How far away can people typically pick up HDTV signals from?

[aphex]

Looking at getting the ATI HDTV Wonder which comes with a directional indoor antenna.... Most of the HDTV stations i see at antennaweb.org are between 30-40 miles (most in the low 30's). I have a two story townhouse and being that im in florida, there are no structures i can forsee hindering the signal....

Can i reasonably expect to pick up those signals with an indoor antenna? If not, would an amp help? I would love to put a nice big antenna in my attic or on the roof, but thats not possible unfortunately.

 

[SpunkyJones]

That distance will be a stretch for an indoor antenna. One of the better indoor antennas, the silver sensor, is only reliable up to about 20 miles. You can try the indoor antenna, but your best bet is an antenna on the roof.

 

[aphex]

Originally posted by: SpunkyJones
That distance will be a stretch for an indoor antenna. One of the better indoor antennas, the silver sensor, is only reliable up to about 20 miles. You can try the indoor antenna, but your best bet is an antenna on the roof.

Unfortunately my HOA dosent allow ANYTHING on the roof or outside attached to the townhouse. AFAIK, the attic is attached crawl space, so i dont think i'll have access to that either.

 

[aphex]

honk honk

 

I'd like to know this too. Antennaweb lists me in the 'red' zone for all my local stations, which means I'm about 30 miles from all of them, give or take a couple miles. I wonder if I could just buy a SilverSensor at BB and return it if I'm not satisfied?

 

[Apex]

I could pick up 5-6 channels in the mid 30 mile distances using a Zenith Silver Sensor, indoors. The Winegard Square Shooter can probably double that, amplified.

 

[T2T III]

Originally posted by: aphex

Originally posted by: SpunkyJones
That distance will be a stretch for an indoor antenna. One of the better indoor antennas, the silver sensor, is only reliable up to about 20 miles. You can try the indoor antenna, but your best bet is an antenna on the roof.

Unfortunately my HOA dosent allow ANYTHING on the roof or outside attached to the townhouse. AFAIK, the attic is attached crawl space, so i dont think i'll have access to that either.

I thought that the FCC, or some other government agency ruled that laws of this nature could not be enforced. In my community, we just have to submit a letter describing where the device will be located and the letter is placed in the homeowner's file.

 

[TechnoKid]

another option may be the terk tv55, which i believe is made for HDTV signals. Its amplified too, though I don't know how it compares to the silver one from zenith.

 

[newnameman]

Originally posted by: Tiles2Tech

Originally posted by: aphex

Originally posted by: SpunkyJones
That distance will be a stretch for an indoor antenna. One of the better indoor antennas, the silver sensor, is only reliable up to about 20 miles. You can try the indoor antenna, but your best bet is an antenna on the roof.

Unfortunately my HOA dosent allow ANYTHING on the roof or outside attached to the townhouse. AFAIK, the attic is attached crawl space, so i dont think i'll have access to that either.

I thought that the FCC, or some other government agency ruled that laws of this nature could not be enforced. In my community, we just have to submit a letter describing where the device will be located and the letter is placed in the homeowner's file.

Yep, here is the FCC fact sheet. Since aphex said it's a townhouse:

Q: I live in a townhome community. Am I covered by the FCC rule?
A: Yes. If you own the whole townhouse, including the walls and the roof and the land under the building, then the rule applies just as it does for a single family home, and you may be able to put the antenna on the roof, the exterior wall, the backyard or any other place that is part of what you own. If the townhouse is a condominium, then the rule applies as it does for any other type of condominium, which means it applies only where you have an exclusive use area. If it is a condominium townhouse, you probably cannot use the roof, the chimney, or the exterior walls unless the condominium association gives you permission. You may want to check your ownership documents to determine what areas are owned by you or are reserved for your exclusive use.

And for Tiles2Tech , your HOA's requirement for a prior letter is illegal as well:

Q: What types of restrictions unreasonably delay or prevent viewers from using an antenna?

A: A local restriction that prohibits all antennas would prevent viewers from receiving signals, and is prohibited by the Commission's rule. Procedural requirements can also unreasonably delay installation, maintenance or use of an antenna covered by this rule. For example, local regulations that require a person to obtain a permit or approval prior to installation create unreasonable delay and are generally prohibited. Permits or prior approval necessary to serve a legitimate safety or historic preservation purpose may be permissible.

 

[aphex]

The exterior walls & roof are owned/maintained by the complex... We only own the interior & the small screened in patio (which might be an option for a small antenna).

 

[arod]

for 30 miles a silver sensor should be fine... provided all the towers are in the same basic position from your house as the silver sensor is VERY directional.

 

Originally posted by: arod
for 30 miles a silver sensor should be fine... provided all the towers are in the same basic position from your house as the silver sensor is VERY directional.

Should be fine for me. I live in Ann Arbor, which is due west of Detroit, and all the local stations are centered more or less due east of me, give or take 15º I assume.

 

[AU Tiger]

Most towers in my area were in the 20+ mile range and the Silver Sensor picked them up with about 60-70% strength. Sears is the most likely source for a Silver Sensor, and yes you can return an antenna if you are not satisfied. I returned some sorry RCA antenna to Best Buy in order to get the Silver Sensor.

 

[aphex]

Picture

Looks like the ATI HDTV Wonder comes with an antenna that looks simular to a silver sensor, is it?

 

[Apex]

Originally posted by: TechnoKid
another option may be the terk tv55, which i believe is made for HDTV signals. Its amplified too, though I don't know how it compares to the silver one from zenith.

The TV55 is, unfortunately, one of the worst on the market. Even the old Radio Shack double bowtie (about $17 or so) was far better.