Indoor and RV OTA Antennas (not including ZSS)

[z0z0]

Has anyone seen this anywhere?
Played with it?

It sounds logical since it is a Log Periodic antenna.
Small - so it won't pick up Buffalo but for local stations it might work.

http://www.datoptic.com/cgi-bin/web....-49&detail=yes

[stampeder]

I'm hesitant to label it a ZSS clone just yet, but if the coloured bars represent elements then its layout is suspiciously similar to the ZSS. Maybe this is just a different look for that design. I would need to see the price first before even wondering how good/bad it does as a possible ZSS competitor.

[z0z0]

ZSS = Log Periodic design
LP49 = Log Periodic

See fundamentals at
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:A...comparison.png
http://www.radio-electronics.com/inf...g_periodic.php

Same principle - just a different "look"

[stampeder]

I think you misunderstand me, as I know what a log periodic design is. Please!

If this antenna behaves as a ZSS in the real world then we can call it a clone.

[Dajad]

Humm... well, if they are identical antennas then they both have identical tail lengths to the splitter - at least they would in my case because they will be within a copule feet of each other.

But I'm gathering this will become my LAST choice then. Maybe two DB2s connecteed with a splitter. But then that starts to be getting desparate.

[stampeder]

I don't think DB2s are the answer either. They're costly for what you get. If you can return them for full refund then I guess that's okay to give them a try.

[stampeder]

Originally Posted by xwl

I also have gain controls on the antenna, should i have both VHF and UHF set to max?

Always try to set the gain controls to the lowest they can be that give you a clean, proper signal. Resetting them on a digital station could be tricky because you'll probably have to repeatedly rescan if you lose the stations, so I suggest you set them using an analogue station.

You could find the weakest/farthest clean analogue station that you wish to regularly view, start at lowest gain and raise the controls until you get the best reception, then try to slightly trim them downwards again to a point just above where the signal starts to be clean. All your other stations are stronger/nearer, so you will therefore not have to adjust for them.

Do that with both the UHF and VHF controls and then maybe mark the settings for future reference in case you happen to knock them off their settings while cleaning or moving the antenna, etc.

I have a feeling that due to odd situations like multipath interference, etc, etc, some stations might still need their own settings even after all that.

[Xuanzang]

I think the guy said it was made by Jensen
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1091102061935

Anyone had experience with this one before?

[stampeder]

Xuanzang, don't waste your money on it.

[chuck.kahn]

Originally Posted by stampeder

Use an indoor antenna only if you have exhausted all possibilities of using an outdoor one.

I bought the RCA CANT711 AMPLIFIED INDOOR AND OUTDOOR TV ANTENNA from the Source for my 14th floor west facing balcony. My balcony's view of the CN Tower is blocked by an 18 floor building. Connected to a MyHD card I can only get CFTO and OMNI, not CBLT or CITY. CFTO is the strongest peaking at 53%. Is the RCA antenna a weak performer or could I do better a silver sensor or some other brand?

[videobruce]

came across this small, low cost UHF 2 bay antenna

Of course, you can pay almost 3x the price for basically the same thing, from AntennasDirect.

6-8 db gain, increasing w/ frequency,
70-46 degree -3db beamwidth.
13" x 20" (6" deep)

Easily would fit in a closet mounted from the wall or ceiling with a wood block and a 2" PVC pipe. Could also be designed to turn. Perfect for apartments etc. where any outdoor antenna wouldn't work. Replaces a set top Silver Sensor with a far better antenna.

I was impressed with the built quality. The antenna is based on the Channel Master 4228, but only 2 bay instead of eight.

[ASA]

I know some people here have been asking about the ratings for indoor antennas, so I did a quick Google search and found this website. I don't know if it's already been posted here.(?) The site is hdtvantennalabs.

Btw, after clicking on the antenna reveiw of your choice, it will give you an option to search for the best deal. When you click on that button it gives you that info, but it also gives you a bit more info than the original review.

[Leo168]

After reading through all the threads. I have narrowed down to these 3 antennas for my OnairGT.


Philips
High Performance DTV/HDTV indoor antenna. $39.00

HDTVI ANTENNA HDTV INDOOR FOR UHF/VHF Terk Technologies Corp.$29.00

Antennas Direct Terrestrial Digital Small Multi-Directional UHF HDTV Antenna
DB2 $66.00

[stampeder]

Leo168, the Philips and Terk models you mentioned are Zenith Silver Sensor clones so are discussed in that thread, while the other antenna is discussed in the Terrestrial Digital thread. I rate ZSS/Clone antennas as the best of the indoor breed.

Click on these links:

[jjjay]

I just gave OTA a shot and am amazed that you can actually get HD channels from an antenna. I use a cheap rca one and received only cbcHD but i want to know if i upgraded to a better indoor one like a terk one, would it make a difference?