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Antenna TV
Posted: Sun Sep 27, 2020 10:46 am
by Sir Henry
In another post I said I didn’t have a TV. I forgot about this one as I haven’t turned it on in over a year.
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It’s a 1985 Philco and works perfect if given a strong enough signal.
My problem is getting a good signal. I need an external antenna. I don’t mind spending a couple hundred dollars on one as this cheap one will only bring in three stations.
I’ve gone online to see a map of the local stations coverage and most stations are very weak.
Any suggestions?
Re: Antenna TV
Posted: Sun Sep 27, 2020 11:31 am
by CT_Shooter
That device on the set top must be a digital to analog converter. Analog signals were discontinued a few years ago.
Even a weak digital signal should be clear, and some digital antennas use an amplifier to increase a very weak signal.
These sites may be of some help...
https://antennaweb.org/
http://www.tvfool.com/
Re: Antenna TV
Posted: Sun Sep 27, 2020 12:02 pm
by Sir Henry
CT_Shooter wrote: ↑Sun Sep 27, 2020 11:31 am
That device on the set top must be a digital to analog converter. Analog signals were discontinued a few years ago.
Even a weak digital signal should be clear, and some digital antennas use an amplifier to increase a very weak signal.
These sites may be of some help...
https://antennaweb.org/
http://www.tvfool.com/
Correct on the device. I bought one amplifier and it did absolutely nothing. It was cheap, so cheap that most people would not bother returning. I returned it and made them pay for shipping.
Re: Antenna TV
Posted: Sun Sep 27, 2020 12:30 pm
by Cowboy Gun Fan
Although your antenna looks good, the best ones out there that I have found are from Antenna Direct. I have a single Double Loop just inside of the house and get 26 Channels. For super power they have a Double-Double Loop. Also, if you can figure out a safe way to mount it outside, the results will even be stronger.
We have too much lightening around here and I am not comfortable with putting mine outside. Although if I can find a fool-proof safe way, I would. Here is the link for Antenna Direct. Show is the Double-Double. You can click onto Home for more general info. They are great to deal with and will also send you a map of your area to determine what you can receive.
https://store.antennasdirect.com/ClearS ... tenna.html
Re: Antenna TV
Posted: Sun Sep 27, 2020 12:58 pm
by Sir Henry
Cowboy Gun Fan wrote: ↑Sun Sep 27, 2020 12:30 pm
Although your antenna looks good, the best ones out there that I have found are from Antenna Direct. I have a single Double Loop just inside of the house and get 26 Channels. For super power they have a Double-Double Loop. Also, if you can figure out a safe way to mount it outside, the results will even be stronger.
We have too much lightening around here and I am not comfortable with putting mine outside. Although if I can find a fool-proof safe way, I would. Here is the link for Antenna Direct. Show is the Double-Double. You can click onto Home for more general info. They are great to deal with and will also send you a map of your area to determine what you can receive.
https://store.antennasdirect.com/ClearS ... tenna.html
Thanks. I’m going to call them on Monday.
Re: Antenna TV
Posted: Sun Sep 27, 2020 1:01 pm
by Sir Henry
Meanwhile back at the ranch.
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Re: Antenna TV
Posted: Sun Sep 27, 2020 1:14 pm
by Cowboy Gun Fan
If you buy one from them and it is not satisfactory, and as long as it is in the same condition, you can return it.
We bought a newer design a year or two ago and it didn't do a thing. We went back to our old one and just returned it with no problem. Ask them about that though to verify it. As mentioned they are great to deal with.
Re: Antenna TV
Posted: Sun Sep 27, 2020 2:01 pm
by fortyshooter
A friend gave me this screen type digital antenna some years ago and I mounted it on a piece of PVC pipe. It does an OK job of getting in 20 channels but depending on weather conditions I may loose a couple channels. All our stations are within 30 miles distance, I run no amplifier and feed 2 TV's.
I miss the old analog signals since I could get stations 90 miles away from coastal areas and a weak signal would just have a snowy picture. With digital you either get a good picture or nothing.
