antenna for local channels

[trtlflwrs]

I need help, PLEASE!

I am on my own and have recently dived into the world of TV reception options... I grew up on local channels with the 50 foot antenna and rotor. Now that I'm in an apartment, I need to watch what I get (be it Dish or whatever). I'm trying to go at it like the old times. No cable, No dish, No nothing. :)

However, I do need something (in the form of an antenna) to get any local channels. My indoor "rabbit ears" have finaly bit the dust and decided to give me barley anything more than snow; they've probably seen too many years and too many miles.

What do I need to look for in an antenna to take the "rabbit ear" place? I do NOT have HDTV or anything of the sorts. Are the antennas the same for my purpose? Do I need to be concerned with VHF/UHF? I think I may need a booster due to my new location, that's all I can even take a guess at when it comes to this situation!

Please, someone give me some basics to go! I'd appreciate it!

[Stewart Vernon]

A lot depends on where you are, how close to your local stations towers, if they are mostly in the same area, and if there are any obstructions between you and the towers.

Where I am, I do pretty well with an indoor directional antenna (Terk in my case) pointed pretty much dead-on at the location where most of my channels broadcast from about 20-30 miles or so away from me.

A big help to you would be to visit Antennaweb.org and punch in your street address. They will list all the analog and digital channels as well as give some antenna type suggestions for you. The most helpful feature I found was their map which shows where the channels are being broadcast relative to you... so if you are like me and have a bunch grouped together in the same location (mine happen to be mostly SE from my address) then you may be able to try out a directional antenna and see what happens.

Also, it helps to buy from a place like Radio Shack that will give refunds/exchanges so if you need to try a few different types of antennas you can do that and then keep the one that works best for you.

I like the Terk, but some folks hate it with a passion... so ultimately it may take you a few tries to get things set like you want.

[trtlflwrs]

A resounding THANKS to you, HDMe!

As soon as I get some free time (haha), I think I will pay a visit to RadioShack and their return policy.

Also, I'm going to go check out that website now.

:joy: :joy: :joy: THANKS again for pointing my antenna in the right direction.

[Stewart Vernon]

You're welcome... I went through about 3-4 antennas before finding the configuration that worked best for me, so a store with a liberal return policy came in very handy.

[cmoss5]

I need help, PLEASE!

I am on my own and have recently dived into the world of TV reception options... I grew up on local channels with the 50 foot antenna and rotor. Now that I'm in an apartment, I need to watch what I get (be it Dish or whatever). I'm trying to go at it like the old times. No cable, No dish, No nothing. :)

However, I do need something (in the form of an antenna) to get any local channels. My indoor "rabbit ears" have finaly bit the dust and decided to give me barley anything more than snow; they've probably seen too many years and too many miles.

What do I need to look for in an antenna to take the "rabbit ear" place? I do NOT have HDTV or anything of the sorts. Are the antennas the same for my purpose? Do I need to be concerned with VHF/UHF? I think I may need a booster due to my new location, that's all I can even take a guess at when it comes to this situation!

Please, someone give me some basics to go! I'd appreciate it!

Go on line and order up the WINEGARD SQUARESHOOTER 2000 as it has
a boost on it and is really, really good...should be able to find it for about
$95.00 as lists for about $150.00...beats most all OTA antennas and this
can be put in your attic as well....:D