Antenna for cord cutters - Leaf vs large aerial attic Antenna

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  • Опубліковано 17 лис 2024

КОМЕНТАРІ • 88

  • @jennifer86010
    @jennifer86010 6 років тому +29

    You mounted it wrong !! TV receiving antennas need to be "horizontally polarized" meaning the metal elements need to be horizontally parallel to the horizon. You mounted it to your sloping roof gables which are at a 45 degree angle to the horizon, reducing your signal by half. Remount it on a vertical mast inside your attic with correct horizontal polarity, and notice the difference !!

  • @jchiaty
    @jchiaty 6 років тому +19

    Why not switch the coax in your attic to the Omnidirectional and compare based on a channel scan, then we have a good comparison between the two antennas?

  • @voiceofreason8594
    @voiceofreason8594 7 років тому +3

    I bought the Sky 60. I live in Raleigh N.C. less than 18 miles from the nearest tower and cant get that channel. It's mounted 45 feet up on the peak of the house (tried it in 5 different places from ground to peak.) I get better reception with a home made strip of plywood and coat hangers. I'll be returning it to the home office tomorrow

    • @MikefromAlabama
      @MikefromAlabama 5 років тому

      Sky 60 performed worse than the leaf in my experience. Homemade with one of those old radio shack bypass filters is an inexpensive option.

  • @bulldogbrower6732
    @bulldogbrower6732 6 років тому +4

    First problem that you have is your mounted the antenna in the attic cockeyed, the antenna was meant to be mounted on a vertical shift so that the antenna itself is horizontal. This is to match the signal the way this transmitter from the television tower. Second problem is that you said the paper antenna is Omni directional. It is not, it is a dipole that needs to be rotated to the direction of the television transmission tower.

  • @hastingb
    @hastingb Рік тому

    There's a lot of advantages of having an antenna in the attic but be aware that if you have solar panels or metal roofing you are going to have issues. Something else that we have to deal with these days are cell phone towers. Yes cell tower transmissions overlap some overlap some of the TV band. If you're having issues with a specific channel, it may not be the antenna or the location. The solution to this is to install an LTE filter inline with your antenna right from the get-go as they're inexpensive. You can find them at most of the big box stores where antennas are sold. Some of the higher end antennas have this built in along with a powered amplifier. As previous commenters stated mounting a yagi antenna at the 45 degree angle is a totally amateur mistake but if you're okay with your signal and need the room in your attic nobody's going to stop you. I've seen people us wire hangers as antennas and if you're close to the tower then you're good.

  • @chrisd4432
    @chrisd4432 6 років тому +2

    I plugged the attic antenna I bought into my tv to check it out and even with it in my living room I got the major networks except for 6abc. I got that when I stuck it outside my door but definitely the weakest of the major networks, hoping it;s better in the attic.

  • @reefhound9902
    @reefhound9902 4 роки тому

    Try mounting the Leaf in the attic for an apples-to-apples comparison. I was planning to buy and install an attic antenna but decided first to put an existing Leaf up there just to see, and was surprised to find I received every local channel crystal clear.

  • @MAC-ez2rq
    @MAC-ez2rq 6 років тому +8

    You installed the big antenna incorrectly due to polarization. Better if you installed it exactly in horizontal position.

    • @robinheijblom2929
      @robinheijblom2929 2 роки тому

      It depends. From what I understand most TV/'FM transmitters in de US are horizontally polarized. In that case, yes a diagonally polarized antenna is not correct. Many European countries switched to all Vertical polarization to make it easier to use an omnidirectional antenna.
      Some countries however (f.e. France) have a mixed configuration and alternate between antenna's which transmit at the same or close channels. To prevent interference in fringe area's you can choose the polarization of the closest transmitter and prevent interference from other transmitters.
      I guess however if you would like to receive stations from 2 different transmitters with different polarization you might benefit from diagonal installation but it would only be useful if the transmitters are in the same direction and approximately the same strength. Otherwise you're better off choosing the direction and polarization of the weakest transmitter or installing 2 antenna's each with their appropriate direction and polarization.

