basic OTA questions

[rjf]

searched but not finding what i need. could someone please post a thread link and/or answer a couple basic OTA questions? since i now have 2 HR20s with OTA, i'm curious about maybe setting one up

- does it matter what antenna i get? (yes, i've been to the website that tells you which one you need for where you live, just curious about the 02/2009 issue and if that makes a difference as to which one you should get and if it impacts the HR20 OTA in any way)

- if i can't get up on the roof, is there a good internal antenna that people like and that works well?

i was looking at both the Terk indoor or amplified outdoor antennas. i had a square RCA a long while back before dish offered locals, but it didn't work well and i got rid of it. i do have one of those huge old fashioned antennas on the roof, but i have no idea if it's still any good. pretty old and beat up. anyhoo, a thread link or basic info would be appreciated.

thanks

[Earl Bonovich]

The 02/2009 issues will not have a major impact in most markets.
There are a few channels planning changes post 02/2009, but I don't think LA is making any changes.

The Antenna you get is REALLY significanntly dictated by the distance you are from the towers, and the terrain between you and those towers.

Our sister site: www.avsforum.com

Has an entire sub-forum dedicated to local/ota issues/help...
That would be the best place to get the best resources in solving/answering your questions

[Carl Spock]

You might want to read this thread (http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=115596). It documents my recent adventure involving antennae. Do read to the end - there is a punchline and unfortunately, the joke is on me.

I like Winegard antennas, myself. Maybe take a look at their site (http://www.winegarddirect.com/) and see what you think. In Los Angeles, most broadcasters are on Mt. Wilson, at least they were when I was growing up there. Do you know if that's still the case? If so, as long as you have a straight shot at Mt. Wilson, you should be OK with a reasonably sensitive UHF/VHF antenna.

As for something smaller and more attractive, did you see this thread (http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=53206)? It seems like a winner.

[jodyguercio]

Carl,
Mt Wilson is still where the antennas are at here in the LA area. As for the Terk indoor, a friend of mine hated it so much that he turned it into a boat anchor. Im not kidding either, he tried it inside and outside and it didnt work at all. Took it back got another one and same thing. He lives maybe 10 miles from Mt Wilson with nothing in the way of the towers and couldnt get even the faintest signla on it.

[rjf]

thanks for the info guys. i did check AVS but guess not thoroughly enough (i wish search worked with quotes. would make it easier) but i'll dig deeper. probably right under my nose, as is often the case.

carl spock - i read that thread and am working on looking at the links. i'm both more confused and more enlightened on OTA all at the same time ;) not a funny joke that happened to you though. but hey. it happens. probably at least half of what i know is due to mistakes.

yes, Mt Wilson is still the hub for it all and i've got a straight shot at it from where i live with no major obstructions. guess i'll delve into this a little further and see where it goes.

thanks for the help

[rjf]

Carl,
Mt Wilson is still where the antennas are at here in the LA area. As for the Terk indoor, a friend of mine hated it so much that he turned it into a boat anchor. Im not kidding either, he tried it inside and outside and it didnt work at all. Took it back got another one and same thing. He lives maybe 10 miles from Mt Wilson with nothing in the way of the towers and couldnt get even the faintest signla on it.

you beat me to it on the Mt. Wilson info ... ;) thanks for posting about Terk. i'm suspicious of indoor antennas as it is, so good to have confirmation. though getting an install on the roof has its own complications.

[Kansas Zephyr]

The 02/2009 issues will not have a major impact in most markets.
There are a few channels planning changes post 02/2009, but I don't think LA is making any changes.

One thing to be aware of, is the return of current analog VHF stations, that have UHF digital channels, going back to their "old" analog channel with their digital signal, after the analog cut-off.

I forget the date of the issue, but I'm remembering a poll in Broadcasting & Cable (I think) of station engineers indicating that more than 85%, in this situation, planned to return to VHF.

A friendly courtesy call to your local station's chief engineers, to ask what RF channel they will be broadcasting on AFTER the cut-off isn't a bad idea.

That way you will not be stuck with a UHF only antenna, if you need separate VHF and UHF antennas (or a combo) to keep OTA after 2/09. Then your installation will be "future-proof".

[Milominderbinder2]

From the HD DVR FAQ (http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?p=817199#post817199):

Why would I want to connect a TV antenna to my HD Receiver? How do I do it?
→ Get Great Local HD Channels (http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?p=1042341#post1042341)

Antennas, amplifiers, splitters, and so much more.

