What are people using now for outdoor antennas?

Originally Posted by FADEC
I just bought and installed this one last week, Google RCA ANT751E. Got on Amazon for 42 dollars. It's nice and small but has great performance. Another plus is that its is made in the USA! Easy to install and pulls stations from 55 miles just fine.


https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0024R4B5C/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I have the same yagi style rca antenna, bought from my local wallymart. I use an eight dollar booster feeding a splitter. Great crystal clear picture. Very directional. Get about seventeen channels. I going to experiment with a second antenna that I found at Goodwill, two antenna into a splitter then on to the booster.
 
If you're not ready to go full Yagi, I've had good results with a Winegard GS-2200 on VHF Low. Very few compact antennas are worth anything for VHF especially the low band.
 
Originally Posted by Donald
Originally Posted by BAJA_05
My $30.00 cheap antenna I have on the pre existing DirecTV bracket on the roof died out on me yesterday after a good 5 years. Looking to replace with a HD antenna and would like some feedback from the knowledgeable folks here please on what use are using and price wise. My old antenna is on a 1 inch round aluminum pole that is 8 feet high that I cut from work scrap. Just gonna remove the old antenna & replace with a new one on that pole.



Thanks, Dale


Fiber to the phone company & internet.

Fiber = costs money, Streaming Services = costs money, OTA service after antenna purchase = $0
 
I rubbish picked an old style 6 ft antenna and mast that was in very good condition about 8 years ago. I cut the cord about 8 years prior to that. Works good, picks up about 42 channels except it is big compared to todays antennas.
 
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I have this in my attic, feeds approx 5 TVs
https://www.lowes.com/pd/RCA-Outdoor-Digital-HDTV-VHF-UHF-Fm-Yagi-Type-Antenna/3548988

I installed this one in my sons attic, I think it was the 60 mile I installed, anyway, always get the largest you can fit.
https://www.channelmaster.com/Digital_HDTV_Outdoor_TV_Antenna_p/cm-2020.htm

Both antennas get all major network stations and their side channels plus more. My attic gets 30 or so channels
My sons Attic gets over 50 but he gets those signals from two different areas being he is between two cities.

One just has to google "tv antenna aiming" for the correct compass heading and distance to the stations.

To me, much like car engines, there is no replacement for displacement. Get the largest you can and if you cant, then you need to settle for a compact one with an amplifier and hope for the best. Just like anything, the marketing for the small no different then cars.
Kind of like having a turbo charged 4 cylinder beat out a big v8 not going to happen but if your lucky and the tv towers are close to you it wont matter much, but you'll never know what you are missing either.
Even the federal government has a tool to give you distances from your home to the towers, its all online and its free, because you already paid for it out of your paycheck!
 
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I use this one...it's below the roofline and still works great. It's right around a $100.00


Televes DigiNova Boss antenna. Very popular in Europe-meets all HOA requirements for size-if that's a concern (No bigger than a SAT dish).
 
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Originally Posted by BAJA_05
My $30.00 cheap antenna I have on the pre existing DirecTV bracket on the roof died out on me yesterday after a good 5 years. Looking to replace with a HD antenna and would like some feedback from the knowledgeable folks here please on what use are using and price wise. My old antenna is on a 1 inch round aluminum pole that is 8 feet high that I cut from work scrap. Just gonna remove the old antenna & replace with a new one on that pole.
Thanks, Dale


You are in Berk's County PA. You should watch some antennamanpa videos on Youtube for some suggestions. https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=antennamanpa

I have a HBU-33 AntennaCraft similar to jayjr1105's https://www.solidsignal.com/pview.asp?p=HD7694P It is a high band vhf/uhf antenna
 
Just an FYI for everyone.

An HOA can not restrict putting an antenna up to receive free over the air TV signals.
So if your a fighter against the ignorance of an HOA, the Federal Government & FCC is on your side. Most likely that HOA rule is out of ignorance on the part of the HOA. (or they know, legally they can not restrict but no one questions it)
Actually you can mount a mast as high as 12 feet if needed without restriction.

Satellite dishes are a little different since that is a pay service I guess. With that said, an HOA can not restrict a satellite dish smaller then 1 meter. (approx 3 feet)

https://www.fcc.gov/media/over-air-reception-devices-rule

_____
The rule (47 C.F.R. Section 1.4000) has been in effect since October 1996, and it prohibits restrictions that impair the installation, maintenance or use of antennas used to receive video programming. The rule applies to video antennas including direct-to-home satellite dishes that are less than one meter (39.37") in diameter (or of any size in Alaska), TV antennas, and wireless cable antennas. The rule prohibits most restrictions that: (1) unreasonably delay or prevent installation, maintenance or use; (2) unreasonably increase the cost of installation, maintenance or use; or (3) preclude reception of an acceptable quality signal.

