Joey Ketcham
What is a descent external TV antenna to use to pick up TV stations? I have a small one that does ok, but I'm sure there are better. Anyone have any to recommend? It's coax connection by the way.
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After witnessing the continued decrease of involvement in the SpotterNetwork staff in serving SN members with troubleshooting issues recently, I have unilaterally decided to terminate the relationship between SpotterNetwork's support and Stormtrack. I have witnessed multiple users unable to receive support weeks after initiating help threads on the forum. I find this lack of response from SpotterNetwork officials disappointing and a failure to hold up their end of the agreement that was made years ago, before I took over management of this site. In my opinion, having Stormtrack users sit and wait for so long to receive help on SpotterNetwork issues on the Stormtrack forums reflects poorly not only on SpotterNetwork, but on Stormtrack and (by association) me as well. Since the issue has not been satisfactorily addressed, I no longer wish for the Stormtrack forum to be associated with SpotterNetwork.
I apologize to those who continue to have issues with the service and continue to see their issues left unaddressed. Please understand that the connection between ST and SN was put in place long before I had any say over it. But now that I am the "captain of this ship," it is within my right (nay, duty) to make adjustments as I see necessary. Ending this relationship is such an adjustment.
For those who continue to need help, I recommend navigating a web browswer to SpotterNetwork's About page, and seeking the individuals listed on that page for all further inquiries about SpotterNetwork.
From this moment forward, the SpotterNetwork sub-forum has been hidden/deleted and there will be no assurance that any SpotterNetwork issues brought up in any of Stormtrack's other sub-forums will be addressed. Do not rely on Stormtrack for help with SpotterNetwork issues.
Sincerely, Jeff D.
Jerry Prsha
EF4
And if I can add to the thread...
Is there any difference between HD TV antennae and Analog ones? I would think that they're in the same frequency range thus be backward compatible but you never know...
John Erwin
EF5
I've been using a "frisbee" type model from Radio Shack for the past couple years (I think this is the same model David Drummond has used on his vans); it's amplified and covers both the VHF/UHF bands which will also work for OTA ATSC broadcasts. I typically only use this when I'm stopped somewhere and I've been pretty happy with the results. I modified the unit for mounting somewhat; I have it on a piece of plexiglas that I can install/remove from my roof-racks as needed.
Prior to this I had used one of those mobile "bunny-ear" type antennas but found it didn't perform very well under most conditions.
Prior to this I had used one of those mobile "bunny-ear" type antennas but found it didn't perform very well under most conditions.
Aaron Kennedy
EF5
Excellent question... I myself was wondering what sort of antenna I would need to get given that we upgrade to a HD tv in the near future (satellite isn't currently broadcasting our local stations in HD)
Jay Cazel
EF4
Aaron, to get HD over the air you will need one like this.
http://www.antennasdirect.com/SR15_hdtv_antenna.html
I don't have that model I have one that Radio Shack sells.
Over the air HD is much better than what cable or satellite provides.
John Erwin
EF5
Don't get scammed into thinking that you need an "HDTV" or "ATSC" specific antenna; the frequencies used are the same as the old analog VHF/UHF channels.
Since most HDTV channels DO fall in the UHF channel are though (14-69) you do need to make sure that your old TV antenna has elements for that on it. Here's what I use for TV DXing:
Note that it looks like any old TV antenna you might have seen from the past. That "corner reflector" portion at the front is designed for UHF. The other design often used for UHF is the "bow-tie".
The only reason I'm going into all this is that it would be a shame for somebody to go out spending loads of money looking for HDTV specific antennas if they already have what they need.
Since most HDTV channels DO fall in the UHF channel are though (14-69) you do need to make sure that your old TV antenna has elements for that on it. Here's what I use for TV DXing:
Note that it looks like any old TV antenna you might have seen from the past. That "corner reflector" portion at the front is designed for UHF. The other design often used for UHF is the "bow-tie".
The only reason I'm going into all this is that it would be a shame for somebody to go out spending loads of money looking for HDTV specific antennas if they already have what they need.
Last edited by a moderator:
David Drummond
Member
Yes, this is the same antenna I use. It's actually manufactured by RECOTON and there is another much more expensive version made for RVs that is the exact same antenna. You can pick up the RECOTONs on ebay from time to time rather cheap, but if you find them in the stores they usually run about $100. They come with a 12v signal booster. It has an AC adapter but you can cut it off and run it straight off the vehicle power, as all it does is convert AC into the DC anyway. I've run mine like that for years.
