Are there any real breakthroughs in a compact indoor antenna ?

[Seeker47]

I've tried a GE unit (about $65. !) that had 25db of amplification, and a Terk 5 so far. The signal sucked in both cases, so I returned them. Are there any others out there worth trying -- any "breakthrough" technology ? It would have to be appropriate for OTA HDTV channels. And if it is not compact and relatively unobtrusive, I'd have to say forget it. Anything that looks at all like rabbit ears is gonna be a non-starter.

This is strictly for use as a backup, since our building's roof antenna is toast and we've been told it won't be replaced.

[vhelp]

I'll be honest with you. I have an attick antenna in my bedroom, situated over
by the window, and logged up on top of a staked bunch of boxes
I purchased it a few years ago, after battling it out with the same nonsence
you seem to be hoping to get away from.. power rabbit ears and what-nots.

And, its high enough so that you don't get plucked by any of the poles when walking
near it, though I rarely do anyways. If you have a spare room that you rarely
visit, you might find it a useful place to put up an outdoor (or attic) antenna,
as I have. The possibilities are endless when experiementing.

MODEL: VU-75XR, Boom lenght: 50"
UHF: 50 miles* and VHF up to 75 miles.

* estimated range

Mind you, its not the gretest antenna, nor is it positioned optimumly, neither,
but it does what it does for what it does

You do what you gotta do.. know what I mean..

-vhelp 4472

:P *~*!*~*!~* HaPpY HoLiDaYs *~*!*~*!~*

[lordsmurf]

I long ago gave up on OTA HD where I am. Won't work.

[redwudz]

Those indoor antennas are often worthless unless you are in a very strong signal area. I have a 42" square, flat antenna I stuck in a back room, along with a line amplifier and it's marginal with one station. My walls in the direction of the transmitters are 'stucco' with a metal screening to hold the concrete in place. Blocks most RF fairly well. And I can see the transmitter towers from my deck, just can't put the antenna up there.

Just buy a outdoor UHF antenna and stuff it somewhere out of sight.

EDIT: MJA, that one you pictured is what I have in my back room.

[MJA]

look for your state of mind location at AVS

forget about anything indoor if you live far away from the city

you may wanna start looking for pro Antenna installer in your area and get used to see this on your roof

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/forumdisplay.php?f=45












edit.......sorry .I don't know you live in an APT

[edDV]

I've tried a GE unit (about $65. !) that had 25db of amplification, and a Terk 5 so far. The signal sucked in both cases, so I returned them. Are there any others out there worth trying -- any "breakthrough" technology ? It would have to be appropriate for OTA HDTV channels. And if it is not compact and relatively unobtrusive, I'd have to say forget it. Anything that looks at all like rabbit ears is gonna be a non-starter.

This is strictly for use as a backup, since our building's roof antenna is toast and we've been told it won't be replaced.

What is your distance from the stations? If you don't know put your address into

http://www.antennaweb.org/
and report back.

Amplified antennas lift noise and signal equally = no advantage unless they are directional and pointed to the transmitter.

[lordsmurf]

I'm glad to have cable QAM.

[redwudz]

I'm glad to have cable QAM.

I wish I did. Our cheap cable company doesn't have any freeview HD channels, not even the local ones.

[Seeker47]

Those indoor antennas are often worthless unless you are in a very strong signal area. I have a 42" square, flat antenna I stuck in a back room, along with a line amplifier and it's marginal with one station. My walls in the direction of the transmitters are 'stucco' with a metal screening to hold the concrete in place. Blocks most RF fairly well. And I can see the transmitter towers from my deck, just can't put the antenna up there.

Yup -- conditions are much like you said, and I'm thinking the location is marginal. I wasn't expecting there to be any great new solution on this, but had to inquire just in case.
Thanks for all the replies.

[festmaster]

In 1995 I bought a cheap set of rabbit ears to pick up the premier episode of Star Trek-Voyager from the TV of an extended stay hotel that did not carry the local UPN station. I have not found a better antenna since, and I have really tried. I have an HDTV and two HD computer cards and the old rabbit ears work better than any Terk or other powered antenna I have tried. I would gladly post the brand if I could, but there is no info on the antenna.

So to answer your original question, no, there have not been any breakthroughs in antenna manufacture.