHER the BETTER.

Also make sure you use a Rotor, so you can turn it at will from your TV.
I am high on the slope of a hill facing south. I have an opening through very high trees to the SSW so I really am not thinking rotator for me. The antenna will be 10 feet from the top of the roof and since everything is all down hill from there (the elevation actually drops 300 feet over the next mile with no uphills more than 100 feet after that for more than 20 miles) so I don't think I need more height in my case. As a matter of fact for me too much height might hurt what I am trying to do. Get both 2 VHF channels (11 & 13) in the clearing between the trees about 60 miles LOS when the are other channels 11 & 13 in another direction about 80 miles LOS. I have done some pre-checking with a small indoor amplified antenna outside and can only get the channels I am looking for.
BTW.. That 3rd DMA that I get in the summer mornings and almost all of the time is about 120 miles away LOS.
DMA 1: NYC and the OTA antenna is aimed away from it as very large trees are in that direction. I get that as a LiL anyway.
DMA 2: Scranton / Wilkes-Barre, PA is what I want to compliment the NYC signals with.
DMA 3: Philadelphia / Allentown, PA is what I almost always get every summer / early fall morning. WFMZ-3 is a real treat for me with ME-TV. That is from Allentown and about 80 miles LOS. If that works, I will be the happy camper.
 
I am high on the slope of a hill facing south. I have an opening through very high trees to the SSW so I really am not thinking rotator for me. The antenna will be 10 feet from the top of the roof and since everything is all down hill from there (the elevation actually drops 300 feet over the next mile with no uphills more than 100 feet after that for more than 20 miles) so I don't think I need more height in my case. As a matter of fact for me too much height might hurt what I am trying to do. Get both 2 VHF channels (11 & 13) in the clearing between the trees about 60 miles LOS when the are other channels 11 & 13 in another direction about 80 miles LOS. I have done some pre-checking with a small indoor amplified antenna outside and can only get the channels I am looking for.
BTW.. That 3rd DMA that I get in the summer mornings and almost all of the time is about 120 miles away LOS.
DMA 1: NYC and the OTA antenna is aimed away from it as very large trees are in that direction. I get that as a LiL anyway.
DMA 2: Scranton / Wilkes-Barre, PA is what I want to compliment the NYC signals with.
DMA 3: Philadelphia / Allentown, PA is what I almost always get every summer / early fall morning. WFMZ-3 is a real treat for me with ME-TV. That is from Allentown and about 80 miles LOS. If that works, I will be the happy camper.

I would STILL use a rotor, if you need to slightly turn your antenna (weather related sometime) you'll regret having to go up on the roof to make the adjustment and need someone else involved to see if it's right.
The REMOTE works great !

You wouldn't regret it.
 
I would STILL use a rotor, if you need to slightly turn your antenna (weather related sometime) you'll regret having to go up on the roof to make the adjustment and need someone else involved to see if it's right.
The REMOTE works great !

You wouldn't regret it.
I might regret it as there are 2 AM21N's and 1 AM21 hooked to the 3 receivers in the house. This might turn into a game of tug-of-war. lol
I plan on leaving a big drip loop using RG6 cable (compression cable ends) before the pre-amp so it won't be much of a problem to add it later if I want.
You are right as it's something to consider. In my case I also need to consider that I am in an area prone to severe ice storms. 20 degrees and raining on moving parts can be big trouble. This is also why I chose the HD Stacker antenna. It's a bit shorter than most combo VHF/UHF antennas and I feel the weight of the ice wouldn't be so hard on it. Indeed I have seen large OTA antennas in my area bend at the ends due to the weight of the ice.
 
I obviously am not saying you HAVE to add the rotor, just a suggestion ..... I to am in the ice area in he wintertime, and snow .... if the antenna gets turned due to winds and whatnot, would you rather climb up there to re adjust ?

Fwiw, I have been using mine since 2001 and have. Had no issues.