Out here on the plains where it's flat, can usually get reception on the station I chase for out to about 50 miles mobile, although it gets snowy and "picket fences" if I am moving around lots of trees or buildings. I might stick on a HD receiver this season, see how well that works.
sebenste
EF1
Hey guys,
Fun thread, right up my alley. I'm a TV "DX'er", and a TV antenna installer on the side as well.
The "frisbee" antennas work OK as long as you are within 25 miles of the transmitters. While they offer omnidirectional pickup, their signal gain is low. They are more suited for storm chasing or if you are close to the transmitters.
For one on a house or in an attic, John Erwin has a ChannelMaster monster. But nothing I've seen compares to a Winegard HD 8200P,
available at Stark Electronics (and locally in the Chicago area by Tri-State Electronics). I have one 60' in the air on a church, and the range of that is over 80 miles for analog and digital stations, which has been pointed out, use the same kind of antenna to pick up. Marketers call them "HDTV antennas"; there is no such thing.
For UHF, I have the ChannelMaster 4228 antenna. It's amazing with the reception. In my one-story townhome kind of low on the edge of a river valley, I get all the Chicago stations save one 60 miles out. And I frequently get Madison, WI stations, 80 miles out. Attics usually cut reception by 50%-90%, and mine is no different.
For increased range, a preamplifier is great. if you are trying to pull in distant stations, use the ChannelMaster 7777 preamplifier, but don't use it if you have one or more strong signals nearby. It will overload your tuner, causing a loss of reception.
My $.02.
Fun thread, right up my alley. I'm a TV "DX'er", and a TV antenna installer on the side as well.
The "frisbee" antennas work OK as long as you are within 25 miles of the transmitters. While they offer omnidirectional pickup, their signal gain is low. They are more suited for storm chasing or if you are close to the transmitters.
For one on a house or in an attic, John Erwin has a ChannelMaster monster. But nothing I've seen compares to a Winegard HD 8200P,
available at Stark Electronics (and locally in the Chicago area by Tri-State Electronics). I have one 60' in the air on a church, and the range of that is over 80 miles for analog and digital stations, which has been pointed out, use the same kind of antenna to pick up. Marketers call them "HDTV antennas"; there is no such thing.
For UHF, I have the ChannelMaster 4228 antenna. It's amazing with the reception. In my one-story townhome kind of low on the edge of a river valley, I get all the Chicago stations save one 60 miles out. And I frequently get Madison, WI stations, 80 miles out. Attics usually cut reception by 50%-90%, and mine is no different.
For increased range, a preamplifier is great. if you are trying to pull in distant stations, use the ChannelMaster 7777 preamplifier, but don't use it if you have one or more strong signals nearby. It will overload your tuner, causing a loss of reception.
My $.02.
Jeff Vitale
In my home, I use some $8 "bunny ears" I picked up a few years ago and I get the digital signals just fine. But I also live within 6 miles of the transmitters here in the Lubbock DMA. 
Stan Olson
EF1
I recently got the Terk indoor HDTV antenna which I have hooked up to a USB HDTV tuner.
http://www.buy.com/prod/terk-hdtvi-indoor-uhf-vhf-hdtv-antenna/q/loc/111/90130391.html
I use this at the office which is on the 5th floor and it really sucks in the signals. I can get all the local digital stations as well as a couple that are 70 miles away to the west. (height of course making a difference) I'm still looking for something for the car, but I might be able to get by with the telescopic antenna that came with my tuner box.
http://www.buy.com/prod/terk-hdtvi-indoor-uhf-vhf-hdtv-antenna/q/loc/111/90130391.html
I use this at the office which is on the 5th floor and it really sucks in the signals. I can get all the local digital stations as well as a couple that are 70 miles away to the west. (height of course making a difference) I'm still looking for something for the car, but I might be able to get by with the telescopic antenna that came with my tuner box.
John Erwin
EF5
Hi Gilbert, thanks for the comments on that ChannelMaster 4228; I had been wanting to see what others thought of it. Although I like my main antenna, I was thinking of experimenting with an array similar to the model you have; I might even "home brew" something and use a pre-amp on top of it.
Cheers, from a fellow DX'er!
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