Roof Top Antennas

[Warren Kiefer]

Does anyone have information on the roof top antennas that are being installed on homes here in the Villages?

[Mleeja]

There has been several threads on this topic. I'd suggest doing a quick seach of this forum.

[Warren Kiefer]

There has been several threads on this topic. I'd suggest doing a quick seach of this forum.

Evidently I missed those postings. Thanks.

[tomwed]

I don't think you can put one on your roof. I never see any. I have a neighbor that has a 20 ft aluminum pole with an antenna on top that looks like a miniature Starship Enterprise.

Except for that neighbor I haven't seen poles attached to any other house either. I live near Brownwood if that makes a difference. I don't know if you need a permit to install one. It looks easy enough to do.

[graciegirl]

I don't think you can put one on your roof. I never see any. I have a neighbor that has a 20 ft aluminum pole with an antenna on top that looks like a miniature Starship Enterprise.

Except for that neighbor I haven't seen poles attached to any other house either. I live near Brownwood if that makes a difference. I don't know if you need a permit to install one. It looks easy enough to do.



Antenna's and lightning. Do they mix?

[justjim]

Many are "fed up" with the Cable Companies and Satellite Companies for various reasons. They are pricing the middle class out in some instances.

I have not seen a roof top antenna in the south end of TV. There was a Thread regarding putting an antenna in your attic.

[villagetinker]

The previous thread referencing attic installations also mentioned a 30db loss in signal, and since we are already in a marginal area, I would be putting it outside, and as high as I could get WITHOUT, looking ugly or annoying the neighbors.

[tomwed]

Antenna's and lightning. Do they mix?
You were reading my mind or maybe between the lines.

I wonder what will happen if the pole is struck by lightning. We have kissing lanais with 4 utility boxes in between. I think at the very least the electricity will travel to the boxes and everyone around me that is also connected to the boxes will get zapped.

It's just a hunch.

I have beefed up the surge protectors, added the gizmo that the power company sells and I do disconnect in a storm but I'm not home all the time.

[ldj1938]

As long as it is properly grounded it not more likely to be struck. Google it or ask a ham radio operator. KJ4YR

[rubicon]

Many are "fed up" with the Cable Companies and Satellite Companies for various reasons. They are pricing the middle class out in some instances.

I have not seen a roof top antenna in the south end of TV. There was a Thread regarding putting an antenna in your attic.

justjim: you are spot on and there does not appear to be a satisfactory solution because we are all being tossed around by these oligarchies

[tomwed]

As long as it is properly grounded it not more likely to be struck. Google it or ask a ham radio operator. KJ4YR
Doesn't properly grounded mean that it is connected to a grounding rod buried in the ground?
I never could understand this point.
If a bird is sitting on a wire they are not shocked because they are not grounded. Both legs are connected to the same potential. If the bird was to put one leg on the ground they would be shocked.
Doesn't making the antennae a better conductor to the earth by grounding make it more susceptible to lighting strikes.

I don't know how to google this question so I'll ask a ham operator.

[Jima64]

Doesn't properly grounded mean that it is connected to a grounding rod buried in the ground?
I never could understand this point.
If a bird is sitting on a wire they are not shocked because they are not grounded. Both legs are connected to the same potential. If the bird was to put one leg on the ground they would be shocked.
Doesn't making the antennae a better conductor to the earth by grounding make it more susceptible to lighting strikes.

I don't know how to google this question so I'll ask a ham operator.

With the antenna properly grounded you have provided a direct route for any strike to reach the rod buried in the ground. Does not really increase the chance just lessens the possibility of damage. Large buildings use this concept to avoid damage.

[duhbear]

Does anyone have information on the roof top antennas that are being installed on homes here in the Villages?

Contact Tom at villagesav.com. He just put an OTA antenna in my attic and got me better than I had before Comcast scrambled. He was even able to get NBC on the reverse bounce ( by the way he will not guaranteed NBC as it really depends on where you are).

Tom's number is 352-388-1677. Give him a call, you're not gonna get better service and his prices are very fair.

