On the verge...couple of questions first

[clytle]

I've been reading the posts for a couple of weeks now and it's been very educational.  I am close to taking the HDTV plunge but I have a couple of questions first.

I am currently a directv customer receiving local channels via the dish.

I'm thinking about taking the 1st step toward HDTV by purchasing an antenna and starting to receive local channels OTA.  Question -is the reception of std. def. OTA signals a good indication of how good my reception of HD OTA signals will be?

I live in Pewaukee, near the Capitol Dr. and Highway J intersection - any advice on what type of antenna I would need to receive a good signal?

OK, so after I get the antenna, is it true that I will be able to combine the ANT signal with the SAT signal resulting in only one coax feed going into my receiver?

Thanks in advance for the help.

Chris

[Gregg Lengling]

Generally speaking it is a indication that you should be able to receive the HIGH POWER digital channels.  However the only stations running High power are channel 4, 10 and 12 (actually about 1/2 licensed power but still pretty high), 6 is very low power at a low antenna height (basically no one receives them), channel 58 is running low power but has a very good antenna location and you  shouldn't have a problem receiving them from your location with a decent outdoors antenna (probably do alright with an indoor antenna) as it's a pretty good location at J and Capitol.

Yes you can combine the feedlines from your tv antenna and dish but you need a DC blocking/adding combiner at the at the antennnas and the reverse splitter at the receivers.

[clytle]

More questions so bear with me.

I have an ultimatetv receiver which has two satellite inputs and one antenna input.  Will the ultimatetv functions (pause, rewind, record, etc.) work the same when watching local channels now that the signal is not coming from the dish?

I'm sure I'll have more, but that's it for now.  Thanks again

[Greg Oman]

Well, I'm near where you are, 164/59 and Cleveland.  4, 10, 12, and 58 shouldn't be a problem (I have a CM 4228 on the roof), and if you spring for a rotor, 3 & 27 from Madison will be pretty probable as well with a reasonable antenna.

I'd bet that you won't get 6 from Milwaukee, just too small of a signal.

The splitter/combiner may be tricky as it may impact what signal you have at the antenna and prevent you from using any kind of an amp to compensate for line losses (which could be significant at your range).  For me, I strung another line, but had everything strung to a central point that was accessible.

Hope this helps,

Greg O.