TV Antenna - Live FTA

CDN · #1 (**permalink**) 10-08-2009, 11:29 PM

I recently received a Clearstream C4 TV Antenna. I live within the GTA about twenty kilometers from the CN Tower. I also still have an old school TV antenna (higher than my roof line) that was disconnected before I moved in. I plan on installing the C4 as high as I can on the existing mast.

My question is, do I need a tuner in order to make this work? I have a new LCD and am pretty sure in has a built in ASTC tuner. If a tuner is needed, can I use my CS 5000 in the interim?

Any help to these and any other advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

ETT · #2 (**permalink**) 10-09-2009, 12:24 AM

If your TV has the tuner built in you will be fine. Your CS 5000 does not have the tuner built in.

The 8000 does for Coolsat, but not the 5000. Sorry.

CDN · #3 (**permalink**) 10-09-2009, 07:09 PM

Thanks for your help. Any other pointers would be greatly appreciated.

theuduk · #4 (**permalink**) 10-09-2009, 08:20 PM

your TV manual should say if it has the ATSC tuner, if you can hook up the antenna CTV 9.1 and CBC 5.1 should be reachable from your place, height does make a difference also large trees ect between signal and antenna.

CDN · #5 (**permalink**) 10-09-2009, 09:56 PM

Thanks. The manual does state that it has a built in HD tuner. I tried the antenna just placingit on the basement floor next to the TV. I was able to get 9.1 but the picture was pixelating. I hope to have better luck when I install the antenna on the mast.

When I was renovating my basement, I ran cable for a future FTA HD box. Until the N3 gets sorted out this is on hold. I will have to run the cable from my antenna then join in with the cable I roughed in. Regardless of the 75 foot rule, should I boost the signal and if so, with what.

Actually, here is another thought. I currently have a dish that was picking up 119W & 110W. Can I use the dish instead of the antenna and run it to my TV (with the HD tuner) but without the Coolsat receiver in the hopes of picking up signals?

I need to read up on true FTA.

Thanks.

chrispps · #6 (**permalink**) 10-18-2009, 09:40 AM

no the LNB's on your dish will not receive the OTA signal, what you can do is purchase 2 diplexers, (it merges sat and ant signals on to 1 wire) you need 2 of them 1 to merge the signal and 1 to split the signal back up.

if you use a switch in your system, it should be wired;
lnbs > switch - diplexer

they look like a simple coax splitter, but is labeled in/out and the legs should have sat and ant/cable.

Goldstar_one · #7 (**permalink**) 10-19-2009, 08:49 AM

Or you could just try a cheap set of "rabitt ears" to see what OTA channels are available in your area

Dennis654 · #8 (**permalink**) 11-01-2009, 09:53 PM

My OTA antenna is really great at 18 foot high and 67 miles from St. Louis, Mo. Took me a while to make this thing, and I first bought a $140 antenna, but this outdoes it. I have 15 lead in elements and 2 bowties here. Just added another bowtie as the antenna switches into VHF, and I cut that part off, put in the second bowtie and added a second "V" spread. Back of the antenna is an old Dish Network dish that reflects signals back up front. You might call this a refurbished antenna. No money invested in it at all and it works great.

**REBA321™** · #9 (**permalink**) 11-01-2009, 10:05 PM

Sweet!

delawareneck · #10 (**permalink**) 11-05-2009, 10:20 PM

Reba, That is awesome.

If You Don't Stand Behind Our Troops, PLEASE Feel Free To Stand In Front Of Them!

**myxlplk009** · #11 (**permalink**) 11-05-2009, 10:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dennis654

My OTA antenna is really great at 18 foot high and 67 miles from St. Louis, Mo. Took me a while to make this thing, and I first bought a $140 antenna, but this outdoes it. I have 15 lead in elements and 2 bowties here. Just added another bowtie as the antenna switches into VHF, and I cut that part off, put in the second bowtie and added a second "V" spread. Back of the antenna is an old Dish Network dish that reflects signals back up front. You might call this a refurbished antenna. No money invested in it at all and it works great.

that is a great looking set up

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

The Following User Says Thank You to CDN For This Useful Post:
sharron (10-09-2009)

The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to ETT For This Useful Post:
MARIO11964 (10-27-2009), sharron (10-09-2009)

The Following User Says Thank You to theuduk For This Useful Post:
sharron (10-09-2009)

The Following 3 Users Say Thank You to chrispps For This Useful Post:
grace101 (10-26-2009), MARIO11964 (10-27-2009), webx3u (10-19-2009)

The Following User Says Thank You to Goldstar_one For This Useful Post:
sharron (11-02-2009)

The Following 3 Users Say Thank You to Dennis654 For This Useful Post:
bale (11-01-2009), REBA321™ (11-01-2009), sharron (11-02-2009)

The Following User Says Thank You to REBA321™ For This Useful Post:
sharron (11-02-2009)