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EV's Recommended & Top Rated DTV Indoor UHF/VHF Set Top Antenna Review Round-Up Guide - Page 106

post #3151 of 3240
4/12/12 at 8:44pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by mho714 View Post

Hi Everyone

I would like an antenna recommendation per my http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...267e36651bdc14 report.

I currently have the Radio Shack antenna on top of my tv on the second floor. I have the dipoles fully extended since half way was worse. The tv is about 5 feet from the window. Some channels are choppy during the day like channel 7, 9 & 13.

I would like to install an antenna in the attic if I could to get the best, but I am also willing to install one on the roof. I live in a 2 story single family home with asphalt shingles and stucco siding.

I was thinking either this one or this one.

TIA

Well as promised, I am reporting back with positive results. I now get over 150 crisp channels with the Winegard roof mounted.

Thank you everyone.
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post #3152 of 3240
4/13/12 at 12:02am
Hi All,

I have a Terk HDTVa on the way and was wondering if I need to use amplifiication or just leave it in the off position.

http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...36162448724c55

Thanks!
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post #3153 of 3240
4/13/12 at 12:30am
i guess the best way to find out is to try it both ways too see what works best for your location.just make sure its plugged in when you try it out amplified and non amplified.
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post #3154 of 3240
4/13/12 at 8:05am
Start with the amplifier off and have your TVFool report handy. See if you get all the stations at nearly due south down to KFPB-LD. If so, you're set!
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post #3155 of 3240
4/21/12 at 10:35pm
Hi:

Would it be possible to get an indoor antenna recommendation based on my tvfool report?

http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...7fcf77e8e34cbd

I was thinking of a Terk HDTVa but any recommendations would be great.
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post #3156 of 3240
4/22/12 at 5:11am
For your channels to the NW shown in green on your TVFool report, do not use an amplified antenna. I would try the budget RS antenna. If not available locally, check ebay.

Indoor reception is impossible to predict, due to different building materials that can block signals. For best results, put the antenna near a wall facing West or Northwest, and away from all electronic devices, including the TV. To extend the coax length, add more, connect a longer piece, using a barrel splice.
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post #3157 of 3240
4/22/12 at 1:21pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by arxaw View Post

For your channels to the NW shown in green on your TVFool report, do not use an amplified antenna. I would try the budget RS antenna. If not available locally, check ebay.

Indoor reception is impossible to predict, due to different building materials that can block signals. For best results, put the antenna near a wall facing West or Northwest, and away from all electronic devices, including the TV. To extend the coax length, add more, connect a longer piece, using a barrel splice.

I would love to try the RS Budget antenna, but I can't even find any listings for it on ebay.ca. What would be the next model that you'd recommend?
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post #3158 of 3240
4/22/12 at 1:28pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by CingKrab View Post

I would love to try the RS Budget antenna, but I can't even find any listings for it on ebay.ca. What would be the next model that you'd recommend?

I found it there with a simple search on their site for radioshack antenna.
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/RadioShack-HD...-/120899240541
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post #3159 of 3240
4/24/12 at 12:18pm
I understand that in order to post the tvfool link, I need to make 3 posts first? So, this is #1.
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post #3160 of 3240
4/24/12 at 12:18pm
Post 2 of 3
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post #3161 of 3240
4/24/12 at 12:19pm
This is the 3rd of three posts.
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post #3162 of 3240
4/24/12 at 12:28pm
I purchased and installed a Monoprice 4730 indoor/outdoor DHTV antenna.

After installing it about 3 feet above the TV upstairs, I found that the channels were frequently pixelating, freezing or going to no signal message.

With a friend, I tried the antenna out of doors (through a bedroom window) on the same floor and the reception was better but still inadequate.

I contacted Monoprice tech support who told me that their antennas are only for "green" and "yellow" channels. Since antennaweb tells me that my channels are red, blue and purple, if they are correct, I need a more "powerful" antenna.

I found this site and thread where people are kind enough to offer advice, so I am submitting my link to tvfool with a request for advice on a suitable antenna and placement.

