Anyone know anything about Antennas?

[Kelemvor]

Well, we canceled our cable today since $50/mo isn't worth the couple channels we watch so now I need some sort of antenna so I can watch normal TV in my house.

I know I can just get the ol' rabbit ears type and put them on the main TV but I'm looking more at something that can get a much greater range and other channels.

At this site: http://www.pctinternational.co.../antennas_outdoor.html I'm looking at the Super V (which I can get for $27) or the Advantage series ($27-$40).

I would just put it in my attic and not on the roof but I don't know anything about these things.

Based on info online, I need the Green and Yellow band

Can anyone help with any info?

Thanks

 

[Spacehead]

Originally posted by: Kelemvor
Based on info online, I need the Green and Yellow band

I'm not sure what that means???

How far away are the stations you want to receive? Choose an antenna with that range or more.

No idea on the effects of placing in an attic vs outside. Outside would be better i would think. Again, depends on distance.


Think ahead. Choose one with good UHF reception for the transition to digital.

If I Already Have an Antenna, Do I Need a New One to View the Digital Signals?

A special antenna generally is not needed to receive digital signals. You may have antenna issues, however, if your current antenna does not receive UHF signals (channels 14 and above) well, because most DTV stations are on UHF channels. In such a case, you may need a new antenna or to add a UHF section to your existing antenna system. This equipment should be available at most bricks-and-mortar and Internet consumer electronics retailers.

http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/digitaltv.html

 

[alfa147x]

I have an antenna in attic its for a 100 miles and i get 89 - 100% with a amplifier
im only 40 miles out though

 

[Kelemvor]

Got the color info from here:
http://antennaweb.org/aw/antenna.aspx?color=G

I'm only 15 miles or so from most of the stations so I don't need anything overly powerful I don't think. I just don't want to have to stick something on the roof when I can just put it my attic if that will work.

Can I just plug an antenna like this into a splitter and go to my TVs or would I run it through an amplifier like I do with my current cable line before it hits the splitter?

 

[AlienCraft]

Originally posted by: Kelemvor
Got the color info from here:
http://antennaweb.org/aw/antenna.aspx?color=G

I'm only 15 miles or so from most of the stations so I don't need anything overly powerful I don't think. I just don't want to have to stick something on the roof when I can just put it my attic if that will work.

Can I just plug an antenna like this into a splitter and go to my TVs or would I run it through an amplifier like I do with my current cable line before it hits the splitter?

at such a close range, it will probably work fine.

 

[Mloot]

What is your zip code? It's entirely possible that you have some digital stations that reside in the VHF band, in which case a typical bow-tie antenna is not the best solution, since they are designed for UHF reception. Also, some stations that currently broadcast their digital signal via UHF will switch to a high VHF frequency a year from now when the analog broadcasts go away.

 

[Kelemvor]

Mine is 53089

 

[Mloot]

If you go here, you can see the FCC's final list of digital channel assignments for the 2009 transition. It looks like you are trying to pick up the stations in Milwaukee, and you can find those listings on page 51 of the document. It seems like your PBS station WMVS, will be your only local station broadcasting on high VHF (rf channel 8). All your other stations look to stay in the UHF band. At your distance, you might be able to pick up PBS with a small bow-tie antenna, but I wouldn't count on it. If you have the room in your attic, I would recommend something like this, an antenna designed for high VHF and UHF reception. It's a little under 6' long and a little less than 3' wide. Since you don't need low VHF reception, you don't need a monster combo antenna, the ones that are 110" wide.

EDIT: Sorry, I misunderstood your first post. I went to the site you linked to and automatically assumed you were looking at the 4220 bow-tie antenna, since that's the first thing that pops up. Yes, most likely any of the antennas you listed would do just fine in your attic at your distance. Something like the Super Vee would probably work or any of the Advantage antennas, except that most of them are 80+" wide, which can get tricky to wield inside a cramped attic. The HBU22 will likely perform on par with the other antennas, with the exception of being much easier to work with inside your attic.

 

[wyvrn]

I bought the $59 aluminum one from Radio Shack. It has a 50ft run down to my distribution amp. I get OTA HD, regular analog TV, and FM signals loud and clear. The whole shebang cost me like $100, and I paid $450 for an HTPC to record whatever I want in 720p. Everything else I rent on DVD. Can't beat that deal.

 

[Shawn]

Does your TV have a digital tuner? If not you will lose signal in 2009.