We Cut the Cable! Need Antenna Advice/Help

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DanB

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I ended up running new coax from the antenna I installed in the attic to the two TVs. I already had an existing coax ran to the TV in the bedroom from the outside wall. I cut this off just below the soffit and ran a new coax to it from inside the attic. I had to drill the soffit and install one of the grommets from Lowes in the hold.

The existing coax that ran to the TV is what the cable internet is going through to the modem. I left that and ran a new line from the attic to the outside wall. I ran the coax down the brick and drilled a hole through the wall. This was measure twice, drill once move.

In my attic I installed a simple digital antenna with amplifier. I had to run an extension cord to the plug for the amp. After the amp I put a splitter on and ran my two runs of coax.

Druryj: you don't live that far from me. If you are wanting to run your own coax lines. I have the tools to properly install the cable ends. Feel free to borrow them if you want.
 

Oklahomabassin

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If you have cable, you probably have a splitter somewhere. replace cable coming from outside with antenna cable on the splitter. I'd have to see to give real advice.

You might look for a splitter in the attic or where the cable comes into your house. The splitter I have is in the attic, but I don't subscribe to cable, so I just unhooked the input cable from the splitter, and hooked up a big outdoor-type antenna to the input jack. The antenna sits in the highest point of the attic. Presto, OTA broadcasts in any room in the house where there's a cable outlet, and the reception is usually pretty good.

ETA: ​ what he said above.

Check what these guys said.
 

druryj

In Remembrance / Dec 27 2021
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I ended up running new coax from the antenna I installed in the attic to the two TVs. I already had an existing coax ran to the TV in the bedroom from the outside wall. I cut this off just below the soffit and ran a new coax to it from inside the attic. I had to drill the soffit and install one of the grommets from Lowes in the hold.

The existing coax that ran to the TV is what the cable internet is going through to the modem. I left that and ran a new line from the attic to the outside wall. I ran the coax down the brick and drilled a hole through the wall. This was measure twice, drill once move.

In my attic I installed a simple digital antenna with amplifier. I had to run an extension cord to the plug for the amp. After the amp I put a splitter on and ran my two runs of coax.

Druryj: you don't live that far from me. If you are wanting to run your own coax lines. I have the tools to properly install the cable ends. Feel free to borrow them if you want.

I appreciate that, but really, it would be best if I paid somebody to do this and do it right. I'm going to look around a bit to see if maybe I can find the splitter.

I've learned a bunch since posting this, thanks guys!
 

CHenry

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Forget the splitter use the old cable input that runs outside. Pull it through the wall to the inside and connect it to the antenna. It doesn't need to be in the attic. Mine is taped to the back of the TV cabinet and it works just fine even in Rural Tuttle.

Sent from my XT1058 using Tapatalk
 

cue_ball

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I use a Mohu Leaf antenna at each of 3 TVs and they provide excellent reception for all OKC channels, and I'm south of Blanchard. Wife likes them cuz she covers them up with pictures or other "decorations"
 

swampratt

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I live at the bottom of Woodrun at Reno and mustang road.
Reception I was told here was terrible ..From relative at the top of Woodrun.

Been here since 1999 and using the old 25 element outside antenna .
I did purchase Mohu Leaf antenna and got the amplifier with it..Tested it high on the wall vs my outside relic and the Leaf was a FAIL .

The amplifier is what did the trick.
I had one element break off in the ice and am planning on building a really funky shaped antenna to test.
Here is my current one,, better than the leaf by far.


antenna 001.jpg
 

MarkV

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I put this in my attic and I'm pretty happy with it.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0024R4B5C?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s02

The house was already wired for cable and I plan on going back to it at some point in time so I ran all new coax. I also ran Cat5e at the same time. I ran a line from the antenna to my media center and split it there and ran it to all the rooms.

Working in the attic is a real pain but doing the work is not that bad. If you do it yourself just have another person helping you. One in the attic and one downstairs.
 

druryj

In Remembrance / Dec 27 2021
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I put this in my attic and I'm pretty happy with it.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0024R4B5C?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s02

The house was already wired for cable and I plan on going back to it at some point in time so I ran all new coax. I also ran Cat5e at the same time. I ran a line from the antenna to my media center and split it there and ran it to all the rooms.

Working in the attic is a real pain but doing the work is not that bad. If you do it yourself just have another person helping you. One in the attic and one downstairs.


I have a really bum ankle, tore my Achilles tendon up and ...well, let's just say I'm not crawling around in the attic. I have found lots of good info here, will just pay to have it done so I don't do more damage.
 

travisstorma

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Keep in mind every time you split the signal using a one in two out splitter, you are reducing the signal strength by half. (Actually more, depending on the quality of the splitter used.)

Also, don't fall for the "digital antenna" gimmicks, which sometimes double the cost of an antenna. Digital TV is just a different modulation on a normal radio wave. The antenna could care less if is receiving 500MHz in a digital broadcast or 500MHz in an analog broadcast.
 

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