[tomwed]

With the antenna properly grounded you have provided a direct route for any strike to reach the rod buried in the ground. Does not really increase the chance just lessens the possibility of damage. Large buildings use this concept to avoid damage.
I'm trying to understand. I'm not trying to be argumentative. It sounds like by having a tv antenna attached to a 20 ft pole one would not only have the benefit of over the air tv but also have a lightning rod. Is that true? Instead of hoping my neighbor would take his down, now I'm thinking I should also put one up.

[HimandMe]

I don't think you can put one on your roof. I never see any. I have a neighbor that has a 20 ft aluminum pole with an antenna on top that looks like a miniature Starship Enterprise.

Except for that neighbor I haven't seen poles attached to any other house either. I live near Brownwood if that makes a difference. I don't know if you need a permit to install one. It looks easy enough to do.

I think it was from Kens Antennas. The little dish on top is about 1/4 size of a direct tv dish. I hear they get 88 crystal clear channels - no monthly contract.

[Barefoot]

I have a neighbor that has a 20 ft aluminum pole with an antenna on top that looks like a miniature Starship Enterprise.

The Villages has so many deed restrictions.
It's hard to believe that roof antennas are permitted. :confused:

[villagetinker]

The Villages has so many deed restrictions.
It's hard to believe that roof antennas are permitted. :confused:

There is a federal law that supersedes HOA (or equal) rules, and allows a homeowner to install an antenna outside. This was detailed in a previous thread.

[virgind]

I called the other day to code enforcement or what ever you call it and they told me that they were allowed.

[Barefoot]

There is a federal law that supersedes HOA (or equal) rules, and allows a homeowner to install an antenna outside. This was detailed in a previous thread.

Sorry, I missed that information. Thanks for the clarification.

[snowbird22154]

Putting mine up this week :)

I think it was from Kens Antennas. The little dish on top is about 1/4 size of a direct tv dish. I hear they get 88 crystal clear channels - no monthly contract.

[graciegirl]

Villagetinker. You don't look anything like I imaged you. Are you old enough to live here???

[gap2415]

The previous thread referencing attic installations also mentioned a 30db loss in signal, and since we are already in a marginal area, I would be putting it outside, and as high as I could get WITHOUT, looking ugly or annoying the neighbors.

Much more attractive than a directv dish at 1/4 the size.

[cameo37@gmail.com]

How do we get them removed when we terminate service?

[cameo37@gmail.com]

I was referring to the direct tv dish.

[OldManTime]

I have one, and properly grounded. They fall into the same FCC category as TV Dishes, anywhere on your property to get a good signal

[Chellybean]

Just a quick correction. It's 30%, not 30db.

I've had a few emails and website submissions asking about roof top installations. I will not install an antenna outdoors. They are not attractive . I live in the Villages and I don't want to see them and I'm sure your neighbors wouldn't either. Also, my license does not allow roof penetrations. Putting an antenna outdoors doesn't automatically give you a stronger signal unless you can get it above the roof line. It's a challenge here folks, we're 60+ miles away from the transmission towers.

you don't have to penetrate a roof you can go in the soffit and if you are on a gable mount that would be easy.
You are taking a position that you will not install antennas outside because YOU feel they are not attractive. not everyone feels the way you do!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
That is fine and your prerogative.
It is also obvious that if you are putting an outside antenna in, then it should be above the roof line for the best reception.
That is the whole reason of going outside is to reduce the DB loss.
I also understand the challenges of installing an antenna 60 miles away from the broadcaster, this is why they make high gain antennas and amplifiers.
I am not sure i understand your point except you don't want to put any outside antenna on a rooftop, which is your prerogative.

[tomwed]

The Villages has so many deed restrictions.
It's hard to believe that roof antennas are permitted. :confused:
This is an antenna that sits on top of a pole attached to the side of the house not on top of the roof. Unless you were looking for it, I don't think you would even notice it. It looks like this. BTW I don't know if I want one. If money was no object, I would get one in the attic. This is just a conversation on a rainy day.
http://i57.tinypic.com/28hnyug.jpg

[Villager Joyce]

I've gotten a lot of calls recently and my point was to answer questions before they call or get emailed to me.

