What's the absolute best indoor (or indoor-installable outside) DTV antenna around?

[Chaotic42]

So I'd like to start watching football, and I'd like to do it on the cheap. I have a 1080i Fox station just out of range of my current antenna and they're going to be showing most of the Saints games.

I live under a POA (go ahead and laugh, I'll be here waiting for you to get back).

The POA won't allow an antenna outside (I could hide one in a bush most likely). I wouldn't be against some kind of on-the-wall mouting of a large outdoor antenna, but I'd like to find the best antenna I can get. Anyone have any suggestions?

Edit: I do have an attic I can use if that would work.

 

[mmntech]

The POA won't allow an antenna outside

They can't, that's illegal. They can only restrict size and placement, ie your own unit only. As per FCC guidelines.

The rule (47 C.F.R. Section 1.4000) has been in effect since October 1996, and it prohibits restrictions that impair the installation, maintenance or use of antennas used to receive video programming. The rule applies to video antennas including direct-to-home satellite dishes that are less than one meter (39.37") in diameter (or of any size in Alaska), TV antennas, and wireless cable antennas. The rule prohibits most restrictions that: (1) unreasonably delay or prevent installation, maintenance or use; (2) unreasonably increase the cost of installation, maintenance or use; or (3) preclude reception of an acceptable quality signal.

The rule applies to individuals who place antennas that meet size limitations on property that they own or rent and that is within their exclusive use or control, including condominium owners and cooperative owners, and tenants who have an area where they have exclusive use, such as a balcony or patio, in which to install the antenna. The rule applies to townhomes and manufactured homes, as well as to single family homes.

The rule allows local governments, community associations and landlords to enforce restrictions that do not impair the installation, maintenance or use of the types of antennas described above, as well as restrictions needed for safety or historic preservation. Under some circumstances where a central or common antenna is available, a community association or landlord may restrict the installation of individual antennas. The rule does not apply to common areas that are owned by a landlord, a community association, or jointly by condominium or cooperative owners where the antenna user does not have an exclusive use area. Such common areas may include the roof or exterior wall of a multiple dwelling unit. Therefore, restrictions on antennas installed in or on such common areas are enforceable.

http://www.fcc.gov/mb/facts/otard.html

As for the best indoor, I suggest what I call the "waffle-bowtie" style.
http://www.antennasdirect.com/store/DB2_antenna.html

They can easily be mounted on a wall discretely. It has a range of up to 30 miles. That's typical for indoor antennas. If you have an attic, you can mount much larger ones in there. However, they still won't get nearly as good reception as an identical outdoor mounted one.

 

[sactoking]

The POA won't allow an antenna outside.

They can't stop you.

http://www.fcc.gov/mb/facts/otard.html

Edit: Beaten to the punch.

 

[AVAFREAK182]

Been looking in to one, too.

 

[Chaotic42]

I'm looking at this one: DB8. I'd really rather put it in my attic if I can, since my area is prone to severe weather.

I looked up the station I want, it's a little less than 48 miles away, and the FCC calculates that the receive power will be -56 dBm at 30 feet outside. I don't know how to calculate if that antenna (Max Gain 15.8 dB, Impedance 300/75 ohm) will be able to work for me. It says 70 miles, and there are no buildings or landforms in between, just trees.

 

[Sa7aN]

just have direct tv put a multi lmb dish up

 

[mshan]

From my own personal observations with OTA HDTV, the tuner chip in your receiver is really important, so if you have an old tv, might want to research more recent receivers with known high sensitivity, good multipath resistance tuner chips.

You could also buy 25 - 50 ft of RG6 from Monoprice and a cheap compass from Walmart and see if there is a particular location your your home that gets best reception with current tv.

 

[sactoking]

Try this:http://www.antennaweb.org/aw/welcome.aspx

You can enter your address and neighborhood info and it will tell you which stations you should be able to receive and what type of antenna you will need for each.

 

[Chaotic42]

Try this:http://www.antennaweb.org/aw/welcome.aspx

You can enter your address and neighborhood info and it will tell you which stations you should be able to receive and what type of antenna you will need for each.

Yeah, I tried that. It said I can't get any at all.

I managed to take my current antenna, put a table in the middle of the room, prop the antenna up on a beer mug, and it seems to work. :ninja:

 

[Ken g6]

Yeah, I tried that. It said I can't get any at all.

It tells me the same thing. Antenna position seems to be all-important. I can't get any stations if I use an antenna by my computer. If I run a cable to the next room, I get most of them.

 

[SSSnail]

The cheapest one.

 

[Chaotic42]

So if I buy two antennas, point them in different directions, and run them through a splitter (one to each ant, the single side to the amplifier), would that work?

 

[I Saw OJ]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWQhlmJTMzw

I've made 2 of those and they work loads better then anything I bought at the store.

 

[l0cke]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWQhlmJTMzw

I've made 2 of those and they work loads better then anything I bought at the store.

Yep, coat hangers and aluminum foil are the way to go.

 

[Bignate603]

Yep, coat hangers and aluminum foil are the way to go.

I didn't have coat hangers so I made it using bailing wire. It works way better than the store bought one I have.

 

[911paramedic]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWQhlmJTMzw

I've made 2 of those and they work loads better then anything I bought at the store.

Will brazing rods work for this if I insulate the crossover areas? I use an antenna and sure would like to pull in a few more stations...

 

[Chaotic42]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWQhlmJTMzw

I've made 2 of those and they work loads better then anything I bought at the store.

Hmm, any idea what the range on that is? I need at least a guaranteed 50 miles in the most adverse conditions.

 

[OUCaptain]

1'X4' plywood, about 50ft of solid core copper wire, shit load of screws, and a shit load of plastic spacers. I got all my stations just by leaning it up against the wall in my living room.

 

[I Saw OJ]

Hmm, any idea what the range on that is? I need at least a guaranteed 50 miles in the most adverse conditions.

I'm on the edge of the range for my local tv channels, probrably 40-50 miles and get just about every channel. If it doesnt work you are only out 2-3 dollars in parts and about a half hours worth of work.

 

[Chaotic42]

I'm on the edge of the range for my local tv channels, probrably 40-50 miles and get just about every channel. If it doesnt work you are only out 2-3 dollars in parts and about a half hours worth of work.

True. I was thinking about getting two large omni antennas and mounting them on either side of my TV against the wall: DB-8

 

[Fritzo]

1'X4' plywood, about 50ft of solid core copper wire, shit load of screws, and a shit load of plastic spacers. I got all my stations just by leaning it up against the wall in my living room.

I built a powered version of that and put it in my attic. Works perfectly. Cost about $14. The hardest part was finding metal coat hangers. Hard to find those things these days.