My house is surrounded by trees which in all directions are higher than the roof (by more than 20 feet). The area is hilly, so I doubt that any transmitter is in direct line of sight.

My link is http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...7fcf99c735cd96.

Thanks is advance for any assistance/advice.

Steve
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post #3163 of 3240
5/23/12 at 4:30am
I'm trying to get a better signal to my Garage TV ... it has an internal HD tuner and I'm currently using a Radio Shack Double Bowtie Antenna like the one pictured here >

I'm having problems getting a good, consistent signal with lots of drops on channels such as 5.1 and 50.1 ... etc ...

Here is my TV fool report ... any recommendations on a better antenna? Thanks

http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...073b62fbb0c2b0
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post #3164 of 3240
5/23/12 at 5:10am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tim_in_NC View Post

I'm trying to get a better signal to my Garage TV ... it has an internal HD tuner and I'm currently using a Radio Shack Double Bowtie Antenna like the one pictured here >

I'm having problems getting a good, consistent signal with lots of drops on channels such as 5.1 and 50.1 ... etc ...

Here is my TV fool report ... any recommendations on a better antenna? Thanks

http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...073b62fbb0c2b0

Your existing bowtie antenna should work well for your strong signals at the top of your TVFool list. Many building materials reduce signal strength of indoor reception. Locating the antenna in or near an East/NE-facing window should work best for you. Also locate the antenna away from all interfering electrical/electronic devices. Add a longer coax if necessary.
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post #3165 of 3240
5/23/12 at 10:19pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tim_in_NC View Post

I'm trying to get a better signal to my Garage TV ... it has an internal HD tuner and I'm currently using a Radio Shack Double Bowtie Antenna like the one pictured here >

I'm having problems getting a good, consistent signal with lots of drops on channels such as 5.1 and 50.1 ... etc ...

Here is my TV fool report ... any recommendations on a better antenna? Thanks

http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...073b62fbb0c2b0

If some of the green TVFool channels come in consistently, it may be a matter of location, aim, and height. Different frequencies travel differently, even if they originate from the same location. I know this makes things more difficult because of the need to adjust the antenna, but that's how indoor reception works. Changing the height of the double bowtie by a foot or 2 may be the difference between perfect picture and unwatchable breakups. Indoor reception is learned 1 channel at a time. Good Luck.
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post #3166 of 3240
5/24/12 at 5:53am
Exactly.

Finding a hot spot by trial & error (where signals for all channels are relatively clean and strong and free from electronic/electrical interference) is the key to good indoor reception. It will likely yield better results than throwing money at another antenna and putting it back in the exact same location as the previous one.
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post #3167 of 3240
5/24/12 at 9:04am
Thanks guys ... I'll keep trying new locations ...
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post #3168 of 3240
6/3/12 at 3:04pm
My 86 year old mom just moved into an assisted living facility. Before considering cable, I thought I'd try an antenna for her and see if she was satisfied with that. Unfortunately, for TV reception anyway, her room is on the west side of the building and the signals all come from the east.

Because she would like something unobtrusive and having limited mobility she can not be fiddling with it, I set her up RCA ANT1450B from walmart.

She did need the amplification, I tried it with the amplifier unplugged and missed more stations and some of the ones she did get would pixelate, etc.

She is picking up all the channels I'd expect except 6.1 (also 6.2) and 10.1 (10.2-10.4 also).

I thought I might get a different antenna and see if she would get more channels. But I'm sure what might be good to try next?

Is there some particular reason why 10 and 6 would no be picked up?

Since I'm not yet allowed to post a link, I will post a follow-up with link to TV fool report.
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post #3169 of 3240
6/3/12 at 3:05pm
Note that channel 10 is not identified in the linked report, but call letters are WMVS:

http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...13496a77b6955a
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post #3170 of 3240
6/3/12 at 3:41pm
Your signals are strong. But you chose one of the worst indoor antennas. This particular model 15-1874 passive antenna from RS would likely work better. I am basing this suggestion on actual experience, in more than one instance.

