Anyone using 'over the air' TV antenna?

Webbsatwinni · 01-20-2014, 09:38 AM

We use a roof top hdtv antenna on rattlesnake and get Maine based nbc and abc without issue. We do have fairpoint DSL and apple TV to fill the gap, but we try to stay outside so not much TV anyway. But with kids and guests, TV options make it easier.

BostonWhaler · 01-20-2014, 09:46 AM

Punch in your address here:

http://tvfool.com/

For info on what type/size antenna to get, and how to position it.

Ideally an old Wineguard, Channel Master, or Radio Shack rooftop antenna is going to be the best for the Lakes Region. If you're looking for something a bit more compact, I'd check out the RCA/Audiovox ANT751. With an amplifier, it should be able to pull in a half dozen stations or so.

http://www.amazon.com/RCA-ANT751-Qua.../dp/B0024R4B5C

As far as an in-room antenna (like a Mohu Leaf or rabbit ears)... You might pick up channel 9 and 11. Maaaaybe. If you want to test it, just grab a $10 set of rabbit ears from RS/HD/Lowes and plug 'em in. No bueno? Take 'em back.

Edit - Keep in mind, there is NO difference between those old antennas from the 60s-70s, and a new "HDTV" antenna. They are functionally exactly the same. There IS a difference between UHF and VHF antennas, so look at your TVFool report to see what band the channels you want are broadcasting on, and select a proper antenna type for them.

IslandRadio · 01-20-2014, 10:32 AM

Mostly, what you need will depend on where you live. I don't just mean in what town, but how high above average terrain you are.

Most DTV content is delivered over UHF, although I believe NHPTV (ch. 11) and *possibly* channel 9 are using their old VHF allocations. Check this to be sure.

But, the fact remains that the #1 factor, all other things being equal (distance, etc), is your height above (or below) physical obstructions such as hills and mountains. So, are you high up and/or are you shielded in certain directions by hills or mountains?

An outdoor antenna mounted as high as possible is always superior to anything else. A rotator is really almost required.

Use a mast-mounted preamp, located right at the antenna itself. Use coax cable to bring the signal from the preamp to your in-home distribution system (if you have more than 1 TV receiver).

We do NOT have cable or any other paid TV delivery services here. Everything is off the air. The house is located about 45 miles West-North-West of Boston, so definitely in a "fringe" area. But, we're on a hilltop and that makes all the difference.

01-20-2014, 10:32 AM	#3
IslandRadio Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Mirror Lake - Full time resident Posts: 398 Thanks: 70 Thanked 156 Times in 61 Posts	It depends on where you live... Mostly, what you need will depend on where you live. I don't just mean in what town, but how high above average terrain you are. Most DTV content is delivered over UHF, although I believe NHPTV (ch. 11) and possibly channel 9 are using their old VHF allocations. Check this to be sure. But, the fact remains that the #1 factor, all other things being equal (distance, etc), is your height above (or below) physical obstructions such as hills and mountains. So, are you high up and/or are you shielded in certain directions by hills or mountains? An outdoor antenna mounted as high as possible is always superior to anything else. A rotator is really almost required. Use a mast-mounted preamp, located right at the antenna itself. Use coax cable to bring the signal from the preamp to your in-home distribution system (if you have more than 1 TV receiver). We do NOT have cable or any other paid TV delivery services here. Everything is off the air. The house is located about 45 miles West-North-West of Boston, so definitely in a "fringe" area. But, we're on a hilltop and that makes all the difference.

01-20-2014, 09:38 AM	#1
Webbsatwinni Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Lebanon Ct and Rattlesnake Island Since 2007 Posts: 610 Thanks: 180 Thanked 137 Times in 72 Posts	We use a roof top hdtv antenna on rattlesnake and get Maine based nbc and abc without issue. We do have fairpoint DSL and apple TV to fill the gap, but we try to stay outside so not much TV anyway. But with kids and guests, TV options make it easier.

01-20-2014, 09:46 AM	#2
BostonWhaler Junior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Savannah, GA and Tuftonboro, NH Posts: 18 Thanks: 3 Thanked 10 Times in 5 Posts	Punch in your address here: http://tvfool.com/ For info on what type/size antenna to get, and how to position it. Ideally an old Wineguard, Channel Master, or Radio Shack rooftop antenna is going to be the best for the Lakes Region. If you're looking for something a bit more compact, I'd check out the RCA/Audiovox ANT751. With an amplifier, it should be able to pull in a half dozen stations or so. http://www.amazon.com/RCA-ANT751-Qua.../dp/B0024R4B5C As far as an in-room antenna (like a Mohu Leaf or rabbit ears)... You might pick up channel 9 and 11. Maaaaybe. If you want to test it, just grab a $10 set of rabbit ears from RS/HD/Lowes and plug 'em in. No bueno? Take 'em back. Edit - Keep in mind, there is NO difference between those old antennas from the 60s-70s, and a new "HDTV" antenna. They are functionally exactly the same. There IS a difference between UHF and VHF antennas, so look at your TVFool report to see what band the channels you want are broadcasting on, and select a proper antenna type for them.

The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to BostonWhaler For This Useful Post:
SteveA (01-25-2014), windsail (02-08-2014)