HD antenna

[nippywiffle]

Hi,

I just got an hvr-1600 at the weekend, and instaled gbpvr for the first time.
I got it working, picking up both analog and HD channels using just a standard RCA indoor antenna (amplified), but the signal strengths are pretty low except on 1 or 2 channels, so the picture and audio keeps breaking up.

I live in the 44118 zip code, and found on antennaweb that the main channels I want are at 231, 232, 233, 234, 235, 191 and 196 degrees from my house.

I need to choose an HDTV antenna, to (hopefully) get a stronger signal.
I happen to have a window in my attic (right next to thePC with the tuner card) that points in the correct direction for the broadcast towers.

I'm thinking of either the Terk HDTVa (directional), or the Terk TV5 (non directional) antenna, but can't decide which is really going to be best for me.

Is 191 degrees and 235 degrees considered the same "direction" enough to have a directional antenna? or is it going to be SO directional that this small difference will mean it wont pick up one or the other?

Is a directional antenna really going to pick up stronger signals than the non-directional?

Any advice / experience with this would be appreciated.


Also, I was wondering if connecting my current amplified antenna, together with a new HDTV antenna with a 2 way splitter/combiner would increase my chances of a good reception?

Thanks,
Dan

[nitrogen_widget]

I made one of these for my Dad's TV.
http://www.lumenlab.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=9613

I used cooling racks from the dollar store.
A condensor from Radio-Shack.
some scrap pressure treated wood.
And finally 12 AWG copper house wire.

All in all it cost me like $15 to make.

We were getting %67 for even the distant channels.
however he only has 2 channels that are at the 30 mile mark.
Everything else is under 15.
but, those 30 mile stations did stop skipping when I turned it the correct way.
Which was basically pointing between the two farthest or I think weakest towers. (I can't remember now)
all the other channels still worked.

[-stattik-]

I use the Channel Master 4221 (also called 3021). It's mounted in my attic and it receives all channels from 8-63 from 20 miles away. It costs about $30. It's also omni-directional which will help in your case.

[nippywiffle]

You use an outdoor antenna in the attic?

I guess the problem for me is that the attic is finished, and it's where the PC etc is, so I don't really want a big outdoor antenna in there.

Thanks for the response though.

So you think for that difference between 196 and 235 degrees I need omnidirectional?

[David]

When you got the direction for the channels, you should have been given a distance as well. I have a good quality standard VHF/UHF antenna on my roof, and I get all my channels, including a few that aren't listed by zap2it for my zip code. The farthest away are about 33 miles. UHF is what you are looking for. If your current antenna won't quite pull them in, then a good omni HD antenna will probably do the trick. I wouldn't combine signals though, as ATSC can have issues when dealing with multiple singals that are out of sync, including reflected signals.

[nippywiffle]

Thanks for your help, I ordered a terk TV5 on amazon, so we'll see how it goes.

[zaphod7501]

I think someone's marketing a 4221 type of design but with 2 instead of 4 bowties. The grid on the back is to block reflected signals which is very important to help eliminate multipath problems. You might be able to fit one in a closet. You could also get a 4221 type and cut it in half. The DIY referenced is basically half of a 4221 in it's design and layout.

The best indoor antenna is the Radio Shack 15-624 double bowtie. Good luck finding one. Channel Master, Weingard, and every major antenna manufacturer had a version but dropped them several years ago.

The multiple bowtie antennas will outperform all other designs. They offer high gain, broad reception angles, and reflection immunity without the ghosting (multipath) created by overloaded amplifiers. (it only takes one powerfull station to make an amplifier useless for all other channels)

[Squid]

I've got a Terk TV55 and I was never impressed with it, but I was trying to attic mount it and according to what I've read since then I was not going to be successful. ( it's currently sitting unused mounted in attic )

The prices are a little higher ( I think ), but I ordered a DB4 from http://www.antennasdirect.com/DB4_HDTV_antenna.html and it was like night and day. After I got it pointed in the right direction it was able to pull in very remote stations that I didn't even want.

I called the guy at antennasdirect and he was very nice and seemed knowledgeable, however I could be fooled on this subject.

Squidi