That antenna is a big rip off because it costs too much. You should go to some store like Target or a smaller one like Big Lots and get a rabbit ears antenna with a built in hoop on it. It should cost under $10. This is the kind of antenna I use to get digital TV stations from 45 miles away. When I first hooked up this antenna to my set and saw perfect reception on the digital channels, it freaked me out since I had been used to reception from analog channels almost too snowy to watch from using just an indoor antenna.
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indoor antenna appropiate? help!!! thanks
Hello, I am a "newbie" so please excuse the lack of knowledge. I want to purchase an antenna to watch Hd programming. I already have a 52" Samsung flat panel w/ ATSC Tuner. First, I would like to start off with an indoor antenna, and then if that doesn't work, change to outdoor. My zip code is 01604 in MA. I just wanted to know if this indoor antenna could work for me. It states that the range is up to 50 miles, and on Antenna Web all my channels I would need are about 30 miles away. I live on a hill.
THANKS.
http://www.radioshack.com/product/in...entPage=family
THANKS.
http://www.radioshack.com/product/in...entPage=family
1 - 12 of 12 Posts
You are in Oklahoma which has very different terrain and woods than MA. Good that your indoor antenna works at 45 miles, but in other places, reception at 45 miles requires an attic or rooftop antenna setup.
boi111, the radio Shack you listed is a directional antenna. The 50 mile range is not that meaningful value except to indicate that it is a medium range antenna. I will post a more detailed answer later.
Quote:
Originally Posted by StillwaterTownie /forum/post/12878604
That antenna is a big rip off because it costs too much. You should go to some store like Target or a smaller one like Big Lots and and get a rabbit ears antenna with a built in hoop on it. It should cost under $10. This is the kind of antenna I use to get digital TV stations from 45 miles away.
You are in Oklahoma which has very different terrain and woods than MA. Good that your indoor antenna works at 45 miles, but in other places, reception at 45 miles requires an attic or rooftop antenna setup.
boi111, the radio Shack you listed is a directional antenna. The 50 mile range is not that meaningful value except to indicate that it is a medium range antenna. I will post a more detailed answer later.
But I think I've made adequate consideration from the fact he's closer to the stations than I am, plus he's on a hill. Going to the expense of an overly elaborate antenna could be a needless bother, so I hope he tries my recommendation first.
(no affiliation, just think they're an honest, accurate site with an excellent offering)
www.antennasdirect.comQuote:
Originally Posted by boi111 /forum/post/12877164
I want to purchase an antenna to watch Hd programming.]
(no affiliation, just think they're an honest, accurate site with an excellent offering)
It is a useful first step to try a cheap indoor antenna. But he is 28 to 36 miles from stations in 2 cities. I doubt if the indoor antenna will get more than a few of his local stations. Being on a hill helps, but few of use who live in the east can get stations reliably at your 45 miles range with an indoor antenna. We have to go with putting a more substantial antenna in the attic or outdoors.
Quote:
Originally Posted by StillwaterTownie /forum/post/12878737
But I think I've made adequate consideration from the fact he's closer to the stations than I am, plus he's on a hill. Going to the expense of an overly elaborate antenna could be a needless bother, so I hope he tries my recommendation first.
It is a useful first step to try a cheap indoor antenna. But he is 28 to 36 miles from stations in 2 cities. I doubt if the indoor antenna will get more than a few of his local stations. Being on a hill helps, but few of use who live in the east can get stations reliably at your 45 miles range with an indoor antenna. We have to go with putting a more substantial antenna in the attic or outdoors.
Short answer, this is not the best antenna if you want to get both the Boston and Providence stations. First useful websites: antennaweb.org, tvfool.com (more technical), http://www.hdtvprimer.com/ISSUES/erecting_antenna.html .