Put it near a window if possible, and as far away from any and all electronic/electrical devices as possible to reduce the chances of interference. Odds are, there is a reception hot spot in the rooom, somewhere. With indoor reception, the difficulty lies in finding it. Patience and trial & error, with repeated rescanning will likely find it. Adding a longer coax will help you relocate the antenna away from sources of interference, which may include the TV itself. Use a barrel splice for that purpose.

BTW, WMVS shows up on the tvfool report I clicked on, above. Select the "Only Digital" option. It is on real channel 36.
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post #3171 of 3240
6/3/12 at 7:02pm
(yep, I saw WMVS I meant it did not list the virtual channel, 10.1)

Well, if I got almost all the channels with a terrible antenna a better one should get them all.

I'd seen that RS antenna recommended here, but thought she'd prefer the appearance of the flat style over the rabbit ears. I was also thinking the rabbit ears would require fiddling...but maybe that not the case any longer with the signals being digital.

Is there any point in putting it in the window when her only windows are on the west and all the transmitters are to the east?
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post #3172 of 3240
6/3/12 at 7:22pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by jeffyscott View Post

(yep, I saw WMVS I meant it did not list the virtual channel, 10.1)

Well, if I got almost all the channels with a terrible antenna a better one should get them all.

I'd seen that RS antenna recommended here, but thought she'd prefer the appearance of the flat style over the rabbit ears. I was also thinking the rabbit ears would require fiddling...but maybe that not the case any longer with the signals being digital.

Is there any point in putting it in the window when her only windows are on the west and all the transmitters are to the east?

TVFool does not always list all virutal channels. Sometimes, only the real transmit channel is listed.

Manufacturers make and sell flat antennas for people who buy on looks instead of performance. They sell a lot of them and occasionally, they even work if one is lucky. But they usually don't work as well as a conventional TV antenna.

The only "fiddling" needed will be extending the VHF dipole rods no more than about half their length each in a "V" and finding a hot spot to place the antenna. With indoor, don't expect an antenna to work as well in one spot as it will in another. And it may be a difference of only a foot or so. Reception hot spots are usually (but not always) near an exterior wall and more likely in or near a window, even a window facing the wrong direction.

YMMV considerably. Indoor reception is a crap shoot that often requires lots of patience.

If reception is not satisfactory, putting the antenna near an exterior wall or window can often be very important. Also, try placing the antenna at different heights in the room. Higher or lower by even only a foot can make a huge difference.
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post #3173 of 3240
6/3/12 at 8:00pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by arxaw View Post

TVFool does not always list all virutal channels. Sometimes, only the real transmit channel is listed.

Yes, I've discovered that 10-1 is actually real channel 8, so it is VHF (there is an SD simulcast of it on real channel 36, so that's why the call letters showed up there). That is likely why that one was missed by that antenna, since it has no long rods for picking up VHF signals. Not sure why 6-1 and 6-2 were missed, though, as they are real channel 33.

Anyway, after reading on the different types of antenna at TVfool, I guess the rabbit ears are still the only real option for VHF. I'll guess give that radio shack one a try.
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post #3174 of 3240
6/3/12 at 8:14pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by jeffyscott View Post

Yes, I've discovered that 10-1 is actually real channel 8, so it is VHF (there is an SD simulcast of it on real channel 36, so that's why the call letters showed up there). That is likely why that one was missed by that antenna, since it has no long rods for picking up VHF signals. Not sure why 6-1 and 6-2 were missed, though, as they are real channel 33...

Probably interference on ch 33 where the antenna was sitting, or overamplification by the antenna's amp.
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post #3175 of 3240
6/3/12 at 10:09pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by jeffyscott View Post

(yep, I saw WMVS I meant it did not list the virtual channel, 10.1)

Well, if I got almost all the channels with a terrible antenna a better one should get them all.

I'd seen that RS antenna recommended here, but thought she'd prefer the appearance of the flat style over the rabbit ears. I was also thinking the rabbit ears would require fiddling...but maybe that not the case any longer with the signals being digital.

