Medium Directional Antenna

lumis · Posted: Oct 29, 2005 11:57

I've been checking out HDTV antenna's and so far I've determined that I need a Medium Directional Antenna, possibly with a pre-amp. How important is a pre-amp? I've looked through google and 90% of the anenna's I've seen are made by TERK. Is TERK a good brand, or is there something else I should be looking for?

Any suggestions would be very welcomed.
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otpw1 · unremarkable Joined: 09 Jan 2005 Location: midwest USA

If you're in the 'states check out winegard. They have been around forever.
Internal or external?
Is it your roof or window?
If external a line powered preamp is a good possibility.
The farther you can move the antenna away from electrical and rf noise generators, the better.
So external w/preamp is better as a rule than internal.

Edit: took my own advice.

The winegard page is a good source of info.
Medium range should be external and amplified.
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redwudz · Mod Neophyte Joined: 07 Sep 2002 Location: AZ, USA

Just my opinion, but Terk is overpriced, at least in their interior versions. You will see them listed a lot because they advertise a lot.

If you are in anything except a strong signal area, an outside antenna is probably needed. Some HDTV users have had better luck hanging a wire out their window than using an interior antenna, even with preamp.

I use this external antenna:

http://www.warrenelectronics.com/antennas/4228.htm

An attic antenna and preamp is another option.

If you have to use an interior settop antenna, check out other brands beside Terk. The construction of your building, the direction, distance and angle to the transmitters all make a difference. If you want to make some reception tests, just a cheap UHF 'rabbit ears' type of antenna will tell you if you can use a more expensive indoor antenna or if you need something bigger.

edDV · Posted: Oct 29, 2005 13:16

http://store.electrogalaxy.com/zengemdtv1.html

This unit has had very good reviews for 30-40 mile range.

Further our look at wineguard and channelmaster.
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lumis · Posted: Oct 31, 2005 11:54

i was messing around with a pair of rabbit ears yesterday, i was able to pick up the big 4 (abc, cbs, nbc, fox) stations with it.. but i just had to move it around quite a bit.. i wasnt able to get all 4 at once.. so i'm thinking a pre-amp may be unnesessary.. i am mainly interested in picking up the big 4, upn & wb dont really interest me.. but if i happen to pick them up, that's fine.. but i'm thinking since i was able to get the big 4 with just a pair of rabbit ears, that a roof mounted medium directional antenna should work just fine..
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edDV · Posted: Oct 31, 2005 12:18

lumis · Posted: Oct 31, 2005 14:04

edDV · Posted: Oct 31, 2005 14:46

redwudz · Mod Neophyte Joined: 07 Sep 2002 Location: AZ, USA

Sounds good to me. I would definitely go for an outdoor antenna if you are able. You can add an amplifier if needed later. The angle between the stations is small enough alignment shouldn't be critical. I would always go for a little more antenna that the guides suggest. A stronger signal is not a problem, but a weaker one that requires an antenna upgrade or an amplifier can be.

I would also use quad shielded coax for the antenna feed to the receiver. It has two layers of shielding and low loss for the UHF frequencies of HDTV.

edDV · Posted: Oct 31, 2005 15:15

TV sets adjust signal strength over a wide range, but an amp at 30 miles out will overload the set.

Get the right antenna. Amps are for deep fringe and highly directional antennas. Otherwise you will just amplify the surrounding noise.
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shelbyGT · Fuzzy Nuts Joined: 17 Oct 2003 Location: Kansas City, KS

I have most stations between 50 degrees and 100 degrees in a 9-30 mile range... I'd prefer not to have an external antenna since I live in a renter's unit. Suggestion?
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edDV · Posted: Nov 26, 2005 16:35

and the internal antenna isn't working ? With a 50 degree separation you might need to aim the antenna as you change channels.

Use www.antennaweb.org to find out where the stations are and distance.
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edDV · Posted: Nov 26, 2005 16:37

and the internal antenna isn't working ? With a 50 degree separation you might need to aim the antenna as you change channels.

Use www.antennaweb.org to find out where the stations are and distance.
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redwudz · Mod Neophyte Joined: 07 Sep 2002 Location: AZ, USA

It's a little ugly, but one option is to use a outside antenna indoors, such as this one or a smaller version. This one is 40" square and a little obvious unless you have a back room to place it in.

http://www.warrenelectronics.com/antennas/4228.htm

Most any UHF antenna will work for HDTV. You might find a more attractive one you can stash more out of sight.

I hesitate to recommend the average indoor antenna. I tried two of them before I found out they couldn't get a sufficient signal. Even with a amplifier, I only got 3 of the 5 local stations. If you are on a bottom floor apartment or your building has stucco walls, (Wire mesh in the stucco) it gets harder. You need a clear line of sight to the transmitters to get the best signal.

edDV · Posted: Nov 26, 2005 16:42

and the internal antenna isn't working ? With a 50 degree separation you might need to aim the antenna as you change channels.

Use www.antennaweb.org to find out where the stations are and distance.
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gmoney42 · Member Joined: 05 Mar 2005

Sorry to revive such an old topic, but I'm having the same problem

http://img510.imageshack.us/img510/8266/hdtvpd2.jpg

There is a picture of my situation, I bought the Terk HDTVi Indoor Antenna and I'm able to get channel 2 (not HD though) as well as 38 (not HD) .. why can I get the basic channel, but not the HD? Everything else comes in that's within that 40 mile range, not really interested in the others. Just want CBS (which I get) and NBC and FOX in HD. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

cal_tony · Member Joined: 14 Jun 2004

I haven't used any of these antennas but they seem to have a complerte collection of long and med antennas.

http://antennasdirect.com

One of my stations is 60 miles away and the signal comes and goes sometimes. I was thinking of getting one of their long range models.

Tony