You should be able to get quite a few digital stations. Plugging your zip code and 250' for antenna height under options to get a more complete list of digital stations into antennaweb shows the following closer digital stations:
* yellow - uhf WJAR-DT 10.1 NBC PROVIDENCE RI 151° 36.7 51
* yellow - uhf WNAC-DT 64.1 FOX PROVIDENCE RI 152° 36.1 54
* yellow - uhf WFXT-DT 25.1 FOX BOSTON MA 97° 28.5 31
* yellow - uhf WGBH-DT 2.1 PBS BOSTON MA 96° 27.7 19
* yellow - uhf WGBX-DT 44.1 PBS BOSTON MA 96° 27.7 43
* yellow - uhf WUNI-DT 27.1 UNI WORCESTER MA 42° 6.3 29
* yellow - uhf WLVI-DT 56.1 CW CAMBRIDGE MA 97° 28.5 41
* yellow - uhf WYDN-DT 47 DAY WORCESTER MA TBD 97° 28.3 47
* yellow - uhf WSBK-DT 38.1 IND BOSTON MA 96° 27.7 39
* yellow - uhf WBPX-DT 68.1 ION BOSTON MA 97° 28.3 32
* yellow - uhf WBZ-DT 4.1 CBS BOSTON MA 96° 27.7 30
* yellow - uhf WCVB-DT 5.1 ABC BOSTON MA 96° 27.7 20
* yellow - uhf WHDH-DT 7.1 NBC BOSTON MA 96° 28.7 42
* green - uhf WUTF-DT 66.1 TFA MARLBOROUGH MA 72° 16.9 23
* green - uhf WMFP-DT 18.1 SAH LAWRENCE MA TBD 97° 28.3 18
* green - uhf WLNE-DT 6.1 ABC NEW BEDFORD MA 151° 36.7 49
* lt green - uhf WSBE-DT 21.1 PBS PROVIDENCE RI 151° 36.7 21
* red - uhf WWDP-DT 52.1 SAH NORWELL MA 130° 38.6 52
* red - vhf WPRI-DT 12.1 CBS PROVIDENCE RI 150° 36.2 13
The last number on each line is the actual broadcast channel. All of the digital stations are currently on UHF except for WPRI-DT CBS 12 in Providence on upper VHF 13. However, in February 2009 after the analog shutdown, WHDH-DT NBC 7 in Boston is going to VHF 7 and WNAC-DT Fox in Providence is going to VHF 12. So you need an antenna setup to get UHF and VHF, but you have a large angle of around 54° between the 2 cities.
There are various alternatives. Is an attic mount viable? Rooftop is better, but an attic setup can be easier. Anyway, one approach is to get one of the new Winegard HD769xP upper VHF and UHF antennas and a rotator. Another approach, which I would probably do in your case is a Channel Master 4221 4 Bay bowtie with a rotator, but with enough room on the mast to add a Winegard YA-6713 upper VHF antenna should it prove necessary. The CM 4221 might be able to get the stations in both cities without having to rotate it every time to watch the stations in either city. However, if you only care about getting the stations in Boston, then try a Silver Sensor UHF antenna as a starter to see what stations you can get. But knowing the terrain in that part of MA (went to college in Worcester), I think you will need to go the attic or outdoor mount route.
Whew, long post. Hope it helps more than it confuses! D:
Quote:
Originally Posted by boi111 /forum/post/12877164
Hello, I am a "newbie" so please excuse the lack of knowledge. I want to purchase an antenna to watch Hd programming. I already have a 52" Samsung flat panel w/ ATSC Tuner. First, I would like to start off with an indoor antenna, and then if that doesn't work, change to outdoor. My zip code is 01604 in MA. I just wanted to know if this indoor antenna could work for me.
Short answer, this is not the best antenna if you want to get both the Boston and Providence stations. First useful websites: antennaweb.org, tvfool.com (more technical), http://www.hdtvprimer.com/ISSUES/erecting_antenna.html .
