Trying to get OTA antenna installed

[Doug22]

I've been going round and round with Directv for a couple days now trying to get a OTA antenna installed to get my local channels in HD. Scheduled an appointment for this afternoon. The serviceman showed up at 9am said it was scheduled for am and it was a movers connection. This was nothing as I set up with the phone rep Saturday. He didn't even have the antenna in his truck. So I called DTV again and I got disconnected 4 times and a few reps said it could be done and they would set it up. Others said they don't install them and I have to do it myself. How can I get them to come out and install one? This is the only way I can get my local channels in HD. Help! :(

[generalpatton71]

No they will do antenna installations but usually use a crap antenna. I'd do some searches on here to find some more info on how to make sure you get a good antenna. I'd also visit antennaweb.org to find out what locals are in hd and where there signals are coming from.

[Doug22]

Okay I can do that..I just don't know where to put it or how to run the cable. Hence I wanted DTV to install it. :)

[generalpatton71]

Okay I can do that..I just don't know where to put it or how to run the cable. Hence I wanted DTV to install it. :)

You can still do that, but I'm saying find out what antenna model they plan on installing. Some are completely useless models. Some have been able to get a antenna upgrade to a better model. Do some searches on here to find out the info.

[Bob_Newhart]

My attic (in my 25 year old house) had one of those huge, ugly antennas up there from a previous owner. I hooked my HR10 to that and get a really good signal. I'm about 20 miles from the antennas. You could stick one of those things up in the attic and probably have good luck.

[MoInSTL]

Okay I can do that..I just don't know where to put it or how to run the cable. Hence I wanted DTV to install it. :)

FWIW, it depends how far you are from the towers, terrain, buildings etc in terms of how well that antenna will work. It's a 2-bay bowtie. I tried it and I was able to get all but one station reliably. I got the CM 4221 which is 4-bay. D* however will not aim it precisiely or fine tune the antenna.

Go to antennaweb.org and see what it recommends for both an antenna and the degrees of each station.

Have them run a direct line (with no multi-switch) and make sure they run a ground line to it. I had to call them back to install the ground.

[heathramos]

just call your local directv installer directly and ask them what antenna they install in your area.

do some research and find out if you think it will work for you.

if not, ask them how much for them to install an antenna you own (they will probably charge you an hourly rate) and you can just buy one you want yourself and have them install it.

I kind of did this once.

I called a local installer (they recommended a square shooter), I voiced my concerns about that antenna but had them install it anyways. It didn't work very well so they took it back and refunded my money. The installer said I could get a different one and he would come back and install it on a larger mast but I ended up getting a cm 4228 and putting it in my attic instead.

[durl]

I've been going round and round with Directv for a couple days now trying to get a OTA antenna installed to get my local channels in HD. Scheduled an appointment for this afternoon. The serviceman showed up at 9am said it was scheduled for am and it was a movers connection. This was nothing as I set up with the phone rep Saturday. He didn't even have the antenna in his truck. So I called DTV again and I got disconnected 4 times and a few reps said it could be done and they would set it up. Others said they don't install them and I have to do it myself. How can I get them to come out and install one? This is the only way I can get my local channels in HD. Help! :(

This may be a silly question, but have you tried a $20 indoor antenna connected directly to your receiver? Are there issues with your location that prevent you from using one?

[Kenx2]

While in this thread, I would appreciate any one's help with my situation:

I can not receive OTA signals in my apartment. I tried at least three different antenna's (Phillips, Terk, Silver Surfer) powered and non powered, even purchased a Motorola booster.

I live in Miami in a condo, there are multiple building's around me. I checked Antenna Web, I learned that all of the broadcast signals are from approximately 14 miles north (356 degrees). The problem is my apartment faces south (Great for Directv!).

Any ideas on how I can receive an OTA signal in my apartment?

Thanks,
-Ken-

[Doug22]

This may be a silly question, but have you tried a $20 indoor antenna connected directly to your receiver? Are there issues with your location that prevent you from using one?


I'm 60 miles from the nearest station and I have tons of trees here so I highly doubt that would work. I'm going to pray they bring the right stuff and a good antenna tomorrow!

[generalpatton71]

I'm 60 miles from the nearest station and I have tons of trees here so I highly doubt that would work. I'm going to pray they bring the right stuff and a good antenna tomorrow!


At that distance your going to need the channel master 4228 and a preamp! Solid signal should have them.

[Doug22]

Little update on my situation. Finally today the 5th guy came out and had the order right. He put up a power antenna from DTV. BUT he put it only 4 feet off the ground on the side of my house. Tried the signal strength and it got nothing. I mean zero. Shouldn't it be on my roof or somewhere high? He seemed to just want to slap it on the side of my house and leave. :(

[rminsk]

Little update on my situation. Finally today the 5th guy came out ...Time to get a 6th guy to come out. Make sure DirecTV credits you for all the trouble. It should be higher than ground level.

[Doug22]

Time to get a 6th guy to come out. Make sure DirecTV credits you for all the trouble. It should be higher than ground level.

Ugh such a pain. I checked and it is 5 feet instead of 4.

[Aquatic]

Very painful. In your case, Higher is better, and most likely the "bar" antenna won't do the trick completely--it's a distance and signal strength thing. Think back to the old VHF/UHF broadcast days--before cable :) ALmost every house on the block had an antenna system mounted to the roof and twin lead cable coming down from there into the house to the TV. THe antennas were large monsters, attached to sturdy mounting systems and masts--many with guy wires holding things in place. Some were very cool in that there was a second wire down to the TV and you could rotate the antenna by moving a knob around--excellent for fine tuning stations--or picking up stations that originated in very separate directions.

You're Probably looking at outside antenna, on a mast to get as much height as possible to give you the best chance at picking up the Signals. Also, a multi-element antenna (Like the channel master series that's often mentioned). I want to remember finding a site that listed all the local TV stations and their radiated power patterns and distances too, but Don't recall where it was--interesting site tho.

[gio1269]

Antennaweb.org