Got my second D* HD DVR today, and just realized (DUH), that I need an OTA antenna for the local channels that D* isn't passing through.

The Radio Shack Indoor Double Bowtie antenna is the only indoor one that I've tried that has been able to pick them up where I am, so I need a second one of those, too.

Anyone have one you'd like to sell?

Have you considered adding an amp to the one you already have and then splitting the signal, or is there something preventing that option?

I thought about that, but I pre-wired the house before we drywalled, so I have no exposed wires or cables anywhere. So I'd have to fish cable either up in the attic or through the basement, cut out drywall for a gangbox and install a faceplate or two.

Just seemed like a whole lot less hassle to just drop 20 bucks on another antenna. :)

I almost got one. One came up on ebay and went for 25 or so plus shipping. But I got a used DB2 for less the week before. I have an email address for one I found in LA on Craigslist. I can send it to you and you can try to contact dude in LA if you want. As I said I dropped the pursuit after aquiring the DB-2.

I searched on Craig's List and didn't see it, so if you want to send me a PM, that would be great.

PM sent.

Got my second D* HD DVR today, and just realized (DUH), that I need an OTA antenna for the local channels that D* isn't passing through.

The Radio Shack Indoor Double Bowtie antenna is the only indoor one that I've tried that has been able to pick them up where I am, so I need a second one of those, too.

Anyone have one you'd like to sell?

Have you consider Channel Master 4220 2-bay antenna?
Link to Channel Master http://www.pctinternational.com/channelmaster/0612/4220.html

Someone from Madison have went to True Value and got a price of around $25-$30. Ace Hardware should be a supplier for Channel Master as well. Both local stores may not have in stock but can order them from thier warehouse.

I have read your other respondce but how about putting the antenna in the attic then put a preamp like a winegard AP-269. I have a homebuilt DB-2 antenna w/ CM preamp 7777 indoor 2nd floor closet and I can get Milwaukke PBS-DT 10 on 8 at 43 miles away and I get Madison Fox 47-DT on 11 at 60 miles away with no problem.

-Willie

Hey Willie! Yeah.. I've considered all of them... and that's why the Radio Shack one is what I'm looking for... its amazing ability to pick up all the signals where I am, combined with the fact that it's small enough to put on top of the cabinet that holds the TV and hide behind a little greenery arrangement (and make the wife happy), and it doesn't need to go outside or up in the attic make this the ideal solution.

It's so frustrating because at one time I had 4 of these that people had donated for me to sell to support our HD site (http://www.milwaukeehdtv.org). Shoulda bought one and hung onto it, but I never figured I'd have an HD set in my bedroom and need another one. :o

Not so interested in picking up distant signals... just need to be able watch Letterman and Austin City Limits in the bedroom in HD until D* is able to pass through 58-1 and 36-1. :)

Easy enough to build one. All you need is an appropriately sized metal rack or tray, some Romex (or even coathanger wire) for the bowtie and phasing lines, standoffs (scrap wood would work), something to stand it on, and a balun.

Or you could use a DB-2 or 4221, but they're bigger.

Or there's my shoebox antenna... which is basically the middle section of a Winegard PR4400 made out of cardboard and aluminum foil. Trim to fit. Probably not wife-acceptable.

Probably not wife-acceptable.The Radio Shack is barely wife-acceptable.. she only lets me have one in the living room because I can challenge anyone to "find the antenna," and to date, nobody has been able to. The bedroom will be a little more difficult. She's seen the photos of some of the homemades, and she just laughs. ;)

The ugly antenna/wife factor issue is such ********.Ain't it? American women in general are too spoiled and demanding. ;)

Tried a Silver Sensor?

It blends in so well that she'll never notice it. (Watch KSL sometime, if you ever get to SLC, and see if you can find the "easter egg" ;) )

Actually I bought a Silver Sensor hoping that it would be an acceptable substitute in case I couldn't find a RS. Blends in VERY well.. which would be great if it would pick up a friggin signal. It's only picking up a signal at all on 4 of the 11 stations in the market...and only one is usable (fortunately, it's 58-1, the CBS affiliate, which isn't being carried on D*... so it's the reason I need an antenna at all). But even that one drops to 0 every few minutes, and locks up the picture. I spent an hour putzing and the best I can get is 60%, with occasional peak at 70.

Meanwhile my "ulgy, clunker P.O.S. R.S." in the next room gets between 96 and 100% on every single one of them, and I haven't had to touch it since I set it up a year ago. And I'll pass on your sentiments about antenna ugliness to my wife. I'm sure she'll appreciate it. :rolleyes:

Fortunately, I've found one in North Carolina, so the Silver Sensor is going back.

Hey Tom, Great to hear that you found one. I guess you won't be building the 8-bay chicken wire antenna :rolleyes: after all :D. Sometime those ugly looking antenna is the wonder antenna. If it works and you are happy, then that all matters. :cool:

-Willie

It's not like the Radio Shack is ever going to win any beauty awards...but it works better for me than any of the other sexier ones.

I actually found 2! Right after I paid for the first one, someone else PM'ed me and said they had one... Maybe Rick0725 will buy the other one! lol

The RS double bowtie is an excellent antenna in most cases...(your location, location, location). I am located @13 miles west of Boston, MA. I am able to pickup 20 HDTV channels without adjusting the antenna. After months of experimenting with HDTV reception with many antennae, I have found that a uhf/vhf antenna from the 70s or 80s will give you excellent reception (your location, location, location). Purchasing one of these HDTV Antennas is truly a waste of money. Remember....Wall Street has to make their share of the HDTV revenue!!!!! HDTV transmits on the same frequencies as UHF/VHF. The new HDTV is a digital signal transmitted on the old UHF/VHF frequencies. If you have an old uhf/vhf antenna laying around or you can get your hands on one......try it before you feed Wall Street.
I use an old (70s) RCA UHF/VHF antenna for my TV, VCR, HDTV tuner, setup and the RS double bowtie for my PC setup. I want to keep the two setups independent of each other. I connect them only when I want to put vcr data on a DVD.
Try finding and old quality antenna.........it may save you from wasting your hard earned dollars on one of the poorly constructed, inefficient, cheap plastic, over-advertised HDTV antennas.
If you have long cable runs and or several splitters you may need an amplifier. Remember that you have signal loss through every split you make. If you need cables, try using RG/6 type.(Less signal loss, better shielding). Keep your installation as simple as possible..

abda60