OTA Antenna Recommendations

[cbaker]

I am looking to buy an antenna for OTA reception of HD only. I was curious if anyone could offer any antenna recommendation. I would appreciate any recommendations I can get from someone who is an expert on antennas or those with exeriences similiar to mine:

1) Looking to pickup OTA HD on UHF and High VHF (I know that Chicago WBBM-DT is on VHF low, but with all the issues with WBBM-DT not worried about it - beside they are moving to High VHF at some point).

2) All stations I care about are in one direction (40-41 degrees) (will let go of the few in Gary, IN if they don't come in).

3) I am estimating that I am 40 miles away. Using AntennaWeb.Org and put in a multi-story building, all the HD ( -DT ) stations that I care about show at Yellow or less. (WBBM-DT in Low VHF shows in Green along with a bunch of SD stations.)

4) Due to the orientation of my home (front faces toward the antennas), I can't place an antenna on the 2nd story on the outside. I can place on the 2nd or even 3rd story in an attic but these are my least desirable option.

For these reasons, I was wondering if I could use one of these smaller "rod" (example - Terk TV55) or "flat panel" (example - Terk HDTVs) type antenna on the first floor outside in the front or even if they might work on the back of the building with the roof in the path.

Or would an inside one work?

Or do I need to use a "large, wire type" mounted in my attic?

Any recommendations out there?

[JM Anthony]

I'd first go to avsforum.com, our sister site. Head to the sub forum for HDTV and then find the OTA thread for your neck of the woods. Post your question by providing your general location and see if someone close by has a solution.

I'm guite a bit closer to my locals, but I found a 4228 in the attic works great. Metal siding or foil backed insulation will cause you problems. In my case, I didn't have to worry about either.

You might also cruise on over to the closest high end A/V store and see if they can give you any advice or at least give you the name of the installer they use for their custom work.

Good luck!!

John

[packfan909]

It has been reported that a lot of people have had luck with the Philips "Silver Sensor" UHF antenna. Here is a link to it on Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Philips-PHDTV1-Digital-HDTV-UHF-Antenna/dp/B0007XDI54/sr=8-2/qid=1170791984/ref=pd_bbs_2/105-4068317-6738060?ie=UTF8&s=electronics

I purchased this from my local electronics/furniture store and have been very impressed. I am about 30-35 miles from the tower location and I am pulling in signals of around 40-55 on the HR20. This is in the middle of a house not by a window or outside wall.

[chicago_cws]

I live in Aurora, IL and have the 160 inch Radio Shack mounted in the attic, get about 85% for CBS. All the others are easy. Had the model less than this got everything but CBS (120R). Still have the smaller version sitting in the garage...

[dallascontractor]

Is your VHF channels close enough to be picked up by a UHF Ant? Is so the Channel Master 4228.

[chicago_cws]

If I remember correctly, WBBM (Channel 3) is severly underpowered (3.7KW?) due to some competing station nearby (on the digital side) I think that is the bulk of the problem.