Directional TV Antenna

The antenna doesn't care if the signal is digital or analog. What matters is if your TV is getting enough signal. All of this depends on how strong the signals are in your area. If the signals are strong enough, then you can use the omni antenna. If not, then you need a better antenna.

Visit http://www.antennaweb.org for suggestions on the proper antenna for your location. They use an industry standard color coding system. Take the color codes to your local retailer and they can help you select a antenna.

2009-05-12 19:30:12 by Dolleta

Now that all TV stations have hone digital, it is very important to have a directional rotating TV antenna.

I think I need a red or blue uhf.

In general a multi-directional antenna is a poor choice, even if you live in a strong (green) signal area. The problem is not the signal strength, but that the antenna will pick up unwanted reflections from nearby buildings, hills, etc. Unless you are very lucky, at least some if these reflections will interfere with your signal causing "multipath" problems. In analog TV, these appear as "ghosts", but in digital TV they can make even a strong signal unreceivable, or at least not reliably. The best solution is a moderately directional antenna (such as the Channel Master 4224) and a rotator if your signal sources come from widely different directions.

Note: I assume you have gone to antennaweb http://www.antennaweb.org/aw/welcome.asp x
to find out you are in the red or blue zones. If not, do so. It will have antenna recommendations.

2006-07-17 22:02:25 by Blue Eyed Baby

Price: $59.99 $39.99

I have been in the Chicago area my entire life. I messedwith wires and got ALL of Chicago stations on tv. Who knows of a good home-made indoor tv antenna drawing that I can try to make from wires and antenna parts from my hands? Or, where can I get a good adjustible directional indoor tv antenna? I think a great analog indoor antenna will pull in more Indiana, Wisconsin, Michigan,and other Illinois signals. I already can pull in 47 free stations with configurations I tried using home-made tv wires and such. I think a really old-style indoor tv antenna is what will pull in even more tv stations, including possibly Wisconsin, Quad Cities, NW Indiana and more. Anyone have tips on making the right homemade indoor tv aparatus antenna?
I know you are joking. But, seriously, while the change to digital is not for about 6 months, I find I get more channels free from many loctions, with different (not the same, not re-broad-casted) programs. With a good antenna indoor or outdoors, I can get more variety than I ever did with pay cable. It might sound strange, but nothing beats location signals and local programming. Digital boxes are awesome, and with the right antenna, lots more variety is available thru the free airwaves than anything you pay for, with the right antenna or reception.
In the sw suburbs of Chicago I allready can GET IN, WI, MIchigan, and far away stations. It IS NOT TRUE that with the digital converter that 1) I need cable tv, 2) I needf sattelite or 3) I need an outdoor antenna. I can get Wisconsin, Indiana, and SW lower Michigan NOW with indoor antenna configurations. Therefore, some manufacturer must MAKE a good indoor antenna that's better than wires, coat hangers, or lousy $10 antennas the major retail stores are selling today. So therefore, no answer is even answering my question. I get out of state with "junk" I rig up inside my apartment or in my car trunk. You can get out of state with a strategically placed piece of copper wire even without the digital box converter.

Well, learning4ever, I guess you are going to learn(excuse the pun) the hard way that analog is not the same as digital. An indoor antenna will not work for you on Digital signals from your neighboring states as you state in your question. In any case, I wish you all the luck in your effort in trying to get these "far away" stations with an indoor antenna.

2008-07-24 00:28:27 by learning4ever

Price: $753.99

Very flexible aiming characteristics
Weatherproof construction
Range of up to 70 miles or more
Impedance of 300/75 ohm
Works up to 70 miles or more from transmitters

Ok - need to clarify. I want to get rid of my satellite TV. I don't watch TV that much but enjoy SNL and some news. I live in an area that is between 2 parallel mountain ranges - they are not huge mountains. I am just west of the Blue Ridge Mountains in WV and approximately 75 miles to Washington D.C. (that is the actual city not one of the suburbs). As far as TV reception goes the range to the west is not an issue - as I don't believe there are any stations worth being of interest in. The other range (Blue Ridge Mountains) to the east - is likely to be an issue as it probably blocks anything I can get from the Washington D.C. area - several stations are within 60 miles. There are 2 stations to the north/north east - however which are possibilities.

I am interested in purchasing a top of the line minimum 80 mile long-range HD directional antenna and an amplifier. I have never dealt with this technology before. Has anyone had some experience with it and can give some pointers/tips/setup info? Thanks!
I think I may have "line-of-sight" for 2 towers north and north east. I had looked on the Website that's how I found out. I suppose I would be taking a chance however. I am definitely getting rid of the satellite - they charge too much and I don't use the service that much. Thanks!

First - type your address into www.antennaweb.org and it will show you where the broadcast towers are in relationship to your home and also advise how big of an antenna you need.

The "Wineguard" brand of outdoor antennas has a good reputation.

If you have 2 clusters of antennas to try and focus on - you may need a "rotator" to actually spin the directional antenna to focus on one or the other set of towers.

Because of this - your existing sat system may be better. One of it's strengths is that it works for people without line-of-sight to TV towers.

2008-09-23 11:01:52 by mildepiphany

I installed a premium directional antenna by Winegard and it is pointed at the weakest local transmitters but the reception on our most powerful local channel is distorted; the picture on KTVH Ch. 12 has thin, diagonal bars and a "muddy" picture. I live less than 10 miles from their transmission tower and get razor sharp reception (of their signal only) with the cheapest "rabbit ears" available. I noticed the change when I moved the antenna to a higher elevation and switched from a 25 ft to a 50 ft cable. Some of the excess I coiled up behind the tv. Could that be the problem?

always cut the coax to length.

remember that a directional antenna is just that DIRECTIONAL. It will pick up best when aimed at the transmitter.

if all signal are weak, check the feed line, you may have a bad connected or crimped coax somewhere. Do not tiewrap the coax to the mounting mast, tape it. every tiewrap is a crimp.

2008-11-07 13:05:14 by bulruq