I scanned for channels using the Terk first, and got like 13 analog channels and 0 digital; the channels were all significantly grainy, and improved/got worse depending on how I changed the direction (I don't have much leeway for positioning..). After that, I set up the Silver Sensor and only got ONE analog channel. Again, grainy images etc.

So I set up the Terk again, and this time, I got like 13 or so analog again, but 6 digital! I was pleased! But, the analog was still grainy, and out of the 6 digital channels, only 2 out of the 6 worked. The other 4 said "no signal."

The thing is, I live in possibly the worst place on campus to receive reception via antenna. I know that I'll be moving somewhere better next fall semester so I'm wondering whether I should just keep the Silver Sensor just in case. Money isn't really that big of an issue, as it's less than $20. The one thing that does make me want to return it, though, is the fact that it's UHF only. So this is just a minor question: should I return the Silver Sensor? Is it pretty much hopeless for me, given that I only got ONE analog channel, whereas the Terk got 13 analog and 6 digital?

Now, since I'm using the Terk right now, are there any methods on improving the reception? I purchased a Philips DVDR3575H through eBay and it should be shipping soon. So I guess I can rely on analog cable for now (since its tuner is ATSC/NTSC) until I move to a better place next year.

Any suggestions?


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BUMP!

Help me out here, please!

Did you point the antenna in the correct direction? Did you experiment with pointing the antenna in other directions? Is the correct direction towards the exterior of the building or towards the interior? What is the building made of? Masonry?

I'm currently pointing it towards my room's window. I do not know if this the correct direction, as I have no compass to measure which direction is how many degrees etc.

I went to an analog channel and moved my antenna in all sorts of directions, and the best reception I get is when it's pointing at the window. Nevertheless, the quality is still unwatchable. I'm not too concerned about getting all the analog channels, I just want the HD channels, as I have the Philips DVDR3575H on the way to watch analog cable through my room's cable outlet.

My building is just a regular brick building with cement walls. I literally live in the worst possible location on campus. My campus is on a hill, and I'm at the way bottom of it. Surrounding me are buildings, the hill, and so many obstacles.

Now that I tink about it, I don't even know why I'm asking. I probably won't be able to point my antenna at a satisfactory angle.

F**k! lol

Just a suggestion! Have you thought about connecting an amplifier to your antenna? You mention grainy images in your signals which might indicate poor reception.

It might be worth the effort to determine which direction is west-southwest ~235deg.

I too have the HDTVa. Couple of checks.. I would assume that you have covered them already.. in case you didn't
1) Ensure that the amplifier is connected to the antenna and it's powered on.
2) I see that lot of your channels are VHF, so you need to extend the dipoles to get maximal VHF reception. Also, try out the the directions and try different positions with the same angle.
For me, I tried the same angle in different positions and got the optimal positions to get all the digital channels including the HD ones. Now a days I am even getting channels which I don't get during fall/winter. See my setup using HDTVa in my signature.

The thing is, even if I did find out which direction is optimal, it's pretty useless because I'm surrounded by walls and every obstacle imaginable. I'll just rely on my DVDR for analog and use my HDTVa next semester when I'm hopefully in a better location.

How about placing the antenna directly by the window, and running an RG-6 cable to the TV tuner?

....Any suggestions?...
BUMP! Help me out here, please!
Did you point the antenna in the correct direction? Did you experiment with pointing the antenna in other directions? Is the correct direction towards the exterior of the building or towards the interior? ....
I'm currently pointing it towards my room's window. I do not know if this the correct direction, as I have no compass to measure which direction is how many degrees etc......
It might be worth the effort to determine which direction is west-southwest ~235deg.
The thing is, even if I did find out which direction is optimal, it's pretty useless because I'm surrounded by walls and every obstacle imaginable......
How about placing the antenna directly by the window, and running an RG-6 cable to the TV tuner?
I suggest you either give up on OTA, your only HD option, completely or make the effort to improve your situation by actually trying the suggestions you asked for. You will HAVE to experiment with the antenna location and orientation. Come on, your in college and you can't even make a decent guess as to compass directions.:rolleyes:

Compasses aren't THAT expensive, even on a college students budget...

Get rid of the Terk and use a coat hangar for a "HDTV" antenna.

Works just as well!!

See thread (from this past weekend)

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1001981

He has a outet in the room, that has either a master TV antenna or cable signal and a TV capable of ATSM and QAM reception.

Go figure.....when I was in college, I didn't have too much time on my hands.

Google Earth is a very useful tool to find out the correct direction, though you will want to DL the transmitter icons from TV Fool first. Then a line can be drawn to the tower and you can use local landmarks to find the correct direction.

The Silver Sensor is going to be of limited utility next year, being a UHF only antenna. It is a very poor performer for upper VHF 7-13, which is where 4 Boston DTV stations will be moving to next year.

Does Phillips, etc. have any plans to add rabbit ears to this UK import (like Terk did)?

I figured I can't really do much about my situation right now with the antenna. I'll just use the antenna next year when I'm in a much better location, because right now, I'm literally in the worst dorm, worst floor, and worst possible room to get reception. I should be grateful that I got reception, if anything.

