OK, Simple question, Best Antenna - Outside and Inside

[firstmode]

Need to get an antenna that wil maximize my viewing experience with HD Over The Air. I am sure this is something most inexperienced people like myself would like to know. Here are my 2 questions, for all of you experts out there:

1. What is the Best Multidirectional indoor antenna for picking up the most HD channels and getting the best reception on those channels. Can be amplified or not, just whatever works best. I know scenarios, situations, and geography can play a big part, but lets keep it simple, Which one is the best overall that works the best overall in most places. It does not have to be pretty or anything, just best working one.

2. What is the Best Multidirectional Outdoor Antenna that will fufill the same requirements as stated above, but for the outside? I know Geography, Height, obstacles all play a roll, but overall in most scenarios, which one performs the best.

I am trying to make a buying decision for Knoxville, TN, but I get so many recommendations for so many different things with so many different specs, etc that i am just confused. Just want to get the one that many many people have used and seen to work better than most, that is all.

thanks in advance!!!!!!!!!!

 

[oljim]

No such thing as a good multidirectional ant, think of an ant. the same as a gun or a flashlite. they must be pointed at something to work good.

 

[hancox]

Post your zipcode - it's the single most helpful thing for everyone...

 

[Carl B]

No such thing as a good multidirectional ant, think of an ant. the same as a gun or a flashlite. they must be pointed at something to work good.

Not necessarily. In a small urban environment, with only a handful of channels, and all at full or near-full power for their DTV broadcasts, some of the multi-directional antennas can do quite well, especially for ATSC signals versus NTSC signals.

For an outdoor antenna, the Winegard MS1000 (unapplified) and MS2000 (amplified) are very good.
Winegard MS2000 and
http://www.starkelectronic.com/wms2000.htm .

Also, the Radio Shank version of above, made by AntennaCraft, is very good and returnable if it doesn't work for you. However, I think it is only sold in an amplified version and that may be too much for your situation.
Rat Shack

As noted in an earlier post, your zip code would be invaluable in refining recommendations.

 

[firstmode]

37923

 

[firstmode]

Ok, I know there may not have been an simple answer to my original questions, so let me ask another question:

1. Wouldn't it always be better to have an amplified antenna? I thought that amplification was always better.....

ok, so one more:

2. Isn't it always better to have an amplified external antenna than any other antenna? how could an unamplified outdoor or indoor or Amplified indoor antenna even compete with an amplified outdoor antenna.

I guess in the end I am just trying to find out the best options for indoor or outdoor multidirectional reception. I am going to post a picture soon of the areal that is ontop of my condo. I am going to get access to it, but comcast has to come out first as the wires run into their box. i already called them and they said there should be no reason that the areal would go into their box, but we followed the wires down from the roof and they do!~

 

[hancox]

1. Wouldn't it always be better to have an amplified antenna? I thought that amplification was always better.....

ok, so one more:

2. Isn't it always better to have an amplified external antenna than any other antenna? how could an unamplified outdoor or indoor or Amplified indoor antenna even compete with an amplified outdoor antenna.

1) Not really, as you *may* overload your receiver if you have too strong a signal. An amplifier should only compensate for either a long cable run or weak signal.

2) Depends on what you need. You might not need something that big.


As for YOUR situation, I hate guys like you. You have just about the eaisest profile I've seen.

* yellow - uhf WVLT-DT 8.1 CBS KNOXVILLE TN 60° 8.3 30
* yellow - vhf WMAK-DT 7.1 IND KNOXVILLE TN 59° 9.9 7
* yellow - uhf WTNZ-DT 43.1 FOX KNOXVILLE TN 59° 9.2 34
* yellow - uhf WKOP-DT 17.1 PBS KNOXVILLE TN 60° 8.3 17
* yellow - uhf WATE-DT 6.1 ABC KNOXVILLE TN 59° 9.2 26
* yellow - uhf WBIR-DT 10.1 NBC KNOXVILLE TN 59° 9.2 31
* red - uhf WBXX-DT 50.1 WB CROSSVILLE TN 315° 19.2 50

Basically, everything but the WB should come up with a small indoor antenna. If this were me, I'd get a Silver Sensor (Value Electronics, one of our sponsors, carries these), and call it a day. You might need something different for WMAK, as it's VHF, but at this proximity, you might not. I'd bet you might even get WBXX.

BTW - this was pulled off of www.antennaweb.org You can plug your address in there for a more accurate reading.

 

[dougruss]

For an outdoor antenna, the Winegard MS1000 (unapplified) and MS2000 (amplified) are very good.

Your Kidding....right??

They may Look "Purty"...... but have never heard of anyone really getting that good of results with that type ?

 

[Carl B]

Your Kidding....right??

They may Look "Purty"...... but have never heard of anyone really getting that good of results with that type ?

No, I'm not kidding. In areas w/o severe multi-path, those antennas work fine, especially for digital. For analog, they can have more ghost problems than a directional antenna. Take a look at the definitions for the color codes on antennaweb.org. You will see that omni-directional antennas are recommended for several of the reception levels.

 

[firstmode]

yea guys, I saw my info on antenna web last week. I am lucky to be near Sharps ridge in knoxville as it is the highest location around and EVERYONE is there, so I am considering using a directional antenna in the future and just aiming it at 60 degrees (if i knew how to do that that is ;-) )

Ok, so we are all in agreeance that the best internal-muli-directional-UHF-VHF-FM-antenna is the Silver Sensor?

