Mohu Leaf antenna for OTA

[Wakalaka]

I thought I'd share my experience with antenna and amplifier products so others can benefit from my research and experience. I live in a rural area with lots of trees and was having a problem picking up all of the OTA channels, and locking a strong signal. The result is choppy television viewing/recording, and sometimes no valid recording. Enter amplification.

I have the following antenna setup for OTA digital TV:

• Config1, connected to HD HomeRun dual tuner:
• Leaf antenna
• http://www.amazon.com/Paper-Thin-Lea...4983471&sr=1-1
• PCT amplifier
• http://www.amazon.com/PCT-BI-DIRECTI...4983462&sr=1-2

and

• Config2, connected to Hauppauge HVR-1250 single tuner:
• Leaf Plus amplified antenna
• http://www.amazon.com/Leaf-Plus-Ampl...4983471&sr=1-2

Config1 is $20 cheaper than Config2, but it takes more coax cables and therefore adds more to the cable mess, but works great connected to the HD HomeRun dual tuner. I need the signal amp because the dual tuner splits the signal which weakens the signal going to each tuner.

Config2 is $20 more expensive, but is very clean due to only having 1 coax cable and 1 USB cable (for power to amplify the signal).

I used painter tape to tape the 2 Leaf antennas to the wall behind my tv, and both tuner devices pick up all signals very well. The Leaf antenna definitely works very well and is inexpensive.

[rookie]

Thanks for sharing.

How far away from the broadcast antenna is your home? I need a solution that will work good around 60 miles.

[nitrogen_widget]

I actually have a large directional arial & home made DB2 antenna that when positioned & combined cover all stations for me but I need an amp for my HV-1600 to get a solid signal.
I just didn't know if a radio shack amp would work.

How much of a difference does the amp make in your first solution?

[Wakalaka]

About 25 miles.

How far away from the broadcast antenna is your home? I need a solution that will work good around 60 miles.

[Wakalaka]

Are you looking for a signal db value? I would have to disconnect the amplifier, run the HD HomeRun Quick Config app that displays signal strength, write it down, then attach the PCT amplifier and do it again. If this is the data you're looking for, then I can do that this weekend.

How much of a difference does the amp make in your first solution?

[nitrogen_widget]

Are you looking for a signal db value? I would have to disconnect the amplifier, run the HD HomeRun Quick Config app that displays signal strength, write it down, then attach the PCT amplifier and do it again. If this is the data you're looking for, then I can do that this weekend.

I don't need anything that specific.
Just wondering how big a difference the amp made when it came to getting smooth reception (non-freezing TV)

[Wakalaka]

It made quite a difference to have an amp. I used to get freezing TV, unreliable signal lock, and also did not find all channels because the signal was split between the 2 tuners in the HDHomeRun. With the amplified signal I now have happy times!

Just wondering how big a difference the amp made when it came to getting smooth reception (non-freezing TV)

[nitrogen_widget]

Thanks!