How to choose an HD Antenna
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- Опубліковано 12 вер 2024
- In my quest to cut the cord in 2019, I tested four different HD antennas to get as many free OTA channels as possible. I also tested various locations - in the house, in the attic, and on the roof. Spoiler alert: the biggest antenna, installed on the roof, received the most channels. But your mileage will vary depending on where you live.
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I lived north of NYC in Palisades. I used a regular Yagi(old fashion) on the roof of our ranch house. It gave me about 65 channels from Palisades NY. You should get good reception in just about any language that you want. (Just a note, there are 10 million+ people in the NY and NJ area who could spend $100 on and antenna and ditch their monthly $100+ cable bill.)
Wow that’s awesome.
Editorially, there is no such thing as an "HD" antenna. You either get the frequency or you don't. That channel master on your roof from 1983 may still work. If you're talking WPVI, that signal is on RF 6, which none of these antennas covers. Even with a wider element, you still may not get the channel. Reportedly they're still at 34 kW, which doesn't penetrate very well.
Thanks for the info
I have one of their flex antenna's but it is not positioned the way it would need to be for good reception.
I called and left a message several days ago, and didn't hear back, so I called again today.
Talked to Randy, and he was pretty good and knowledgeable.
Gave me good info, and I know I can go with two different models, because I am in such a good area.
Buying direct from them, also includes some perks you wouldn't normally get.
For me it would be no tax and free shipping, plus extras you wouldn't get from Amazon.
I can go with the ClearStream 2 or 4 MAX.
I will do the 4 if it goes in the attic, or 2 if I can mount it outside.
I know this is an old video, but Philadelphia has an atsc 3.0 frequency (UHF 33) that has ABC.
New York also has a UHF atsc 3.0 lighthouse too.
Thanks. I gave up trying to get free TV.
ABC in your area must be in the low-VHF bands, which are always troublesome. I'd also suggest getting a better antenna, one that looks like the ugly old ones you describe at the start of this video as those tend to be larger and the rod-like 'elements' are properly sized for VHF/UHF reception. I'm in Los Angeles, all our stations broadcast from the same mountaintop area (40 miles away from me), and I get all the 'majors' plus many 'locals' with an ugly antenna mounted in my attic (68 total last time in did a channel scan). I did have to adjust the antenna's location to avoid signal interference by metallic HVAC ductwork.
@handydadtv 5 yrs running. Maybe a time to update this video. I like antennas direct but my new favorite is Televes. Might want to use 2 antennas. I take advantage of 2 different markets by doing this and using A/B switches.
Yes I agree it’s outdated. But I gave up trying to get a good signal. Today I have Internet only from the cable company and I subscribe to UA-camTV for live TV and cable channels.
The db8e is bi-directional meaning you can aim the elements in 2 directions and then merges the signal. I needed this due to the wide direction between broadcast towers. Works great. You’ll be able to catch your ABC.
ABC broadcasts from the exact same tower as CBS, NBC and FOX but they all come in fine. ABC is the only VHF-low frequency so that must be why.
@@handydadtv Maybe add a seconda antenna low-cost but effective one for that ABC station with a switch? I use 2 separate antennas to take advantage of 2 different markets in 2 different directions. I use a ClearStream 4V and a Televes DAT BOSS LR. These are mounted on a 30 ft utility pole with a 20 ft mast about 7-8 feet down from the top of the pole. About 42 ft of height give or take a few inches either way. Much higher than I could get affixing one to my chimney. Works beautifully.
@ronwilliams329 That’s some investment.
Interesting. I need a better attic antenna and I plan to go with the C4-V-CJM (which is like the 4MAX I think but with the reflectors like the 2MAX) because I also want UHF. The C5 is VHF only.
I gave up trying to get ABC over the air where I live so I’m using UA-camTV at this point.
Great Video!! I have Clearstream V4 in my attic. (25ft above ground, in a window, running a good RG 6 cable about 75 ft to my channel master signal splitter). I Live in Rochester,MA. I split my signal to 3 TV's. I'm purchasing the Juice Preamp based on your experience and the review "Antenna Man" did on it. Hopefully it will enhance my signal strength due to long line & splitter, and maybe get me better reception from the hard to reach stations where my signal is always breaking up.
Thanks again for a very informative video.
Glad it was helpful 👍🏻
Those old fashioned antennas that you can still get, you can still get because they work. Those "newer technology" antennas are junk. The laws of physics have not changed, TV signals are still radio signals whether they are HD, 4K, NextGen, or DTV, the antenna does not know the difference and does not care.
What has changed is due to the migration to DTV and ATSC 1 and 3.0, the TV channels have been realigned and more of them are on UHF than before. That means for most people smaller antennas whether they are "wires sticking out" or metal dishes...
Reputable antenna manufacturers don't rely on space-ship looking designs, but have redesigned more traditional designs for the shift to DTV. Televes, for example.
Thanks for the info
Having a LTE/5g filter on the coax helps clean up the single.
Thanks for the tip
My Clearstream 4Max picks up WITN which is roughly 90 miles away, clear as a bell.
I also have a Channel Master Extreme point to the Wilmington Market 60-70 miles away.
Awesome!
How does it do at picking up WNCT, the CBS affiliate?
@@alexp.6145 I get 7, 9 and 12 14 19 38 off the North facing antenna.
Right now Sunday morning 9.1 is All in with Laila Ali.
I'm near Hampstead 2 miles west off 210 in the woods
Since I posted this, I now have 2 Clear Streams 4Max one North, one South.
Once things get back to normal, I hope to swap my RCA stereo input Pre amp for the Channel Master stereo input preamp.
now, there are days when I have a hard time getting signals but most of the time it's clear as a bell.
