Antenna Suggestion?
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,385
Likes: 1
From: Mercer County, OH
Antenna Suggestion?
I live in the middle of three cities that broadcast digital TV. I'd like to put up an antenna but don't want to use a rotator because different TV's will be watching different stations. Does anyone here use a omnidirectional antenna like this one? https://www.nationalantennas.com/sto...a-Package.html
Thanks for any help or suggestions!
Thanks for any help or suggestions!
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 3,476
Likes: 224
From: Frequently frozen MN
Looks like they're trying to do most of it with the amplifier -- not sure how well that works out. (Antenna itself seems pretty small. )
I don't have any experience with antennas for DTV, but the requirements are pretty much what they've always been -- except that weak signals just don't work.
I Googled around a little, and I can't find any references to this company except on their own website. That always makes me nervous.
Amazon has a couple of antennas by "Antennas Direct" (not National Antennas Direct), that seem to get good reviews. They're supposed to be multidirectional and they don't use an amp. They're bigger and have a more complex array of elements, so they could be pretty good.
I like to check Amazon because they sell pretty much everything, so the reviews you see are probably the ones that they got. I'm less trusting of places that only sell one or two products.
Just my .02
hj
I don't have any experience with antennas for DTV, but the requirements are pretty much what they've always been -- except that weak signals just don't work.
I Googled around a little, and I can't find any references to this company except on their own website. That always makes me nervous.
Amazon has a couple of antennas by "Antennas Direct" (not National Antennas Direct), that seem to get good reviews. They're supposed to be multidirectional and they don't use an amp. They're bigger and have a more complex array of elements, so they could be pretty good.
I like to check Amazon because they sell pretty much everything, so the reviews you see are probably the ones that they got. I'm less trusting of places that only sell one or two products.
Just my .02
hj
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 188
Likes: 0
From: Pittsburgh PA (Northside)
I just use the basic "rabbit ear" antenna. Find the sweet spot for it and expect the picture to go out if there is heavy cloud cover.
I have one amplified "rabbit ear" antenna and it sucks.
I have one amplified "rabbit ear" antenna and it sucks.
FTE Legend
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 65,938
Likes: 1,432
From: Millersville, MD
I like the idea of the antenna Fordtogo found. As it will be feeding multiple TV's, you will want to add an amp to it tho....I more TV's you feed, the more power you'll need. Check out Radio Shack for the amp.
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Um, I think we missed signals. I don't know that girl...I was talking about the helmet. Thats OK we'll try again another day, Brother. Hope you have a dry electrified weekend (no loss of power).
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 19,762
Likes: 1,079
From: St Louis
I live in the middle of three cities that broadcast digital TV. I'd like to put up an antenna but don't want to use a rotator because different TV's will be watching different stations. Does anyone here use a omnidirectional antenna like this one? https://www.nationalantennas.com/sto...a-Package.html
Thanks for any help or suggestions!
Thanks for any help or suggestions!
That antenna is crap. Do get a real antenna and don't be afraid to use a rotor or select one city to receive from.
Omnidirectional antennas sound like they'd be great (and sometimes they actually work), but they have no resistance to multi-path, the bane of digital reception.
Go with an antenna that gets the "real" channels in use in your desired market(s). Select an amplifier only if actually needed, then select one by your particular needs.
There are reputable online antenna companies that do provide pre-sale recommendations. You might try Antennas Direct, Solid Signal, or Winegard, for example.
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