OTA Antennas

[tcable]

I'm sure that this has been beaten to death :) however I'm looking for an indoor antenna to recieve my local OTA broadcasts. I'm getting my Mitsu WS-55859 on Thursday afternoon (got it at Tweeter for $2400 as an unadvertised special. Substitution for another lesser model that they are ot of stock on) Needless to say I feel good as the current model (WS55311) no tuner is the same price :D

Considering that aesthertics will be a consideration (ie, my wife) I'm looking for an antenna that is not too obtrusive. My wall unit will not be delivered for at least 2 weeks, so all of my supporting electronics will be strewn about (reciever, dvd player, cable box...) so I'm looking for something that can ideally blend in and also not be too expensive. Sure I could put a $300 antenna on the roof, but I don't consider that a viable solution, plus I believe that there is a clause about that in my deed. We currently have AT&t cable that will not support HD programming for the forseeable future, so OTA is it for now, and I'm not interesed in spending an additonal $1000 to get HD DSS.

TIA,

Tim

[scottvp]

I also will be looking to get one.

Does anyone know if it will work in an attic? I am approximately 15 miles from the farthest transmission source.

Thanks.

[kevinw]

There is no answer to your question as to what antenna will work..but start here www.antennaweb.org

This will tell you the location and how far from the towers you are. Indoor may work..

[Ratman]

Indoor antenna generally are not the best way to go. They are susceptible to movement in the room, do not have enough gain, are impaired by the home's building materials (IE aluminum siding) and cost more than an outdoor antenna.

I suggest at a minimum, try an outdoor mounted in the attic. Although it's not optimal, it can be successful and you don't have to look at it!

Outdoor Antennas can be had at Radio Shack for ~$20. If it doesn't work, return it!

The higher the antenna, the better.

[tcable]

My issue more than anyhting is that I do not have an attic- our house is open to the roof in every room (very open and airy)

I've hit antennaweb and for the most part, I have transmitters in about 270 degrees of the house (both Boston and Providence) The Needham towers (where most of Boston's transmitters are) is roughly 30 miles from home, and the PRovidecne ones are within 25 miles. I'll have 1 within 15 miles, that is due south
to see what I mean, plug in 02718 for the zipcode :)

There is some question about even mounting an external antenna- I may be prevented from doing so by my neighborhood's zoning. Iam sure that no full size dishes are allowed, but DSS is fine...



Tim

[kevinw]

It is against the law to prevent you from having a rooftop antenna. Direct from FCC-

[/B]

5. We implement Section 207 by adopting the following rule, and by amending
Section 25.104 as indicated in Attachment A:

(a) Any restriction, including but not limited to any state or local law or regulation,
including zoning, land-use, or building regulation, or any private covenant,
homeowners' association rule or similar restriction on property within the exclusive use
or control of the antenna user where the user has a direct or indirect ownership interest
in the property, that impairs the installation, maintenance, or use of:

(1) an antenna that is designed to receive direct broadcast satellite
service, including direct-to-home satellite services, that is one meter or
less in diameter or is located in Alaska; or

(2) an antenna that is designed to receive video programming services
via multipoint distribution services, including multichannel multipoint
distribution services, instructional television fixed services, and local
multipoint distribution services, and that is one meter or less in diameter
or diagonal measurement; or

(3) an antenna that is designed to receive television broadcast
signals,

is prohibited, to the extent it so impairs, subject to paragraph (b). For purposes of this
rule, a law, regulation or restriction impairs installation, maintenance or use of an
antenna if it: (1) unreasonably delays or prevents installation, maintenance or use,
(2) unreasonably increases the cost of installation, maintenance or use, or (3) precludes
reception of an acceptable quality signal. No civil, criminal, administrative, or other
legal action of any kind shall be taken to enforce any restriction or regulation
prohibited by this rule except pursuant to paragraph (c) or (d). No fine or other
penalties shall accrue against an antenna user while a proceeding is pending to
determine the validity of any restriction.


I do not think an indoor antenna is going to work from your distances..Tell the association it is a status symbol to have an antenna-" I Have a HD television"

[tcable]

I guess that answers that question :)

Tim

[tcable]

My TV was delivered at Noon today, and after a few hours of playing here's what I've found:

with an indoor amplified antenna, I ge PBS (4 varieties, I'm still trying to figure that out SD and HD, but 2 actual call letters WGBH WGBX) CBS(WBZ) ABC(WCVB) NBC(WHDH) FOX(WFXT).

I'm roughly 35 miles from the transmitter site (needham towers) with no obstructions of note. I am pleasantly surprised that the indoor antenna is recieving this well. Since I'm closer to the Providence market (and they have a real lack of HD stations right now) I expected that that would be my hope for signal.

This is cool :) Unfortunately there is virtually nothing HD on in the daytime. I guess primetime tonight will tell.

Tim

[57U]

High Def PBS broadcasts almost exclusively in 1080i 16:9. You should be able to tell if you're getting HD from that. (unless it's a pledge break).

Check out the following schedule for HD programming.

Galaxy HD (http://www.hdtvgalaxy.com/broad.html)

Detroit PBS have downloadable PDF files that should apply to PBS USA wide.

Detroit PBS (http://www.detroitpublictv.org/watch/digitalsched.htm)

[jmacdonald]

Originally posted by tcable
My TV was delivered at Noon today, and after a few hours of playing here's what I've found:

with an indoor amplified antenna, I ge PBS (4 varieties, I'm still trying to figure that out SD and HD, but 2 actual call letters WGBH WGBX) CBS(WBZ) ABC(WCVB) NBC(WHDH) FOX(WFXT).

I'm roughly 35 miles from the transmitter site (needham towers) with no obstructions of note. I am pleasantly surprised that the indoor antenna is recieving this well. Since I'm closer to the Providence market (and they have a real lack of HD stations right now) I expected that that would be my hope for signal.

This is cool :) Unfortunately there is virtually nothing HD on in the daytime. I guess primetime tonight will tell.

Tim