  • @businessvideos7904
    @businessvideos7904 7 років тому

    I bought an antenna like the one shown and was very surprised at how many channels I got, more than the antenna I had on the outside of my house. I think it depends on where you live and the location of the antenna. When placed on my window just a few inches lower or higher I didn't get as many channels so I highly recommend moving it up-down to see which location works for you. Mine was under $20.

    • @robinheijblom2929
      @robinheijblom2929 2 роки тому

      $40 for a piece of paper sounds expensive to me. You can get a small but decent Yagi antenna for that money or buy a large one second hand. Under $20 sounds more fair too me though still rather expensive. Then again everything that is more adapted to aesthetics rather than functionality is just overpriced because people buy it for the looks and not for the performance.
      However when you live near the transmitters and can get all channels on UHF you usually can get away with any small UHF antenna. Even a coat-hanger or unfolded paperclip will work. VHF however will usually not work with a small antenna.

  • @ak2b
    @ak2b 6 років тому +1

    long high gain antennas were used in the analogue world for gain in a given direction. Gain alleviated part of the problem of ghosting caused by the TV signal arriving at the antenna from different directions. Digital signals are just plain ones and zeros and all that a digital TV cares about is whether or not they are strong enough to decode. If the signal is not strong enough you get either a lot of ugly pixels or nothing. Although a high gain yagi (as shown) may be the only antenna the only solution for you, I get by very will with a leaf antenna sitting in the window. It's worth $20.00 to try it first. Just point it broadside as best you can in the direction of the stations you want.

  • @GrantsPassTVRepair
    @GrantsPassTVRepair 7 років тому +4

    Antennas like the leaf are okay if you live close to high powered transmitter, but in this area you need an outdoor antenna or you get poor reception.

  • @JodBronson
    @JodBronson 5 років тому

    Yes, it does work in my Area, put pick up 15-18 Channels. Then I bought a 360 Rotatory Antenna, not pretty and not even using the Rotator and I pick up 45+ Channels and it's $25.00.

  • @Soprano0913
    @Soprano0913 6 років тому +2

    Can you try unplugging your big antenna and plugging the leaf in the attic to test please.

    • @JodBronson
      @JodBronson 5 років тому

      LOL, of course it's not going to happen!

  • @jvarela965
    @jvarela965 3 роки тому

    I have 2 Channel Master 4228 bowties in my attic. Connected to Channel Master Antennconnect adapter. TV Fool said aim antennas at 2 o clock and 4 o clock. I get 85 Channels from the Ruskin FL and Ft Myers FL broadcast towers each aboyt 40 miles away.

  • @lorettakenedy2904
    @lorettakenedy2904 3 роки тому

    Can you use the big attenna on the roof for your cb home base

  • @b3j8
    @b3j8 5 років тому +3

    Didn't notice if he rcvd both vhf AND uhf channels. If not, there's no reason to pay for a combo antenna like that. In the old days before digital, you could put up big antennas and pull in watchable channels w/a good amp from 150+ miles out. And it was fun. Now it just isn't worth it to spend that kind of money. You usually won't get a consistently watchable channel. Not a digital fan.

  • @w8lvradio
    @w8lvradio 7 років тому +1

    Dear Sir,
    Your large array Yagi will of course give more gain than a smaller antenna, due do "Capture Effect". This may, or may not be important, depending on how close you are line if site to the transmitter. Notice I refer to the transmitter site, and not the actual studio, which is often in a different location via Studio to Transmitter Link (STL). In the case of "old" Analog TV, you will get a noisy, snowy picture if you are on the edge of a service area. But you would get a picture. With new "Digital" TV, it's "All or Nothing", meaning that you MUST reach a minimum threshold of signal, and anything past that doesn't help you. But Below that threshold? Absolutely no picture at all. The Dirty Little Secret of Digital TV? It doesn't carry as far as the old analog signal did. Which now places on the edge before but with general satisfaction before, out. Completely. Therfore, for those folks, its important that they get adequate gain, and for others even further out, maximum gain from their respective antenna. Now, television signals are Horizontally Polarized. FM radio is Vertically Polarized, to match the antenna on your car. This is so you don't need an unwieldy vertical at home, or an impossible horizontal on your car. Which leads me to my observation about your antenna installation. Mounting it at a 45 degree angle will result in significant signal loss. Folks close by or at s medium distance won't even notice this, and they'll be fine. But more distant receivers may not be able to use the 45 degree setup at all... They instead should mount their antennas Horizontally for maximum gain.

