Antenna TV issues

[vchimpanzee]

I had a couple of neighbors ask me what my antennas were for. I told them.
They were amazed. They had heard that over-the-air broadcasting ceased in 2009, when all stations went HD and moved to Cable.

Someone actually told me that. But for some of us who are too far away from the towers, it might as well have.

 

[vchimpanzee]

Of the informational links I posted that you didn't want to open, open the last one. Besides information on installing an outdoor antenna, there is a box to enter your zip code, not full address. The site compares distance from your zip code area to the local receivable stations in a database. That information will display the best antenna type and gain for your particular area.

I thought I did open them all.

Here is what was recommended for my location:

ClearStream ECLIPSE Amplified Indoor HD TV Antenna

ClearStream ECLIPSE Amplified Indoor HDTV Antenna - 50+ Mile Range. Setup is easy. Reposition as many times as needed for the best reception.

store.antennasdirect.com

ClearStream FLEX Amplified UHF VHF Indoor HD TV Antenna

The ClearStream FLEX Amplified Ultra-Thin Indoor TV Antenna has a 50+ Mile Range and is now boosted with the Jolt Switch USB in-line amplifier for the best indoor TV antenna performance on the market.

store.antennasdirect.com

ClearStream MAX-V UHF VHF Indoor Outdoor HD TV Antenna

The ClearStream MAX-V Indoor Outdoor UHF VHF HDTV Antenna has quick-connect assembly and adaptable accessories, so you can decide what accessories you need.

store.antennasdirect.com

ClearStream 4MAX UHF VHF Indoor Outdoor HD TV Antenna with 20-inch Mast

The ClearStream 4MAX Indoor Outdoor UHF VHF HDTV antenna features quick-connect assembly and is scientifically proven to out-perform the competition for reliable, ultra-long-range HDTV reception.

store.antennasdirect.com

The last one looks a lot like what I was planning to buy from Best Buy, although I think they had a better one than that.

And when the man at Best Buy saw my location, he believed I was better off with 70 miles than 50, so that rules out the first two. The one I saw the last time I was there was 75 miles.

The list of channels is outdated because repacking meant there would no longer be a Channel 51. I can't remember whether Channel 51 has moved but I've rescanned several times with the Sears antenna (the one that messes up when a car goes by, though that's something that happens on a different channel).

This could be a problem. One of my channels is on VHF and that has never worked. However, it is ABC and ABC is the one network I can depend on with the Sears antenna. I just have to remember to never record ABC with the other antenna. The ABC affiliate I receive with the Sears antenna also NEVER pre-empts network programming. The other one is notorious for doing that.

And many of the channels I want are under pink. That's the worst category. I was most concerned about the movie channel, which is pink but was in a worse situation before repacking. But both NBC affiliates are about as far away as anything on the list. Fox, CW, PBS and CBS are all under brown.

 

[kenglish]

Someone actually told me that. But for some of us who are too far away from the towers, it might as well have.

So, did you figure out just how far away you are from the towers (and the directions)?

 

[Kelly A]

Dude, don't consider indoor antennas. Mount a single outdoor antenna above the roof line. It's almost like you're hoping for a failure scenario so you have more ammunition to complain about.

Indoor antennas are for apartment buildings and are usually a compromise. If you don't live in an apartment, put up an outdoor antenna. It's really that simple.

After listening to all your self-described rules, I can see why Best Buy wasn't interested in helping you. I'm done too.

 

[frankberry]

This thread has gone about as far as it can go. I'm shutting it down.