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OT: I need a good DTV antenna


Tony Reed

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Quoted from Yahoo Answers:

"An "HD" antenna is nothing more than a UHF antenna so you may have one in the attic already.



If not, go to antennaweb.org (this is free and it's sponsered by the
Consumer Electronics Association, they don't sell anything or save any
information on you) and put in your address to determine which
direction and how far the towers are away. They will recommend an
antenna based on a color. Table top UHF antennas don't really use this
color chart but bigger roof or attic antennas do. If you mount in the
attic, go up a color on the chart (or add 10 miles to your distance).
One of the best styles are called 4-bay or 8-bay depending on distance.
They stand straight up, are rectangular, have 4 or 8 "bow ties" with a
big grid at the back that stops signal bounce from getting through.
Channel Master as well as others make these. Few retailers carry big
antennas so you'll need to search your local area or the Internet for a
supplier.



If you have a long cable run between the antenna and the TV, you will
want to amp the antenna with an antenna amp that mounts with the
antenna. Amping an antenna WILL NOT improve the signal if it's weak at
the antenna, amping only improves the signal if it's degrading in the
cable because of distance or splitters. Only getting a bigger antenna
will help with signal strength at the antenna.



An antenna that will go about 40 miles costs $50 or so from a supplier and $100 or so from a retailer."

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I use the DC9000 from MCM Electronics for about 90 dollars and they ship via UPS. It has 96 elements and very big. UHF/VHFalthough you won't need the VHF theorectically. Two local networks are using channels 2 and 10 for HD at the present time.

JJK

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A ChannelMaster 4228 should work well for you, as long as all of your stations are UHF and plan to remain so after Feb 19th. Be aware that many digital stations currently on UHF (and having their analog counterparts on VHF) will move to their respective VHF channels after the analog shutdown takes place. At that time you may need a VHF capable antenna also. Although the 4228 is a UHF antenna, it works acceptably for the higher VHF channels also. Since your stations are located north and south of you, you will likely need an antenna rotor as well.

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I installed a Wingard Squareshooter on my roof a little over a year ago. I feed the wife's HDTV and the kitchen digital TV (not HD). I have been pleased. It is a directional antenna, though. It may be difficult to find one that is both omni-directional and high sensitivity.

Wingard also has indoor models.

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Yes, 2 or more antennas and a combiner will work for stations in multiple directions. The rotor option may be cheaper, but it takes time to spin it around, this is a real pain if the stations alternate directions as you scan up the band. I have 2 antennas in the attic, and am thinking about adding a third. I can pick up all of the local stations in analo, digital and HD, and get the rest from Dish Network.

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