  • @kdanagger6894
    @kdanagger6894 5 років тому +5

    This is a unscientific comparison. You need to use a RF signal meter to get any meaningful data. You also need to understand the proper way to mount the antennas and to understand the impact of the type and length of the feed line you are using. There are a lot of variables with antenna selection, mounting and setup. The more you understand the variables, the better results you can get.

    • @HCKproductions
      @HCKproductions 2 роки тому

      i agree, these guys shouldn't be making antenna videos. They're not qualified.

  • @SuperFredAZ
    @SuperFredAZ 5 років тому +2

    Your elements should be parallel to the ground, so you ned an angle mount on the rafter.

  • @kjaxky
    @kjaxky 7 років тому +1

    nice infomercial, the huge vhf UHF antenna has small UHF elements, he's got it at a 45 degree angle to the signal antenna needs to be horizontal. plus it's indoors. it's hindered in many ways.

    • @TheHandyguys
      @TheHandyguys  7 років тому

      True that it is hindered indoors but it is working great. Infomercial? Sorry it seems that way but we purchased all products in video and were not paid by any company. We do use affiliate links in the description and on our blog.

  • @johngallagher912
    @johngallagher912 4 роки тому

    Do you get philly channel 6 with the cockeyed attic antenna? You didn't tell us.

  • @Lolita327
    @Lolita327 4 роки тому

    Where can I get a wire antenna like he has in this video? I have the Leaf and it's reception is poor at best. Cannot clearly get FOX or CBS.

  • @MikefromAlabama
    @MikefromAlabama 5 років тому +1

    Leaf does ok, but I can build a coaxial loop with the same feeder line coax that will outperform it.

  • @tjhoward8412
    @tjhoward8412 7 років тому

    I think the leaf antennas are pretty amazing. I would have like to seen the leaf hooked up to the coax at your big antenna, with and without a preamp.
    Thanks.

    • @TheHandyguys
      @TheHandyguys  7 років тому

      good point. The leaf work beyond my expectations.

    • @whereistheInternet
      @whereistheInternet 6 років тому

      So, did you try the Leaf in the attic?
      Regardless, the point of the Leaf is convenience. Virtually none of their customers are going into the attic, but it would be an interesting test.

    • @venbory9722
      @venbory9722 6 років тому

      I found similar antennas on Amazon and they all have big discounts link: amzn.to/2HNyVvD amzn.to/2J8PX6I

    • @HCKproductions
      @HCKproductions 2 роки тому

      @@whereistheInternet quite a few people have old attic antennas. It would be an easy swap.

    • @HCKproductions
      @HCKproductions 2 роки тому

      @@venbory9722 You guys didn't do a true comparison.

  • @Dirtyharry70585
    @Dirtyharry70585 6 років тому

    I bought two leaf for $10 each at BigLots. Stations are 20+ miles away from in-laws. they pick up 21 stations , all major, from the first floor window!

    • @JodBronson
      @JodBronson 5 років тому

      Try Elecwave 90+ Miles... It's $15.99 and it's the best Antenna I found for indoor so far... OMG, I get average 39-47 Channels! I've made a review in my Channel, check it out. Nothing to lose for $15.99 with Free Shipping!

  • @polyhedral8988
    @polyhedral8988 8 років тому +7

    did not show any tests of the huge antenna you bragged about....

    • @TheHandyguys
      @TheHandyguys  8 років тому +2

      the huge antenna just works. What is amazing is how well the leaf works for a lot less money and effort. It is worth giving a try.

  • @TimPeou20
    @TimPeou20 6 років тому +1

    Are you able to receive 6abc using either of those antennas

    • @handyguybrian1604
      @handyguybrian1604 6 років тому +1

      yes on both. The Leaf is UHF only but I'm close enough to the tower I get channel 6 regardless. 6ABC utilized "Low Band VHF frequencies. See this article 6abc.com/technology/how-to-watch-6abc-using-an-antenna/1788650/ for an explanation. Ideally you should get an antenna that covers UHF, Low-band VHF and High Band VHF if you are in the Philadelphia area. antennaweb.org/ will help you pick one.