....... A: The rule prohibits restrictions that impair a person's ability to install, maintain, or use an antenna covered by the rule. The rule applies to state or local laws or regulations, including zoning, land-use or building regulations, private covenants, homeowners' association rules, condominium or cooperative association restrictions, lease restrictions, or similar restrictions on property within the exclusive use or control of the antenna user where the user has an ownership or leasehold interest in the property. A restriction impairs if it: (1) unreasonably delays or prevents use of; (2) unreasonably increases the cost of; or (3) precludes a person from receiving or transmitting an acceptable quality signal from an antenna covered under the rule.......


>>> ....... Q: Whose antenna restrictions are prohibited?

A: The rule applies to restrictions imposed by local governments, including zoning, land-use or building regulations; by homeowner, townhome, condominium or cooperative association rules, including deed restrictions, covenants, by-laws and similar restrictions; and by manufactured housing (mobile home) park owners and landlords, including lease restrictions. The rule only applies to restrictions on property where the viewer has an ownership or leasehold interest and exclusive use or control.
_____
 
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Originally Posted by alarmguy
Just an FYI for everyone.

An HOA can not restrict putting an antenna up to receive free over the air TV signals.
So if your a fighter against the ignorance of an HOA, the Federal Government & FCC is on your side. Most likely that HOA rule is out of ignorance on the part of the HOA. (or they know, legally they can not restrict but no one questions it)
Actually you can mount a mast as high as 12 feet if needed without restriction.

Satellite dishes are a little different since that is a pay service I guess. With that said, an HOA can not restrict a satellite dish smaller then 1 meter. (approx 3 feet)

https://www.fcc.gov/media/over-air-reception-devices-rule

_____
The rule (47 C.F.R. Section 1.4000) has been in effect since October 1996, and it prohibits restrictions that impair the installation, maintenance or use of antennas used to receive video programming. The rule applies to video antennas including direct-to-home satellite dishes that are less than one meter (39.37") in diameter (or of any size in Alaska), TV antennas, and wireless cable antennas. The rule prohibits most restrictions that: (1) unreasonably delay or prevent installation, maintenance or use; (2) unreasonably increase the cost of installation, maintenance or use; or (3) preclude reception of an acceptable quality signal.

....... A: The rule prohibits restrictions that impair a person's ability to install, maintain, or use an antenna covered by the rule. The rule applies to state or local laws or regulations, including zoning, land-use or building regulations, private covenants, homeowners' association rules, condominium or cooperative association restrictions, lease restrictions, or similar restrictions on property within the exclusive use or control of the antenna user where the user has an ownership or leasehold interest in the property. A restriction impairs if it: (1) unreasonably delays or prevents use of; (2) unreasonably increases the cost of; or (3) precludes a person from receiving or transmitting an acceptable quality signal from an antenna covered under the rule.......


>>> ....... Q: Whose antenna restrictions are prohibited?

A: The rule applies to restrictions imposed by local governments, including zoning, land-use or building regulations; by homeowner, townhome, condominium or cooperative association rules, including deed restrictions, covenants, by-laws and similar restrictions; and by manufactured housing (mobile home) park owners and landlords, including lease restrictions. The rule only applies to restrictions on property where the viewer has an ownership or leasehold interest and exclusive use or control.
_____



They do put restrictions on the size of the antenna. To be honest-if you are in the range specified by the antenna pictured I posted-I don't know why you would want some of these old school yagi antennas.
 
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Im not so sure of that ^^^ Restrictions on dish size, FCC seems to have left out a size for a OTA antenna as an HOA can not prevent someone from receiving OTA signals, except to add it might be an issue if a mast needs to be more then 12 feet high! That is amazing! *L*

Anyway, I'm not interested enough to read anymore into it, I have mine on in my attic, but for anyone that does, I provided the FCC link in the previous posts, much info online too. But without question if you use a style like you have, you can mount it right at the top of your home and no HOA can prevent you from doing so and AGAIN, I am not in anyway saying that is a bad idea.

You mention "old" school yogi antennas. Much information online on antenna size and frequencies to capture by design and antenna size, this can be done in a passive more reliable way instead of using a powered antenna but have no problem with those that use them, its whatever floats our boat if we can receive all the available channels from all the towers shown on the FCC charts carefree year in and year out. Some stations do broadcast in the upper VHF range but granted most in the UHF. Anyway, whatever ... to others reading this thread, simply google thing like TV antenna aiming.


For me, I am set for life (hopefully a long one) using the antenna I posted about, mounted in my attic, feeding the cable system throughout the house and getting every channel on the FCC broadcast tower list and separate antenna aiming sites.
 
