TV Antenna Question

[North Country Dad]

As I've mentioned in another thread, we've had issues with receiving the major TV networks via our satellite. We are unable to get cable where we live, and two of the local network affiliates (CBS and ABC) have denied our requests to receive alternative feeds via Dish Network.

So, I'd like to try out a TV antenna, just to see if it's possible (as the local stations claim) to receive their signals. We would be recieving both stations' signals from the same direction. They are about 20 miles away.

I do not want an enormous multi-tentacled thing on the top of the house. If that's the only option, I'll do without the two networks. However, I've seen online that some uni-directional antennas are smaller and dish-shaped, like our existing dish, and can be placed on the side of the house. (For a few miles, we have a very clear path toward the stations' signals; there are no tall buildings or trees. After a few miles, the hills rise up. Therefore, I don't see where a roof-mounted antenna would benefit us any more than one mounted to the side of the house, but I could be wrong.)

With that in mind, any suggestions on what to buy and where to buy it? :huh:

[Cubfan]

I recently put up one of those big alien-like antennaes in my attic (as opposed to the rooftop). I get all the major networks thru the antenna plus several locally broadcast stations. I spent $60 on it and I deemed it beneficial just so I could get the Cubs game in HD on WGN. :)

http://www.radioshack.com/family/index.jsp?categoryId=2032205&cp=2032057.2032187.2032189

Lots of info here, I think I saved it to the page you're looking for regarding antennas and OTA broadcasts by geo/region, if not you should be able to find something.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/forumdisplay.php?f=45

Oh, and while I'm not sure which type is better (the big alien or the round type), do make sure you pay attention to whether it's both UHF/VHF, I had to make sure it was both so I could get all the local channel with the one antenna.

[Cubfan]

Oh I forgot to add, dont expect to get CBS in very well. Dont ask me why, but CBS is notorious for not coming in very well with an antenna. Unless you're really close to the source, or have a super big antenna, you can expect CBS to come in at a much weaker signal than the rest.

My major networks are coming in at about 85-100% signal strength, but CBS at only 65%, which is not enough to view. I'm about 40 miles away from downtown with no obstructions.

[chuck]

with only being 20 miles from them you should get a major strong signal, it may sound goofy but try out a set of rabbit ears first, they still sell them and it beats the heck out ob messing with a antenna, if that fails go with a small antenna it should work fine, most TV stations are pushing in the order of 50-100,000 watts out of there antennas so a signal shouldn't be a issue, unless of course you live in a tin foil box ;)

[woodchuck]

On that dandy new hd/digital tv, even CBS comes in for me crytal clear, and if I use the analog station #, it still comes in better than before, despite the aluminum foil protecting the house.:)

My antannae, a $60, 75mile range, uhf/vhf, alien deal, from Menards. My mom's was in her attic as well, on a motorized rotater, hung from the rafter, worked great.

[Riggs]

I need to try something like that too, no cable here. We have rabbit ears, but they're in the basement with the TV, some of our 5 channels are pretty fuzzy even after messing with the ears.

[North Country Dad]

I found this little do-hicky (http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2103927&cp=2032057.2032187.2032189.2032207&parentPage=family). With it, I can mount a dish-like antenna on my satellite dish pole, then route both signals into the house using the existing satellite cable. No messing around with a separate cable.

Too good to be true?

[Cubfan]

I found this little do-hicky (http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2103927&cp=2032057.2032187.2032189.2032207&parentPage=family). With it, I can mount a dish-like antenna on my satellite dish pole, then route both signals into the house using the existing satellite cable. No messing around with a separate cable.

Too good to be true?

Nope, not too good to be true. It's as easy as that! But I think you need 2 of them. They work in pairs. And make sure the diplexer is rated for HDTV use. I know Menards carried them, and they were cheaper, $12 or something.

But for me I decided against doing it this way. I figured there is less chance of me f*cking things up by running a separate cable. I'd have to cut into the cable coming off the satellite (and there were several of them!). It was only slightly tricky to route a new cable from my attic to my basement. 100' of coax was $20, some twist on terminals were a few bucks.... if I can do it you can do it.

[Pepper]

Try Antenna Web (http://www.antennaweb.org) they have this neat tool that lets you calculate the strength and direction of local TV stations. They then recommend an antenna type, but I would take that with a grain of salt.

There are several antennas that mount on you satellite dish or are low profile to do exactly what you want to do. Make sure you seal the connectors and the diplexer. F connectors are far from water tight and a little water will destroy your signal. I would use Coax Seal (http://www.coaxseal.com/) it is this gummy stuff that molds around the connector to protect it. I am not sure if you can get it or something like it at Radio Shack.

