Cord cutters, what OTA antenna are you using for TV?

[cabmandone]

I'm going to buy an OTA antenna and I'm wondering what a good outdoor OTA antenna would be to buy? I'm thinking I'd like an omnidirectional antenna. My distance from FT Wayne and Lima are both within 60 miles so I don't need to pull long distance. Any suggestions?
If you can post a link or a brand name and model number I would appreciate it.

[stevej37]

HD Stacker TV Antenna design

[Tobra]

I have been using the home made, ghetto coat hanger screwed to a 2 x 4 model to good effect. I think I am into it for less than $2 and I get like 30 channels

[flatbutt]

how do you interface it with the display?

[Baz]

Lot of info here, Nick:

CUTTING THE CORD - MASTER THREAD - transitioning away from cable TV & various options

[SpyderMike]

I just installed a GE 29884 in my attic. I am pulling in great signals from 45 miles away through concrete tile roof. I am pulling in 160 channels from Los Angeles.

It is nice and small.

[peppy]

I also use the stacker and have it connected to 4 TVs with no issues.

[cabmandone]

Originally Posted by Baz

Lot of info here, Nick:

CUTTING THE CORD - MASTER THREAD - transitioning away from cable TV & various options

That's what I was looking for but must have been using the wrong search terms. Thanks Baz!

[unclebilly]

We have 2 cheap arse ones from Princess Auto (like Harbour Freight but Canadian).

One has rabbit ears, the other is a round disk about 8” diameter. Both need to be able to look out a window.

We have an amplifier on each one as well. Sometimes we need to rotate the rabbit ear one slightly to get a certain channel.

My non technical wife rigged all of this up and it works fine.

[cabmandone]

Originally Posted by SpyderMike

I just installed a GE 29884 in my attic. I am pulling in great signals from 45 miles away through concrete tile roof. I am pulling in 160 channels from Los Angeles.

It is nice and small.

This one reviews well on Amazon as does the RCA yagi indoor/outdoor

[Tobra]

Originally Posted by flatbutt

how do you interface it with the display?

got a co-ax adapter at the hardware store for like $2

[SpyderMike]

Originally Posted by cabmando

This one reviews well on Amazon as does the RCA yagi indoor/outdoor

I have the Yagi style at another house a few blcks away from the other house where the GE antenna is. The GE outperforms it.

[72doug2,2S]

Use an antenna app to help position. I've done two attic installs with great success.

I use something like this direct antennas from Wal-Mart online, $38 plus a booster like this $25.

[72doug2,2S]

Cabmando, five years ago I lived 35 miles from you just across the border in Indiana.We probably had the only Porsches in the area.

[cabmandone]

Originally Posted by 72doug2,2S

Cabmando, five years ago I lived 35 miles from you just across the border in Indiana.We probably had the only Porsches in the area.

There are some Boxsters around but classic 911's are few and far between. I've only come across one other at the car shows in the area and the guy was from Findlay.

[KFC911]

Start minimal ...it varies from house to house just a few miles apart due to a few variables. I have one "distant tower" that requires a small 12" square placed high in window
...all others come in with ease. Mine requires a amplified boost (just a powered "inline" thingy)...for the distant tower. Then work yer way up to an in the attic location...if that doesn't work. Don't mount outside unless you have to....jmho.

[cabmandone]

I had one of the indoor/outdoor plastic omnidirectional RCA antennas that didn't work worth a damn. When I really wanted to pull a channel in, I'd run the wire out the window, climb up on my roof and place it in the 2nd floor gutter. I could pull the Fort Wayne ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox channels and all bu the Lima Fox channel doing this. Both the RCA and GE setups are indoor outdoor so I might try the attic first then go outside if necessary.

[cabmandone]

I ended up getting the RCA yagi due to all the good reviews. Probably should have gotten a larger one because I'm able to pull the Fort Wayne Indiana channels but they break up. I'm considering putting motor on the mast to turn the antenna. I think the yagi is directional so turning it to the west might help with signal strength. I'm also considering a pre amplifier to boost the signal at the antenna but I'm not sure this will help with signal loss.

[SpyderMike]

Go to www.tvfool.com plug in your address and find out the specific compass direction to point the antenna for the channels you want.

[cabmandone]

Originally Posted by SpyderMike

Go to TV Fool plug in your address and find out the specific compass direction to point the antenna for the channels you want.

I used another site and did that. Also used an app from RCA. All showed the same thing. I'm getting good reception for the Lima channels and getting signal for the Fort Wayne channels without the antenna facing in the right direction to get them. I'm wondering if a signal amplifier might help with that?