Unfortunately we are still married to Comcast. One day that marriage will end. When the final decree (with Comcast, not my husband--I love him) is signed by the judge, I'm calling you. I have always felt your posts were straight up honest, not hustle posts to drum up business.

[tomwed]

Unfortunately we are still married to Comcast. One day that marriage will end. When the final decree (with Comcast, not my husband--I love him) is signed by the judge, I'm calling you. I have always felt your posts were straight up honest, not hustle posts to drum up business.
I'm a big fan of the AV guy too. My "antenna is down" whenever he speaks.

[Chellybean]

This is an antenna that sits on top of a pole attached to the side of the house not on top of the roof. Unless you were looking for it, I don't think you would even notice it. It looks like this. BTW I don't know if I want one. If money was no object, I would get one in the attic. This is just a conversation on a rainy day.
http://i57.tinypic.com/28hnyug.jpg

That is the perfect antenna option and is similar to what alot of people have.
I think that is a good compromise and not a problem for most people and has a built in amplifier.
95% of the time you will have a good signal, just depends on if you want 100% reliability, which no matter who you have, can not guaranty that.
FYI that is a Omni directional and if you are in the right elevation you can get Ocala and possible Gainsville on a good day, but will compromise some signal loss from Orlando. A true directional antenna pointing toward Orlando is also a good option, alot of variables have to be taken into account depending on where you live.
It seems Village av has the most experience in that matter

[Barefoot]

Unfortunately we are still married to Comcast. One day that marriage will end. When the final decree (with Comcast, not my husband--I love him) is signed by the judge, I'm calling you. I have always felt your posts were straight up honest, not hustle posts to drum up business.

I agree that Village AV's posts are honest, not hustle dazzle.
I don't like outside antennas, but the little one that Tomwed posted looks less unsightly. How much is the HD-8000?
We will also call Villages AV to explore our options when we finally divorce Comcast.

[NavyNJ]

Have seen a lot of threads about people leaving whatever cable/TV provider they've had, and going to an Over-The-Air (OTA) solution of one type or another - attic-mount, roof-mount, eave/side of house mount, etc. Some have put in directional antennas, some the omni-directional type. I get all the physics and engineering of this option (OTA) and what goes into getting the signals to your house.

Here's what I'd like someone in TV who has done this successfully list for me - a simple list - of all the channels they are receiving OTA. If it's too large to put in a post, then attach a .pdf or .doc file, or maybe a link to a website. I've seen claims of 58, 65, 88, and on and on. I am not interested in "duplicate" channels with the same programming (i.e., 4 NBC feeds in different languages). If the only difference is SD vs HD signals, that's ok. It's just that I'm really curious what everyone is dumping cable/sat tv service to watch. I also know many combine other services like AppleTV or ChromeCast USB sticks, and subscriptions to ESPN, HBO, etc., to stream to their TV, so that's not a big deal.

So that's the net out: What are all those channels coming in OTA? And how many are truly worthwhile/different?

[Bavarian]

You will lose many satellite channels: entertainment, news, sports, movies if you want them. Is it worth saving a few dollars?

[tuccillo]

If you are addicted to TV then perhaps it is not worth the savings. If you don't watch much TV then why pay for channels you never watch. To each his own.

You will lose many satellite channels: entertainment, news, sports, movies if you want them. Is it worth saving a few dollars?

[tuccillo]

I believe the ones that matter are the ABC, CBS, NBC, and FOX affiliates out of Orlando. I occasionally watch METV.

Have seen a lot of threads about people leaving whatever cable/TV provider they've had, and going to an Over-The-Air (OTA) solution of one type or another - attic-mount, roof-mount, eave/side of house mount, etc. Some have put in directional antennas, some the omni-directional type. I get all the physics and engineering of this option (OTA) and what goes into getting the signals to your house.

