[mythtv-users] Switching from cable to OTA?

[Dan Smith]

On Fri, Sep 9, 2011 at 6:50 PM, E. Westbrook <mythtv-users at westbrook.com> wrote:
> On Fri, Sep 9, 2011 at 19:03, Kris B. <krisbee at krisbee.com> wrote:
>>
>> If you are in an area where you don't have any VHF stations (I don't, and
>> I am between two markets), then the big behmouth isn't necessary, just get a
>> UHF antenna and focus on that.
>
> Unfortunately, about half my important stations are UHF and the other half
> VHF (see my tvfool graph if you like: http://westbrook.com/tvfool.png).
> There's only one station in the area I care about that's broadcasting from a
> different location and distance (PBS 31), but it's higher power too, and I
> receive it fine even with my indoor antenna pointed at the mountain.
>
>>
>> Everyone raves about the single and double bay bowtie antennas.  They are
>> not intrusive, and work extremely well, and they are directional.
>
> Thanks for that!  A little googling on single/double bay bowtie impresses
> me.  But since I need VHS too, I guess I couldn't go with this approach
> alone, could I.
>
>>
>> I ended up homebrewing a Double Bay Gray Hoverman antenna, which is an
>> open source design, and it pulls in both Charlotte, NC and Greensboro, NC,
>> with almost all of the staions above 90% signal strength, no rotator needed
>> in my case, and it is about 30 ft high (just slightly above my house).
>
> You tempt me to go homebrew!  That would be satisfying on multiple levels.
>
>>
>> I lucked out due to circumstances, position, tree cover, land layout, etc.
>
> I'm very lucky too, as I can literally see the mountaintop with no
> obstructions, so I'm very optimistic -- once I get outdoors!
>
>>
>> But I am over the moon, and that antenna is what convinced me to cut cable
>> and go with a full myth system.
>
> I'm with you there, philosophically.  Unfortunately, here, to satisfy my
> living room's occupants, I have to supplement with "ransom-vision" to get
> the premiums (sigh)... but for anything that CAN be obtained over the air
> (e.g. Sunday NFL), there's just no beating it!
>
> What would you suggest I read up on, if I wanted to go homebrew too, that
> would satisfy my need for both VHF and UHF?
>
> Thanks again!
> Eric
>
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>

To get your PBS 31 station you'll need an outdoor antenna most likely.
Check out these DIY antennas, I build the gray hoverman gen3 with 10
reflectors, was pretty difficult and would be way overkill for you,
you might be able to get away with a gray hoverman with 3 narods and
no reflectors. Having no reflectors makes it less strong so you won't
overload your tuner since you have so many strong local signals, also
it makes it a lot less directional in order to get that PBS station.
http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=140206