Entertainment Center: TVs, Stereos, VCRs and DVDs - Outside antenna: omni dir any good?
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putzing
04-04-05, 12:56 PM
I'm looking to buy an outside antenna to mount on the roof. Are omni directional antennas any good for the price? I prefer not to have to buy a directional antenna as I will have to move it for each different channel.
kuhurdler
04-04-05, 01:41 PM
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putzing
04-04-05, 01:55 PM
Well, I'd like to pull in channels better. Channel 3 is usually not very good, I think that's about 60 miles away (I'm in Grand Rapids, MI, I think ch 3 is in Kalamazoo). Ch 17, 35, and 41 quality varies A LOT depending on the weather or season. I don't know where their source is. I swear ch 35 was WGVU right here in Grand Rapids, only a few miles away. Perhaps their broadcast antenna is not real powerful (it's the non-profit PBS).
Ch 41 I'm pretty sure is from Kalamazoo, about 60 miles away.
Ch 8 must come from GR since it's usually pretty clear.
I'm in a suburb, not many hills for at least 5 miles around me. Downtown Grand Rapids is north of me about 5-7 miles. Some TV stations MUST transmit from there I'm guessing.
What else do you want to know? House is about 50 years old, with wiring to match (no grounds). I blew an RF filter once (due to power overload on my part, not power surges) so I no longer have that for my tv. There don't appear to be any HAM radios around to interfere.
I tried rabbit ears inside the house and they really don't help much. TV is older, about 8 years old (Toshiba). I also have a VCR/DVD player which sucks (Toshiba also). It is hardwired to talk to the TV on ch 3, so I can never get ch 3 via the VCR tuner. Most VCR's let you choose between ch 3 and 4.
Ch 41 I'm pretty sure is from Kalamazoo, about 60 miles away.
Ch 8 must come from GR since it's usually pretty clear.
I'm in a suburb, not many hills for at least 5 miles around me. Downtown Grand Rapids is north of me about 5-7 miles. Some TV stations MUST transmit from there I'm guessing.
What else do you want to know? House is about 50 years old, with wiring to match (no grounds). I blew an RF filter once (due to power overload on my part, not power surges) so I no longer have that for my tv. There don't appear to be any HAM radios around to interfere.
I tried rabbit ears inside the house and they really don't help much. TV is older, about 8 years old (Toshiba). I also have a VCR/DVD player which sucks (Toshiba also). It is hardwired to talk to the TV on ch 3, so I can never get ch 3 via the VCR tuner. Most VCR's let you choose between ch 3 and 4.
putzing
04-04-05, 02:19 PM
What's the pickup range on one of those antennas you clip to your satellite dish receiver? The Radio Shack web page didn't say.
kuhurdler
04-05-05, 06:28 AM
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BobF
04-05-05, 06:56 PM
The website mentioned by KU is a good reference. Based on your address, you will get a color codes that apply to various antennas. Match the color codes to the stations you want to receive. If its an omni-dir, then great.
But, based on what you said and guessing on Michian geography, you will benefit from a directional antenna. From your house, looking at GR, is Kalamazoo also in front, or to the left or right, or behind you? The website will give you compass points.
But, based on what you said and guessing on Michian geography, you will benefit from a directional antenna. From your house, looking at GR, is Kalamazoo also in front, or to the left or right, or behind you? The website will give you compass points.