[Pepper]

This one is cool. (http://www.audiovox.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10001&storeId=10001&productId=14184&langId=-1) It attaches to your dish and comes with a diplexer.

[zoesdad]

I found this little do-hicky (http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2103927&cp=2032057.2032187.2032189.2032207&parentPage=family)....... Too good to be true?

I've used these things and they are great. One thing to guard against is the reduction in signal strength that invariably comes when using these things. I can't explain why, just testify that it does happen. I've had to use signal boosters or amplifiers to rectify the problem. Unfortunately, I got all of this through my cable provider so I have no idea where to tell you to find them.

This one is cool. (http://www.audiovox.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10001&storeId=10001&productId=14184&langId=-1) It attaches to your dish and comes with a diplexer.

I didn't read the full specs on this but it seemed to mention an amplifier. May be the way to go--depending on how much it is.

[Cubfan]

I also heard from a knowledgable friend about signal degradation with the use of diplexers. Another reason to run a separate cable.

With the antenna I got from Radio Shack, I didn't need an amp. From my understanding, most applications wont require an amplifier. Dont buy one from the get-go, you most likely wont need one.

[North Country Dad]

This one is cool. (http://www.audiovox.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10001&storeId=10001&productId=14184&langId=-1) It attaches to your dish and comes with a diplexer.

I bought rabbit ears and hooked it up, just for shits and giggles. I was able to only get one channel, and the picture was barely visible. They go back to Radio Shmack tomorrow.

The one Pepper mentions above gets mixed reviews, but I was willing to try it until I realized that my current dish points west and I need an antenna to point north. Oops.

Still on the prowl...

[North Country Dad]

Well, after the cheap-o rabbit ears did nothing, I ordered a Terk indoor antenna that's supposedly more powerful. Guess what ? It works!

I'm really happy that I can now watch the football games on CBS on Sundays. I'm happy that I don't have to mess around with mounting an antenna on the house or running cables into the living room. The antenna is a bit unsightly, but I'll just strategically place a plant in front of it. I'm very, very surprised that this worked. I just thought for sure we were wayyyy too far from the stations to get these signals. Learn something new every day, huh?

I just auto-programmed the TV to search for digital channels via the new antenna, and it receives about 7 of them. I thought we'd only get 2 or 3 if we were lucky.

Switching back and forth from the analog and digital signals from the same station .... Wow.... =P~

[Cubfan]

So are the new channels in HD or do you still need to get an HD receiver?

What signal strength is everything coming in at? Tweak it some and you might get more channels.

I agree, it's pretty amazing, the old-school antennas are making a comeback!

[North Country Dad]

So are the new channels in HD or do you still need to get an HD receiver?

What signal strength is everything coming in at? Tweak it some and you might get more channels.

I agree, it's pretty amazing, the old-school antennas are making a comeback!

- The new channels via the HD antenna are in HD. Since they are going straight from the HD antenna to the HD TV, they are HD. Oh, yeah ---

- How do I gauge signal strength? How do I get a %? The picture quality is very good. That's all I know.

[Cubfan]

How do I gauge signal strength? How do I get a %? The picture quality is very good. That's all I know.

Did you get The Dish yet? If not, I'm not sure exactly. If you did get the Dish there are a couple ways:

In the program guide, highlight (or go ahead and select) the channel (on mine, antenna channels are listed in yellow). Then once you're viewing the channel, just hit "cancel" and it should show you the signal strength.

OR

on your remote, select: Menu - System Setup - Local Channels. Then arrow over to the left to your list of your local channels. Arrow down to browse thru all of them.

I should add - it really isn't important to know the strength, unless you're just curious or want to tweak it. The only channel I have trouble viewing is CBS at about 65 signal strength. I have a number of channels coming in in the 80's and have no problem. If something is static-y or choppy, it's probably in the 60's. BTW, the one and only channel I did this whole antenna thing for (WGN for Cubs games) comes in at 100% :)

[MonsterStar]

Is there such a thing as a HD antenna? As far as I know any antenna will pick up HD. Is it just a marketing ploy or is there something more to it?

[Cubfan]

I'm really not sure, but I didn't see anything special about my antenna. Yes, I do believe it said "HDTV" on it, but I didn't see anything that made it different than other ones. Might as well be safe though. This is the one I bought and put in my attic. For $60 it's worked well and was easy to do.

Shack (http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2103085&cp=2032057.2032187.2032189.2032205&fbn=Type%2FTV+boom+antennas&f=PAD%2FProduct+Type%2FTV+boom+antennas&fbc=1&parentPage=family)

[Pepper]

No, an antenna is specifically optimized to a range of frequencies. As a passive device it doesn't matter what it is receiving as long as it is on the right frequency. HDTV is still broadcast over the same frequencies as analog.