EV's Recommended & Top Rated DTV Indoor UHF/VHF Set Top Antenna Review Round-Up Guide - Page 51

With your TVFool results, something simple indoor should work. Start with an inexpensive set top antenna model that is known to work well. Like this model.

Do not get an amplified antenna - it may overload some of your nearby signals, making reception worse.

Hi. I currently use RS 15-1868 with generally acceptable results but reception can be quite erratic (signal strength fluctuations). On a lower floor I have a Philips MANT940 installed on my outdoor patio, with fine results (43 digital channels, consistent signal strength). With the RS 15-1868 kept indoors but higher up and connected to a modern tuner (2009 Toshiba LCD) I get only a couple less channels but like I said a few key channels get very erratic results.

And so, I am thinking perhaps of getting a better indoor antenna. The RS UFO (15-1892) looks good on paper because it would rotate to get the best reception per channel. Is such an antenna likely to keep a solid strength or is the more a function of the tuner? Or is it a case of "try it and see"? Any other suggestions?

Oh, and does the RS UFO work well with a Harmony remote? I would assume yes but I would hate for there to be an unpleasant surprise.

Thanks.


_Lazza


PS - I would prefer not having an antenna with annoying rabbit ears.

PPS - I did try using the MANT940 with my Toshiba LCD. The results were disappointing. The MANT940 seems highly directional. Perhaps with considerable effort I could have found the right location and angle to get decent results. But as an outdoor antenna it works fine for me.

Not needing "annoying" rabbit ears on an indoor antenna would depend on the frequencies being used in your area. If you have some stations broadasting in the VHF band, you need them. The "UFO" antenna has rabbit ears, but RS conveniently doesn't show them in some pictures.

If an antenna works fine outside but not inside, you may have roof, wall or window materials that block, attenuate or reflect TV signals.

Thanks. I didn't know the RS UFO had rabbit ears, .. ugh.

In my area there are only a couple of stations that are broadcast via VHF, and I understand a new broadcast tower is being built to improve the service (..not sure if they'll stay VHF). Perhaps I'm asking too much, but I want an indoor antenna that is both unintrusive and does not require minor adjustments all the time. What I love about my MANT940 is that is small and, when positioned correctly, brings in very consistent signals all the time. Unfortunately the MANT940 does not work well for me indoors.

Any other suggestions?

Thanks.


_Lazza

I was just about to suggest the SS-3000 also. It's only 5 inches tall and a good performer. You can see one on page 1 of this thread.

Also, foil-backed foamboard insulation, metal roofs and energy-efficient windows with "Low-e" heat reflecting glass all degrade indoor reception.

Thanks for all the tips, guys. At least I now know what to investigate.

And yes, my townhouse has a metal roof. Not sure if it is related, cell phone reception in my townhouse is virtually nil. It's a curious sight to see all my neighbors, and myself, march outside to do a call. A total pain.


_Lazza

Absolutely related to the metal roof (and possibly other window/wall materials that block radio waves).

Unfortunately the UK government report doesn't name names....

Further to my posts wrt difficulty with VHF reception, here is my TV Fool output:

http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...7f14f88ceb360c

My troubles are with stations 7.1 and 10.1. Notice that post-transition shows improved output from these broadcasting stations since a new broadcasting tower is being built. Should I expect noticeable improvement in reception? Since I only experience with these two VHF digital stations I am wondering if VHF is inherently more prone to interference? The VHF analog reception I get varies from fair to utterly awful. I have no issues with receiving UHF signals from any station within 35 miles of me.

I am mostly bothered by my inability to pull in 10.1 (ABC). For Fox I can get 29.1 instead of 7.1 despite the station being 20+ miles further out.


Thanks.


_Lazza

The TVFool results say you shouldn't have too much difficulty receiving what you want. And that's supported by the fact that the MANT940 works well for you downstairs, on your patio.

So why don't you either: 1) get a second MANT940, and mount it outside a second-floor window (same side of building as the patio); or 2) get a splitter, and run a coax line from your current MANT940 (in its current location) to your upstairs TV?

You're pretty obviously living in a dwelling that's attenuating signals rather dramatically - a metal roof, and likely a metal foil vapor barrier in the walls. You're probably not going to be satisfied with any indoor solution - especially since you're directly comparing the results to what you're getting from your MANT940, outside. You've had success with the MANT940 on the patio. Use the same solution upstairs.