  • @chrisd4432
    @chrisd4432 6 років тому

    Where at near Philly? I'm in Lower Bucks and thinking about an attic antenna. Did you ground yours? I've read different opinions. I'm thinking of grounding my mast to the bare copper ground wire that runs thru my attic from the cold water pipe to the breaker box. Thanks.

  • @asfasf827
    @asfasf827 6 років тому +1

    Just use a Range Xperts HD-T200 attic tripod and you'll get a much simpler install and by far more channels because you can actually aim it property and the height is telescoping and it doesn't touch home materials (which add loss). The way it is mounted in the video is the absolute worst way to mount an antenna in the attic. When you tilt the antenna like that is no longer horizontally polarized when mounted like that, which ruins range.. You also shouldn't mount it right on home materials as that adds loss.

  • @RazorStrap
    @RazorStrap 4 роки тому

    30 miles is not difficult to achieve or believe. I'm using a 13" wire bowtie that came with my VCR back in 1984 and if well placed it can get signal from tower 30 miles line of sight.

  • @davenwin1973
    @davenwin1973 7 років тому

    I liike using tvfool.com for finding my stations. It even gives signal strengths, which antennaweb.org does not.
    As for the Mohu antenna, that type of antenna, like you said works for UHF, and the stations have to be close enough to pick up, & with enough signal strength. I have a trucker's antenna, & it only picks up some Chicago UHF stations, & except for 2 UHF stations, all are on the Sears Tower, including the sole full power VHF, & it doesn't pick up digital VHF stations (did pick up analog VHF before June 12th, 2009).

  • @HoopesJohnC
    @HoopesJohnC 5 років тому

    urban or suburban areas, leafs are great. Dont let this guy's complaints sway you.

  • @chris2302
    @chris2302 7 років тому

    Did you pick up the Philadelphia locals that are broadcasting on VHF with the antenna that you already have installed in the attic? I remember having trouble picking up Boston locals with the Mohu Leaf in the Boston suburbs and I ended up returning it for a full refund.

    • @TheHandyguys
      @TheHandyguys  7 років тому +1

      Yes i can.

    • @chris2302
      @chris2302 7 років тому

      The Handyguys Have you ever picked up other markets like Scranton-Wilkes Barre, Harrisburg, New York City, or Baltimore with the bigger antenna?

  • @russellscott5846
    @russellscott5846 8 років тому

    What kind of channels can you get with this antenna?

    • @TheHandyguys
      @TheHandyguys  8 років тому +1

      +Russell Scott All the broadcast channels and in some areas there are 50+ channels. Of course all of the major networks (abc, cbs, nbc, pbs, fox, WB, etc), but also home shopping, movie channels, retro TV, religious programming, spanish channels and others.

    • @The_Real_DCT
      @The_Real_DCT 8 років тому

      depends on the area. larger markets have more ota channels while smaller ones have less. for example in my area there's about 10 NBC, CBS, ABC, FOX, CW, My Network, PBS, PBS world, PBS Create and Me TV with four additional(laugh, Bounce, Escape and Grit) launching by years end as additional sub channels(additional broadcasts included in the main one that appear as .2-.6 so say the sub channels for channel 2 for me appear as 2.2,2.3,2.4 and 2.1 being the main one.) now what you can pull in depends on factors such as distance from the towers, the power of the tower so for example of your 14-18 miles from the towers you will have a easier time pulling in signals from a 240 or a 1,000 k tower than one that's 50, 30 or lower even with a good outdoor antenna if you are a good distance away. obstructions, hills, buildings, etc case in point I have a easier time with a roof top antenna getting the PBS station about 80 miles to the west of me than the one a mere 14 miles to the south as the one 80 miles away is about 150 kw while the closer one is a mere 20 kw, also have a effect on how many channels you can pull in easily. check TV Fool or the FCC to see what channels and sub channels are ota in your area, what direction they are in and what the overall power of each are.

    • @JRig2Stx
      @JRig2Stx 8 років тому

      which antenna would work the best for VHF 8.1 about 30 miles out from city

  • @jeffm2787
    @jeffm2787 3 роки тому

    You need to have correct polarization. Look it up. At the very least you should mention that your setup is wrong.

