tv antenna

[ultrarunner]

I'm still using rabbit ears... the cheap ones.

Get a lot of channels in the sweet spot... if the antenna is moved a half inch reception suffers and some are simply lost.

One of my favorite channels can be comical because if someone walks into the living room and stands int he doorway the picture goes blank...

Never lived in a home with cable... so I can't miss what I never had.

 

[k0ua]

I'm still using rabbit ears... the cheap ones.

Get a lot of channels in the sweet spot... if the antenna is moved a half inch reception suffers and some are simply lost.

One of my favorite channels can be comical because if someone walks into the living room and stands int he doorway the picture goes blank...

Never lived in a home with cable... so I can't miss what I never had.

Well.... it is really fun, you might have 257 channels, and....sometimes there is still nothing on!

 

[randy41]

here is the chart for my location. the transmissions from roanoke are only 30 miles from here.

 

[coobie]

We have a winegard antenna/with inside rotar installed on a 30 ft tower for the last 20 years with no issues.Excellent product IMHO.

 

[Happy Gilmore]

Thought I'd post mine



Good link to TV Fool, now what to do with the info. I have an indoor antenna, get 5 or so channels currently.

 

[k0ua]

Thought I'd post mine

View attachment 385655

Good link to TV Fool, now what to do with the info. I have an indoor antenna, get 5 or so channels currently.

You have over 20dbm better signals than at my location.. that -22dbm one might light an LED if you put an antenna on it Just kidding, but that is a pretty strong signal. That is almost 1/100 of a milliwatt into a reference antenna.

 

[jimpen]

In my case I live about equal distance from Dayton and Cincy. So what I did was mount an antenna facing northwest and southwest about 30' up on a 4x4 beam. Then I run both antennas to a splitter that brings both signals together. Then I run that cable inside to a power amplifier. The lets me get most of both cities broadcast stations except for the low power still sent VHF.

I had an old tube TV for years and had to use the converter box from digital to VHF. It died this spring and I bought a 40" Vizio. I no longer need the converter box.

 

[RobertBrown]

I don't have any under-25.4 and there is abunch over -100.
What kind of antenna\ converter do I need?
I would guess that there is around 100 signals here, most over -60dbm.

 

[s219]

We got a Mohu Sky antenna, mounted outside on the eaves of a 2nd floor dormer. Works great, pulling in about 20 channels including all major networks, PBS, and a bunch of others (including MeTV with oldies). Couldn't be happier. I think the farthest station broadcasts from about 45 mile away.

 

[caps]

A steel roof will have a definite effect if your antenna is under it or the roof is between the antenna and the station it may act as a shield. If your antenna is above it, there will be little detrimental effect and may enhance the signal a bit. As far as antennas go, the bigger it is and the more elements that it has, the better. A bigger antenna is generally better than a small one with an amplifier. Quality wise, you get what you pay for. A cheap antenna will have poor connections and fall apart in the wind or when ice builds up on it. Also use good quality coaxial cable from the antenna to the tv and a good quality balun (impedance matching transformer) if the antenna calls for one. There is no such thing as a digital antenna despite what the guy in radio shack or the box says. An antenna cut for the proper frequency doesn't care what mode the signal is. Make sure you use a proper ground for the antenna and mast and a properly installed lightning arrestor. The antenna should have instructions with it. DO NOT SKIP THE GROUND unless you really like lightning in your living room.