Loads of examples.

Loads of links.

Loads of fun!

- Craig

[Upstream]

Summary answer to what antenna you should get ---

Any VHF/UHF antenna can receive HD OTA signals. You can use the old antenna that is still on your roof, or a set of rabbit ears.

Better antennas, directional antennas, or amplified antennas, will help you receive weaker and more distant signals (just like these antennas did 25 years ago).

There is no magic to an HD antenna which makes it any different from an analog antenna.

[Kansas Zephyr]

Summary answer to what antenna you should get ---

Any VHF/UHF antenna can receive HD OTA signals. You can use the old antenna that is still on your roof, or a set of rabbit ears.

Better antennas, directional antennas, or amplified antennas, will help you receive weaker and more distant signals (just like these antennas did 25 years ago).

There is no magic to an HD antenna which makes it any different from an analog antenna.
+1

"HD antennas" are a marketing gimmick, only!

My post was a heads-up for those that are now being sold UHF only antennas, when they may live in a market that will move some, or all, of the digital signals back to VHF after the cut-off.

[rjf]

From the HD DVR FAQ (http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?p=817199#post817199):

Why would I want to connect a TV antenna to my HD Receiver? How do I do it?
→ Get Great Local HD Channels (http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?p=1042341#post1042341)

Antennas, amplifiers, splitters, and so much more.

Loads of examples.

Loads of links.

Loads of fun!

- Craig

EXACTLY what i was looking for! i looked though that forum too cuz i thought i saw something about this before, but i guess i went too quickly this time cuz i missed it. thanks much!

[BattleScott]

searched but not finding what i need. could someone please post a thread link and/or answer a couple basic OTA questions? since i now have 2 HR20s with OTA, i'm curious about maybe setting one up

- does it matter what antenna i get? (yes, i've been to the website that tells you which one you need for where you live, just curious about the 02/2009 issue and if that makes a difference as to which one you should get and if it impacts the HR20 OTA in any way)

- if i can't get up on the roof, is there a good internal antenna that people like and that works well?

i was looking at both the Terk indoor or amplified outdoor antennas. i had a square RCA a long while back before dish offered locals, but it didn't work well and i got rid of it. i do have one of those huge old fashioned antennas on the roof, but i have no idea if it's still any good. pretty old and beat up. anyhoo, a thread link or basic info would be appreciated.

thanks

This is probably the most valuable antenna site there is.

http://www.antennaweb.org

Enter your information and it will give a complete rundown of the stations in your area, distance and direction and even what type of antenna you will likely need to reliably receive them.

[Milominderbinder2]

Antennaweb is typically the least accurate site for determining what stations you will be able to receive. For instance, even if you live in downtown Chicago, Antennaweb says that there is only 1 OTA HD station. (And that one station is the one you will not be able to actually get!)

Antennaweb is funded by hundreds of companies including Comcast, Cox, and Time Warner Cable, as well as DIRECTV and Dish.

HDTV Magazine (http://www.hdtvmagazine.com/programming/broadcast.php) is simple to understand and will tell you the truth. For instance there are really 28 digital channels in Chicago and you could get 27 of them. The official FCC (http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/audio/tvq.html) site is harder to use and can only display results if you know the actual licensing address.

Check out the HD DVR FAQ (http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?p=817199#post817199):

Why would I want to connect a TV antenna to my HD Receiver? How do I do it?
→ Get Great Local HD Channels (http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?p=1042341#post1042341)

Want even more channels? Go on to Part 2: Even More HD Local Channels (http://www.dbstalk.com/showpost.php?p=870155&postcount=5).

- Craig

[mikeny]

One thing to be aware of, is the return of current analog VHF stations, that have UHF digital channels, going back to their "old" analog channel with their digital signal, after the analog cut-off.

I forget the date of the issue, but I'm remembering a poll in Broadcasting & Cable (I think) of station engineers indicating that more than 85%, in this situation, planned to return to VHF.

A friendly courtesy call to your local station's chief engineers, to ask what RF channel they will be broadcasting on AFTER the cut-off isn't a bad idea.

That way you will not be stuck with a UHF only antenna, if you need separate VHF and UHF antennas (or a combo) to keep OTA after 2/09. Then your installation will be "future-proof".I would like that source Mr. Zephyr. Are you sure 85% are planning to return to VHF? Aren't all the assigments final already for next year's transition? I don't think there's going to be such a migration.