Sent from my Samsung Epic using SatelliteGuys
 
Are you now getting both your locals on satellite and on the OTA antenna that include the sub-channels or did you add OTA channels from an adjacent DMA?
I am in a spot where I can always get some channels from another DMA and sometimes (early mornings in the summer) a third. I am about to install a bigger OTA antenna so maybe I will get that 3rd DMA more often and the second all of the stations all of the time.
I am upgrading from one of those little Japanese antennas (very good with UHF real RF channels but I need better VHF real) to the Solid Signal HD Stacker with a Winegard AP-8275 preamplifier. I am out in the boonies so overload is no issue except I intend to have the FM trap set to IN position due to a local FM station at 98.3MHz and one of the TV stations I am trying to get is on real VHF 11.
I have the antenna all put together and my helper will be here Saturday. I'll let you guys know how it all works out after the install.

I also live out in the boonies. I have an old Radio Shack antenna mounted on the peak of my roof with about a 6' mast. The antenna is probably about 10 years old. I don't remember the model but I believe it was the next to the largest one they sold at the time. I also have a Radio Shack amp and I have a rotor too. I can pick up probably 20 to 25 stations. The cable I have running from the antenna is still the original cable that was installed when my house was built around 1985. I have a lot of trees around my house so my reception is not as good in the spring and summer after all the leaves are out. Even stations only 30 to 40 miles away pixellate some in the summer. I have been considering doing a wholesale upgrade, ie replacing the antenna, cable and amp. Considering my situation would I get much improvement in reception or would it not be worth it?
 
I also live out in the boonies. I have an old Radio Shack antenna mounted on the peak of my roof with about a 6' mast. The antenna is probably about 10 years old. I don't remember the model but I believe it was the next to the largest one they sold at the time. I also have a Radio Shack amp and I have a rotor too. I can pick up probably 20 to 25 stations. The cable I have running from the antenna is still the original cable that was installed when my house was built around 1985. I have a lot of trees around my house so my reception is not as good in the spring and summer after all the leaves are out. Even stations only 30 to 40 miles away pixellate some in the summer. I have been considering doing a wholesale upgrade, ie replacing the antenna, cable and amp. Considering my situation would I get much improvement in reception or would it not be worth it?

It's a real crap shoot with ota antennas. Sometimes a simple adjustment in azimuth or height makes a huge difference but a whole new setup may not give a noticeable improvement.
 
raoul5788 said:
It's a real crap shoot with ota antennas. Sometimes a simple adjustment in azimuth or height makes a huge difference but a whole new setup may not give a noticeable improvement.

Yea that's kind of been my thinking. I don't mind spending the money and time if the effort was worth it. I think I would have to get the antenna above the trees to really see a difference and that's not likely to happen.
 
I have been very disappointed with the signal strength of OTA. I still get drop outs . I'm only 18 miles from the signal. I've talked to a few people south of Orlando that got a very good analog signal with OTA but can't receive many of the digital signals with the same equipment. Does anyone know if everyone is running at full power now?
 
I have been very disappointed with the signal strength of OTA. I still get drop outs . I'm only 18 miles from the signal. I've talked to a few people south of Orlando that got a very good analog signal with OTA but can't receive many of the digital signals with the same equipment. Does anyone know if everyone is running at full power now?

Your major networks are all at full power (at least full enough for FCC approval).
 
So I have a change in my work schedule as I am now working tomorrow (driving a motorcoach from Bethel Woods Center for the Arts - Concert this night "Further" w/ Phil Lesh & Bob Weir to NYC) but was off today. So I installed it myself today without a helper.
First off.. The VHF stations I was trying to get are now almost perfect. They were perfect until I added the splitter to 3 TV's so I know I now need a distribution amp. I am also now seeing another UHF station from DMA 2 (Scranton) but no luck with DMA 3 (Allentown / Philadelphia) after playing with the direction a bit. I guess that was a pipe dream at over 100 miles LOS but I still get it on summer mornings.
 
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