Indoor/Outdoor HDTV Antenna with Mast


 
Be aware of any power lines in your area, too. I didn't see any in any of the pictures you posted, but any time I hear about someone putting up an antenna it takes me back to the heyday of CB radio. I worked with a guy whose close friend was killed while putting up an antenna when it came into contact with some power lines. And a few years back, one of my friends at work was in his garage, wiring up a sprinkler system to the timer during a lull in a weather event when a random bolt of lightning hit a tree in his back yard about 20-25 ft away, skittered along the ground and hit him and knocked him off his feet. He wasn't seriously hurt, just a little shaken up. He did take a day or two off of work, though.
 
Question about aiming the antenna: The direction “True” is 274 degrees aka 260 “magnetic.” Since I’m using the compass on my phone I’m guessing I should use “True?”

Getting ready to mount the chimney straps, here’s the pre-roof picture. I’m questioning the chimney strap as being the best mount or considering and additional 10’ pole, picture of that to follow
 

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ChuckO said:
Question about aiming the antenna: The direction “True” is 274 degrees aka 260 “magnetic.” Since I’m using the compass on my phone I’m guessing I should use “True?”

Getting ready to mount the chimney straps, here’s the pre-roof picture. I’m questioning the chimney strap as being the best mount or considering and additional 10’ pole, picture of that to follow
Click to expand...
if that ziptie is just a regular ziptie, UV rays will destroy it in no time and you'll need to place a new one on the mast in the future.

see these for outdoor use: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08K4PTCW1?tag=tvwb-20

consult the website that gave you heading info. they'll state if their degrees are True or not. IIRC, they use TRUE as the actual heading.
 
The zip ties are just temporary. I found this app called Antenna Point and it’s provided three towers. I’ve tried aiming at all the (individually) and I don’t get so much as one channel
 

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This is my setup. I haven’t hooked up the amplifier because I need two additional cables. That could be a problem. Maybe the antenna needs to be higher? It is close to the chimney? I wonder if my Starlink antenna is interfering? I haven’t hooked up the ground to the mast yet, as I’m not sure this is the right place for the antenna
 

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This is the cable coming into the house. It’s all temporary until it working then I’ll make it permanent
 

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ChuckO said:
The zip ties are just temporary. I found this app called Antenna Point and it’s provided three towers. I’ve tried aiming at all the (individually) and I don’t get so much as one channel
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i am biased to the link Dan posted as it has very good data in it: https://www.antennasdirect.com/transmitter-locator.html

Choose the stations that are closest to your home address and point in that direction. The chart in this link uses True North.

I have my antenna inside my attic so visual line of sight isn't required. But that you are pointing to the correct broadcast antennas are and that the signal they're sending is strong enough to reach you. You have the longest range antenna so you're at best possible condition(s) to receive the signals.
 
ChuckO said:
This is my setup. I haven’t hooked up the amplifier because I need two additional cables. That could be a problem. Maybe the antenna needs to be higher? It is close to the chimney? I wonder if my Starlink antenna is interfering? I haven’t hooked up the ground to the mast yet, as I’m not sure this is the right place for the antenna
Click to expand...
from your address, here's what I am decoding:

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Choose the True heading that will give you the channels you want most. Since you have mutiple antennas sending you signals from different miles away from your home and on different headings, you need to choose the best one for you viewing needs.
 
Don't those treetops block the signal? From what very little I know about digital broadcast, I thought it was line of sight. Maybe not, though, if you can put an antenna in an attic...
 
Ed P said:
Don't those treetops block the signal? From what very little I know about digital broadcast, I thought it was line of sight. Maybe not, though, if you can put an antenna in an attic...
Click to expand...
  1. Hills, trees, and buildings bend, deflect, and weaken signals.
The digital TV signal is a ‘line of sight’ signal. Typically, the higher you have your antenna, the better the reception. While signals pass through walls and other surfaces, the more obstructions the signal encounters, the weaker the signal and this causes signal disruption. The clearest, most unobstructed view to the broadcast towers will allow the antenna to perform at the highest level.

www.antennasdirect.com

10 things you need to know about Digital TV Antennas - The TV Antenna Experts - Antennas Direct Blog

Digital TV antennas have come a long ways since your grandma’s rabbit ears antennas you grew up with. Here is our list of the 10 things you need to know about modern day digital TV antennas. Broadcast signals are superior to cable and satellite. There are no paid subscription fees to receive...
www.antennasdirect.com
 
I know from my days of RVing with a satellite dish that trees would play hell with my signal, especially if there was movement from the wind. One time, we had a very picturesque campsite in the woods, but come Sunday we moved the RV out onto the open ground so we could watch The Sopranos without interruption.

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ChuckO said:
Does anyone think this would be helpful or just junk? At $13 I have my doubts
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I used something similar for DTV (and later, Dish Network) and it worked well for me. Of course, the more you use it, the better you get at using it. What really made a difference for satellite antenna aiming for me was a lensatic compass like this:

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There may be something better or more appropriate for your needs out there, but this is what I used for finding potential obstructions. I remember one time in particular at Patrick's Point I swear I was shooting over the tops of the trees but any little breeze would cause me to lose signal. :mad:

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Also, you could buy an antenna tripod (mine is a Radio Shack but probably NLA) and a decent length of pipe from a fencing store and change your antenna location to try to find a better spot.
 
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