what hdtv antenna does directv install for $50?

[mikedz4]

what hdtv antenna does directv install for $50? Will it pickup pittsburgh and wheeling digital stations such as wtov9-2(weather plus), wtae 4(weather and news now if it ever launches), upn19, wb22, and wpxi-2(weather plus)? Antenna web doesn't list the extra stations so that's why i was asking.

 

[maogdamian]

Directv (depending on local stock) usually carries a "Batwing Annt." Depending on your area if it will work good or great. Somewhat paticular in getting a good signal. I would honestly recommend going and buying a TURK or something to that effect. About $70 bucks and you don't get installation but in the end you'll prob get a better reception. Hmmm, im supposed to sell these things for a living...lol im doing a great job.

 

[billbillw]

what hdtv antenna does directv install for $50? Will it pickup pittsburgh and wheeling digital stations such as wtov9-2(weather plus), wtae 4(weather and news now if it ever launches), upn19, wb22, and wpxi-2(weather plus)? Antenna web doesn't list the extra stations so that's why i was asking.

Antennaweb only lists the main digital channel. If you can receive the main channel, you get all the sub-channels too (9-2).
If antennaweb thinks you are too far or there are major obstaces (like a mountain) in the way, it won't list the channels.

You didn't tell us how far you are from those stations. The "batwing" antenna that D* usually installs is good for 20 miles or so if you don't have to many obstacles or hilly terrain.

 

[mikedz4]

25 from wheeling and 40 from pittsburgh.

 

[jim tressler]

the "batwing" antenna is and usually has been the Winegard Sensar (unamplified)

http://www.winegard.com/offair/sensar.htm

it works ok... like billbillw said - 20-25 miles is the max and you need good line of sight. I have been using it for over a year with no real problems .. I am 23 miles out from the Cincinnati antenna farms - but I am above the towers and have a fairly clear shot with no trees in the way.. now.. if I spin it twards dayton which is 26 miles out.. I cant get much.. I am on level with the towers, but have a massive treeline about 350 feet away - so no love from the sensar then. I did get a ratshack uhf only antenna and it works fine for dayton.. so at the end of the day.. the sensar is ok if you are close and obstruction free, otherwise it wont cut it... and it looks like you are on the fringe for the sensar.. 25 and 40 miles out - might not work.

jim

 

[Proc]

Here in the Detoit area, if you are within a certain mile range of the towers, they install the Winegard Sensar II non-amplified antenna. Once I removed the dyplexers from the antenna and before the receiver, I got it to work great. Most channels come in around the 90% range. A few in the 70s. I am within 20 miles of the towers though. I don't know if you would need an amplified one or a different antenna. A few folks had suggeted a a channel master 4-bay antenna as being a good one.

 

[mikedz4]

what antenna will they install for me since i am so far away from the stations or am i better off not getting the $50 antenna?

 

[Proc]

what antenna will they install for me since i am so far away from the stations or am i better off not getting the $50 antenna?

Do you know what company does the installations in your area? You could call them directly. You may get an amplified version of the Winegard Sensar. I had a ton of issues with mine until I removed the dyplexers. I tried the Zenith Silver Sensor indoor, non-amplified antenna. It worked, but was to directional, I had to move it. The roof is the way to go, antenna-wise. I would see if the one they install works while the installer is there. If it doesn't, you can buy a different one. I believe, as I mentioned, someone here, saying the Channel Master 4-bay bow tie working very well. However, the default OTA antenna they give you may just do the job.

 

[charper1]

For around the $50 mark you can buy your own medium or long range UHF antenna of higher quality than what they will install. If you have towers in separate orientations from your home, it can be a better idea to buy 2 directional antennas of superb quality, pointing each to separated directions and then combine the signals.

Costs are approximate and may be slightly different in your area.

Channel Master CM 4228 $59 60 miles
Channel Master CM 4248 $46 45miles
Channel Master CM 4221A $25 45miles
Channel Master CM 3021 $25 40miles
Channel Master CM 4308 $26 30miles

Winegard HD 9095P $70 60miles (I own this one)
Winegard HD 9085P $65 50miles
Winegard PR 9032 $35 60miles (my pick for long range)
Winegard PR 8800 $39 60miles
Winegard PR 4400 $19 45miles
Winegard PR 9022 $30 35miles
Winegard PR 9018 $26 30 miles

Call Robert @ ValueElectronics.com and see what he has in stock. Mention you are a member. Radio Shack used to have a great YAGI directional in the $25 range that boasted 75 - 90 miles and it had great gain. So give them a call.

