OTA reception Antenna advice

[TJac]

I am looking for advice/opinions on proper antenna to buy based on its ability to receive OTA locals both Analog and Digital. I am located approximately 45 miles from MKE towers, 58 miles from Madison towers and 70 miles from G.B towers in Mayville. Will I require both VHF/UHF type antenna and also a booster? Also, recommendations on HDTV Set top receiver would be appreciated.

[bradsmainsite]

Will your antenna be placed outdoors and how high will it be above ground level?
Large trees nearby our buildings?

Hilly area or flat and how is your area compared to surrounding areas(are you lower or higher)?

Do you want to pickup all the areas you mentioned?

How many sets and of those how many are digital only?

Welcome to the forum!

Brad

[Tom Snyder]

Go to http://www.antennaweb.org/aw/Address.aspx and they'll tell you what stations you can pick up, and what type of antenna you'll need.

Looks like you'll need a large directional with pre-amp to pick up just about anyone.

[bradsmainsite]

Antenna web is OK but does not tell you what kind of antenna.

Different antennas for different areas to maximize what your trying to accomplish.

Manufacturers differ also as to what is their best model for specific areas.  I know
they all  boast they are the best, however in the 800 plus antennas that I have installed in different parts of WI over the years my experience tells me otherwise, and antenna web cannot tell you this.  It maybe gets you in the ballpark as a starting point, but doesn't tell you the position your playing or what game!

[TJac]

Antenna will be placed outdoors on top of single story house. Next door neighbors house is 2 story. Trees in adjacent park 40+ ft tall. Land is flat where I live. Had old very large UHF/VHF antenna with booster and was able to receive all MKE/MAD stations then. Tossed it and went with cable when reroofed house. Sick of paying high prices now. Don't watch all that much TV. Want to pick up all analog/digital stations from these 2 areas. 1 HD ready set will be connected. Antenna Web only shows analog stations.

[klwillis45]

HD ready = you need a digital tuner

[bradsmainsite]

Antenna web should show both analog and digital.

Is your neighbors house in the path of one or both locations you want?

Was your existing antenna on a 10' tripod or smaller?
Any strong local FM stations  Great 98? 98.7mhz how close to you?

Have a couple suggestions just depends on a few more answers.

[TJac]

Antenna web only shows analog stations. Digital column has an (*). Neighbors house is in path of both MKE/MAD. Antenna tripod was about 6~10 ft tall as I could climb horizontal bars to then reach the mast. WMDC Great 98, 98.7 is from Mayville. There are some towers 4 miles compass 165 degrees from where I live that are for TV WWRS 52 and possibly Great 98 amongst others, State Patrol relay/ repeater? Compass for MKE stations from my location are 131/2 Degrees and MAD are 241 Degrees. GB are 25/27 degrees. I am aware that I need a Set top receiver to get HD signals.

[bradsmainsite]

The "best" way would be to go with separate  VHF and UHF antennas with a channel master 4228 at the top using a 10' tripod and the first mast being 16GA 6' 1.5' mast  then rotor then a 5' 16GA 1.25" mast above that.  VHF antenna should be the winegard HD4053 and AP2870 preamp.  This would be your best scenario for what your dealing with in your area.  You could go with a combo antenna if you did not want to go through the hassel, but performance will suffer
and it would be a massive antenna with a large wind area.

Make sure the FM trap is IN on the preamp (they usually come that way from the factory).  

Also use the best RG6 you can find with the best weather proof connectors!

e-mail me if this is beyond what your willing to do and I can quote you the entire job.

Brad

[TJac]

Thanks for the input to my questions. I now have a better understanding of what is required for OTA reception.

[bradsmainsite]

Glad to help!

[TJac]

AntennaWeb now shows no availability of Digital signals for the Mayville, Wi area. Approximately 50~55 NW of Milwaukee.
Not sure why it has changed over the years.
Anyone have an idea?