How far are you from the source? I use a Radio Shack 15-2186 inside and it works pretty good, except for some multipathing sometimes. I've been meaning to put it on the chimney but haven't found the time or inclination.
Recommend me a good indoor OTA antenna
Currently I have a HR21-700 DVR. I live in Montgomery, AL and no locals at all with Directv. They've been promising that they will come soon for about 3 years now. (Somehow i don't believe it will happen soon anymore :nono2: )
I've been thinking about getting the AM21 accessory so i can get locals but i was curious about which antennas to plug into it are the best. I'd like to get an indoor one cause i have no idea how to install one on my roof. I live in a house (not apartment) and there are no hills in the area to cause problems with signal.
I'm sure theres plenty of people that have tried out various indoor OTA antennas. So what would everyone recommend in terms of indoor antennas?
I've been thinking about getting the AM21 accessory so i can get locals but i was curious about which antennas to plug into it are the best. I'd like to get an indoor one cause i have no idea how to install one on my roof. I live in a house (not apartment) and there are no hills in the area to cause problems with signal.
I'm sure theres plenty of people that have tried out various indoor OTA antennas. So what would everyone recommend in terms of indoor antennas?
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First, use www.antennaweb.org and determine how far you are from the towers...
I use this. The reviews aren't great, but mine works wonderfully. I'm almost directly in the middle between Mobile and Pensacola, about 35-40 miles from each. My guess is that many of the bad reviews are from people that expected too much from it (lived too far from towers, etc.).
ok, good idea.AirRocker said:First, use antennaweb and determine how far you are from the towers...
looking on that site the channels i can get range from 1 mile to 36 miles away.
I guess i'd need a good indoor OTA antenna that has a range of at least 25 or 26 miles.
Also, correct me if i'm wrong, but isn't everyone switching their broadcasting from uhf to vhf next year? I think some antennas only can receive uhf.
FWIW, antennaweb shows me as being 18-22 miles from the different towers.
I've had good luck with the Db2
Im 28 miles from the towers . I have it hooked up to a floor lamp next to my window. No problems. Quite happy with it.
http://www.solidsignal.com/prod_display.asp?PROD=AD-DB2
Good luck
Im 28 miles from the towers . I have it hooked up to a floor lamp next to my window. No problems. Quite happy with it.
http://www.solidsignal.com/prod_display.asp?PROD=AD-DB2
Good luck
And the direction matters too.AirRocker said:First, use www.antennaweb.org and determine how far you are from the towers...
I use this: http://www.amazon.com/Philips-PHDTV1-Silver-Digital-Antenna/dp/B0007XDI54
I'm between 13 and 40 miles from the transmitters, in a top floor unit. The signal strength is so good for some stations that I actually had to put an attenuator from radioshack inline to reduce it. I read elsewhere that the OTA tuner on the HR10-250 was sensitive to strong signals. I thought it was BS, but it sure seemed to solve my problem.
This is a very directional antenna though, so it won't work for everyone.
Some stations will, some won't. It's their choice, mostly. I believe that low band VHF (2-6) was always subject to more interference and there's not a mad rush to relocate back there.pixelography said:Also, correct me if i'm wrong, but isn't everyone switching their broadcasting from uhf to vhf next year? I think some antennas only can receive uhf.
In any event "good indoor OTA antenna" is pretty much an oxymoron, so if you find a good UHF antenna you may just want to go with that. You can add a VHF antenna later if you must.
WSFA will be going back to Ch. 12 (VHF) next February, but most channels will not go back to VHF. If your channels are all in pretty much the same direction from your location, I'd recommend a DB4 antenna in the attic or a DB2 on the roof.pixelography said:Also, correct me if i'm wrong, but isn't everyone switching their broadcasting from uhf to vhf next year? I think some antennas only can receive uhf.
I'm in Auburn and have a DB8 w/preamp in the attic. I can pick up Columbus, GA channels pretty well and WSFA (CH.14) off the backside. I have two channels (in different directions) that will be going back to VHF next February, so my attic will be full of antennas in about 7 months!
The same antenna company, Antennas Direct, that makes the DB2 just came out with a new line of antennas, the ClearStream, which they say are their newest and best. The C1 and C2 are indoor/outdoor models. They offer a 90 day no fault gaurantee. If it doesn't do the job for you, just return it for a full refund.506PIR said:I've had good luck with the Db2
Im 28 miles from the towers . I have it hooked up to a floor lamp next to my window. No problems. Quite happy with it.
http://www.solidsignal.com/prod_display.asp?PROD=AD-DB2
Good luck
I was advised that IF you assemble the antenna for use indoors ( attic) to expect a 25% drop in performance compared to outdoors & correctly pointed.
Also, if the line to your stations aligns with the LOS line your DTV dish must be pointed a "clip on" could work. They use a diplexer and so you would need to get the BBC(s) between the dish and the diplexer.
Check your TVs for the soon to be required ASTC converter. If you get your locals through DTV there will be no issue. If not you will need a converter for the OTA signal next year.
Joe
Also, if the line to your stations aligns with the LOS line your DTV dish must be pointed a "clip on" could work. They use a diplexer and so you would need to get the BBC(s) between the dish and the diplexer.
Check your TVs for the soon to be required ASTC converter. If you get your locals through DTV there will be no issue. If not you will need a converter for the OTA signal next year.
Joe
This antenna is excellent and receives very high reviews. Have used both the single and stacked model for installation depending on distance to stations. Can be used inside or outside.
http://www.antennasdirect.com/DB2_Indoor_antenna.html
http://www.antennasdirect.com/DB2_Indoor_antenna.html
Lots of information here: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1037779.
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