TV Antenna advice

[SagaLore]

I'm now in the Raleigh area and their cable television here is outragesouly expensive. The basic plan is nearly three times as much as I was paying in rural PA.

Although I'm using cable modem, I don't have cable tv and we're getting a handful of channels (in a subfloor condo) with the help of a boosted and filtered RCA brand VHF/UHF antenna.

With our house I want to buy a good quality outside antenna. I did a little research and found the Terk antenna which is not an eyesore like most, but a few reviews gave mixed results. I guess it is directional and not all your towers will be in the same direction.

Suggestions?

 

[CalvinHobbes]

http://www.avsforum.com
http://www.antennaweb.org

 

[Nikamichi]

Originally posted by: CalvinHobbes
http://www.avsforum.com
http://www.antennaweb.org

/thread

 

[So]

I suggest a logperiodic antenna.

 

[SagaLore]

Originally posted by: So
I suggest a logperiodic antenna.

a whosie whatsit?

I visited antennaweb.org, and got a list of all the towers I'll get signal from, and a map of their direction. Looks like I can get a directional antenna and face it East and I'll be all set...

 

[dmcowen674]

Originally posted by: SagaLore

Originally posted by: So
I suggest a logperiodic antenna.

a whosie whatsit?

I visited antennaweb.org, and got a list of all the towers I'll get signal from, and a map of their direction. Looks like I can get a directional antenna and face it East and I'll be all set...

Yep

also depending on how far away determines how many elements you'll need for decent reception. Never hurts to get the biggest Antenna you can mount.

 

[SagaLore]

Any particular brand / model you would recommend though?

 

[Quasmo]

http://www.antennasdirect.com/91XG_HDTV_antenna.html
even thought it says HDTV, it picks up both signals

 

[SagaLore]

Originally posted by: Quasmo
http://www.antennasdirect.com/91XG_HDTV_antenna.html
even thought it says HDTV, it picks up both signals

Are you sure? They have other antennas that specifically list the VHF band of channels...

 

[QED]

Originally posted by: SagaLore

Originally posted by: Quasmo
http://www.antennasdirect.com/91XG_HDTV_antenna.html
even thought it says HDTV, it picks up both signals

Are you sure? They have other antennas that specifically list the VHF band of channels...

There is nothing at all special about an "HDTV" antenna.

Any normal antenna will function as a perfectly good HDTV antenna, and vice versa.

ChannelMaster makes perhaps the best antennas money can buy-- especially outdoor ones.

I would not go with the Terk-- I had it and it was a piece of overpriced junk.

If your towers aren't too far away and you are concerned about appearances, try the ChannelMaster Stealth. You can mount it indoors or outdoors, and it has a smaller form factor than other antennas.

I have one and I'm able to use it indoors to pick up HD channels being broadcast 25 miles away. However, it is more geared to UHF channels (where most HD channels are located)...

 

[SagaLore]

Originally posted by: MathMan
There is nothing at all special about an "HDTV" antenna.

Any normal antenna will function as a perfectly good HDTV antenna, and vice versa.

ChannelMaster makes perhaps the best antennas money can buy-- especially outdoor ones.

I would not go with the Terk-- I had it and it was a piece of overpriced junk.

If your towers aren't too far away and you are concerned about appearances, try the ChannelMaster Stealth. You can mount it indoors or outdoors, and it has a smaller form factor than other antennas.

I have one and I'm able to use it indoors to pick up HD channels being broadcast 25 miles away. However, it is more geared to UHF channels (where most HD channels are located)...

Its not the "HDTV" I'm worried about, I just want to make sure I'm picking up VHF channels well and not just UHF. I won't go with Terk. I was talking to one of my coworkers and he already explained how bad that brand is. I'll be sure to check out the ChannelMaster Stealth.

 

[radioouman]

Go buy the best antenna you can afford at Lowes or Home Depot. Run some good quality RG6 to your TV.
The cheap antennas at both stores really suffer on UHF. I highly recommend at least the mid-priced model if not the high end.

 

[SagaLore]

Originally posted by: radioouman
Go buy the best antenna you can afford at Lowes or Home Depot. Run some good quality RG6 to your TV.
The cheap antennas at both stores really suffer on UHF. I highly recommend at least the mid-priced model if not the high end.

Considering the price of cable TV, I don't have a problem paying for the high end antenna. It will pay itself off in a few months.

 

[radioouman]

HOw are you going to mount this antenna?

Chimney strap kits are pretty easy if your chimney is in good condition.

You can also mount it in an attic. You will have better performance outside, but you will have much less signal degradation from rain. It is also more sightly in an attic.

You can also buy a roof tripod and use some big lag screws to hold it down. This will probably put your antenna at the highest point on your house, but it always makes me nervous to put holes in my roof.

 

[SagaLore]

Originally posted by: radioouman
HOw are you going to mount this antenna?

Chimney strap kits are pretty easy if your chimney is in good condition.

You can also mount it in an attic. You will have better performance outside, but you will have much less signal degradation from rain. It is also more sightly in an attic.

You can also buy a roof tripod and use some big lag screws to hold it down. This will probably put your antenna at the highest point on your house, but it always makes me nervous to put holes in my roof.

If its small enough I will just put it in my attic. In addition to the points you made, it also will be protected from lightning strikes. The tower I'm going to point this at is 17 miles away.