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TV Antennas
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Author:  Atomic Taco [ Wed Oct 15, 2008 7:23 pm ]
Post subject:  TV Antennas
I know there's a broadcast forum here, but who actually reads that? Anyways,

I've switched over to an antenna for my TV. I have cable access to my room, and I was first using this as my antenna. It's RG6 that wraps around the building and goes into the Comcrapst box. I bought an antenna and that improved things a little bit.

Last week my converter box coupon finally came, and I bought one. It's like having cable again. Because I'm watching the digital channels, everything looked fine if I used my antenna or the building wire. I thought this would be fine, so I've been using the building for the past few days. But I've noticed quite a few starts and stops; I'll get cut ups and then 2-3 seconds of "no signal". This would occur every minute or so. I switched over to my antenna and it greatly improved; any drop outs were a half a second or less, though I was more susceptible to the "underwater" audio.

Now I have a general idea of what multipath is on analog audio signals. I'm assuming the pictures I saw pre-converter box were the effects of multipath; it's commonly described as "ghosting". Since I'm picking up digital signals now, I of course don't experience this, but I'm stuck in the same crappy reception area. I'm surrounded by tall buildings; most notably the 6 story hotel partially blocking my view of Queen Anne.

After switching to digital I can't pick up 13 any more. While that's disappointing, I'm not surprised since they're all the way over on Gold Mtn.



So, now that you've read that looong post, what kind of antenna should I look for? I can't put anything on my building. I'm stuck with indoor antennas, but I am on the 2nd floor (of 3). This is what I have; with both gain knobs cranked to the max.
Author:  icom1020 [ Wed Oct 15, 2008 7:46 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: TV Antennas
I'm thinking of getting an indoor antenna too, just to watch the RTN channel. I live in a condo with basic cable so CC'rs are the rule. I would look at reviews at Amazon and other sites which have products tested by those who have purchased them. There are a lot of claims made as to which one works better or the ones that are a POS. I just got a CCrane catalog in the mail which has one for $29.95. Their products are usually hit and miss. I live a ways from the transmitters so I need all the help I can get. I basically want to watch the end of analog broadcasting that day in Feb and record it along with watching the digital channels.
Author:  FlashP [ Thu Oct 16, 2008 6:19 am ]
Post subject:  Re: TV Antennas
The FCC has pre-empted all covenants related to antennas for receiving broadcast television.

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

Flash
Author:  KE7JFF [ Thu Oct 16, 2008 9:30 am ]
Post subject:  Re: TV Antennas
I know this is going to sound weird, but I actually use a dual band mag mount I have laying around with my converter box. The antenna itself is broadband-ed enough that it works pretty well.
Author:  Atomic Taco [ Thu Oct 16, 2008 10:15 am ]
Post subject:  Re: TV Antennas
FlashP wrote:
The FCC has pre-empted all covenants related to antennas for receiving broadcast television.

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

I've read that before;
"The rule applies to antenna users who live in a multiple dwelling unit building, such as a condominium or apartment building, if the antenna user has an exclusive use area in which to install the antenna. "Exclusive use" means an area of the property that only you, and persons you permit, may enter and use to the exclusion of other residents. For example, your condominium or apartment may include a balcony, terrace, deck or patio that only you can use, and the rule applies to these areas. The rule does not apply to common areas, such as the roof, the hallways, the walkways or the exterior walls of a condominium or apartment building. Restrictions on antennas installed in these common areas are not covered by the Commission's rule. For example, the rule would not apply to restrictions that prevent drilling through the exterior wall of a condominium or rental unit and thus restrictions may prohibit installation that requires such drilling."

Unfortunately I'm a renter without a balcony.
Author:  Rich [ Fri Oct 17, 2008 8:18 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: TV Antennas
This might be a little overkill for an indoor antenna, but my personal recommendation is the Wade-Delhi VU-937SR plus the VU-8PZ UHF extension:

http://www.wade-antenna.com/Wade/900%20&%20VU%20series.pdf
Author:  Atomic Taco [ Fri Oct 17, 2008 9:54 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: TV Antennas
If I'm trying to pick up stations from 3 different transmission sites, would a Yagi really be appropriate? Thanks mostly what I'm wondering. I'm maybe considering this one

Image

Or this one

Image

We used that silver one at Fred Meyer to pick up the playoffs back when the Seahawks were in it. It was the only antenna we carried that could pull a decent signal inside (cement building; in the valley (Auburn)). It fell on the floor once too; inside it was basically a Yagi but with strange elements. The elements were about 1.5 inches long, paper thick, and varied between 2 and 6 inches on either side of the center. I'm thinking the whips might help, but then again, that antenna is like $35 if memory serves correctly.
Author:  Atomic Taco [ Tue Oct 21, 2008 5:54 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: TV Antennas
I went for that silver one. It supposedly has 10dB of amplification on both bands, which requires a power supply. It's well worth it; there's far less pixelation, and I've got 7 more channels (only 2 stations). Great antenna if you're looking for one. PHDTV3 is the model number.
Author:  SpudGunMan [ Mon Oct 27, 2008 10:24 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: TV Antennas
here is what I use, I took the rack out of a toaster oven, stuck some hangers to it.

In bellevue I can pick up every channel in seatle/most of everett some oly and tacoma if I move it around a bit

remember that Fox is not in seattle but bremerton, so unless your MXPX all your antennas dont point there.

you will need to direct your antenna off kilter (there was a post about this and the old UHF kcpq antenna's in here) to get it better

or just put a few up

being that your in seattle I would be suprised that any multi path has the power to compete with the modulator but hey its radio waves...

put up another antenna and point it north and south, or do what I did for a few years when I first got My TV and just jam some cat5 and foil in there. the cooler it looks the better it works.


you would also be suprised to know that with basic cable you will get all the local HD in the feed line.

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Author:  Atomic Taco [ Mon Oct 27, 2008 11:26 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: TV Antennas
SpudGunMan wrote:
you will need to direct your antenna off kilter (there was a post about this and the old UHF kcpq antenna's in here) to get it better

The building 10 feet away from my window (South) is taller than my building; the hotel right behind (West) me is much taller than my building; the building North of me is taller; and the 4th side faces the street, which is East. The UW Tower (formerly Safeco Tower) is less than 2 blocks away. There are quite a few tall apartment buildings in the area.
SpudGunMan wrote:
being that your in seattle I would be suprised that any multi path has the power to compete with the modulator but hey its radio waves...

With tons of buildings around, I'm surprised I only saw one ghost.
SpudGunMan wrote:
you would also be suprised to know that with basic cable you will get all the local HD in the feed line.

$15 a month for 4 channels I get for free + 30 I won't watch... screw that.
Author:  SpudGunMan [ Tue Oct 28, 2008 8:51 am ]
Post subject:  Re: TV Antennas
taco location?

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Author:  Atomic Taco [ Tue Oct 28, 2008 11:12 am ]
Post subject:  Re: TV Antennas
Hopefully I don't live inside the Roosevelt Medical Center :puke:
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