Need help with antenna

[hpman247]

I really need some help with finding where to buy (preferably online and i have really searched for this too) a medium directional antenna with a preamp. I have no clue what a pre amp is. Do any of you know where to buy these? Below I have a pic of the zones i need, and below that is where the stations are located. THe first map shows the channels i really want. CBS, ABC, NBC, and fox. The other shows all the available ones which i would like to try to get if possible. Both need the same medium directional with preamp antenna. All help is appreciated. Also, i would like to go up one more level than the blue zone to the violet zone.

Thanks alot

http://titantvretailzone.com/rz/retailzone/antennaselector/images/ant_diagram_blue.gif


http://arcimsmaps.decisionmark.com/output/combined3_ARCIMS22962192117463.png

http://arcimsmaps.decisionmark.com/output/combined3_ARCIMS22962188117383.png

[paulh]

Unfortunately, I only see the firt picture, the others are dead.
If your channels are UHF (Frequency 13+), then a Channel master 4228 with a CM 7777 pre-amp would be best (And rotor if necessary). That combo is generally one of the best for UHF OTA HDTV.

If you have VHF / UHF, then look for a large traditional looking antenna, kinda like the CM 3016 (If an antenna looks like a clothes hanger, then it'll perform like a clothes hanger)
Generally the best brands are Channel Master and Winegard. Radio Shack antennas are OK if in the attic or down south (Don't have the build quality for lasting an ice storm). Avoid Terk, they are overpriced, and except for their traditional antennas Terks do not perform well.
I've seen this link on another forum, but don't have any personal experience: http://www.solidsignal.com/

[Chaos]

I'm with Paul. Go with the CM4228 antenna & CM7777 or CM7775 pre-amp. It works wonders and I'm in a violet zone or worse for some channels.

[boba]

You may want to check out what is locally available if you are looking for violet and you need VHF the shipping charges on antennas could off set any online savings.

[paulh]

I know my Lowe's (like a Home Depot) sells some Channel Master combo antennas.(which is dumb because my market is UHF only analog and digital, but all chain stores here are would never consider that)

[olgeezer]

A lot of folks are looking at UHF only antennas. I spoke to a station manager who was under the impression, that when the analog spectrum was returned, their station frequency would revert to the analog frequency for the digital station.

[James Long]

A lot of folks are looking at UHF only antennas. I spoke to a station manager who was under the impression, that when the analog spectrum was returned, their station frequency would revert to the analog frequency for the digital station.
That seems to be the common thought. I don't believe even the FCC has decided yet exactly what will happen. If they have, they have not written it down where I can find it.

I'm guessing that going back to the original channel will be an option. I've noted that most of the PBS stations (around here at least) seem to have DTs one channel off of their NTSC feeds. Convienient for buying digital antennas that are frequency agile enough to be used if they go back. I wonder about stations that have a big difference in channel ... they will need new antennas when they go back. Some stations seem to have planned ahead and got new antennas for their analog frequencies at the same time that they added their DT signal. Antennas that CAN handle DT (with a transmitter that is frequency agile).

So much in the world of high power broadcast is purchased and tuned for one exact channel. One cannot simply flip a switch to get the DT on the NTSC frequency. It all has to be planned.

JL