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EV's Recommended & Top Rated DTV Indoor UHF/VHF Set Top Antenna Review Round-Up Guide - Page 5

post #121 of 3229
6/19/08 at 6:07am
Thread Starter 
Thanks KenH. Glad you liked it.


Is it worth a sticky?
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post #122 of 3229
6/19/08 at 10:07am
Ditto Ken. I caught this thread on page 1, and it's fantastic to see how much "page 1" had changed in a week. Great work! I'd support a sticky ....
frank
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post #123 of 3229
6/19/08 at 10:30am
Quote:
Originally Posted by EscapeVelocity View Post

I think its also VHF Hi, if Im reading it right. AntennasDirect are claiming entire DTV spectrum which includes VHF Hi, and also Military Antenna Array Technology like the Winegard SquareShooters which also do VHF Hi, decently.

I talked to Antennas Direct this morning. The VHF starts at channel 8 which is a problem for me because FOX will be on 7 after the transition. There is no dipole component. The upper VHF bands are pulled in via UHF. Quite a disappointment.

The good news for those interested is that it is now available and they have free shipping till June 29.
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post #124 of 3229
6/19/08 at 10:36am
Thread Starter 
Thanks again Golinux

Yeah, it looks like a double loop. Its really only a UHF antenna with some gain on the VHF Hi. The posters in the main Antenna Topic thread seem to be saying.

I think your Rabbit Ears and DB2 would beat it (even if Ch. 7 was being claimed or your VHF Hi channel was on channel 11) Probably across the entire spectrum, both VHF Hi(Rabbit Ears) and UHF(Double Bow) vs the Double Loop.
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post #125 of 3229
6/19/08 at 10:57am
I'm getting a bit of a chuckle from the GE "Optima" antenna features list:

Quote:


* Passive microwave circuitry reduces color fading and constant tuning.
* 2-way signal.

What?!
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post #126 of 3229
6/19/08 at 1:13pm
Thread Starter 



edit: Expanded comments on RCA ANT110 & ANT111 and Picture Frame Antenna. Added Amplified Philips Silver Sensor to "The Dugout"

edit: Moved Channel Master 4040 to silver sensor style antenna section with comments. New categories created.....Miscellaneous Design and Rectangular Array. Winegard SS-3000, RS UFO, and Terk TV-5 combined in Miscellaneous Design, Radio Shack DA-5200 and Philips MANT940 added to Rectangular Design with Winegard Squareshooters. Edited comments on MANT510. Added Terk TV-1 to RE&Loop section with commentary including mention of PICO USVJ combiner. Jensen TV-931 and Philips Amped Silver Sensor moved to Batter's Circle.

Working on comments for RS DA-5200 and Philips MANT940
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post #127 of 3229
6/19/08 at 1:58pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks for the kind words fbov!


Marking this here.

The Best Uhf-vhf Combiner

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...php?p=14028213
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post #128 of 3229
6/19/08 at 4:13pm
Thread Starter 
Golinux, is it OK that I quoted you on the front page? You seem to have a dynamite setup. Kudos.
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post #129 of 3229
6/19/08 at 5:05pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by EscapeVelocity View Post

Golinux, is it OK that I quoted you on the front page? You seem to have a dynamite setup. Kudos.

I hadn't even noticed that. Don't mind a bit. My rabbit ears aren't that fancy though.

I have everything mounted in a window on a 1/2" x 2" x 7+' pole that has a mounting groove routed out of the center so everything can slide up or down. There is also a rocker at the top of the pole that fits behind the curtain rod to allow for directional fine tuning. Maybe I should take a picture of my setup and post it.
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post #130 of 3229
6/19/08 at 5:55pm
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That would be great. :thumbsup
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post #131 of 3229
6/19/08 at 9:44pm
Thread Starter 
Check this one out!




4 telescoping rabbit ears!

Sylvania DTA 3500
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post #132 of 3229
6/19/08 at 10:29pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by EscapeVelocity View Post

Check this one out! Sylvania DTA 3500

That's kind of freaky looking. It kind of looks like half of it is missing or something. Is it VHF, UHF, or both? Whatever the case, it doesn't look like it would be that effective except maybe in a strong signal area.
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post #133 of 3229
6/19/08 at 10:32pm
Thread Starter 
Im contemplating doing a shootout with about 20 different indoor antnennas.

I have these already.

RS 1880
Philips MANT510
DB2
Winegard SS-3000

I have these on the way

Jensen TV-931
RS 1868 Delta
RS 1892 UFO

That makes 7.