Still, it might make some difference if you'd place it in the window, rather than pointing at it from across the room, assuming that really is in the direction of the towers, which you can easily find with a 2-dollar car compass from an auto parts store.

Have you even tried any of the suggestions yet? It never comes that easy from indoors. You usually have to at least work at it a little.

oksk89,
You got 10 strangers to suggest things you could do to help yourself ...

Make that 11 - try a real antenna.

Not to denigrate these stamped metal LPDAs, (You've got two of the same thing in my book.) but they have no gain.
http://www.hdtvprimer.com/ANTENNAS/comparing.html

Especially in a dorm room, I'd send these folks $25 plus shipping for a CM4221 (yeah, I'm growing fond of this thing.). It's not pretty, but it'll give you 4x more gain than you've got and works with/without it's reflector.
http://www.warrenelectronics.com/antennas/4221.htm

Hang it on a non-metal wall and you might be surprised.

Have fun,
Frank

oksk89,
You got 10 strangers to suggest things you could do to help yourself ...

Make that 11 - try a real antenna.

Not to denigrate these stamped metal LPDAs, (You've got two of the same thing in my book.) but they have no gain.
http://www.hdtvprimer.com/ANTENNAS/comparing.html

Especially in a dorm room, I'd send these folks $25 plus shipping for a CM4221 (yeah, I'm growing fond of this thing.). It's not pretty, but it'll give you 4x more gain than you've got and works with/without it's reflector.
http://www.warrenelectronics.com/antennas/4221.htm

Hang it on a non-metal wall and you might be surprised.

Have fun,
Frank

I just got a cm4221 and have it attached to a lamp post, ugly as hell, but works, lol. Previously, i tried using the radio shack 15-1892 and picked up 16 channels, now with the cm4221 hanging off a lamp post i am picking up around 33 channels.

Hmm, you say hang it on a non-metal wall? The lamp post i attached the cm4221 to is metal, will that effect my signal?

I just got a cm4221 and have it attached to a lamp post, ugly as hell, but works, lol. Previously, i tried using the radio shack 15-1892 and picked up 16 channels, now with the cm4221 hanging off a lamp post i am picking up around 33 channels.

Hmm, you say hang it on a non-metal wall? The lamp post i attached the cm4221 to is metal, will that effect my signal?

A vertical metal rod of 1 1/2", etc. won't be of much concern. After all, most antennas are mounted on metal masts. Avoid horizontal metal rods in the path of the signal when possible, however.

A wall with metal siding, extending to more than several inches horizontally and in the path of the antenna (or just behind it), is another story. Stucco or other metal siding will greatly diminish usable signals.

I'm trying to decide between the DB2 and the CM 4220. They're pretty much the same thing, except the DB2 is about 10 bucks more expensive. The CM 4220 claims, however, that it can get channels 7-14 within 20 miles, and then 14-69 within 30 miles. The DB2 only claims 14-69, however. So the DB2 is more expensive, but doesn't seem to get channels 7-14. PLus, I have channels in that 7-14 range broadcasting within 20 miles of my location, so it actually matters.

Regardless, the DB2 seems to have better reviews on amazon.com. I can't find a direct comparison between the two, though. Any insight, guys?

For objective antenna comparisons, look here under "net gain":
http://www.hdtvprimer.com/ANTENNAS/comparing.html

There are two 2-bays, DB-2 and Radio Shack, but all three 4-bay and 8-bay (Channel Master, Antennas Direct and Wineguard) so you can compare the DB-4 and 4221 in the absence of a 4220. These antennas are modular so the 2- to 4- to 8-bay changes are similar among the three, driven by geometery of bay placement and connection.

Regardless, the 2-bays come in only a couple dB better than a Silver Sensor, so don't expect much change at the tuner switching to one of them.

Here's another thought. Before buying something that might not work, do some testing. The beauty of the 4-bay bowtie is its simplicity - you can make one with a 2x4, coat hangers and a sheet of aluminum foil. (There are nicer examples, too.)
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=798265

Try it out to see if it works; it may hold you until you're out of school, or move where the little LPDAs work.

Well, the reason why I'm set on the DB2/CM4220 is that the main channels I want are within the 30 mile range. Plus, my friends and I just did the housing lottery for next year and we got a really nice 4-person suite on the 4th floor of a dorm building.

After careful and extensive research using antennaweb and my school's academic map, I would have to point my antenna towards the walls inside my suite to get the correct angle.

This building I'm living in is made out of regular brick and mortar. Will this affect reception strength?

Back to my initial response - if the Silver Sensor isn't working today, that tells you something about your antenna needs. The antenna comparison tells you a 2-bay is only a couple dB better and your housing lottery tells you you're in a far better place next year. I'd wait until I was on the 4th floor before replacing the Silver Sensor!
Frank

PS brick and mortar are better than roofing material for attenuating TV signals and a roof is good for -20 to -30 dB! You were right about living in the worst place on campus!