You should be able to get quite a few digital stations. Plugging your zip code and 250' for antenna height under options to get a more complete list of digital stations into antennaweb shows the following closer digital stations:
* yellow - uhf WJAR-DT 10.1 NBC PROVIDENCE RI 151° 36.7 51
* yellow - uhf WNAC-DT 64.1 FOX PROVIDENCE RI 152° 36.1 54
* yellow - uhf WFXT-DT 25.1 FOX BOSTON MA 97° 28.5 31
* yellow - uhf WGBH-DT 2.1 PBS BOSTON MA 96° 27.7 19
* yellow - uhf WGBX-DT 44.1 PBS BOSTON MA 96° 27.7 43
* yellow - uhf WUNI-DT 27.1 UNI WORCESTER MA 42° 6.3 29
* yellow - uhf WLVI-DT 56.1 CW CAMBRIDGE MA 97° 28.5 41
* yellow - uhf WYDN-DT 47 DAY WORCESTER MA TBD 97° 28.3 47
* yellow - uhf WSBK-DT 38.1 IND BOSTON MA 96° 27.7 39
* yellow - uhf WBPX-DT 68.1 ION BOSTON MA 97° 28.3 32
* yellow - uhf WBZ-DT 4.1 CBS BOSTON MA 96° 27.7 30
* yellow - uhf WCVB-DT 5.1 ABC BOSTON MA 96° 27.7 20
* yellow - uhf WHDH-DT 7.1 NBC BOSTON MA 96° 28.7 42
* green - uhf WUTF-DT 66.1 TFA MARLBOROUGH MA 72° 16.9 23
* green - uhf WMFP-DT 18.1 SAH LAWRENCE MA TBD 97° 28.3 18
* green - uhf WLNE-DT 6.1 ABC NEW BEDFORD MA 151° 36.7 49
* lt green - uhf WSBE-DT 21.1 PBS PROVIDENCE RI 151° 36.7 21
* red - uhf WWDP-DT 52.1 SAH NORWELL MA 130° 38.6 52
* red - vhf WPRI-DT 12.1 CBS PROVIDENCE RI 150° 36.2 13
The last number on each line is the actual broadcast channel. All of the digital stations are currently on UHF except for WPRI-DT CBS 12 in Providence on upper VHF 13. However, in February 2009 after the analog shutdown, WHDH-DT NBC 7 in Boston is going to VHF 7 and WNAC-DT Fox in Providence is going to VHF 12. So you need an antenna setup to get UHF and VHF, but you have a large angle of around 54° between the 2 cities.
There are various alternatives. Is an attic mount viable? Rooftop is better, but an attic setup can be easier. Anyway, one approach is to get one of the new Winegard HD769xP upper VHF and UHF antennas and a rotator. Another approach, which I would probably do in your case is a Channel Master 4221 4 Bay bowtie with a rotator, but with enough room on the mast to add a Winegard YA-6713 upper VHF antenna should it prove necessary. The CM 4221 might be able to get the stations in both cities without having to rotate it every time to watch the stations in either city. However, if you only care about getting the stations in Boston, then try a Silver Sensor UHF antenna as a starter to see what stations you can get. But knowing the terrain in that part of MA (went to college in Worcester), I think you will need to go the attic or outdoor mount route.
Whew, long post. Hope it helps more than it confuses! D:
That was very helpful everyone. Thanks to everyone who contributed, especially afiggatt. I was skeptical because I heard that many people were able to receive great signals OTA using indoor antennas at over 40 miles anyway. I have decided to use an outdoor antenna just to be safe and not have to wonder whether I am getting the strongest signal possible. Any recommendations for large antennas? I am contemplating trying one from my local Radioshack (returnable if need be) or using a popular model on amazon. ANYONE HAVE suggestions?
heres the radioshack model
http://www.radioshack.com/product/in...entPage=family
heres the amazon model
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...677M5739JA6MSY
Thanks!
heres the radioshack model
http://www.radioshack.com/product/in...entPage=family
heres the amazon model
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...677M5739JA6MSY
Thanks!
Did you even read our advice? Have you looked at the size of that Radio Shack antenna? It is 160" long (13.3') and 110" wide! It is a highly directional deep fringe model which is big because it is covers down to low VHF 2 (with a wavelength of 5 meters). All of your digital stations in your area are and will be on upper VHF 7 to 13 and UHF. The analog stations on low VHF in you markets will be shut down in 13 months, so you do not need to worry about low VHF.