  • @dsmith6404
    @dsmith6404 7 років тому

    I was waiting for your mother to yell what are you doing down there

  • @tsport100
    @tsport100 7 років тому +2

    Ever heard of polarity ?? lol

  • @broderp
    @broderp 7 років тому

    This sound like an add for the Leaf. So what about if you don't have a window? Why didn't you put it in the attic were the big antenna was at? Not everyone wants to have an ugly square antenna attached to a window with a coax cable running down across the folor or wall.

    • @TheHandyguys
      @TheHandyguys  7 років тому

      I suppose you could put it in attic but the point of the leaf is a simple plug and play solution and most do not have lines running to attic.

  • @SuperFredAZ
    @SuperFredAZ 7 років тому

    mounting an antenna where the aluminum elements are not parallel to the ground is not optimum, elect changes the "electrical length"

    • @TheHandyguys
      @TheHandyguys  7 років тому

      good info. THanks.

    • @SuperFredAZ
      @SuperFredAZ 7 років тому

      No problem, always keep the antenna parallel to the (level) ground otherwise the length of the elements presented to the signal is shorter and hen this affects the frequencies for which the antenna is optimized . So the mast should be plumb to the ground (roughly).

  • @MokenaBob
    @MokenaBob 8 років тому

    Here in the Chicago market you can get 60 channels for free.

    • @TheHandyguys
      @TheHandyguys  8 років тому

      +Bob Stahnke Yes, that is not uncommon in the larger markets. Same for Philly!

  • @MeadowFarmer
    @MeadowFarmer 5 років тому

    Do you now understand the concept of verses??? You did not compare the Leaf to the roof antenna to show the difference. Besides that, your roof antenna is mounted wrong. The Clumsyguys might be a more accurate description for your channel.

  • @ukbb8984
    @ukbb8984 6 років тому

    The box says 30 miles which is $39.99 but your amazon link goes to the 50 mile unit that cost $59.99

    • @JodBronson
      @JodBronson 5 років тому

      Look into my Channel cause I just a Video, I've just found a good antenna by Elecwave for $15.99 and it's awesome! I just upload a Video and a review on it.

  • @bigedkc0179
    @bigedkc0179 8 років тому +1

    9 thousand people subbed lol handy guys lmao

  • @MW-C-Music-Copyright-Free
    @MW-C-Music-Copyright-Free 7 років тому

    Good Job ;)

  • @johndii2194
    @johndii2194 5 років тому

    A 30-mile antenna in the Smallest state is nothing.

  • @elainecarroll1271
    @elainecarroll1271 7 років тому

    Frees

  • @segaboy9894
    @segaboy9894 5 років тому

    You guys would have more subs if you would just let him have the damn antenna when he grabs at it! Cringe...

  • @lionintu
    @lionintu 6 років тому

    I didnt like this review. Not enough time was even spent comparing reception

    • @JodBronson
      @JodBronson 5 років тому

      It works... But I get like 15-18 Channels most, I return it :( - I found a better one, I just did a video on it... It's under my channel.

  • @maraudermick6784
    @maraudermick6784 6 років тому

    This must've been paid for by Mohu! No way doTV chanbels come in that clear on a Leaf!
    I just sent my Leaf 50 back, all I got was pixilated pictures, nothing watchable.

    • @TheHandyguys
      @TheHandyguys  6 років тому +1

      Nope. we would put in our show notes if we were paid for anything (as per FTC). We bought it on amazon and hooked it up. Sorry it did not work for you.

  • @shadowolf5766
    @shadowolf5766 3 роки тому

    I CAN'T HELP BUT LAUGH THIS CLOWN DOES NOT HAVE A CLUE HOW TO MOUNT A ANTENNA IN A ATTIC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • @absurdspeed
    @absurdspeed 5 років тому

    Pointless.

  • @jago5300
    @jago5300 5 років тому

    You had nothing to offer. Everything you did was common sense.

  • @bigedkc0179
    @bigedkc0179 8 років тому +1

    come on guys get in psync

    • @TheHandyguys
      @TheHandyguys  8 років тому +3

      in psync? Not sure what that means.

    • @broderp
      @broderp 7 років тому

      I think he means you both were talking at the same time with two different ideas, you conversation was a bit muddy at times.