safetyjack
05-31-2004, 11:32 AM
I have a new dish network HD reciver and I want to get a out side antenna to pick up my local stations in HD but I don't know which to buy please help
Safety Jack
Safety Jack
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View Full Version : HDTV Antenna
Ratman
05-31-2004, 11:39 AM
You can get started by reading the FAQ's
http://www.hdtvoice.com/voice/showthread.php?t=6514
http://www.hdtvoice.com/voice/showthread.php?t=6514
LeeS
05-31-2004, 11:52 AM
safetyjack,
Welcome to HDTVoice! :)
and the second thing to do it go to www.antennaweb.org and see just exactly what is available in digital/HD in your area.
When at the site use your full address for the best info. Should list all the stations in your area, how far away and what direction. Gives you the antenna recommendation in general terms. You are interested in the digital stations, not the analog. Digital has the * next to them.
Well actually if you read the FAQs you will go to www.antennaweb.org anyway :)
If you post your zipcode we can have a look too.
Lee
You should also list your location in your profile, helps to know which city you are in.
Welcome to HDTVoice! :)
and the second thing to do it go to www.antennaweb.org and see just exactly what is available in digital/HD in your area.
When at the site use your full address for the best info. Should list all the stations in your area, how far away and what direction. Gives you the antenna recommendation in general terms. You are interested in the digital stations, not the analog. Digital has the * next to them.
Well actually if you read the FAQs you will go to www.antennaweb.org anyway :)
If you post your zipcode we can have a look too.
Lee
You should also list your location in your profile, helps to know which city you are in.
kevinw
06-01-2004, 12:13 PM
I have a new dish network HD reciver and I want to get a out side antenna to pick up my local stations in HD but I don't know which to buy please help
Safety Jack
After seeing what type of antenna you need, look at ChanneMaster or possibly something from www.antennasdirect.com Stay away from Terk. Radio Shack is ok if you do not have alternatives.
Safety Jack
After seeing what type of antenna you need, look at ChanneMaster or possibly something from www.antennasdirect.com Stay away from Terk. Radio Shack is ok if you do not have alternatives.
Ratman
06-01-2004, 01:02 PM
Radio Shack is ok if you do not have alternatives.
Radio Shack's can and do work. The advantage is that they are local, products are easily returnable (no restocking fees) and if it works... you're done!
It's a quick and potentially less expensive especially for 'testing' purposes.
Just my opinion.
BTW... just an anecdote. I tried a Channel Master 4228 and the Radio Shack yagi I use performs no worse/better at 1/3 the price.
As always... all results are different.
Radio Shack's can and do work. The advantage is that they are local, products are easily returnable (no restocking fees) and if it works... you're done!
It's a quick and potentially less expensive especially for 'testing' purposes.
Just my opinion.
BTW... just an anecdote. I tried a Channel Master 4228 and the Radio Shack yagi I use performs no worse/better at 1/3 the price.
As always... all results are different.
kevinw
06-02-2004, 10:28 AM
Radio Shack's can and do work. The advantage is that they are local, products are easily returnable (no restocking fees) and if it works... you're done!
It's a quick and potentially less expensive especially for 'testing' purposes.
Just my opinion.
BTW... just an anecdote. I tried a Channel Master 4228 and the Radio Shack yagi I use performs no worse/better at 1/3 the price.
As always... all results are different.
Absolutly correct about the Yagi. My point is that the Channelamaster often works better with rejecting signal noise and multipath. I use a RadioShack myself, because it was cheap, locally availble and I did not know any better.
It's a quick and potentially less expensive especially for 'testing' purposes.
Just my opinion.
BTW... just an anecdote. I tried a Channel Master 4228 and the Radio Shack yagi I use performs no worse/better at 1/3 the price.
As always... all results are different.
Absolutly correct about the Yagi. My point is that the Channelamaster often works better with rejecting signal noise and multipath. I use a RadioShack myself, because it was cheap, locally availble and I did not know any better.
Ratman
06-02-2004, 10:50 AM
I hear ya!
I learned the hard way...