One of the key factors in antenna selection for your location is the angle of around 54 degrees between the main group of stations in Boston and Providence. With a rooftop mount, you will want to put up a rotator to tweak the antenna aim from time to time even if you find an antenna aim that gets all the stations in 1 city and most of them in other as the seasons change. The 160" long Radio Shack will likely over-stress a rotator. You need a medium range antenna with wider beam pickup, not a highly directional deep fringe 60 to 80+ mile one.
If you really want to buy from your local Radio Shack store, try the medium range 80" VU-90 XR. But this is also a low VHF antenna and wider than you need.
The other and better alternatives are as I posted before. One, get one of the new Winegard HD769xP upper VHF and UHF antennas ( http://www.winegard.com/offair/vhfuhf.htm ), either the 90" long HD7695P or the 110" HD7696P. See solidsignal.com for on-line prices.
Another is to get the Channel Master 4221 4 Bay bowtie for UHF because it offers a good shot at getting the digital stations in both cities without having to constantly rotate it. I have a CM 4221 in my attic and pick up the Baltimore stations at 43 miles & 62° and the Washington DC stations at 16-18 miles & ~114° with the antenna aimed mainly at Baltimore and no rotator. I have added a Winegard upper VHF antenna to be ready for 2009 and to pick up a digital station on VHF 12 at 48 miles off in another direction. See the charts at http://www.hdtvprimer.com/ANTENNAS/comparing.html .
However, the Cm 4221 may not have enough gain for WHDH-DT NBC 7 when it switches it's digital channel from UHF 42 to VHF 7 in February, 2009. In that case, you might have to add a upper VHF antenna (around 35" wide) to the mast under the CM 4221.
However, before you go running off to put up a rooftop antenna, buy or borrow a cheap table top UHF loop and VHF rabbit ear antenna to see what digital stations you can get. You can use this to get a feel for the digital reception at your location. You can also go to antennaweb.org and tvfool.com and enter you exact location and a rooftop height for the antenna to see what stations those sites list. You should also check the Boston OTA local thread in the Local Reception forum to see if anyone there has antenna advice.
Quote:
Originally Posted by boi111 /forum/post/12894641
That was very helpful everyone. Thanks to everyone who contributed, especially afiggatt. I was skeptical because I heard that many people were able to receive great signals OTA using indoor antennas at over 40 miles anyway. I have decided to use an outdoor antenna just to be safe and not have to wonder whether I am getting the strongest signal possible. Any recommendations for large antennas? I am contemplating trying one from my local Radioshack (returnable if need be) or using a popular model on amazon. ANYONE HAVE suggestions?
heres the radioshack model
http://www.radioshack.com/product/in...entPage=family
Did you even read our advice? Have you looked at the size of that Radio Shack antenna? It is 160" long (13.3') and 110" wide! It is a highly directional deep fringe model which is big because it is covers down to low VHF 2 (with a wavelength of 5 meters). All of your digital stations in your area are and will be on upper VHF 7 to 13 and UHF. The analog stations on low VHF in you markets will be shut down in 13 months, so you do not need to worry about low VHF.
One of the key factors in antenna selection for your location is the angle of around 54 degrees between the main group of stations in Boston and Providence. With a rooftop mount, you will want to put up a rotator to tweak the antenna aim from time to time even if you find an antenna aim that gets all the stations in 1 city and most of them in other as the seasons change. The 160" long Radio Shack will likely over-stress a rotator. You need a medium range antenna with wider beam pickup, not a highly directional deep fringe 60 to 80+ mile one.
If you really want to buy from your local Radio Shack store, try the medium range 80" VU-90 XR. But this is also a low VHF antenna and wider than you need.
The other and better alternatives are as I posted before. One, get one of the new Winegard HD769xP upper VHF and UHF antennas ( http://www.winegard.com/offair/vhfuhf.htm ), either the 90" long HD7695P or the 110" HD7696P. See solidsignal.com for on-line prices.
