Roof Top Antennas
 

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

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

Evidently I missed those postings. Thanks.

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?

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

Path of least resistance.
 

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.

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.

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.

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.