Thanks. Yes, installing an outdoor antenna is obviously the best functional way forward for me. But it is something I would consider only as a last resort because it would require a fair amount of effort (..it would be on the third floor of my townhouse, not the second floor). Having my MANT940 installed on my patio was a cinch because I simply hijacked existing coax cabling from my old DirecTV satellite.

Sticking with the indoor antenna idea, I'm thinking that mounting one by a window that is perched one floor about where my MANT940 is installed might be workable. Right now my RS antenna faces that window but it is 5-6 feet away. I am going to buy a longer coax cable to see if it helps. I suspect it will help some, but not enough.

Again the biggest problem is extremely volatility of the reception for station 10.1. My Toshiba television might show signal strength of 90% for one minute then drop to zero for a few seconds, then bounce around all values in between ... causing breakups and such. The effect on my DVDR, with a weaker tuner, is far worse ... often simply showing "no signal".


_Lazza


PS - the RS 15-1868 I use is clearly not best of breed amongst indoor antennas. Before I got the MANT940 I used it on my television downstairs. I had similar problems with channels 7.1 and 10.1 but not so severe, perhaps because the antenna was positioned (and facing) the large sliding glass door to the patio. Well then I moved the RS 15-1868 outside to the patio and the results were improved significantly, at least to the point where fluctuations in signal strength never caused pixellation. Of course this RS antenna was not meant for outdoor use, hence I went with the MANT940. I am now trying to recycle the RS 15-1868 for use upstairs. But I think its days are numbered.

Here's a link about other forms of interference:

www.kyes.com/antenna/interference/tvibook

I'm convinced that my amplified antenna is getting some form of this. Three channels from the same tower come in at 100%, 92%, and 40%. TVFool says that the channel reading 40% should come in best. I'm gonna try an fm trap first. Too bad there's never been an analog signal on rf 21, so I could see the type of interference happening.

EV: I have noticed many Winegard GS 2200 showing up on the DBS mounts in ZIP 61231 & 61260. HD locals are still not available in Quad Cities on DISH, and many people have purchased new TV sets. I had the GW1100 on my roof & found it not suitable for UHF at 22 to 30 miles out. With WHBF returning to RF4, the amped model might work for people next month.

Here is an update. I bought a nice 12 ft coax cable on sale at RS:

http://www.radioshack.com/product/in...ductId=2284529

Took my MANT940 from downstairs and tried it upstairs by the window. Although there were some positive results I gave up after a few minutes. The MANT940 is *HIGHLY* directional. A nudge of only a 1/2 inch can alter its performance significantly. Unless the MANT940 is firmly mounted it is unusable, IMHO. I wasn't willing to drill holes to mount the unit, at least not now.

I then took my RS 15-1892 and moved it right near the window. The results were significantly improved for the problem VHF stations 7.1 and 10.1, and I think they are good enough to keep things going until after the June date when analog broadcasts stop. Upgrading the antenna still sounds like an attractive alternative.

Thanks guys for your help.


_Lazza

EV, is there any chance of you trying the RCA ANT2000 (Smart Antenna version of their flat antennas)?

What is the best portable antenna that can cover both UHF and upper VHF channels?

I was considering the Terk HDTVi, but I'm concerned about its stability in a car. I don't expect an antenna to remain upright in a moving vehicle, but would be a plus.

Antennas relying on or requiring amplifiers won't work.

I'm currently using a Philips Silver Sensor for the task and it can work with stronger VHF signals, but isn't exactly ideal. Something that I can put on the roof of the car would be good as I usually conduct tests while stopped. I have a rabbit ear/loop combo as well, but it's just not good enough for UHF.

Thanks!

It's the exact opposite for me. My antennas work better INSIDE then outside. Isn't it crazy? Must be reflections.

Analog works great anywhere.

You know, I feel the classic bowtie goes best when paired with just rabbit ears. The dipoles are quite portable too. You just have to figure out a platform to employ them upon. The three-piece combo definitely outperforms the Silver Sensor for UHF reception. However, the best aim of the dipoles may be different for UHF vs VHF. I assumed the aim wouldn't be different for months, but it is here.

Yesterday there was a RS 1862 on Ebay and it sold for $76 dollars and change. Is the antenna worth that much or did someone get carried away bidding?

I bought an RS-1868 from Ebay and I hooked it up to an Insignia 7 inch portable TV I have at home and took it out into the yard to scan the channels. I live just outside Baltimore, MD and I was able to pick up all the local Baltimore channels and most of the Washington DC Channels. Now it didn't do as well in the house, but I will probably only use the TV out of the house anyway.

there only $59.99 at radioshack so whoever payed 76 got jipped