Best indoor UHF/VHF antenna?

[Obsoleet]

I currently have the Terk TV5 and it seems OK.. but I'm wondering if there are any other indoor antennas that cover both UHF/VHF? I'm not sure if I'm picking up anything on VHF right now (I'm on the outer realm of the Chicago suburbs), but I know I'll lose a few channels if I don't have it. There's a very popular antenna on Amazon I wanted to try instead of my TV5, and it appears to be UHF/VHF. http://www.amazon.com/RCA-ANT1650-Di...&s=electronics

I don't have any others I've seen that I've been too interested in, anyone have anything they've had good luck with?

Similar to the RCA I linked above, but not as popular on Amazon (tho it's a Terk) http://www.amazon.com/Terk-FDTV1A-Digital-Directional-Amplified/dp/B001UE8KUW another one I might try

 

[Modelworks]

VHF signals have longer waves than UHF. To be able to receive them you need an antenna with elements the correct lengths for those waves. For those channels the old rabbit ears are really about as good as anything . UHF has much shorter waves and so uses smaller elements. With antennas the bigger the better because you can have more elements in the array. More elements=more signal. That is why I do not recommend the flat panel like indoor antennas. they are too small to get enough signal and the orientation makes it a pain to position them correctly.

Where I live there is an apartment complex that forbids external antennas and I have used the TERK HDTVa with people there and they are very happy with it. They are about 30-50 miles to most stations and it performs well in vhf and uhf.
http://www.amazon.com/Terk-Amplified.../ref=pd_cp_e_0

 

[Obsoleet]

The biggest problem I'm encountering, is that most people I try to convert to OTA HDTV to rid themselves of the expense of cable/satellite.. is that they need to place an antenna at a window to get the best signal.

My Terk TV5 is great and fairly sleek, but too bulky for a window ledge. Same with the HDTVA that you mentioned.

This guy found the same issue when trying out various antennas. http://www.amazon.com/review/RY6ZEUB..._res_rtr_alt_1 I think if I order anything else, it'll be that Terk.
Is there a maximum cable length on antenna tv?

 

[Modelworks]

cable to an antenna should be as short as you can make it. when you start getting into distances of over 25ft you really need a good quality cable like RG59/6 otherwise you will lose a lot of the signal you are receiving.

 

[sivart]

I gave up on indoor antennas. Bought an outdoor UHF/VHF antenna, mounted it on the wall in the closet and ran the cable to the bedroom TV. No issues, get all locals and some from the neighboring city nearly 70 miles from the towers.

I also have an attic mounted antenna with 2 50 foot runs. With a nice amp I have no problems with the signals. Just using monoprice RG6 cables split to two tuners.

 

[smitbret]

cable to an antenna should be as short as you can make it. when you start getting into distances of over 25ft you really need a good quality cable like RG59/6 otherwise you will lose a lot of the signal you are receiving.

Don't bother with RG59. While it might work for a short run from an OTA antenna, if you ever mount a dish or get cable, it will probably be inadequate. If you're gonna run a cable, you might as well spend the 10% premium and future proof.

 

[tysjiang]

I've had good luck with the Winegard 3000, it's small so it could be placed at the good spots in the house. I could grab all of my local channels. Prior to this I've had the silver sensor which was very finicky and I had to keep moving it from time to time. I've even tried placing the Winegard inside my closet just so it could be out of the way but alas, inside the closet, it only got half as many channels so out in the living room it goes.

Amazon has it for around $50 and they have a great return policy if you want to just try it out: http://www.amazon.com/Winegard-SS-30...9948800&sr=8-1

Here's a list of other antennas: http://www.fasttopten.com/topic.aspx?t=4296c4331d654ac1b764032a4a3ecd14