 

[jim tressler]

they still do.. this is my second antenna

http://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=CTLG&product%5Fid=15-2160

works well

Reference combining antennas.. most will say not to.. as you will get a lot of interference.. in my case I use an a/b switch that works well.. when I tried to combine antennas, I got a lot of feedback and reduced signal strength.

I use the rat shack a/b switch
http://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=CTLG&product%5Fid=15-1217

you can also get the remote version
http://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=CTLG&product%5Fid=15-1968


jim

. Radio Shack used to have a great YAGI directional in the $25 range that boasted 75 - 90 miles and it had great gain. So give them a call.

 

[mikedz4]

i have stations all over the place. Some west, some south, some east, some northwest, and some northeeast. What is the best radio shack antenna to get? I want about 60-75 mile radius and multidirectional plus it must do channels 2-??? (all hopefully).

 

[charper1]

they still do.. SNIP .. jim

Thanks Jim I have a buddy that was looking for that link. What range and do you get with that? Do you have a spec sheet listing the gain figures?

 

[charper1]

i have stations all over the place.

What is your zip?

 

[mikedz4]

how do i find out who does the installs for directv in this area and their phone number. I live in the northern panhandle of west virginia in weirton,wv zip 26062.

 

[jim tressler]

I would get as big as you can.. but.. check to see if the digital broadcasts are uhf or vhf.. most are uhf.. antennaweb.org will tell you the rf frequency.. for example in cincinnati, all but ABC broadcast uhf - even though their analog channel #'s are 5,9,12.. that being said... if your channels are all over the place, look at geting a rotor to turn the antenna. If you need uhf and vhf.. then a combo antenna is needed..

Channel Master is usually recomended...
http://www.channelmaster.com/Pages/TVS/OutdoorAnts.htm

http://www.channelmaster.com/Pages/TVS/Rotators.htm

Rat Shack has mixed reviews.. but I have good luck with mine...

big a$$ antenna
http://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=CTLG&product%5Fid=15-2156

rotor
http://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=CTLG&product%5Fid=15-1245

If its uhf only.. then look at a bowtie or a yagi
http://www.channelmaster.com/Pages/TVS/UHFAnts.htm

good luck..

another good place to look is the local reception thread over at avs..

pittsburh local
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=188135

wheeling local
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=468383

good luck and keep us informed

i have stations all over the place. Some west, some south, some east, some northwest, and some northeeast. What is the best radio shack antenna to get? I want about 60-75 mile radius and multidirectional plus it must do channels 2-??? (all hopefully).

 

[jim tressler]

no specs are listed .. but I was able to get 25 miles in the attic with no problems (lower signal strength) but now that it is outside.. its even better

jim

Thanks Jim I have a buddy that was looking for that link. What range and do you get with that? Do you have a spec sheet listing the gain figures?

 

[Proc]

i have stations all over the place. Some west, some south, some east, some northwest, and some northeeast. What is the best radio shack antenna to get? I want about 60-75 mile radius and multidirectional plus it must do channels 2-??? (all hopefully).

If you have channels all over the place, you definetely want a multidirectional antenna, not the "batwing" Wingard Sensar.

 

[lcazorla]

Is the Terk antenna any good? The antenna is a T44 amplified antenna which goes mounted on the satellite dish and it has a built-in diplexer. I am approximately 10 miles away from the main signal, according to antenna web, I should use a yellow coded antenna and receive good signal. If I use a green coded antenna I receive excellent signal. I want excellent signal. Is this antenna good T44, does anyone have it? Thanks

 

[MikeD-C05]

I've got one and have had one for about 3 years. Replaced it last week because of Hurricane Rita destroying both my terk 44 and my sat dish. I get all my hd and analog channels and I am 20 miles from all of them. It works fine for me as long as I am not near metal sheds or siding. When I had my dish and my terk 44 clip on near my metal shed I got a lot of multi- path rejection. It would bounce my strongest digital channel off of the shed and bounce it it off and on of my tv screen. Since the hurricane I moved both dishes to the other side of my property and moved my NEW shed ( my old one exploded in the hurricane) to the opposite side of my yard. My ota digital strengths went up by 10 points.

 

[mikedz4]

should i get the directv antenna or go to radio shack and get the one for $99?