Antenna for DTV options

[Oh Haha]

What are you guys that only have antennas using for better reception? I really don't want to mount a huge one on the roof.

Currently, we have tabletop DTV versions but the signal seems to drop frequently.

[Scott R]

I have a five year old antenna I installed in my attic that gets DTV just fine. I had thought I would have to replace it, but somehow it works just fine. I really don't recall it being anything special, something like $30 from Radio Shack.

[porsche4life]

We have like the biggest antenna you can buy on a 40' tower. But then again we are about 100 miles away from the broadcast site.

[rick-l]

Welcome to the end of Over The Air broadcast free TV. Guess there is more money in it for cell phones.

Type your address in here.

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

[gr8fl4porsche]

Originally Posted by rick-l

Welcome to the end of Over The Air broadcast free TV. Guess there is more money in it for cell phones.

Type your address in here.

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

The end? I disagree. This is finally the beginning. I have an OTA HD system running HD Tivo integrated wirelessly with my computer and audio system.

Cost is $ 8 / month (except for my DSL connection) , quality is top notch and I watch every premium channel show I want via torrents. Streams directly from my hard drive to the tivo perfectly.

For a great antenna you really need to mount a big one outside.

I prefer the DB4 if you are close to the towers or the DB8 for greater distances.

[rick-l]

Originally Posted by gr8fl4porsche

The end? I disagree.

Remember when you used to be able to plop a TV down on the deck and watch the ball game. Not going to happen now and I live 13 miles from the transmitter.

[Quicksilver]

Originally Posted by gr8fl4porsche

The end? I disagree. This is finally the beginning. I have an OTA HD system running HD Tivo integrated wirelessly with my computer and audio system.

Cost is $ 8 / month (except for my DSL connection) , quality is top notch and I watch every premium channel show I want via torrents. Streams directly from my hard drive to the tivo perfectly.

For a great antenna you really need to mount a big one outside.

I prefer the DB4 if you are close to the towers or the DB8 for greater distances.

[RANT]
Can't stand the idea of paying for a subscription to the idiot box. Paying $96 a year to get the functionality of a $100 recorder. In ten years that is $960+ compared to... $100.

Why is everybody so willing to convert everything in their life to a subscription? In the end you have nothing and they have your money...
[/RANT]

Made the equivalent of a DB4 bowtie antenna out a 2x4, a frame of aluminum angle-iron, 1/4" wire screen, a 300Ω to 75Ω converter, and some aluminum fencing wire for the bowties.
I put it up in the attic I've got over 50 channels of questionable content!

[gr8fl4porsche]

It works better now than ever.

You take a small tv, plop it down on the deck, hook up a small antenna and watch the game in the best reception, HD picture quality and clearest audio you have ever imagined.

Not sure why you are having issues, but I can get HD with a $5 antenna in the back of the van while tailgating at the game.

I am using several 25 yr old tv's in my garage, workshop and office connected to entry level digital converters and the tv's have never looked so good. With a small cheap antenna you will get the occasional flicker and freeze but it is nothing compared to the constant adjusting and snowy picture that we used to associate with antenna viewing.

[rick-l]

Originally Posted by gr8fl4porsche

It works better now than ever.

Where do you live in relation to the towers? I'm west by Faust Park and I notice all my neighbors have at least one dish and I see the cable truck a lot.

On a calm clear day with no wind (I think the wind blows the trees and creates multi path) I get a tolerable program with the antenna inside the attic. With a UHF loop I get 1 or 2 channels (but I think the tuner in that Government subsidized box is crap).