I started with an RCA indoor, then a Terk indoor, Radio Shack indoor (the one that looks like a roll of TP), and the Terk 55 with no stability. Then I finally had success with the R/S yagi. Feeling I was on the right track for 'perfect' signal strength, I went and got a 4228, assuming that since the yagi worked well, the 4228 has to be better.
I learned the hard way...
I started with an RCA indoor, then a Terk indoor, Radio Shack indoor (the one that looks like a roll of TP), and the Terk 55 with no stability. Then I finally had success with the R/S yagi. Feeling I was on the right track for 'perfect' signal strength, I went and got a 4228, assuming that since the yagi worked well, the 4228 has to be better.
OleManOz
06-10-2004, 03:23 PM
After seeing what type of antenna you need, look at ChanneMaster or possibly something from www.antennasdirect.com Stay away from Terk. Radio Shack is ok if you do not have alternatives.
Kevin, I just installed a Terk 44 with great success. I live in OKC and suspect that the Terk may not work as well if you live in a metro area with lots of tall buildings, etc. We're not heavy on tall buildings here and I have a fairly clean shot to the area of town where most transmitters are located. The Terk gave me more local HD signals than I got before on a Yagi-type mounted in the attic. I like the fact that local signals are fed through the same downlead as the DirecTV signals with a diplexer at each TV on the system.
OleManOz :usa1:
Kevin, I just installed a Terk 44 with great success. I live in OKC and suspect that the Terk may not work as well if you live in a metro area with lots of tall buildings, etc. We're not heavy on tall buildings here and I have a fairly clean shot to the area of town where most transmitters are located. The Terk gave me more local HD signals than I got before on a Yagi-type mounted in the attic. I like the fact that local signals are fed through the same downlead as the DirecTV signals with a diplexer at each TV on the system.
OleManOz :usa1:
Ratman
06-10-2004, 03:52 PM
Hey, if it works for you that's good. But...
At an additional ~$70 for a 'clip on', you could have tried moving the yagi from the attic to the outdoors. It probably would have been the same improvement. Diplexers can also be used on any antenna.
Still not a price/performance testimonial for Terk OTA antennas IMO.
Generally... Terk is very overpriced/overhyped.
At an additional ~$70 for a 'clip on', you could have tried moving the yagi from the attic to the outdoors. It probably would have been the same improvement. Diplexers can also be used on any antenna.
Still not a price/performance testimonial for Terk OTA antennas IMO.
Generally... Terk is very overpriced/overhyped.
kevinw
06-10-2004, 05:32 PM
Hey, if it works for you that's good. But...
At an additional ~$70 for a 'clip on', you could have tried moving the yagi from the attic to the outdoors. It probably would have been the same improvement. Diplexers can also be used on any antenna.
Still not a price/performance testimonial for Terk OTA antennas IMO.
Generally... Terk is very overpriced/overhyped.
What he says, Not ganging up on you but I know people who had better reception with a coathanger than a Terk product. The Terk works best in an urban situation close to the towers. I'd bet that yagi would have worked as well if not better outside also.
At an additional ~$70 for a 'clip on', you could have tried moving the yagi from the attic to the outdoors. It probably would have been the same improvement. Diplexers can also be used on any antenna.
Still not a price/performance testimonial for Terk OTA antennas IMO.
Generally... Terk is very overpriced/overhyped.
What he says, Not ganging up on you but I know people who had better reception with a coathanger than a Terk product. The Terk works best in an urban situation close to the towers. I'd bet that yagi would have worked as well if not better outside also.
OleManOz
06-10-2004, 06:40 PM
Ratman, I don't know where you buy your antennas but I bought my Terk 44 from Circuit City for $40. I would have spent about that much buying masting and cable for my Yagis. Plus grounding. Also, 4 diplexers with cables that were included in in the Terk kit. AND, it was a whole lot easier to install.
OleManOz :usa1:
Hey, if it works for you that's good. But...
At an additional ~$70 for a 'clip on', you could have tried moving the yagi from the attic to the outdoors. It probably would have been the same improvement. Diplexers can also be used on any antenna.
Still not a price/performance testimonial for Terk OTA antennas IMO.
Generally... Terk is very overpriced/overhyped.
