OTA: Who to trust and what tuner to use.

[Mertzen]

Might be getting some OTA locals after I move but different sites give me different info ( only care about big 4 ).
Also have HR20 and HR22, which of these would be the best for OTA? The HR20 build in ( plus also quicker box, willing to give up extra storage of HR22 ) or the HR22 with AM21.
Who to trust. Most likely will be roof mountable on 3 story building.
Also open to antenna suggestions. And wise idea to diplex it into SWM8?

DTV.gov / FCC

Good WCDC ABC 19-1
Weak WRGB CBS 6-1
No WXXA FOX 23-1
No WNYT NBC 13-1

Antennaweb:
* yellow
uhf WCDC-DT 19.1 ABC

TV Fool:
http://www.tvfool.com/modeling/tmp/618a/8b5/3f479e8/Radar-Digital.png

[litzdog911]

I think TV Fool provides the best information and it's quite accurate for a given location.

Also, the AM21 tuners are supposedly a bit better than the HR20 OTA tuners. That's certainly true in my setup where the AM21 pulls in a couple more stations that my HR20 using the same OTA antenna feed.

You're fortunate that all of your off-air channels lie in the same direction. But unfortunately a few of them are VHF channels, which complicates your antenna selection. I suggest you check out the "Local HDTV Reception Forum" at http://www.avsforum.com. You'll find the best local antenna experts there.

[jdspencer]

With both the HR20 and the HR22/AM21 you could split the antenna feed and use both. You'll need an antenna capable VHF and UHF. And a rotor to get the stations in different directions or separate antennas.

I'll leave the diplex question for others, but it is always best to run a separate line.

[Davenlr]

First, if you want ch 6 (6.1) you need a full size antenna (Winegard 8200, etc). I would suggest starting with either the above, or a separate VHF lo*Hi yagi and a channel master 4228. Hook whichever to a channel master CM7777 preamp (it has a combined input for one antenna or split input for separate VHF and UHF antennas. With that, you should get all the tvfool stations listed with a signal level higher than 0, and may get some in the -1 to -6 range.

Prepare to spend about $200 plus coax.

Do NOT use diplexers. Various reasons, starting with signal attenuation and not compatable with 7777 preamps power supply and LNB at same time, and its not supported by Directv in HD installs.
Am21 is a much better tuner than Hr20.

[David MacLeod]

I do a lot of OTA, especially in winter due to storms.
I've got an older Tandy vhf/uhf mounted approx 25-30 feet from ground) on Channel Master CM9521A rotator kit. runs to a Channel Master CM3044 distribution amp.
1 output from this runs to Channel Master CM4001IFD diplexer/combiner which is hooked after PI before SWS-4 splitter.
I use Eagle Aspen diplexers at each end point. at one time I had to use a Channel Master CM4001IFD diplexer on one endpoint only where a HR20-100 was located. for some reason this one unit did not work with Eagle Aspen. that unit is gone now and all hr21-100 use eagle aspen just fine.
there was an average of 10% signal gain (per each am21) by going this way instead of using the OTA in on the smw8 module.
on the am21 I am easily getting station(s) 100 miles away (Fox station for Portland,ME) and on tv alone I can get stuff 150 miles away, albeit some breakup on that one.
I due have to use rotator some to peak these but its just 1 button press.

YMMV of course, was just thinking info on my setup might help some.

[Mertzen]

Thanks for the input guys.
Looks like it will be quite a bit of work to pull in the big 4. :(

[Cyber36]

I think sucks to have to give up my Total Choice programming just to be able to get my locals. I couldn't even believe what the C.S.R. was telling me. Pay more money & lose channels that I watch alot to get the locals(+another $8). The eight bucks isn't the problem. Why can't they give me the locals without changing? They're not even crediting me for not carrying them. Free? I don't think so.........

[TigersFanJJ]

I think sucks to have to give up my Total Choice programming just to be able to get my locals. I couldn't even believe what the C.S.R. was telling me. Pay more money & lose channels that I watch alot to get the locals(+another $8). The eight bucks isn't the problem. Why can't they give me the locals without changing? They're not even crediting me for not carrying them. Free? I don't think so.........

You have an obsolete package. Don't blame Directv. No company will make changes to obsolete packages.

Also, back then, you had Total Choice (which you have) and Total Choice W/Locals (which you had to pay $3 more to get the locals, so the difference is $5 for choice). The locals weren't included in the TC package price, so you wouldn't get a credit for not carrying them.

[texasbrit]

Let's take these things one at a time.
First, the two sites are really telling you the same thing. WCDC is the only station that is reasonably easy to receive. TVfool gives you a lot more information because it shows all the stations, including those that are impossible to receive.
Second, if you select the best deep-fringe equipment you have a chance of receiving the stations that have a positive value in the NM column - maybe even WTEN and WCWN, and at a real stretch WMHT. This is because the NM value is the "noise margin" and to have any chance of getting the station the noise margin must be above zero - that is, the signal must be detectable above the noise. You take the NM value from tvfool and then add/subtract all the things that affect it - the gain of the antenna, losses in cables and so on. The best antennas are going to give you a gain of 10db or slightly higher.
All the stations are in the same direction so no rotor needed.
Third, the antenna. You need all the gain you can get, and as already posted you need it on all the VHF and UHF bands. Two choices - either an all-band antenna, the Winegard 8200U as already mentioned, or two antennas - one for UHF (the Antennas Direct 91XG this and the CM4228 are probably the best generally-available UHF antennas) and one for VHF - there aren't many low/hi-band VHF antennas around (you need one covering channels 6 and 7) , but the one usually recommended is the Wade-Delhi 306, see http://www.wade-antenna.com/AboutUs.htm. A good preamp will also help, but you have to be careful because of the two stations close to you, you don't want to get overload. Probably the HDP269 is the best choice.
Fourth, the tuner. Go for the AM21, it is a much better tuner than the one in the HR20.
Fifth, diplexing. You CAN use diplexing with pre-amps like the CM7777 and the HDP269 but you should avoid it because you are trying to lose as little signal as possible.

I suggest you read and post in this thread http://www.highdefforum.com/local-hdtv-info-reception/14818-tigerbangs-prescription-deep-fringe-reception.html before you make a final decision.

[captain_video]

If you go to www.solidsignal.com you can input your location and other pertinent data and they'll get back to you with an antenna recommendation based on your situation. They carry a huge selection of OTA antennas and should be able to recommend one that best suits your needs.

[texasbrit]

If you go to www.solidsignal.com you can input your location and other pertinent data and they'll get back to you with an antenna recommendation based on your situation. They carry a huge selection of OTA antennas and should be able to recommend one that best suits your needs.
solidsignal uses antennaweb which is OK if you are in a good reception area but not if you are in a fringe area like the OP. If I input his zip code into antennaweb it says he will receive no digital stations. The links that have been posted are much more help in determining what is the best antenna to use.