OTA Over The Air Antennas.....

[dennis in se pa]

I am considering these as a better alternative to basic cable.

Winegard Heavy Duty Platinum VHF UHF FM HDTV Antenna (HD8200U) from Solid Signal

Is one I am considering.

My broadcast points are from various directions. Do these things have the ability to remotely rotate?

Any other input on OTA broadcasts is appreciated.

[nota]

the rotor is a separate item to the antenna
more part of the mast then the antenna

but antennas should work with most rotors

[IROC]

VHF? UHF? Does anyone broadcast on that anymore? There is a website that will show what stations are available within your particular area. We recently bought an $8 (yes, not a typo) digital TV antennae and it works great. We're getting about 12-15 stations in the Knoxville, TN area. It is multidirectional - no rotation needed.

[tabs]

Problem I find with the Broadcast TV is that it basically sucks. Try WIFI with RAKU and go with SLING..for $25 a month I can replicate Cable.

[KFC911]

There is no "one size fits all" OTA, and price doesn't matter....I had to try a few. A buddy just a few miles away from me gets different results. I've been using a 12" square, omni-directional one from Radio Shack that also has an inline amplifier (plugs into outlet) which is critical for me. Placement matters a LOT....didn't need to go into the attic though. I just had a few difficult stations broadcasting from the same tower probably 40 miles away...happy now . Good luck!

[kach22i]

I have this one (w/preamp):
HD Stacker TV Antenna - Best for weak signal

I have it pointed towards Canada/Windsor and get Toledo Ohio, Jackson MI, Lansing MI, Flint MI and of course Metro Detroit from my Ann Arbor location.

That's a huge 360 degree swath without rotation.

Of course weather can be a bugger, incoming storms from the west can mess up the signal from almost any other direction, but something always comes in.

I get more than double the stations than basic cable, and with no compression. This is the best picture and sound available, better than any cable, satellite or Blu-Ray player.

However, there are a lot of repeats as there are only so many networks.

I end up doing about half my viewing over the Internet on my computer. Large monitors are pretty cheap these days, and when you sit close they don't need to be as large as a TV.

Be careful on the radius and bends you put on the cable, the bigger the better. They can short out if too tight a radius.

I have the TV antenna grounded, the antenna pole grounded, and the signal cable grounded.

Ground it, you heard it here first.

The higher the better, that five foot pole they give you isn't tall enough unless you live on top of a hill.

[stevej37]

Originally Posted by dennis in se pa

I am considering these as a better alternative to basic cable.

Winegard Heavy Duty Platinum VHF UHF FM HDTV Antenna (HD8200U) from Solid Signal
.

That antenna is about 14 foot long. You could do just as good or better with this one..HD Stacker Antenna VHF/UHF/FM/ digital/HDTV. A true long range TV antenna. Double stacked for stability and performance. Made in the USA. IN STOCK - Denny's Antenna service
I replaced mine with the Stacker and my reception was much better.

just read kach's post...exactly!

[fintstone]

This is what I use to supplement my Direct TV at one of my homes. Winegard FlatWave Air Outdoor Amplified HDTV Antenna (FL6550A) from Solid Signal
It brings in about 45 stations of HD-TV from the nearest major city (about 65 miles away). It is directional and line of sight so if you are looking for signals from several cities not in the same general direction, it may not work for you. It is very small and easy to install. Mine is bolted to a rafter inside my attic. I used a compass on my Iphone to point it.

[dennis in se pa]

Thanks to all for the great input.

[KFC911]

Dennis, if RS still exists near you, go buy a cheapy, amplified one that sits near your TV and try it (you can return it). No need to go overboard if not required for your location imo.

[kach22i]

Originally Posted by stevej37

That antenna is about 14 foot long. You could do just as good or better with this one..HD Stacker Antenna VHF/UHF/FM/ digital/HDTV. A true long range TV antenna. Double stacked for stability and performance. Made in the USA. IN STOCK - Denny's Antenna service
I replaced mine with the Stacker and my reception was much better.

just read kach's post...exactly!

Those old fashion huge antennas like the one originally posted were prone to the wind.

The HD Stacker sways a lot less (smaller), and that results in better reception most days.

[flipper35]

We have whatever came with the house and I am pretty sure it was original to the house built in 1973. We added a preamp and get channels from Madison WI and Waterloo IA. If you need a rotor, some will automatically rotate to the correct position based on the channel you select.

We don't watch much TV but we get 40+ channels.

[dennis in se pa]

Originally Posted by KC911

Dennis, if RS still exists near you, go buy a cheapy, amplified one that sits near your TV and try it (you can return it). No need to go overboard if not required for your location imo.

That's exactly what I did. My store is closing so I got the best omni directional one they had and 50' of coax for $45!!

Just now reading the instructions.

[Don Ro]

Originally Posted by tabs

Problem I find with the Broadcast TV is that it basically sucks. Try WIFI with RAKU and go with SLING..for $25 a month I can replicate Cable.

Can you get cable news...such as CNN, CNBC, Fox, etc.

[Don Ro]

This place has all manner of offers, daily.
.
Solid Signal - Signal Solutions including HDTV Antennas, DIRECTV and DISH Network satellite equipment and home entertainment supplies and accessories

[dennis in se pa]

UPDATE...I just hooked it up with the antenna pointing out the window and got a whole lot of stations! I will set it up outside tomorrow. So far very pleased.

[KFC911]

See if you can position it inside....height, windows, direction, have influence before going outside imo. Most won't survive the elements, and ice will impact it's performance too imo.

[dennis in se pa]

Originally Posted by KC911

See if you can position it inside....height, windows, direction, have influence before going outside imo. Most won't survive the elements, and ice will impact it's performance too imo.

Good point. I will experiment w that tomorrow tks

[SpyderMike]

You really don't know what antenna to buy until you know how far away you are form the source where to point it and and what channels you might get. Check www.tvfool.com and put in your location to see what you need. I get 60+ channel 45 miles away with a much less expensive ($29) and smaller antenna.

[Arizona_928]

Originally Posted by IROC

VHF? UHF? Does anyone broadcast on that anymore? There is a website that will show what stations are available within your particular area. We recently bought an $8 (yes, not a typo) digital TV antennae and it works great. We're getting about 12-15 stations in the Knoxville, TN area. It is multidirectional - no rotation needed.

Ultra high and very high are still used in mil applications.