More OTA Antenna Questions
Since there have been several OTA antenna discussions lately I decided to play around with it at home since it got up to a balmy 25º. I am trying to get everything ready so I can record OTA network pr...
Forum Discussion
Fizz wrote:
One more time...
Do a search for... 4 Bay HD TV Antenna
Shop around I found them locally for $17
You will even find plans for building your own. I tried it and liked the reception so I bought two of them.
While those types can work, they are less than ideal in MOST major markets. This is due to the fact that not ALL TV stations are on UHF.
After the digital transition was completed and all analog broadcasts stopped, some stations opted to go back to their old VHF channel frequencies (7-13 analog).
Not to mention you may run into an occasional analog "repeater" since not all of them have been phased out (although that transition might be now complete). Analog repeaters were allowed to continue on well past the digital transition.
For most homes I would recommend any antenna which includes VHF for MAXIMUM benefit of getting all available channels.
I would also recommend get a good outdoor preamp (one that has an outdoor amp which mounts at the antenna)for amplifying the actual signal instead of noise..
Use 100% shielded RG-6 (do not skimp on the wire and use RG-59) and keep the run as short as possible.
If splitting for two or more TVs then use and amplified coupler instead of a passive splitter (passive splitters reduce the signal by 3.5 DB for a two way which is MORE than HALF of your signal).