Another is to get the Channel Master 4221 4 Bay bowtie for UHF because it offers a good shot at getting the digital stations in both cities without having to constantly rotate it. I have a CM 4221 in my attic and pick up the Baltimore stations at 43 miles & 62° and the Washington DC stations at 16-18 miles & ~114° with the antenna aimed mainly at Baltimore and no rotator. I have added a Winegard upper VHF antenna to be ready for 2009 and to pick up a digital station on VHF 12 at 48 miles off in another direction. See the charts at http://www.hdtvprimer.com/ANTENNAS/comparing.html .
However, the Cm 4221 may not have enough gain for WHDH-DT NBC 7 when it switches it's digital channel from UHF 42 to VHF 7 in February, 2009. In that case, you might have to add a upper VHF antenna (around 35" wide) to the mast under the CM 4221.
However, before you go running off to put up a rooftop antenna, buy or borrow a cheap table top UHF loop and VHF rabbit ear antenna to see what digital stations you can get. You can use this to get a feel for the digital reception at your location. You can also go to antennaweb.org and tvfool.com and enter you exact location and a rooftop height for the antenna to see what stations those sites list. You should also check the Boston OTA local thread in the Local Reception forum to see if anyone there has antenna advice.
I currently use that antenna myself. Like afiggatt, I would not recommend it in your situation. It's overkill as far as reception range is concerned, it has a lot of weight and bulk because it receives the low-VHF channels 2-6 that you do not need for digital, and RS antennas are generally not considered as sturdy and long-lasting as Winegard and Channel Master.
I bought mine in a hurry a few years ago when my neighbor's tree trimmers accidentally knocked down my old antenna. Radio Shack was the only alternative close at hand, and I figured I might as well get something bigger than I had before to improve reception. I was still using only analog TV at the time, and didn't know much about antennas. I'm planning to replace it this spring with a setup that better fits my needs, with separate antennas for high-VHF (ch 7-13) and for UHF.
Like afiggatt, I think one of the new Winegard combination antennas for high-VHF and UHF might be a good choice for you. I'd get the HD7696P myself if I just wanted to get stations from my nearest city, and not the other cities that are barely within range here.
Quote:
Originally Posted by boi111 /forum/post/12894641
heres the radioshack model
http://www.radioshack.com/product/in...entPage=family
I currently use that antenna myself. Like afiggatt, I would not recommend it in your situation. It's overkill as far as reception range is concerned, it has a lot of weight and bulk because it receives the low-VHF channels 2-6 that you do not need for digital, and RS antennas are generally not considered as sturdy and long-lasting as Winegard and Channel Master.
I bought mine in a hurry a few years ago when my neighbor's tree trimmers accidentally knocked down my old antenna. Radio Shack was the only alternative close at hand, and I figured I might as well get something bigger than I had before to improve reception. I was still using only analog TV at the time, and didn't know much about antennas. I'm planning to replace it this spring with a setup that better fits my needs, with separate antennas for high-VHF (ch 7-13) and for UHF.
Like afiggatt, I think one of the new Winegard combination antennas for high-VHF and UHF might be a good choice for you. I'd get the HD7696P myself if I just wanted to get stations from my nearest city, and not the other cities that are barely within range here.
Thanks for your inputs afiggatt and jtbell. That really helps clear everything up. I am definitely going to get either the Winegard HD7696p or that Channel Master 4221 (thanks for the suggestions and link to hdtvprimer afiggatt, as it definitely helps compare all the models). Everyone's been awesome in contributing!
Hmm, I'd replace that 4221 with the 4228 in the above statement...but what do I know?
![]()
Ed
Quote:
Originally Posted by boi111 /forum/post/12903573
Thanks for your inputs afiggatt and jtbell. That really helps clear everything up. I am definitely going to get either the Winegard HD7696p or that Channel Master 4221 (thanks for the suggestions and link to hdtvprimer afiggatt, as it definitely helps compare all the models). Everyone's been awesome in contributing!
Hmm, I'd replace that 4221 with the 4228 in the above statement...but what do I know?
Ed
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