I ask this because there are two antenna I am considering and the only difference seems to be that one is amplified. It normally sells for more but with the sale Amazon is having there is only a $3 price difference. Its not a price issue but weather getting the more expensive is ideal and may end up having more issues.

These are the two antennas.

Terk HDTVa
http://www.amazon.com/Terk-HDTVa-Amplified-High-Definition-Reception/dp/B0007MXZB2******pd_bbs_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1197766115&sr=8-1

Terk HDTVi
http://www.amazon.com/Terk-Technology-HDTVi-Indoor-Antenna/dp/B0001FV36E******pd_bbs_3?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1197766115&sr=8-3


This is my range. Brooklyn, NY.
http://i9.tinypic.com/7wgocc3.jpg

I would love to know this too. Im considering buy.com for these though i think they are slightly cheaper.

No it is worse.
With digital TV it is poossible to have too strong a signal and the digital tuner cuts out when this happens. Many users close to digital stations have to install a signal attenuator to reduce the signal strength.
You could probably get away with a cheap indoor antenna or even an old pair or rabbit ears.

Do you want a cool looking antenna, or one that works ?

Frankly, the universal word is that most Terk antennas are junk (same category as "Monster cables", if you know what I mean). At 10-30 miles, it is unlikely that you really need an amplified antenna unless you have a really long cable from antenna to your TV. Get a "proper" antenna and you'll see what we mean.

I have one amplified and one non-amplified Philips indoor antenna. One is connected to a tv in the living room while the other is in the bedroom. The transmitting towers I get signals from are all 11 - 15 miles away. My $20 non-amplified antenna maintains a steady, strong signal from all towers but when using the amplified antenna I get frequent dropouts. I have switched the antennas and get the same results.

Buckeye,
You amplified antenna is overloading your digital tuner(s). You need to disable the amplification.

Buckeye,
You amplified antenna is overloading your digital tuner(s). You need to disable the amplification.

Thanks, I do use the amplification occasionally to tune in a couple of more distant signals but it doesn't work too well when the amplification is off on the other channels. I believe it's because it's a directional antenna whereas the other one is omnidirectional. I don't watch that much OTA but if I switch from cable to satellite I won't have locals in HD so I'll have to get another antenna at that time.

I guess I will go with the non amplified one. Thanks.

Do not buy any antenna with the TERK name on it. Most are overpriced gimmicky looking antennas, or expensive knockoffs of other brands that cost less and work better.

Stores like to sell TERKs because of the high profit margin.

At 10miles or less, an amp/preamp, should not be needed unless it's a helluva long cable run or feeding several TVs. Digital TV doesn't need much signal and overloads easily.

A non-amplified Silver Sensor (http://www.google.com/search?q=amazon+silver+sensor+antenna&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a) (not a Terk knockoff of same) is a good indoor antenna to try, if all channels are UHF.