DTV USA Forum                

Go Back DTV USA Forum > DTV and HDTV > DTV / HDTV Reception and Antenna Discussion

Get quality HD programming with Dish Network. Your favorite shows never looked better on Satellite TV.
 
Bookmark and Share LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 09-10-2009, 05:11 PM   #1 (permalink)
DTVUSA Rookie

No Avatar
 



Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
4x4Quadder is on the path to becoming an esteemed DTVUSAForum member
Points: 31, Level: 1 Points: 31, Level: 1 Points: 31, Level: 1
Activity: 0% Activity: 0% Activity: 0%
Default How much will a new antenna improve reception?

If I switch from rabbit ears to an outdoor antenna, will I see better reception? I live in a apartment so it'll be difficult to put the antenna up, but I may be able to mount it to my balcony.
View 4x4Quadder's Photo Album 4x4Quadder is offline  
Old 09-10-2009, 10:02 PM   #2 (permalink)
Super Moderator
 
Piggie's Avatar
 





Thanked 260 Times in 196 Posts
Piggie has much to be proud ofPiggie has much to be proud ofPiggie has much to be proud ofPiggie has much to be proud ofPiggie has much to be proud ofPiggie has much to be proud ofPiggie has much to be proud ofPiggie has much to be proud ofPiggie has much to be proud ofPiggie has much to be proud ofPiggie has much to be proud of
Points: 6,170, Level: 51 Points: 6,170, Level: 51 Points: 6,170, Level: 51
Activity: 22% Activity: 22% Activity: 22%
Default

I would say in 99% of cases if not more, getting the antenna outside will help.

But there are a lot of constraints to that. If your balcony is on the opposite from where the TV are located, it might be futile. If you buy the wrong antenna it will be futile.

Best thing to do is post your TVFool plot and let us analyze it and give you suggestions.

Go to http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29 put in your address and if you live on the ground floor put in say 5 feet for your antenna, but add 10 ft for each story above the ground floor is you live higher.

Then copy the bold type link at the top of the results page and paste it back here.

Welcome to the forum.

Piggie
__________________
The more I understand, the less I know.
View Piggie's Photo Album Piggie is offline  
Old 09-10-2009, 11:09 PM   #3 (permalink)
DTVUSA Rookie

No Avatar
 



Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
callingota is on the path to becoming an esteemed DTVUSAForum member
Points: 27, Level: 1 Points: 27, Level: 1 Points: 27, Level: 1
Activity: 0% Activity: 0% Activity: 0%
Default

If the station transmitter is on the wrong side of you apartment just run the extra coax..& maby add a drop-amp to boost the signal back up! You could also build you a small (SBGH) (single bay gray hoverman). This antenna is simple to build & works very well...Just trying to help!
View callingota's Photo Album callingota is offline  
Old 09-11-2009, 12:59 PM   #4 (permalink)
Super Moderator
 
Piggie's Avatar
 





Thanked 260 Times in 196 Posts
Piggie has much to be proud ofPiggie has much to be proud ofPiggie has much to be proud ofPiggie has much to be proud ofPiggie has much to be proud ofPiggie has much to be proud ofPiggie has much to be proud ofPiggie has much to be proud ofPiggie has much to be proud ofPiggie has much to be proud ofPiggie has much to be proud of
Points: 6,170, Level: 51 Points: 6,170, Level: 51 Points: 6,170, Level: 51
Activity: 22% Activity: 22% Activity: 22%
Default

Welcom to the forum!


Running out and buying an amp is the worse move you can make unless you know how close you live to TV and FM stations. If you live too close, it will overload and then you will actually receive fewer stations than without it.

This is why the TVFool plot is so critical. It give the distance and strength of the stations.
__________________
The more I understand, the less I know.
View Piggie's Photo Album Piggie is offline  
Old 09-11-2009, 04:18 PM   #5 (permalink)
DTVUSA Member

No Avatar
 



Thanked 72 Times in 58 Posts
Eureka is a splendid one to beholdEureka is a splendid one to beholdEureka is a splendid one to beholdEureka is a splendid one to beholdEureka is a splendid one to behold
Points: 992, Level: 16 Points: 992, Level: 16 Points: 992, Level: 16
Activity: 28% Activity: 28% Activity: 28%
Default

The US DTV standard was chosen assuming reception would be with fixed outdoor antennas.

If you have missing stations and/or stations that won't maintain a lock and suffer from freezing or dropouts at certain times of the day, an outdoor antenna will nearly always help.

If you get all your stations now and don't have freezing or dropout problems, an outdoor antenna will not improve the picture quality. You either get DTV perfectly, intermittently with dropouts or not at all.
View Eureka's Photo Album Eureka is offline  

Sponsored Links



Bookmarks

Tags
antenna, improve, reception


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
EV's Best Top Rated FM and HD Radio Antenna Guide & Reviews EscapeVelocity DTV / HDTV Reception and Antenna Discussion 187 Yesterday 06:59 PM
FM Antenna - Which Polarization to Choose? Piggie DTV / HDTV Reception and Antenna Discussion 2 08-23-2009 07:40 PM
FM Stereo 1/2 Wave Dipole Indoor Antenna 88-108 MHz EscapeVelocity Antenna Auctions 0 08-09-2009 09:05 PM
DTV Plagerism? CBS affiliate vs. ABC affiliate You make the call... Aaron62 Technical DTV and HDTV Chat 12 07-29-2009 05:08 PM

» Guest Message
» Supporters
» Marketplace: Auctions Ending Soon
Apex dt502 atsc converter box
Today 01:42 PM
1 Views
» Recent Topics
Mobile DTV confusing and misleading...
Last post by ProjectSHO89
Today 01:50 PM
5 Replies, 74 Views
Centronics ZAT 502 HD Terrestrial...
Last post by davidon
Today 11:23 AM
27 Replies, 7,646 Views
Television Winter 2009
Last post by bicker
Today 10:44 AM
9 Replies, 143 Views
converter box and antenna
Last post by lisa4172
Today 10:29 AM
0 Replies, 8 Views
Tale of Two Rotors
Last post by EscapeVelocity
Today 09:34 AM
6 Replies, 62 Views
Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.1.0

All times are GMT -8. The time now is 02:20 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.7.2
Copyright ©2000 - 2009, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Search Engine Friendly URLs by vBSEO 3.3.0
© 2008, 2009

DTVUSAForum.com is a fan run website and is not affiliated with ABC | CBS | FOX | HBO | NBC or any other television corporation.