rooftop TV antenna question: omni-directional? or yagi/directional?

[DJ-MichaelAngelo]

After looking on the AntennaWeb.org website just now, I want to get some expert local opinions here on this message board. I'm wondering what would be the better choice to receive the basic TV stations in GR via over-the-air-antenna, for someone like me who's almost due north of the cluster of transmitter towers (located south/SE of GR)? According to the AntennaWeb site, my favorite stations are all around 32 miles away from me (I'm up in Rockford) and these are the degrees:

WXMI Fox 17 = 183.50°
WOOD TV 8 = 181.42°
WOTV Ch 41 = 179.36°
WWMT Ch 3 = 184.19°
WXSP Ch 15 = 181.42°

So I just want to make sure I'm "interpreting" this data correctly: that if I bought a yagi directional antenna, to mount on my roof, that would do a much BETTER job than one of those "omni-directional" dish antennas, correct? Since all I really care about is these 5 channels above, not any other TV stations that happen to be located north of me, or west or east. Opinions & advice please!

[Ben Zonia]

All of these stations operate between physical channel 7 and 36, so this is an appropriate antenna.

https://www.solidsignal.com/winegard-ou ... gIGivD_BwE

TV Fool isn't working. This is Market 44, so click on this for listings and real channel.

https://www.rabbitears.info/market.php

[Marcus]

I would always go directional. Locals can have multi path. Old days: multi path = ghosting
Today: multi path= no picture

[km1125]

Yes, I'd too suggest a directional antenna. A bit more gain for any marginal signals or conditions, but also (and maybe just as importantly) LESS gain in all the other directions which means any interference generated in those directions will be much less likely to break up your signal reception.

[HD74]

Antennas Direct. They have a single Q with a VHF mounted on top. I would suggest the double Q with the VHF antenna. I use these at my homes and my business.
You will recognize my Q description as soon as you see them.
I would not add an Amp, as they amplify EVERYTHING, including the noise floor.

[DJ-MichaelAngelo]

Great, thanks guys! If 5 out of 5 recommend the single-directional antenna also, then I feel confident this is the right choice for me.

@Ben Zonia = thanks for that recommendation, that's more expensive than I thought! Would something like this be just as good I wonder? https://www.solidsignal.com/lava-hd-230 ... ion-hd-230 -- It's half the price, but its description doesn't mention VHF stations, only UHF. Hmmmm...

@MWmetalhead = I would only ever watch WZZM for ABC-network TV shows, and for those I've always prefered Channel 41. Nothing against Ch. 13, just a preference of mine.

[DJ-MichaelAngelo]

Dang it, I just remembered....Channel 54.4 is another strong favorite TV station of mine (History channel reruns & fun type documentaries) but I notice that it's transmitting at exactly 239.00° from me So maybe that means I'm stuck with an omni-directional antenna after all?

Because the beam-width for all yagi/directional antennas is only around 40°or so, right? And if I point my directional TV antenna almost due south, at 180°, then the Channel 54 signal would be coming from a whopping 60°away....so out-of-range I think? If anyone can confirm this, or maybe I'm misunderstanding it all

[Ben Zonia]

Great, thanks guys! If 5 out of 5 recommend the single-directional antenna also, then I feel confident this is the right choice for me.

@Ben Zonia = thanks for that recommendation, that's more expensive than I thought! Would something like this be just as good I wonder? https://www.solidsignal.com/lava-hd-230 ... ion-hd-230 -- It's half the price, but its description doesn't mention VHF stations, only UHF. Hmmmm...

@MWmetalhead = I would only ever watch WZZM for ABC-network TV shows, and for those I've always prefered Channel 41. Nothing against Ch. 13, just a preference of mine.

The market has 4 physical VHF stations, on 7, 8, 11, and 13, and that antenna is only for UHF Channels 14-36.

[MWmetalhead]

The directional / yagi style antennas certainly look better, in my opinion.

The UFO shaped omni outdoor antennas look less durable, and many appear to lack dedicated VHF elements.

I'd go directional, and I'd aim the thing SSW from Rockford (to improve likelihood of picking up WGVU & WTLJ while preserving solid reception from the Gun Lake area stations). Gain should be good up to 30 degrees from the center azimuth. So, if the antenna were to be aimed at 200 degrees (i.e. SSW), local signals within a 170 degrees to 230 degrees arc should be easy to receive.

DJ mentioned his fondness for Story Television, the diginet found on WTLJ 54.4. Similar content can be found on various free streaming services, such as Pluto, Samsung TV Plus, Amazon's FreeVee, and the Roku Channel. FrndlyTV does offer Story Television as part of its lineup; I believe a subscription for FrndlyTV can be had for $9.99 a month.

Here is an antenna that DJ may wish to consider; the LTE 5G filter may prove useful to avoid cell tower interference:

https://www.amazon.com/Televes-DATBOSS- ... merReviews

DJ: I would very much suggest watching some of the review videos on Antenna Man's channel on YouTube. In particular, watch his Televes, Winegard and Channel Master outdoor antenna reviews. Make sure you choose an antenna that performs well on both the VHF and UHF bands.

[DJ-MichaelAngelo]

Cool, thanks for all those great recommendations MWmetalhead! This remains an ongoing project at my house I bet if I watched more broadcast TV this antenna "upgrade" would be much higher on my priority list, but these days I'd say my television viewing is around 80-90% streaming services.

[paul8539]

How about getting a tenna-rotor? You can get your directional antenna, and rotate if when needed to get other channels.

[n8fnr]

How about getting a tenna-rotor? You can get your directional antenna, and rotate if when needed to get other channels.

I have an older model of this and it works great.
https://www.solidsignal.com/rca-program ... ote-vh226f
https://www.menards.com/main/p-15445133 ... mpaign=RCA

[KeenerGold]

How about getting a tenna-rotor? You can get your directional antenna, and rotate if when needed to get other channels.

I have an older model of this and it works great.
https://www.solidsignal.com/rca-program ... ote-vh226f
https://www.menards.com/main/p-15445133 ... mpaign=RCA

I have that RCA rotor with an HD Stacker antenna. Great combo.

[Trophyhead]

I got what was called a "local special" OTA antenna in 2009 when I worked with a broadcast engineer just steps away from our newsroom, who hooked me up with the supplier.

It has taken some blows, most recently the Aug. '23 tornado that bopped the top of Comstock Park and some of the elements lay loose rather than affixed to the frame.

Still giving me usable signals for most of the market, but I am glad that you asked "the pros" because an upgrade after nearly 16 years may well be in order!