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jay_bob
join:2004-03-12
Columbia, SC

jay_bob to tahessong

Member

to tahessong

Re: [TWC] TWC - Kansas City/Overland Park ClearQAM - Gone!

Yes the attic antenna will work for hd.

Check Radio Shack for a "balun" that has two leads on one side (300 ohm) and a coax connector (75 ohm) on the other. Attach the two leads to the two nuts on the antenna where the original twin-lead wire connected (disconnect this first). Then run coax to your tv and enjoy your free channels.

Note that when the analog shutdown happened a few years ago, the tv stations were reassigned new frequencies and might have relocated their transmitter sites. You may have to play with the alignment of the antenna. Tvfool.com is a good resource for this.

You will notice that especially when watching sports the picture is much better, this is because the OTA feed is uncompressed, while cable and satellite is heavily compressed.

tahessong
@rr.com

tahessong

Anon

Thanks for the info jay_bob. The balun worked, but we're still not satisfied. We were only able to receive six channels at the most when we should at least be seeing 12-16 channels.

We are now trying to decide if it would be easier to get a rabbit ear style antenna for each TV or if we should try to amplify the signal from the attic for a stronger reception.

Any suggestions on a quality yet inexpensive rabbit ears, or the best way to amplify the signal?

jay_bob
join:2004-03-12
Columbia, SC

jay_bob

Member

Are you trying to drive more than one set?

If so you will probably be better served with local antennas on each tv.
You could set up a distribution amp but then you have to worry about having too much signal.

There are alternatives to old school rabbit ears, that are not so ugly.

Your attic antenna is directional, and if the stations are from different directions you won't be able to hit them all at the same time. The tvfool.com site will do a polar plot with your house at the center, that shows where all your local station transmitters are.