P.S. - Don't hate, congradulate!

 

[firstmode]

DTV Antenna
Type Call Sign Channel Network City State Live
Date Compass
Orientation Miles
From Frequency
Assignment
* yellow - uhf WVLT-DT 8.1 CBS KNOXVILLE TN 60° 8.4 30
* yellow - vhf WMAK-DT 7.1 IND KNOXVILLE TN 60° 10.1 7
* yellow - uhf WTNZ-DT 43.1 FOX KNOXVILLE TN 60° 9.3 34
yellow - uhf WKOP 15 PBS KNOXVILLE TN 60° 9.5 15
* yellow - uhf WKOP-DT 17.1 PBS KNOXVILLE TN 60° 8.4 17
* yellow - uhf WATE-DT 6.1 ABC KNOXVILLE TN 60° 9.3 26
* yellow - uhf WBIR-DT 10.1 NBC KNOXVILLE TN 60° 9.3 31
green - vhf WBIR 10 NBC KNOXVILLE TN 60° 9.5 10
green - uhf WEEE-LP 32 UPN KNOXVILLE TN 57° 4.0 32
green - uhf WBXX 20 WB CROSSVILLE TN 316° 19.1 20
green - vhf WATE 6 ABC KNOXVILLE TN 60° 9.3 6
green - uhf WVLR 48 REL TAZEWELL TN 52° 34.2 48
green - uhf WTNZ 43 FOX KNOXVILLE TN 60° 9.3 43
lt green - vhf WVLT 8 CBS KNOXVILLE TN 60° 8.4 8
lt green - uhf WPXK 54 i JELLICO TN 340° 20.4 54
* lt green - uhf WPXK-DT 54.1 i JELLICO TN 340° 20.4 23
lt green - uhf W46DC 46 TBN KNOXVILLE TN 62° 7.8 46
* red - uhf WBXX-DT 50.1 WB CROSSVILLE TN 316° 19.1 50
blue - uhf WEZK-LP 28 BOX KNOXVILLE TN 60° 10.1 28
violet - uhf WEMT 39 FOX GREENEVILLE TN 89° 76.6 39
violet - vhf WETP 2 PBS SNEEDVILLE TN 62° 59.2 2
violet - vhf WLOS 13 ABC ASHEVILLE NC 119° 82.0 13
violet - uhf WDTT-LP 38 A1 LENOIR CITY TN 232° 12.9 38

 

[firstmode]

Can I pick up that 54.1 channel?

 

[firstmode]

What is the deal with Areals that have 3 separate components? One on top looks like a small yagi antenna, the one in the middle is larger, just has a long bar with some stems coming out of each side, maybe one will be a full loop. Then there will be an even larger one on the bottom that has less stems coming off the bar, and one or two of those long horizontal loops on it. I have one of these on my condo and I am going to get access to it soon (Monday).

Is this a combination of multidirectional and directional antennas? There are 3 separate wires coming down that comcast is going to unlock from their box, do I need to get a combiner for these 3 wires that come off the 3 antennas? Which one should I get?

 

[Jim5506]

What is the deal with Areals that have 3 separate components? One on top looks like a small yagi antenna, the one in the middle is larger, just has a long bar with some stems coming out of each side, maybe one will be a full loop. Then there will be an even larger one on the bottom that has less stems coming off the bar, and one or two of those long horizontal loops on it. I have one of these on my condo and I am going to get access to it soon (Monday).

Is this a combination of multidirectional and directional antennas? There are 3 separate wires coming down that comcast is going to unlock from their box, do I need to get a combiner for these 3 wires that come off the 3 antennas? Which one should I get?

Post a picture, I can't visualize what you are describing?

Re-reading the post, it sounds like there may be three separate antennas on one pole - VHF low,Vhf high and UHF. It may go to some kind of combiner and distribution amp.

 

[dougruss]

I'd be interested in seeing that too !!

firstmode..... does it look like any that are on this Link?

((( Click )))

 

[firstmode]

Sorry for making you guys think I have some alien antenna, etc.

it is just 3 separate antennas on a pole.

<img scr="http://www.starkelectronic.com/aclyagi.gif"

1 small and 1 big like the pic above

and

1 of these without the v shape thing on the end:

<img src="http://www.starkelectronic.com/winpuhf.gif"

 

[firstmode]

ok, what do you think of this:

http://www.goxium.com/xma201.htm

Is this a good antenna? is it hype?

 

[snaggerbob]

silver sensor

I agree with hancox...try the silver sensor. It's easy to set up and if it doesn't do the job for you, take it back.

 

[dougruss]

ok, what do you think of this:

http://www.goxium.com/xma201.htm

Is this a good antenna? is it hype?

Maybe Ruffle some feathers......but.... it's Hype !!! Get a REAL antenna !!

 

[Jim5506]

ok, what do you think of this:

http://www.goxium.com/xma201.htm

Is this a good antenna? is it hype?

I have NEVER seen anyone recommend it. If you have the money that you need to give away, buy one and report back to us. My mind is open (just a little bit).


http://www.hdtvoice.com/voice/archive/index.php/t-5203.html

http://www.ripoffreport.com/report66676.htm