OTA Antenna

[k5cc]

My VHF/UHF antenna come down in an ice storm. I plan to replace it with a UHF
antenna only. I use a rotator and can receive both Austin and San Antonio
stations with a rotator. This permits me to receive the HD subchannels. The
PBS station in San Antonio uses channel 8 for HD (the only station using VHF
for HD in the area). My question - will a decent UHF antenna give me sufficient
signal strength to receive the PBS HD signal. I am about 30 miles from the
antenna. Thanks Jack Bulverde TX

[Jason Whiddon]

My VHF/UHF antenna come down in an ice storm. I plan to replace it with a UHF
antenna only. I use a rotator and can receive both Austin and San Antonio
stations with a rotator. This permits me to receive the HD subchannels. The
PBS station in San Antonio uses channel 8 for HD (the only station using VHF
for HD in the area). My question - will a decent UHF antenna give me sufficient
signal strength to receive the PBS HD signal. I am about 30 miles from the
antenna. Thanks Jack Bulverde TX


I cannot answer your your question completely. I know a good UHF only antenna is the CM 4228. I have a VHF/UHF antenna from lowe's(51 element) and I am about 30 miles away from my towers. With it at 20ft I get 100's on every station with the HR20.

I don't know about PBS with the uhf antenna though.

[veryoldschool]

My VHF/UHF antenna come down in an ice storm. I plan to replace it with a UHF
antenna only. I use a rotator and can receive both Austin and San Antonio
stations with a rotator. This permits me to receive the HD subchannels. The
PBS station in San Antonio uses channel 8 for HD (the only station using VHF
for HD in the area). My question - will a decent UHF antenna give me sufficient
signal strength to receive the PBS HD signal. I am about 30 miles from the
antenna. Thanks Jack Bulverde TX
NO... while 12 or 13 can come in with a UHF only, the farther you get away from the UHF frequencies, the worse the antenna is for VHF.

[litzdog911]

Check out the Austin and San Antonio threads in the "Local HDTV Reception Forum" at http://www.avsforum.com. Folks in your area will be able to offer the best advice.

[Milominderbinder2]

Here are a number of resources from the HR20 FAQ (http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?p=817199#post817199).

What local HD channels might I get at my house if I used the right antenna?
→ HDTV Magazine (http://www.hdtvmagazine.com/programming/broadcast.php)

Warning: Antennaweb.org (http://www.antennaweb.org/aw/Address.aspx) may show half or fewer of your actual channels.

How do I set up the HR20 to receive OTA HD local channels?
→ HR20 Off-Air Antenna Setup Wizard (http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=71203)

Who will help me choose the right amps (http://www.solidsignal.com/cat_display.asp?main_cat=03&CAT=Amplifiers), splitters (http://www.solidsignal.com/cat_display.asp?main_cat=03&CAT=Splitters), and antennas (http://www.solidsignal.com/cat_display.asp?main_cat=03&CAT=TV%20Antennas)?
→ Call Solid Signal (http://www.solidsignal.com/) at: 866-374-4625 for great prices and a custom configuration.

What do I need to do to receive those local broadcast HD channels Over the Air (OTA)?
→ AVSForum HDTV FAQ (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=6647470&&#post6647470) → TV Antenna FAQs (http://www.solidsignal.com/antennas/antenna_faqs.asp) → Choosing an Antenna (http://www.solidsignal.com/antennas/choose_antenna.asp)

Where are some places to find spec sheets and more information about Antennas and Pre-Amps?
→ Pre-Amp Comparison (http://www.solidsignal.com/antennas/preamplifiers.asp) → Winegard Antennas (http://www.solidsignal.com/winegard_antenna_chart.asp) → Channel Master Antennas (http://www.solidsignal.com/channelmaster_antenna_chart.asp) → Terk Antennas (http://www.solidsignal.com/manu_cat_display.asp?cat=TV%20Antennas&main_cat=03&manu=TERK)

I have had great success with UHF and VHF with the $70 Channel Master 3020 (http://www.solidsignal.com/prod_display.asp?PROD=ANC3020) and a $65 Channel Master 7777 (http://www.solidsignal.com/prod_display.asp?prod=ANC7777).

But again, call Solid Signal so they can spec out the right solution for you. There are many of us who swear by them but I don't even know any of their last names. It is not so much for the best price as getting the things that will work.

- Craig