Re: Antenna TV
Posted: Sun Sep 27, 2020 2:37 pm
by Sir Henry
I’m within 20 miles of most stations but there is a hill between us. I need to go up as far as I can. I’m thinking the chimney would be a good place to put it.
Re: Antenna TV
Posted: Sun Sep 27, 2020 7:05 pm
by BigAl52
Theres a guy on Youtube Gene who reviews antennas. Those Clear Stream antennas CGF mentioned are some of the better ones he has reviewed. He is also a former installer so he does know what he is talking about.
Re: Antenna TV
Posted: Sun Sep 27, 2020 8:28 pm
by Sir Henry
There’s a YouTube for everything!
Re: Antenna TV
Posted: Mon Sep 28, 2020 1:28 pm
by Grunt67
Sir Henry wrote: ↑Sun Sep 27, 2020 8:28 pm
There’s a YouTube for everything!
That's the truth! If you can't find it there, you probably didn't need it anyway,
I think I've watched the Chiefs/49ers, Super Bowl a dozen times. I know, it always comes out the same, but............
Re: Antenna TV
Posted: Mon Sep 28, 2020 3:25 pm
by Sir Henry
Cowboy Gun Fan wrote: ↑Sun Sep 27, 2020 12:30 pm
Although your antenna looks good, the best ones out there that I have found are from Antenna Direct. I have a single Double Loop just inside of the house and get 26 Channels. For super power they have a Double-Double Loop. Also, if you can figure out a safe way to mount it outside, the results will even be stronger.
We have too much lightening around here and I am not comfortable with putting mine outside. Although if I can find a fool-proof safe way, I would. Here is the link for Antenna Direct. Show is the Double-Double. You can click onto Home for more general info. They are great to deal with and will also send you a map of your area to determine what you can receive.
https://store.antennasdirect.com/ClearS ... tenna.html
I called them this morning and they were very helpful. He typed in my address and could tell me far more than what I was able to find out on my own. The sites I visited for coverage did not know the terrain. Their website did and told me I had to go up 200 feet to have a line of sight to the towers for best reception and anything less was a big drop in quality.
His recommendation was don’t try to get those stations and concentrate on the two stations that I can get. So I’m just going to use the one I have for now and maybe replace it when I get back from Texas.
Re: Antenna TV
Posted: Mon Sep 28, 2020 3:56 pm
by Grunt67
My antenna came for Walmart, for $50, gets probably 50 channels, haven't counted them, so give or take a few. It's mounted on the outside 20ft. pole. I already had the pole & cable. After that it's free sailing.
As said above, if you have trees, etc. in the line of sight, could be a problem. It shows a TV guide to tell you about the show ( usually ). Looks like the old type antenna, only smaller. Range is about 70/80 miles. I'm about 40 air miles from Nashville.
Re: Antenna TV
Posted: Mon Sep 28, 2020 10:19 pm
by Sir Henry
I tried again and discovered I was not waiting long enough on a channel. After about ten seconds I’m getting more channels. Lots more. There are two major towers and I do need to aim the antenna in the correct direction for specific channels. I’ve also discovered I need to point the antenna up about 20 degrees.
This is a station I couldn’t get before and one that I wanted.
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Re: Antenna TV
Posted: Mon Sep 28, 2020 10:21 pm
by BigAl52
Oh boy now Genes TV will be on more
Re: Antenna TV
Posted: Mon Sep 28, 2020 10:49 pm
by Cowboy Gun Fan
Re-scanning now and then can also be surprising.
Always scan on a good reception day though.
Many stations add "split channels" once in a while.
Re: Antenna TV
Posted: Tue Sep 29, 2020 7:08 pm
by Sir Henry
I can now watch the debate on the TV so great timing on my part.
Re: Antenna TV
Posted: Tue Sep 29, 2020 7:34 pm
by Cowboy Gun Fan
Sir Henry wrote: ↑Tue Sep 29, 2020 7:08 pm
I can now watch the debate on the TV so great timing on my part.
Hey, no politics here!!
Only kidding of course, lol.
Re: Antenna TV
Posted: Tue Sep 29, 2020 11:14 pm
by Sir Henry
I ended up watching Sanford and Son.