Which others should I get?

I also have a Channel Master 7777 amplifier to use with unamped models to use in the test. Probably do something similar to the HDTV expert tables in his Heavy Metal 2 article.

I also need advice on a good but cheap instrument to measure with. And some tips on how to use it.
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post #134 of 3229
6/20/08 at 3:48am
Considering their popularity and legend, you gotta include a silver sensor in a shoot-out. Maybe one of the Terk models (HDTVi or HDTVa), or the Philips PHDTV3, since that's what average Joes can buy in stores these days.

Depending on how far you live from your local towers, I'd be curious to see what you can pull in using Radio Shack's $5 single bowtie UHF.
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post #135 of 3229
6/20/08 at 9:15am
Thread Starter 
Great ideas, fajita.

Silver Sensor
Terk HDTVa
Classic Single Bow Tie

I want to include an unamped RE&Loop as well, I think.

Terk TV-1

And these 2 Channel Masters.

4040
4030

Perhaps a couple of rectangular arrays.

RS DA-5200
Philips MANT940

And perhaps for varieties sake.

Terk TV-5

That makes 16.
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post #136 of 3229
6/20/08 at 12:41pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by EscapeVelocity View Post

Im contemplating doing a shootout with about 20 different indoor antnennas.

I have these already.

RS 1880
Philips MANT510
DB2
Winegard SS-3000

I have these on the way

Jensen TV-931
RS 1868 Delta
RS 1892 UFO

That makes 7.

Which others should I get?

I also have a Channel Master 7777 amplifier to use with unamped models to use in the test. Probably do something similar to the HDTV expert tables in his Heavy Metal 2 article.

I also need advice on a good but cheap instrument to measure with. And some tips on how to use it.


Maybe for digital signals pick up a DTV converter box they all have meters
but none have very good markings other than guessing a percentage.
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post #137 of 3229
6/20/08 at 12:42pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by EscapeVelocity View Post

Check this one out!




4 telescoping rabbit ears!

Sylvania DTA 3500


Hey isnt that like my v for victory rabbit ears on one side? :P


John
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post #138 of 3229
6/20/08 at 1:10pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by EscapeVelocity View Post

MANT510 picked up my 2nd alternate market PBS station at real channel 44 and 27kw at 23 miles no problemo. Recognized all other channels but couldnt bring them in, the ones at 45 miles, I got a picture pip on one of them.

Pretty nice setup. Stable stand. Nice long VHF dipoles. I didnt check analog or VHF yet.

I gave this a try. At a friend's house at ZIP 61530 near Peoria, I could not get it to lock in all the locals, even when placed by the windows on 2 different walls. I had great success with a home-built 4 bay and a 2 bay at that location.
I brought it home with me to try. I only locked in xmitters at the antenna farm, which left me 2 channels short. My indoor Utubes work great here.
I rate this a zero. I did try the analog. No good except 8 & 18.
Bob Vaughn Aledo IL 61231
LL
LL
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post #139 of 3229
6/20/08 at 1:48pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by fajitamosaic View Post

Considering their popularity and legend, you gotta include a silver sensor in a shoot-out. Maybe....the Philips PHDTV3....

Don't even bother. I can tell you right now that all of the others will beat the pants off of the PHDTV3. It's one of the worst antennas I've ever tried - a total piece of junk.

Most people here who have tried it will agree. It has a terrible reputation.
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post #140 of 3229
6/20/08 at 1:52pm
Thread Starter 
I picked up an RS DA-5200 and a Philips MANT940 and a Classic Single Bowtie today.

Ooops! I need to get a 300ohm to 75ohm transformer for the last one.
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post #141 of 3229
6/20/08 at 2:55pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rammitinski View Post

Don't even bother. I can tell you right now that all of the others will beat the pants off of the PHDTV3. It's one of the worst antennas I've ever tried - a total piece of junk.

Most people here who have tried it will agree. It has a terrible reputation.

When I searched the archives, I couldn't find enough opinion one way or the other. Based on the "silver sensor reputation," I bought one and have had success with it. We live in a basement apt: our locals are now solid and we're picking up the Battle Creek Ion affiliate that's 25+ miles away. Sometimes, when conditions are right, we pick up the other Ion affiliate in Ann Arbor, some 35 miles away.

Previously, we had no success with an RCA ANT1251, a Philips MANT410, and a few other antennas not worth mentioning.

