Updated TV Antenna Thoughts

[Oldpath05]

Heres what I change and used>> Your eBay Shopping Cart

This is the 3rd balun I tried, the other two I had, one of them hardly brought in channels, the next one I tried was at 30% according to my TV's signal indicator, then when I put this more pricy CM balun one on, the signal indicator went to around 70%, but now I'm not sure if it was the balun or the new F connectors, or both. Anyone else have different signal strengths on different Balun brands?

I liked how easy these snap seal coax connectors went on and stay on, course I had to do it twice, forgot to put the balun boot on so had to cut one connector off and use another one.

 

[Oldpath05]

Since digital we have not had TV reception. I gave up trying to figure it out. I hate to spend money without being certain. I don't want another monthly bill, so cable and satellite are out.

I know what you mean, the digital signals sure is finicky, everything has to hooked just right, so much so that I'm thinking of trying to find someone that know this antenna stuff and see what can be done to get more of a reliable signal. I remember the day from just a couple coat hangers and get tv signals.

 

[Oldpath05]

Ok, my next step is to make the mast pipe more rigid. It is strapped well to the telephone pole, but does move a bit with the wind. There is a particular angle that brings in some stations better. What can I do to hold it steady? I had trouble trying to drill a hole thru the pipe, or a bolt thru pipe and pole would work. Any ideas?

Pipe shouldn't be that hard to drill through, but maybe an oversized specially made muffler pipe stile clamp would would work, or you might find some sort of heavy duty clamp on the web somewhere.

 

[bunyip]

Couple of stays to the eaves

 

[KubotainNH]

Is the issue that the metal pole moves on the wooden pole because of the slack in the bands? If so, buy a couple cheap muffler clamps that are the right size and bolt it to a piece of metal that you can lag into the wood. Cheap and easy. Something like below which you can buy if you want but I'd rather pay $4 and have my setup be stronger.

Antenna Pole Mounting Assembly (91117)

 

[sixdogs]

All of this is daunting to me and I get more confused rather than less confused. We will soon drop our satellite TV and are going with an internet provider and then an indoor antennae for local channels. A woman nearby uses a Terk flat indoor antennae and it works fine. Since I need to buy something soon, I need simple advice on what has worked from inside. Outside won't work for us and I don't have the experience of knowing what works.

I'd like to buy off of Crutchfield and then woud have a no hassle return if needed.

This is a link to their antennas and any advice appreciated.
TV Antennas at Crutchfield.com

 

[Oldpath05]

Are you refuring to this one>>>> Terk Omni Tower Amplified multi-directional TV antenna at Crutchfield.com <<<<I never seen anything like that.

 

[sseelhoff]

Are you refuring to this one>>>> Terk Omni Tower Amplified multi-directional TV antenna at Crutchfield.com <<<<I never seen anything like that.

Any idea on the range? The crutchfield page doesn't show it.

 

[sixdogs]

Are you refuring to this one>>>> Terk Omni Tower Amplified multi-directional TV antenna at Crutchfield.com <<<<I never seen anything like that.

The Terk my neighbor has is flat. Crutchfield doesn't carry it but maybe someone here will have had a favorable experience with one of the other brands listed.

 

[sixdogs]

Any idea on the range? The crutchfield page doesn't show it.

I have no idea and wouldn't know if was right in front of me. Last I used an indoor antennae was rabbit ears with aluminum foil on the ends.