Hi

I'm a newb when it comes to all this stuff. I live in a apartment complex on the 1st floor. There's not too many tall bldgs or trees around me. Id like to know what's the best indoor antenna for me.

yellow - uhf KMYS-DT 35.1 MNT KERRVILLE TX 267° 25.4 32
red - vhf KSAT 12 ABC SAN ANTONIO TX 144° 25.6 12
* red - uhf KSAT-DT 12.1 ABC SAN ANTONIO TX 144° 25.6 48
red - uhf KWEX 41 UNI SAN ANTONIO TX 142° 24.2 41
red - uhf KVDA 60 TEL SAN ANTONIO TX 142° 24.2 60
* red - uhf KVDA-DT 38.1 TEL SAN ANTONIO TX 142° 24.2 38
red - vhf KLRN 9 PBS SAN ANTONIO TX 153° 19.5 9
* red - vhf KLRN-DT 9.1 PBS SAN ANTONIO TX 153° 19.5 8
red - vhf WOAI 4 NBC SAN ANTONIO TX 145° 25.4 4
red - uhf KHCE 23 TBN SAN ANTONIO TX 142° 24.5 23
red - vhf KENS 5 CBS SAN ANTONIO TX 145° 25.4 5
red - uhf K45FJ 45 TBN SAN ANTONIO TX 64° 5.7 45
red - uhf KABB 29 FOX SAN ANTONIO TX 144° 24.0 29
* red - uhf KABB-DT 29.1 FOX SAN ANTONIO TX 144° 24.0 30
red - uhf KMYS 35 MNT KERRVILLE TX 267° 25.5 35
* red - vhf KCWX-DT 2.1 CW FREDERICKSBURG TX 01-09 342° 38.6 5
blue - vhf KCWX 2 CW FREDERICKSBURG TX 342° 38.6 2
blue - uhf K20BW 20 TBN SAN ANTONIO TX 225° 7.9 20
blue - vhf KBNB-LP 2 IND SAN ANTONIO TX 180° 11.7 2
blue - uhf K14LM 14 3AB SAN ANTONIO TX 186° 10.6 14
blue - uhf K52EA 52 HTN SAN ANTONIO TX 180° 11.7 52
blue - uhf KVDF-CA 31 AZA SAN ANTONIO TX 187° 10.6 31
blue - vhf KMHZ-LP 11 IND SAN ANTONIO TX 186° 10.6 11
* blue - uhf KHCE-DT 16.1 TBN SAN ANTONIO TX 142° 24.5 16
blue - uhf KNIC-CA 17 TFA SAN ANTONIO TX 181° 11.4 17
* blue - uhf WOAI-DT 4.1 NBC SAN ANTONIO TX 145° 25.4 58
* blue - uhf KWEX-DT 41.1 UNI SAN ANTONIO TX 142° 24.2 39
blue - uhf KSAA-LP 28 HTN SAN ANTONIO TX 186° 10.6 28
blue - uhf KPXL 26 ION UVALDE TX 267° 34.9 26
* blue - uhf KPXL-DT 26 ION UVALDE TX TBD 267° 34.8 26
* violet - uhf KENS-DT 5.1 CBS SAN ANTONIO TX 145° 25.4 55

Am I correct that I need an directional amplified antenna?

Thanks for any help.

You might need to experiment - 20+ miles to the towers with an indoor antenna might be iffy. Go to a local store with a good return policy and try one of their amplified antennae.

Check out this guide.

EV's Best Top Rated HDTV Indoor Antenna Review Test Round-Up Guide (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1037779)

EV's guide is a nice look...but its a lot of reading. If you have space available getting a Antenna's Direct DB2 or Channel Master CM4220 w/ a preamp might do nicely....bare in mind neither is the most decorative or aesthetically pleasing, but are both very effective. :)

If you want something more traditional looking i have had very good luck with a Terk HDTVa, it takes some manipulating in terms of position but if you find the right spot your probably gonna be in good shape within 30 miles. UHF is line of sight dependent so your elevation as well as what sort of landscape (including tall trees and such) and development between you and the towers you are trying to pick up signal from is a very significant factor. Also if you are on the ground level of some sort of subdivision or apartment complex it could potential cripple your ability to get a good reliable signal...rule thumb is the higher up you can get the antenna the better off you'll be.

;)

I'll second that recommendation of a DB2. I'm in an apt 18-20 mi from the transmtters and just got a DB2 today. It totally blows away the other 2 antennas I've been trying (Philips MANT510 and older Terk TV-20).

And I don't even have it amplified. Currently its hanging from a pre-existing hook in the corner of the ceiling. :-) Not the best aesthetically, but I'm getting high 80s to mid 90s for signal strength on my Tivo S3.

Paul

Yep, a DB2 or 4220 suspended from the ceiling by cuphooks aimed at 145 degrees. Not pretty, but effective.

Excellent suggestion although almost twice the size of a DB2.