[mythtv-users] Understanding HD Antennas ( was HDHomeRun and jumpy video)

[Meatwad]

Kevin Hulse wrote:
> On Fri, Sep 14, 2007 at 08:41:47PM -0500, Meatwad wrote:
>> Brian Wood wrote:
>>> Jon Boehm wrote:
>>>
>>>> I'm having HD antenna problems myself right now.  My signal strength is 
>>>> fine but I have unstable signal to noise ratio.  :-(  I have an 
>>>> HDHomerun, which I love, with a Antennas Direct DB4 in the attic.
>>>>
>>>> http://www.antennasdirect.com/DB4_HDTV_antenna.html
>>>>
>>>> The antenna is directly attached to tuner0 of the hdhomerun with no 
>>>> amplifier.
> 
> 	
> 	Say I live in one of those prissy suburban subdivisions with
> an HOA. Can I mount my antenna lower? Mebbe use a longer range antenna
> than I would if it were on the roof?
> 
>         The idea would be to put it beneath the side fence and next
> to the window of the office where the backend sits. It would end up
> being less than 2 meters away from the tuner.

If you are receiving crap at a low inclinastion with a low gain antenna, 
you will receive "louder" crap with a high gain antenna at the same 
inclination. However, you are approaching an ideal situation with 
regards to signal routing. Further in this thread, Brian will mention 
that twice the height gives you twice the signal. While it doesn't 
exactly work out like that in the real world, it's a close approximation.

Before you factor in any other variable, consider height. Where is the 
highest place I can place this antenna *reasonably*? That is the 
foremost question on my mind when approaching a new location. The FCC 
rulings supersede any and all HOA verbiage regarding antennae and allow 
you the ambiguous 12 feet above a structure in the US. You won't know 
what you can achieve until you try what the law permits, if needed.

Dealing with crusty neighbors is a separate and totally OT subject for 
this list. Often humorous, but still OT.

--
mw