Anyone get HD OTA near HVCC ?

[zekmoe]

Before getting a large roof antenna, does anyone in near proximity to Hudson Valley Community College get WRGB OTA? I don't mind the small cost and big pain of installing one, just so I was assured of getting some reception. I haven't had an antenna in 20 years, and remember it being sketchy at best. I live on a hill, near Gardner thingyenson school, for those familiar with the area. Anyone have a thought on whether I'll get the signal or not?
Bob

[Hankster]

Go to www.antennaweb.org and put in your information. It will tell you how far you are from the towers and how large of an antenna you will need. It will also show the direction the towers are located from you.

[MasterFX1]

If you e-mail WRGB's Chief Engineer Fred Lass your exact location, (you can get the e-mail address off the AlbanyHDTV.com contacts link) he'll likely respond with a specific recomendation based on topographical data he has.

[macUser]

I live in Hoosick Falls, which is probably a very similar degree (223) from the tower that you are. However, I am about 20 miles and one large hill (Potter Hill) further away. I would not doubt that you will receive good reception at your location.

I am having an OTA installed tomorrow (Monday, 4/19), and will let you know how I make out.

FYI. I have been given a cost of $325 for the OTA installed. This includes a fringe area Channel Master ant, pre-amp, amp, all cable and installation. I thought this to be a very good price. I wanted everything installed properly (grounding, etc.) and really did not want to do it myself.

[zekmoe]

Great, let me know how the install goes and looks. Very interested.
Bob

[macUser]

Zokmoe,

The antenna guys came and installed the ant Monday. They did a chimney install. The guys were good, did the things I asked for (running/hiding the cable where I wanted it, etc). They were not the regular OTA ant installer, they were dish guys. The regular OTA installers' wife had to go to an emergency visit to the hospital that morning and was unavailable.

The install. They used a ChannelMaster 3679 ant., one down from the best (highest priced, anyway), Radio Shack amp (Cat. No. 15-1108), added some extra cable so the TV can go anywhere in the room. They did not ground the ant, something I am not sure I am ok with since everywhere I look grounding is recommended except by this company and its installers. They say they have more lightning problems with grounded ants than ungrounded ants. I offered that if I was to pay more for the install would that make a difference and he said he still would not recommend it.

Overall I am happy with the appearance and quality of the install.

The reception. Channel 13 (WNYT)could not come in better. I get HD and it looks great. When they were here I could get (19) WCDC (WTEN feed) from Adams Mass, pretty good and (6)WRGB, WB45, and FOX23 was seeable but not watchable. Antennaweb.org call for 254 degrees from my location to the towers but nothing came in very well at that. I'm not sure what degree it is pointing at but it is about 20 dgs. different than any other ants I can look around and see. Since that night I have only been able to receive WNYT. In fairness, I live in very difficult location, behind a hill and very near the river, which naturally is the lowest elevation, but when we discussing the installation they said they were sure I would be at least able to get 6, 10, 13. I was trying to figure if I had the TV set up properly and the installers were honest in saying tuning OTA was not their thing.

So I called. The install company is going to send the OTA guy down asap. I asked if the larger ChannelMaster antenna would possibly make a difference and he said he didn't believe it would. I don't believe it would either. I have tuned the TV to where I feel there is no more I can do with the TV. When I originally called for the install I asked what happens if I don't get what they say I will get. He said it would be $85. I'm going to see where we end up after the OTA guy comes and tunes it in.

Keep in mind. Getting any programming in HD for me is a treat. We have Adelphia cable here and their *only* offering for HD is Showtime, CineMax, and HBO. I don't get any of these and don't want to. I called and they have no timetable for any more offerings and locals were not even on the radar screen. I do have Dir**TV satellite and locals are coming soon, ?June?, but to the best I can find they will not be offered in HD, this is my only ticket to local HD for now.

My situation to your situation. Like I said, I'm in a difficult location. I don't believe the same applies to you. Personally, I believe you will get everything with no problem.

A post in another thread from Shaftbury, Vt which is 20 miles past me.

albanyhdtv.proboards18.com/index.cgi?board=general&action=display&thread=1076512839