My new inexpensive traveling OTA project

[comfortably_numb]

I decided I wanted to take my OTA on the road and see what I could pick up in different towns. So, I purchased a few cheap items and set it up this morning. Had surprisingly good results. Here's my setup:

El cheap-o TV antenna from Dollar General, $12
10db RCA amplifier/splitter $7 new from Ebay
500 watt power inverter with two 120v AC outlets, $3 new from Ebay
a used SiliconDust HDHR3-US, $49 from Ebay

Some cables and my PC laptop.

I was able to pick up quite a few UHF stations from a 40+ mile radius with just the antenna sitting on top of the dash in my car. When I set it on top of the car or held it up high, I got even more.

Here are some photos.

 

[boba]

Interesting but is it practical for anything?

 

[comfortably_numb]

Interesting but is it practical for anything?

Mild amusement. Haha. Honestly I want to aircheck some TV stations for friends out of state, so that's my primary reason. I also just enjoy messing with gadgets, experiment with different types of antennas, etc.


Sent from my iPhone using the SatelliteGuys app!

 

[Mister B]

It sounds like something I would do. I have an old picture, long before digital, of a rabbit ear strapped to one of the poles supporting my tent. Back in those days all that was needed was a portable TV that was powered by a battery pack.

 

[Trip]

It's a lot like my own setup. My laptop, plus:

Inverter
Router
HDHR2-US
Kitztech amp
Digitenna DUV-VII Antenna (or VHF bowtie, or Silver Sensor, whichever)

I use it to collect TSReader data for stations in places I travel to.

- Trip