TV Antennas

[bdog]

We don't watch that much TV. We had direct TV with the dish but could not justify the cost as we did not use it enough. We live where we can get 6 channels with a rabbit ear antenna. That is good enough for us but they come in kind of fuzzy. Was looking to get a better antenna, but did not know what to get. I would like to stay away from a huge contraption on the roof but was wondering if there was anything else on the market that might do the trick.

 

[AndyM]

<font color="blue"> I would like to stay away from a huge contraption on the roof but was wondering if there was anything else on the market that might do the trick. </font>

I have one of the large rooftop antennas, but I mounted it upside down in the garage attic. I bought one of the larger models-- I think it has a range of something like 120 miles. I was told you lose half of that range when you mount it inside, but I'm only 20 miles to the towers of the local TV stations in Youngstown-- on a good day I can also get Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Steubenville, and Erie!

Not only do I not have to pay for a dish or cable, but I get great reception without the eyesore on the roof!

 

[cisco]

Radioshack (on line, if a store isn't convenient) has a graph about size of antenna and area of reception. I mounted one of their smaller "rural" antennas in my attic (so the outside of the house looks "clean" - amazing what a wife will insist upon), and took some time aiming it for best reception. It's a somewhat tedious process, with the antenna mounted on a standard 6' pole via a U-clamp at whatever height will clear your rafters. The base of the pole fits in a Christmas tree holder (no kidding). One person moves the antenna slowly in 360 degree turn in the attic, and someone else watches the TV (I ran 150 feet of coax from the attic to the room with the TV). When the signal is best, then the "attic person" walks to the area of the attic that's closest to the best reception direction, and that's it. My country place TV (a garage/apartment) has a high definition receiver, and I get not only the high definition versions of 2 of my 4 local TV channels, but also 3 PBS channels (I only receive 1 PBS channel on cable at my main home). Heck, football games look better on my "country" TV than they do on my cable connected TV at my "city" home.
GREAT excuse to go out to the country place in the later morning on a weekend, muck around with the tractor for a few hours, pop a beer and settle into a chair in front of the TV for a football game. Life is good.

 

[BobRip]

I worked at a TV repair shop when I was a kid and we always tried to put the antenna in the attic if the reception was good. It not only looks better, it will last about forever and not change postion in the wind. Also no corrosive gases from a chimney, no decay of the wire from Ultra violet. Generally a good idea.

Bob Rip

 

[Freds]

I'll just mention that I have one of those plug into the electrical outlet rabbit ears on the TV and it works OK...., but AndyM, cisco, BobRip... THANK YOU! I had no idea that you could mount an antenna designed for outdoor use inside. My brain just doesn't work that way and this is the first I heard of it.
It will make a nice winter project hooking it up! /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[slowrev]

Just unfold it after you get it into the attic /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif I just hung mine up in the attic with several pieces of nylon string. It can be tricky if you have trusses in the attic, but will work out fine.

Ben

 

[PitbullMidwest]

bdog, I sent you a PM

 

[Jim57]

This antenna can be put in your attic or installed outside. It comes with a Booster and we get 8 Local channels in about a 200 mile radius. Good clean picture and very little wind resistance. I have attached a picture of it. It is made by RCA and we got it at Lowe's if I remember correctly. I think Home Depot and Wal-Mart have it as well.


Jim

 

[Jim57]

Front View.

 

[Jim57]

Close up of Front Center with RCA on it.