I only made my suggestion based on personal experience *shrug*

Mainly, I just think it's important that the list have some representation from antennas regular folk can easily buy walking into the local Wal-Mart, Target, Meijer, etc.
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post #142 of 3229
6/20/08 at 3:12pm
Thread Starter 
Good point on the Regular Joe accessibility issue, fajita. Im making an effort to do just that. But in the end, Performance is King. Your success with the Amped Silver Sensor is indicative of the YMMV principle. Indoors are not pristine places for antennas. Id like to work on advice for trial and error testing to find the perfect antenna for "you." Spokybob had limited success with the MANT510, YMMV. What is important is that you find an antenna that works for you in your specific situation. Id encourage you to try out a DB2 non the less.

I wasnt too keen on the PHTV3 Silver Sensor either, but your success moved me to add it to "The Dugout."

Did you try the old RE&Loop at the "Sweet Spot" you found. You said that the PHTV3 was only a tad bit better than the Loop at its original location, until you lifted it with phonebooks. This will give an indication on whether its the antenna or the "sweet spot" that is producing better results.
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post #143 of 3229
6/20/08 at 3:29pm
Thread Starter 
I edited the above post several times. Fajita, please read again.


---------------------

Checked the Family Dollar today, and they had the RCA ANT108, which is similar to the RCA ANT110 mentioned in the list.

Also, the Jensen TV-931 came in today.
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post #144 of 3229
6/20/08 at 3:40pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by golinux View Post

I have everything mounted in a window on a 1/2" x 2" x 7+' pole that has a mounting groove routed out of the center so everything can slide up or down. There is also a rocker at the top of the pole that fits behind the curtain rod to allow for directional fine tuning. Maybe I should take a picture of my setup and post it.

OK, here are some photos. The first shows how everything is mounted, the second is of the rocker at the top and the third is a pic of the UVSJ. I'm assuming it's a PICO UVSJ because the label looks exactly like this one. Would be nice if someone could confirm. You can see the woods outside the window. Signal goes through two miles of that before getting to my house!









Edited by golinux - 6/6/12 at 10:58am
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post #145 of 3229
6/20/08 at 3:48pm
Thread Starter 
That's pretty freakin sweet, golinux. What kind of amplifier are you using? Is the pole mount adjustable, left/right up/down?
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post #146 of 3229
6/20/08 at 4:16pm
Thread Starter 
Here is Fox Charlotte's Digital Dude Video.....

Digital Dude: Antenna Myths Dispelled!

He's got the Sylvania Quad Telescoping Rabbit Ears on his head! LOL!
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post #147 of 3229
6/20/08 at 4:28pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by EscapeVelocity View Post

That's pretty freakin sweet, golinux. What kind of amplifier are you using? Is the pole mount adjustable, left/right up/down?

Yes, everything (except for the rabbit ears) is attached with a wingnut so can slide up or down the pole fairly easily. Rabbit ears need to be untied and retied. And of course, it can move horizontally too. It usually resides more in the upper RH corner behind a curtain.

The amp is a 22db Antennacraft (10G201). There are probably better ones out there but it was an upgrade from the old Archer. I'll go take a pic of the amp and DTT900 shortly and post it.


Edited by golinux - 6/6/12 at 10:59am
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post #148 of 3229
6/20/08 at 4:35pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by EscapeVelocity View Post

He's got the Sylvania Quad Telescoping Rabbit Ears on his head! LOL!

That was funny! He made some good points. However, I've seen a lot of reporters and what not condeming the antenna manufacturers for putting HDTV on the label, but I don't necessarily blame them (the manufacturers I mean). Since HDTV is such a big deal these days, consumers want to know that the antennas are compatible. If the manufacturers don't put it on the label, then a lot of people are going to assume that the antenna will not work for HDTV. Not everyone is as tech-savvy as those that frequent this site.

I have to admit though that I have noticed the explosion of new antennas on the market. Everyone trying to get their share of the pie, I guess. I liked that fact that the report pointed out that while many of the so-called "revolutionary" new antenna designs may be technologically sound, they are not necessarily better than what good old Dad used to use.
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post #149 of 3229
6/20/08 at 4:52pm
Thread Starter 
Added RCA ANT1500 to "The Dugout"

These were sold out at my nearest WM. They were the most expensive on the shelf. There was one RCA ANT111 left on the shelf today, when I picked up the Philips MANT940.....earlier in the week there were about 30. They were the least expensive on the shelf.
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post #150 of 3229
6/20/08 at 4:58pm
Thread Starter 
I agree with all of your points there, Rick.
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