Here's what I'd like someone in TV who has done this successfully list for me - a simple list - of all the channels they are receiving OTA. If it's too large to put in a post, then attach a .pdf or .doc file, or maybe a link to a website. I've seen claims of 58, 65, 88, and on and on. I am not interested in "duplicate" channels with the same programming (i.e., 4 NBC feeds in different languages). If the only difference is SD vs HD signals, that's ok. It's just that I'm really curious what everyone is dumping cable/sat tv service to watch. I also know many combine other services like AppleTV or ChromeCast USB sticks, and subscriptions to ESPN, HBO, etc., to stream to their TV, so that's not a big deal.

So that's the net out: What are all those channels coming in OTA? And how many are truly worthwhile/different?

[tomwed]

I agree that Village AV's posts are honest, not hustle dazzle.
I don't like outside antennas, but the little one that Tomwed posted looks less unsightly. How much is the HD-8000?
We will also call Villages AV to explore our options when we finally divorce Comcast.
That's what my neighbor's resembles. I don't know if it's the right one or not for TV reception. For all I know the reason it looks like the Starship Enterprise is because that's who he is communicating with. :smiley:

[NavyNJ]

I believe the ones that matter are the ABC, CBS, NBC, and FOX affiliates out of Orlando. I occasionally watch METV.

Holy cow! So you put up an OTA antenna to get the 5 major networks, and whatever METV is, once in a while? What happened to the other 50+ channels everyone seems to be pulling in via OTA?

[tuccillo]

I only needed the major networks. We pull in a bunch of stuff I don't watch but at least I don't pay for stuff I don't watch.

Holy cow! So you put up an OTA antenna to get the 5 major networks, and whatever METV is, once in a while? What happened to the other 50+ channels everyone seems to be pulling in via OTA?

[pbkmaine]

Since location is important here, I will tell you that we are near the Savannah Center. Below is an out-of-order summary of the stations we get with the attic antenna Tom put in:
12 Spanish
8 Religious
NBC (Tom will tell you that this one is iffy, but we get it fine)
ABC
CBS
PBS
PBS Create (cooking, home repair, crafts, travel)
PBS World
FOX
CW
ME-TV (classic TV)
THIS (classic TV and movies)
LAFF (comedy)
HEARTLAND (country)
GRIT (westerns)
ESCAPE (true crime and movies)
MOVIES! (classic movies)
COZI (classic TV)
GET TV (oldies)
MY 65 (oldies and judge shows)
TV 27 (classic TV)
ANTEN (oldies)
BOUNCE (comedy, movies, talk shows, game shows)
BUZZR (classic game shows)
PBS ARTS
NASA
FLORIDA GOVERNMENT

You can find program information for most of these if you go to the TV Guide website, select "what's on", then "TV listings" then, next to "provider", select "change", then put in the zip code and select "antenna". The channels listed are not exactly the same , but there is about an 80% overlap. What I don't get, for example, are the Daytona PBS stations (I get Orlando and Cocoa Beach), ION, QVC and others.

This gives us what we need for network shows. We also are enjoying the old movies. In addition, we get Netflix, HuluPlus and Amazon Prime, which total less than $25 per month. If we are feeling spendy, we may put in Sling TV at another $20 per month, which will give us ESPN, ESPN2, TBS and a bunch of other channels, like HGTV and History. We are on the fence about it currently. We do have a Roku box that unites and searches across all these extra services, which simplifies things. We also have fast internet through Comcast.

[NavyNJ]

Post deleted. Duplicate.

[NavyNJ]

Since location is important here, I will tell you that we are near the Savannah Center. Below is an out-of-order summary of the stations we get with the attic antenna Tom put in:
12 Spanish
8 Religious
NBC (Tom will tell you that this one is iffy, but we get it fine)
ABC
CBS
PBS
PBS Create (cooking, home repair, crafts, travel)
PBS World
FOX
CW
ME-TV (classic TV)
THIS (classic TV and movies)
LAFF (comedy)
HEARTLAND (country)
GRIT (westerns)
ESCAPE (true crime and movies)
MOVIES! (classic movies)
COZI (classic TV)
GET TV (oldies)
MY 65 (oldies and judge shows)
TV 27 (classic TV)
ANTEN (oldies)
BOUNCE (comedy, movies, talk shows, game shows)
BUZZR (classic game shows)
PBS ARTS
NASA
FLORIDA GOVERNMENT

You can find program information for most of these if you go to the TV Guide website, select "what's on", then "TV listings" then, next to "provider", select "change", then put in the zip code and select "antenna". The channels listed are not exactly the same , but there is about an 80% overlap. What I don't get, for example, are the Daytona PBS stations (I get Orlando and Cocoa Beach), ION, QVC and others.

