I am moving to Madison, WI. I've attached the antennaweb.org output of my street address. Yellow stations, ~4 miles away, mostly UHF and one VHF.

What are some specific antenna models that would work for me? I'm living in an apartment so it'll have to be an indooor antenna. Thank you!

(also: I have a hdtv and the zip there is 53705)

A coat hanger.

Well, almost.

Almost any decent indoor antenna should do the job. If you are in a highly urbanized area, you may need to look at a fith-generation tuner to handle multipath.

If that doesn't work then start looking at an attic-mounted CM 4221 or such.

Ok, thanks!

So it would be ok to get this then? http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html/sr=1-2/qid=1183562103******sr_1_2/601-9697533-7304132?ie=UTF8&asin=B00005AK7T
RCA Indoor VHF/UHF/FM Digital TV Compatible Antenna – ANT1020

http://www.amazon.com/Zenith-ZHDTV1-HDTV-UHF-Digital-Antenna/dp/B00006FXR9

If you want the genuine article, spring for the Silver Sensor. Folks on AVS have reported the Silver Sensor working at distances as far away as 30-40 miles.

What about FOX in my area that is VHF? Would I need a separate antenna then?

Oh I see that the next model up has both http://www.amazon.com/Philips-PHDTV3-Indoor-Powered-Antenna/dp/B000B58VNM

Ok, thanks!

So it would be ok to get this then? http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html/sr=1-2/qid=1183562103******sr_1_2/601-9697533-7304132?ie=UTF8&asin=B00005AK7T
RCA Indoor VHF/UHF/FM Digital TV Compatible Antenna – ANT1020

All you really need is a UHF antenna as all Madison DT Station is on UHF but Fox 47-DT which is on VHF 11 for the DT and will be staying on 11 after analog shutdown 2-09. I think the best antenna would be a Silver Sensor under Phillps name brand you can get those at BB or CC and Blain's Farm & Fleet would have it for sure for $24.99. Just dont get a ampified unit as those will overload and even if you shut off the power, it will not pass though. As I am 57 miles away from Madison and I have a homebuilt 2-bay antenna and I get all the Madison station even the Fox 47-DT on 11 and I also live in a apartment.

All you really need is a UHF antenna as all Madison DT Station is on UHF but Fox 47-DT which is on VHF 11 for the DT and will be staying on 11 after analog shutdown 2-09. I think the best antenna would be a Silver Sensor under Phillps name brand you can get those at BB or CC and Blain's Farm & Fleet would have it for sure for $24.99. Just dont get a ampified unit as those will overload and even if you shut off the power, it will not pass though. As I am 57 miles away from Madison and I have a homebuilt 2-bay antenna and I get all the Madison station even the Fox 47-DT on 11 and I also live in a apartment.

But If I get a UHF-only antenna, will I not get FOX? That is an important channel to me.

The next model up of the Silver Sensor has UHF and VHF http://www.amazon.com/Philips-PHDTV3-Indoor-Powered-Antenna/dp/B000B58VNM but it is powered. What do you mean they will not pass through if unpowered? I only ask because people in the amazon.com reviews were saying how it worked better for them unpowered.

I am moving to Madison, WI. I've attached the antennaweb.org output of my street address. Yellow stations, ~4 miles away, mostly UHF and one VHF.

What are some specific antenna models that would work for me? I'm living in an apartment so it'll have to be an indooor antenna. Thank you!

(also: I have a hdtv and the zip there is 53705)
If you can not find the Terk HDVTi which is an unamplified Silver Sensor UHF antenna combined with rabbit ears for VHF, my suggestion would be to get a basic table UNAMPLIFIED top rabbit ear & UHF loop combination antenna. Should be able to find one at Radio Shack or other B&M store for $15 or less. Try that and see what stations you can get. You should place the antenna where there are minimal obstructions between the antenna and the direction to the broadcast towers.

But If I get a UHF-only antenna, will I not get FOX? That is an important channel to me.

The next model up of the Silver Sensor has UHF and VHF http://www.amazon.com/Philips-PHDTV3-Indoor-Powered-Antenna/dp/B000B58VNM but it is powered. What do you mean they will not pass through if unpowered? I only ask because people in the amazon.com reviews were saying how it worked better for them unpowered.


I think the Silver Sensor will do the trick because you are so close to the site and it will pick up the VHF 11 without problem the antenna that you want is PHDTV-1 which is unpowered one. I will try to describe it with the powered antenna if you unplug the power or turn it off and the circuit in the antenna will not allow the siginal pass though to the TV. With you being so close the antenna site you don't need ampifed antenna. There is BB behind the West Towne mall a and CC just down the road by U.S. Hwy 12 and all be close to where you will move to and Farm & Fleet wil be on the east side of Madison on Stoughton RD AKA Hwy 51.

As I have said I can get Fox 47-DT on VHF 11 with my homebuit UHF antenna 57 miles away. Channel 3 will stay on 50 after analog shut down. There is another Fox station to the south of you in Rockford, IL Fox 39-DT on 42 which is a super powered station at 1 MW compare to Fox 47-DT on 11 at 15 KW.

DO you know which way your apartment would be facing ? Hopefully North or West.

There is a Madison link
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=10887473#post10887473

You'll be surprised what a UHF antenna will pickup. They're usually reliable as far down as channel 8. Unless you're looking for reception of 2-6 (which are simply unobtainable) a UHF antenna will often get the job done.

Still, the (unamplified) Terk HDTVi with the VHF rabbit ears would be a better first choice.

My Silver Sensor does pick up channel 11 somewhat decently, but not nearly as clearly as my RS 15-1880's rabbit ears.

Spend the extra money and do it right. The UHF part should work just as well as the SS, especially at that close of a distance. Then you'll be all set for now and the future and won't have to "fiddle around".

Although, I suppose you could just combine the SS and a set of rabbit ears and get about the same results.

That should work fine, but if not, I'd do what afiggatt says and try an unamplified, Radio Shack UHF/VHF model.

Just make sure you don't get the the Terk HDTVa, which is amplified.

And for heaven's sake - DON'T waste your money on that amplified, encased, Philips SS clone model. I don't think I've ever heard of any positive comments on it, and for me it got absolutely nothing.

Thanks for all the help, everyone. I'll try out the Terk HDVTi... it's very reasonably priced on amazon.