OleManOz :usa1:
Hey, if it works for you that's good. But...
At an additional ~$70 for a 'clip on', you could have tried moving the yagi from the attic to the outdoors. It probably would have been the same improvement. Diplexers can also be used on any antenna.
Still not a price/performance testimonial for Terk OTA antennas IMO.
Generally... Terk is very overpriced/overhyped.
OleManOz
06-10-2004, 06:43 PM
Kevin, I don't know what close means to you but I am about 12-15 miles from the transmitter towers and am getting very good signals. I need to play with directionality a bit to perhaps improve the picture on some channels.
OleManOz :usa1:
What he says, Not ganging up on you but I know people who had better reception with a coathanger than a Terk product. The Terk works best in an urban situation close to the towers. I'd bet that yagi would have worked as well if not better outside also.
OleManOz :usa1:
What he says, Not ganging up on you but I know people who had better reception with a coathanger than a Terk product. The Terk works best in an urban situation close to the towers. I'd bet that yagi would have worked as well if not better outside also.
Ratman
06-10-2004, 07:22 PM
Ratman, I don't know where you buy your antennas but I bought my Terk 44 from Circuit City for $40. I would have spent about that much buying masting and cable for my Yagis. Plus grounding. Also, 4 diplexers with cables that were included in in the Terk kit. AND, it was a whole lot easier to install.
OleManOz :usa1:
Okay.
I will try to word this as best I can without being pugilistic.
Generally speaking (and this can be substantiated on any forum), Terk OTA antennas are overpriced and overhyped.
You got a very affordable price. I was quoting an 'average' price based on what is available on the web.
You can try to 'defend' Terk as best you can. When it comes to OTA antennas, they suck $$ from the uninformed.
The Terk "solution" worked in your situation. Super!
But, because it sufficed in your specific relationship to distance/power/direction to the broadcast towers. You are fortunate, but does not give any substance to a proclamation that this is a 'solution' for the general public trying to receive digital TV OTA.
I noticed that you still need to: "play with directionality a bit to perhaps improve the picture on some channels."
That can present a problem with 'clip-on' antennas. You're pretty limited with adjustment. Also... you cannot improve picture quality... you get 'em or you don't.
So, if you still need to fiddle, then it is not really a 'success' is it?
BTW... I use a Radio Shack yagi ($22) in my attic 20 miles from the towers, shooting through the buildings in Philadelphia and a mulberry and a huge maple tree. I tried two different Terks and neither was satisfactory/stable.
OleManOz :usa1:
Okay.
I will try to word this as best I can without being pugilistic.
Generally speaking (and this can be substantiated on any forum), Terk OTA antennas are overpriced and overhyped.
You got a very affordable price. I was quoting an 'average' price based on what is available on the web.
You can try to 'defend' Terk as best you can. When it comes to OTA antennas, they suck $$ from the uninformed.
The Terk "solution" worked in your situation. Super!
But, because it sufficed in your specific relationship to distance/power/direction to the broadcast towers. You are fortunate, but does not give any substance to a proclamation that this is a 'solution' for the general public trying to receive digital TV OTA.
I noticed that you still need to: "play with directionality a bit to perhaps improve the picture on some channels."
That can present a problem with 'clip-on' antennas. You're pretty limited with adjustment. Also... you cannot improve picture quality... you get 'em or you don't.
So, if you still need to fiddle, then it is not really a 'success' is it?
BTW... I use a Radio Shack yagi ($22) in my attic 20 miles from the towers, shooting through the buildings in Philadelphia and a mulberry and a huge maple tree. I tried two different Terks and neither was satisfactory/stable.
kevinw
06-10-2004, 09:55 PM
Kevin, I don't know what close means to you but I am about 12-15 miles from the transmitter towers and am getting very good signals. I need to play with directionality a bit to perhaps improve the picture on some channels.
OleManOz :usa1:
12- 15 would be close..all of us 30 and out could not use the TERK. Hey I am glad it works for you. Historically you are one of the few.
OleManOz :usa1:
12- 15 would be close..all of us 30 and out could not use the TERK. Hey I am glad it works for you. Historically you are one of the few.