This gives us what we need for network shows. We also are enjoying the old movies. In addition, we get Netflix, HuluPlus and Amazon Prime, which total less than $25 per month. If we are feeling spendy, we may put in Sling TV at another $20 per month, which will gives us ESPN, ESPN2 TBS and a bunch of other channels, like HGTV and History. We are on the fence about it currently. We do have a Roku box that unites and searches across all these extra services, which simplifies things. We also have fast internet through Comcast.

Great info, PBK!! Thanks! That's the sort of stuff I was looking for, to try and decide if OTA was going to provide enough of the "critical mass" of programming for free (less the antenna & install), then just add, as you have, the other add-on's to round out the total pkg. I need to learn more about the Roku box and it's capabilities, too. Sounds like that might be a good option. Sling will likely be a must for us with sports, etc. Again, thks for all the good info!

[Mleeja]

Do you think one can have a pole that is for an antenna, lighting rod, and flag pole all in one?

[TwinTurboViper]

I AGREE..... :beer3:

you don't have to penetrate a roof you can go in the soffit and if you are on a gable mount that would be easy.
You are taking a position that you will not install antennas outside because YOU feel they are not attractive. not everyone feels the way you do!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
That is fine and your prerogative.
It is also obvious that if you are putting an outside antenna in, then it should be above the roof line for the best reception.
That is the whole reason of going outside is to reduce the DB loss.
I also understand the challenges of installing an antenna 60 miles away from the broadcaster, this is why they make high gain antennas and amplifiers.
I am not sure i understand your point except you don't want to put any outside antenna on a rooftop, which is your prerogative.

[tuccillo]

In addition to an over-the-air antenna, we have a couple of Roku3 boxes (roku.com). There are several thousand "channels" available but the most common ones are Netflix and Hulu+, and probably Amazon. The boxes need about 3-5 Mbits/sec internet download bandwidth (each) for Hi-Def on Netflix. There are a bunch of similar boxes out there.

Great info, PBK!! Thanks! That's the sort of stuff I was looking for, to try and decide if OTA was going to provide enough of the "critical mass" of programming for free (less the antenna & install), then just add, as you have, the other add-on's to round out the total pkg. I need to learn more about the Roku box and it's capabilities, too. Sounds like that might be a good option. Sling will likely be a must for us with sports, etc. Again, thks for all the good info!

[tomwed]

In addition to an over-the-air antenna, we have a couple of Roku3 boxes (roku.com). There are several thousand "channels" available but the most common ones are Netflix and Hulu+, and probably Amazon. The boxes need about 3-5 Mbits/sec internet download bandwidth (each) for Hi-Def. There are a bunch of similar boxes out there.
I'm a cable cutter. I have Roku too. My go to channels are netflix, pbs, cbs news, twit, pandora for music, history
I have tried a few others but they don't hold my interest very long.
I also connect my laptop to the tv and watch Conan on youtube and tutorials as I need them to fix things, for recipes or learn something new.

I'd like to hear from other roku users who have found interesting channels they enjoy.

[tuccillo]

Hey tomwed,

There is a youtube channel on Roku.


I'm a cable cutter. I have Roku too. My go to channels are netflix, pbs, cbs news, twit, pandora for music, history
I have tried a few others but they don't hold my interest very long.
I also connect my laptop to the tv and watch Conan on youtube and tutorials as I need them to fix things, for recipes or learn something new.

I'd like to hear from other roku users who have found interesting channels they enjoy.