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^^^ For those who wish to know which TV stations they will receive ^^^ Here is the government website, paid for out of your weekly income via the taxes you pay, so you might as well use it, it will tell you based on location what stations you can receive.
https://www.fcc.gov/media/engineering/dtvmaps

Also, again, google TV antenna aiming MANY good sites to learn more.

https://www.antennasdirect.com/transmitter-locator.html

I think this is one of the best - http://dennysantennaservice.com/tv-antenna-aiming.html Very good site, with REAL testing.

Dont miss this part of the site - http://dennysantennaservice.com/best-tv-antenna.html
 
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Antenna tip : Use thicker rg6 coaxial cable between antenna and tv. Most come with crappy thin stuff if they do.
 
Originally Posted by alarmguy
^^^ For those who wish to know which TV stations they will receive ^^^ Here is the government website, paid for out of your weekly income via the taxes you pay, so you might as well use it, it will tell you based on location what stations you can receive.
https://www.fcc.gov/media/engineering/dtvmaps

Also, again, google TV antenna aiming MANY good sites to learn more.

https://www.antennasdirect.com/transmitter-locator.html

I think this is one of the best - http://dennysantennaservice.com/tv-antenna-aiming.html Very good site, with REAL testing.

Dont miss this part of the site - http://dennysantennaservice.com/best-tv-antenna.html


That number 10 antenna is absolute complete garbage. It has a plastic part that has been known to crack after several freeze/thaw cycles.
 
This site is just such a blessing in soo many ways with the members and there feedback/knowledge. One of the best choices I ever made in my life was joining this site overall. Update -- purchased yesterday a VHF/UHF Yagi Outdoor Antenna (HDXB91X). Should receive it some time this week and go from there.

Thanks,
Dale
 
Originally Posted by CKN
Originally Posted by alarmguy
^^^ For those who wish to know which TV stations they will receive ^^^ Here is the government website, paid for out of your weekly income via the taxes you pay, so you might as well use it, it will tell you based on location what stations you can receive.
https://www.fcc.gov/media/engineering/dtvmaps

Also, again, google TV antenna aiming MANY good sites to learn more.

https://www.antennasdirect.com/transmitter-locator.html

I think this is one of the best - http://dennysantennaservice.com/tv-antenna-aiming.html Very good site, with REAL testing.

Dont miss this part of the site - http://dennysantennaservice.com/best-tv-antenna.html


That number 10 antenna is absolute complete garbage. It has a plastic part that has been known to crack after several freeze/thaw cycles.


As noted in the test on #10 the rotator also broke while they were testing. Then again, who would pick a 10th place antenna ... ?
Anyway, I agree, that goes for all those "compact" designs. Not that they do not have a place for people that do not have any room to mount a full size antenna.
But again, there is no replacement for displacement, no different then a vehicle engine.
 
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No VHF low signals were tested. The lowest station in the test was RF channel 7.
 
Originally Posted by alarmguy
Originally Posted by CKN
Originally Posted by alarmguy
^^^ For those who wish to know which TV stations they will receive ^^^ Here is the government website, paid for out of your weekly income via the taxes you pay, so you might as well use it, it will tell you based on location what stations you can receive.
https://www.fcc.gov/media/engineering/dtvmaps

Also, again, google TV antenna aiming MANY good sites to learn more.

https://www.antennasdirect.com/transmitter-locator.html

I think this is one of the best - http://dennysantennaservice.com/tv-antenna-aiming.html Very good site, with REAL testing.

Dont miss this part of the site - http://dennysantennaservice.com/best-tv-antenna.html


That number 10 antenna is absolute complete garbage. It has a plastic part that has been known to crack after several freeze/thaw cycles.


As noted in the test on #10 the rotator also broke while they were testing. Then again, who would pick a 10th place antenna ... ?
Anyway, I agree, that goes for all those "compact" designs. Not that they do not have a place for people that do not have any room to mount a full size antenna.
But again, there is no replacement for displacement, no different then a vehicle engine.


You do realize that if you are less than 50 miles from the transmitters a large antenna is an eyesore and overkill.....don't you? Assuming flat terrain.
 
^^ large is relative as too what some call large, overkill for 50 miles? No, more so if installed in an attic.
Again, I'm not sure what size your are talking about but I provided the links in this thread of the two that I installed both attic installations, the one in my home feeds 6 TVs through the entire cable network and distribution system of my home (ON-Q by Legrand).
I do have a $15 RCA powered boaster at the distribution block in the ON Q panel connected from the antenna down lead and connected to the distribution block.
I had one weak channel (Fox) that was roughly 77%, all others were 90 to 100, the boaster brought everything to at or around 100.
It's been up and approx 10 years so far completely reliable.

I do agree a large antenna on a roof can look unsightly, again depending on what is considered large and why the two I installed are in attics which that in itself should be taken into account as an attic can diminish signal and if you have the room it's cheaper now to go the largest reasonable instead of wasting time and money down the road.
 
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