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geekhack Community => Other Geeky Stuff => Topic started by: SpAmRaY on Sat, 10 January 2015, 08:50:39

Title: TV Antenna Recommendations
Post by: SpAmRaY on Sat, 10 January 2015, 08:50:39
I live in the sticks and will soon (hopefully sooner than later) be moving into a new house and am thinking a nice tv antenna would be handy to have.

Anyone have any recommendations? I'm not overly concerned if it goes inside or outside.

Perhaps some DIY project that you've had success with?

Here is my tv fool evaluation.

[attachimg=1]
Title: Re: TV Antenna Recommendations
Post by: R1N3 on Sat, 10 January 2015, 08:55:33
What kind of TV do you have?

Also, define: sticks lol
Title: Re: TV Antenna Recommendations
Post by: jdcarpe on Sat, 10 January 2015, 09:04:12
Go to SolidSignal.com and fill out their antenna help form. Their techs will evaluate your responses and make a recommendation for you.

http://www.solidsignal.com/p/ota.asp?mc=03&d=antenna-help
Title: Re: TV Antenna Recommendations
Post by: SpAmRaY on Sat, 10 January 2015, 09:06:32
What kind of TV do you have?

Also, define: sticks lol

Just an ordinary LCD TV that has a digital tuner built in.

And 15-20+ miles from the local tv station and about 10 miles outside of the closest town.

Go to SolidSignal.com and fill out their antenna help form. Their techs will evaluate your responses and make a recommendation for you.

http://www.solidsignal.com/p/ota.asp?mc=03&d=antenna-help

Cool hadn't seen this will check it out, thanks jd!
Title: Re: TV Antenna Recommendations
Post by: tp4tissue on Sat, 10 January 2015, 09:24:53
(http://emoticoner.com/files/emoticons/onion-head/uhuhuh-onion-head-emoticon.gif?1292862523)

you're so OLD...    TV ... hahahaha

Broadband's got everything you need.. sans Commercials.
Title: Re: TV Antenna Recommendations
Post by: strict on Sat, 10 January 2015, 10:10:18
I picked up an Antennas Direct DB4 (http://www.amazon.com/Antennas-Direct-DB4-Multi-Directional-Discontinued/dp/B000EHYG9K/) a few years ago along with an Antennas Direct amp (http://www.amazon.com/Antennas-direct-PA-18-Ultra-Pre-Amplifier/dp/B0018CDGEQ) and have been very happy with it. Mine is mounted just bellow the soffit on my roof and I pick up every channel shown through yellow by the tvfool site. My dad owns the DB8 version and has never had a complaint with his.
Title: Re: TV Antenna Recommendations
Post by: SpAmRaY on Sat, 10 January 2015, 10:12:05
I picked up an Antennas Direct DB4 (http://www.amazon.com/Antennas-Direct-DB4-Multi-Directional-Discontinued/dp/B000EHYG9K/) a few years ago along with an Antennas Direct amp (http://www.amazon.com/Antennas-direct-PA-18-Ultra-Pre-Amplifier/dp/B0018CDGEQ) and have been very happy with it. Mine is mounted just bellow the soffit on my roof and I pick up every channel shown through yellow by the tvfool site. My dad owns the DB8 version and has never had a complaint with his.

I've looked into the DB4 before seems most people really have good results with that one, thanks for the recommendation.

Title: Re: TV Antenna Recommendations
Post by: engicoder on Sat, 10 January 2015, 10:14:12
I picked up an Antennas Direct DB4 (http://www.amazon.com/Antennas-Direct-DB4-Multi-Directional-Discontinued/dp/B000EHYG9K/) a few years ago along with an Antennas Direct amp (http://www.amazon.com/Antennas-direct-PA-18-Ultra-Pre-Amplifier/dp/B0018CDGEQ) and have been very happy with it. Mine is mounted just bellow the soffit on my roof and I pick up every channel shown through yellow by the tvfool site. My dad owns the DB8 version and has never had a complaint with his.

Another vote for antennas direct.  I think the DB4 has been discontinued and replace with the DB4-E; essentially the same thing with a few curves.
Title: Re: TV Antenna Recommendations
Post by: Hak Foo on Sat, 10 January 2015, 11:44:56
You may be able to get away with the smaller DB2 style unit.  It's basically half of that.  There are also many clones of the design, often cheaper, and you can even build them yourself.

I use one of these http://www.amazon.com/Eagle-Aspen-EASDTV2BUHF-Directv-Approved/dp/B000GIT002

The big thing though is, if you have a stucco house, you've gotta mount it outside.  The chicken wire inside stucco forms a Faraday cage, so you'll get dramatically stronger signal if you just even crack a window and hang the antenna outside against a wall.