Antenna Aiming using tv

[mr.crane]

So, how many people here use a tv to help align outdoor antenna.

 

[comfortably_numb]

So, how many people here use a tv to help align outdoor antenna.

If the TV has signal strength/quality meters, it can work. There are better ways, though..

 

[Tampa8]

I do for fine tuning if a particular signal is more finicky. I have one channel for my Tampa locals, WEDU that needs the antenna to be nudged just right to make sure I don't lose the signal from time time. Otherwise I use a compass and TV Fool.

 

[navychop]

At home, sit in MBR and use the TVs signal meter. I yell out to my wife on the roof to turn it a little.

Not really. I have a CM rotor. Easy peasy.

 

[mr.crane]

I have a Stellar Labs flat panel 2 sections, 1 section can be moved. Fresno,Ca has 2 towers. 1 tower I get 80& of channels, I cannot seem to find the other
one, which has PBS station and a few others. I like this guys set up. I see he has something attached to the coaxial cable from antenna.

 

[comfortably_numb]

I have an HD Homerun tuner connected to my router. Then I take my iPhone up there on the roof with me and use the meter on my phone to point it. Works well.

 

[mr.crane]

I have an HD Homerun tuner connected to my router. Then I take my iPhone up there on the roof with me and use the meter on my phone to point it. Works well.

Where did you purchase your homerun? Thanks for your input

 

[comfortably_numb]

Where did you purchase your homerun? Thanks for your input

On Ebay. Got an HD Homerun Connect on there last month for $63. Older models can be had for even less

 

[Horsepower]

OTA is a bit of a challenge in the outskirts of Richmond VA market. The best thing I have found is a motorized rotating antenna. They are available for around $30 bucks on eBay. When getting a great signal on one channel, the position of the antenna may cause you to lose, or lose quality on other channels. So it is great to be able to move the thing with just pressing a remote button. I highly recommend getting one that has a fitting for you to install your own coax cable to instead of the built-in cheap/thin coax that can't be replaced.

 

[mr.crane]

Where did you purchase your homerun? Thanks for your input

I read your Thread, so you got it from Ebay. OK, will look into it.

 

[mr.crane]

On Ebay. Got an HD Homerun Connect on there last month for $63. Older models can be had for even less

So it is very Acurrate

 

[mr.crane]

Forgot to mention I have an Android phone

 

[comfortably_numb]

Forgot to mention I have an Android phone

There is an app for Android also

 

[mr.crane]

There is an app for Android also

Thanks!

 

[Ironmagz]

I have an HD Homerun tuner connected to my router. Then I take my iPhone up there on the roof with me and use the meter on my phone to point it. Works well.

So which app are you using to do this? Is it just the Homerun app?

 

[comfortably_numb]

So which app are you using to do this? Is it just the Homerun app?

The app is called Signal GH. It's available for iphones. There is an app for Android also (but I can't remember what it's called at the moment).

 

[sonyajon]

Is there a quality OTA VHF Signal Meter that can be used if on the top of a roof, instead of using the TV meter and going back and forth or hollering to the wife etc ? Thanks in advance

 

[comfortably_numb]

Is there a quality OTA VHF Signal Meter that can be used if on the top of a roof, instead of using the TV meter and going back and forth or hollering to the wife etc ? Thanks in advance

Use your phone, in combination with an HD Homerun tuner. Real OTA meters are expensive.

 

[harshness]

Is there a quality OTA VHF Signal Meter that can be used if on the top of a roof, instead of using the TV meter and going back and forth or hollering to the wife etc ?

Yes and no. If $340 is in your price range, there's a Swedish unit known as the "DigiAir Pro ATSC" that can do DTV. The cost hurts for a couple of reasons:

• You may use it only a few times unless you're mobile
• DTV is going to be replaced with a likely incompatible broadcast standard at some point in the next decade

There are cheaper solutions but they're typically limited in terms of being able to tune to a user-selectable frequency.

I use a battery-powered 7" LCD TV and those can now be had for under $60. You just have to be sure the unit you get has an F connector input and not just a whip antenna. You may not get precise signal quality numbers but you haven't laid out big bucks. In my case, my Wifi signal doesn't reach my antenna so the LAN-based tuners require extra steps.