Is there any point in putting it in the window when her only windows are on the west and all the transmitters are to the east?

You could also try the classic single bowtie from RS if it looks better to you. Even though the packaging says "uhf", your PBS on rf 8 is strong enough for it to work for you. RS allows returns, so try a couple of antennas while your at it. I think the bowtie is a better uhf antenna than the RS budget. Good Luck.
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post #3176 of 3240
6/7/12 at 7:52pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by arxaw View Post


Probably interference on ch 33 where the antenna was sitting, or overamplification by the antenna's amp.

Must be interference, I tried with and without plugging in the amplifier.

Tried the RS 1874, the only way I picked up the one VHF channel was by connecting it with the amp from the other antenna. For the UHF channels the RS 1874 did not pick up some that the other antenna did.

So, since the omnidirectional design seems to work better for this situation, I'm debating whether to leave well enough alone or try this:

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=11694069

or this: http://www.shopko.com/detail/philips-digital-tv-antenna-indoor-hdtvuhfvhf/22831

or this: http://www.americantv.com/productpage/Jasco-24746-GE_Futura-_TV_Antenna,054011627?itemCd=054011627&linkBack=L3Byb2R1Y3RsaXN0L0FudGVubmFzLDUwMjI%3D

(those all say they pick up VHF)

or maybe this: http://www.walmart.com/ip/GE-Amplified-Antenna/20976616
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post #3177 of 3240
6/8/12 at 11:42am
Quote:
Originally Posted by jeffyscott View Post

(yep, I saw WMVS I meant it did not list the virtual channel, 10.1)


Well, if I got almost all the channels with a terrible antenna a better one should get them all.



I'd seen that RS antenna recommended here, but thought she'd prefer the appearance of the flat style over the rabbit ears. I was also thinking the rabbit ears would require fiddling...but maybe that not the case any longer with the signals being digital.


Is there any point in putting it in the window when her only windows are on the west and all the transmitters are to the east?[/quote - If you prefer a flat panel style antenna, then the Mohu Leaf usually gets the best reviews for that type of antenna. But could be problematic for some VHF unless signals are strong. They also make an amplified version if necessary. If the Radioshack budget did not work, try upgrading to the Terk HDTVa which adds rabbit ears. Plug it in, but try with amp off and then on to see which way works best. Maybe add a barrel splice and RG6 extension cable if necessary. Another idea is Clearstream 1 Convertible now sold at Walmart for $59. Works good for UHF and also gets VHF at my location, and worked better for me than the flat panel Micron version that was $79. But if wife likes that flat panel Micron version, you could always give it a try. And they sell a RCA-Audiovox inline amp at Walmart for $19.99 that you could always add to it if necessary, and Antennas Direct sells their own amp for this antenna as well. Walmart should be easy returns if you get unsatisfactory results. Just a few ideas there.
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post #3178 of 3240
6/8/12 at 2:27pm
Success!

Since I was returning the RS budget model, I picked up the Antennacraft Amplified Omnidirectional while I was there. It worked great and pretty effortlessly. After trying it in a few spots, the window was the best location for channel 10 (real ch 8), the one VHF channel, as had been the case with the RS budget antenna. Set it up there, ran a full channel scan and it got them all.

It picked up 33 channels (the first antenna had only gotten 22, I think). I deleted 2 weak analog channels and one other analog signal is not perfect, but all the digital channels seemed fine.
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post #3179 of 3240
6/8/12 at 3:01pm
Glad that Antennacraft model worked for you. I was wondering about that one as well. It may be similar to the Antennas Direct Micron antenna, but not sure. They had it on sale about a week ago, and if it goes on sale again I might get one to try in my 2nd floor bonus room. I use a CS1 there now.
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post #3180 of 3240
6/20/12 at 9:15pm
Hello all, Did anyone catch the advert for an indoor ant here last week, that show a flat indoor ant that was white on one side & black on the other? Do you have the name &/or
web site ? Anyone purchased & tried one out yet?

John
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