I also need an old school tower I'm roughly 24feet off the ground
@@Wardell43 I've had my eye on that same antenna. Good to know it does so well in eastern carolina. The wife watches Nascar and Let's make a deal, so NBC and CBS are a must.
I live in Staten Island and I bought the Clearstream Max-V, i got great channels pointing to Manhattan towers but no ABC, but when I moved my antenna 3 feet from where I was and turn the antenna toward the NJ tower, I was able to pick ABC and their sub-channels, so far a total of 65 channels. I have three rooms with TV coaxial on the wall. the living room and basement TVs are looking great, but the only one I'm having trouble is the bedroom which is the longest cable run from the splitter in the basement. i'm waiting for the amplifier splitter to be shipped from Amazon and hope that will solve my connection with the bedroom.
Consider a Fire TV Cube. Then you don’t need to worry about the quality of your coax.
@@handydadtv how does a Fire TV cube solve my issue with watching the free local channels? The Cube can't incorporate local channels
The antenna connects to the Cube. The Cube has multiple tubers that can stream live TV to all devices in your house and it acts as a whole house DVR. You just put a cheap Fire Stick on each TV.
Don’t like Amazon? Look into Tablo. Works the same way.
*tuners, not tubers.
I have a suggestion for you HandyDadTV. Why not buy a DAT BOSS deep fringe antenna. I have heard from so many people the unit works miracles for number of channels it can help your TV receive. Just a thought fella. vf
Might try it. Thanks.
@@handydadtv I cannot stress how well the DB antenna works. The most important thing is that the unit has a variable power amplifier that is self regulating which prevents over driving the TV receiver. The unit is first class as my friends have been saying. Good day too.
That's my next move I think. I get all the major stations but I want a few sub channels I can't receive
@@dmo848 Good luck working on your sub channels. I am sure you will figure this out. Keep me in the light fella. Peace vf
I have the double one you showed.. 6abc on low vhf is rough to get.. Everything elses comes in great, I'm in south joisey
I see since u have a rooftop get a larger antenna low vhf require longer or way more horizontal elements
I moved since then but thanks.
Since you cut cable and kept their internet you can expect them to make up for the loss of cable by raising your internet. I know because my cable company is doing it to me now. Going to have to find another internet provider...if there is one.
Mobile companies are the best competition as wireless speeds increase.
Would I be able to get certain channels like Monday Night Raw Tuesday wrestling Wednesday wrestling and Friday wrestling on SmackDown because I do want to get back into my wrestling but I do not want cable cuz we shouldn't really be paying for cable when we should be getting all the channels in the world if I had my way I will build a antenna that you can get all the way around the world to watch any station you want without cable
👍🏻
According to The Antenna Man, there's no way you can receive any worldwide channels because our planet is round so the farthest distance one can hope for is between 60 and 80 miles from where you live!
Is ABC a VHF or a UHF channel? The boxy antenna installed looks like a UHF receiver without VHF elements ...
Check your local ABC affiliate using the AntennaPoint app. All of my antennas tested received both UHF and VHF.
@@handydadtv Glad to hear you could get both UHF and VHF.
Does the clear stream five antenna need to be”Grounded “!
I don’t know. Check with the manufacturer.
Maybe try a directional antenna? I was using this compact outdoor RCA Yagi antenna mounted inside a 2nd floor room (model # ANT751E) when I used to live in South Jersey and 20 miles away from Philadelphia and receive all Philly local stations in HD
I know someone who lives in Ewing, NJ and can’t get ABC from Philly.
6 ABC from Philly is on Lo VHF which makes it difficult to pick up, you need an old school outdoor antenna with the minimum 6 ft long elements designed specifically for that Lo VHF band. If you're close enough to the transmitters there is an indoor RCA antenna that's Lo VHF capable. However channels 3 and 10 from Philly actually broadcast on the UHF band. You'll find that with most TV stations, they don't broadcast on the channel number they identify as.
Just cut cord, and going to antenna. Live in the Cincinnati suburbs.
Good move!
you said you can put it in the attic, but do you have a metal roof?
I do not
Haven't had cable in yrs! I bought an antenna that goes 60 miles and it gave me 48 channels for free! We don't miss cable at all. Strange ABC doesn't come in for you? But there's a lot of free tv otherwise :)
Stephanie Farrah which antenna???? I'm looking for a great one
@@butterification RCA is the brand I bought. It goes 60 miles out.
Stephanie Farrah Thank you! :-)
I live in the apartment life so what is the best antenna that I can get because I'm very picky about putting it on the wall so I want the best antenna that could be for indoor apartment life can you give me that ideal please and thank you
I’m no expert.
Would depend upon where you live. A good quality flattenna can work if you are in the city but otherwise you will need to move up to something like the Clearstream 1-max or the 2-max (depending upon the distances and obstructions.) Nothing bigger than the 2-max is going to work in an apartment as they get too big and bulky.
Show us the picture quality
You should get 4G/5G LTE filter! Cell phone towers are biggest issue to get good VHF signal! Specially ABC
Do you have a recommended brand/model that you’ve used?
@@handydadtv Channel Master and Philips make good 4G/5G filters and FM filters
You need danny s hodge home made antenna s
Why do you think that would be better?
I was thinking of making 1. Nothing else to lose
It Appears Everyone Has Problems Receiving ABC: Same In My Case (Scranton)
I wonder why
Good Question; The Signal Is "Strong"...@@handydadtv
did not run a scan dude
I tested my reception to see if they’d be useful for me.
When You Compare ANTENNAS , Performace Is Number#1 Priorty ,BUT
For me, cost wasn’t a factor. I’d pay $1,000 one time cost for an antenna that could receive all my channels so I can truly ditch cable.
Howell,NJ here. What's happening neighbor
Howdy neighbor!
Finally jus bought 1. I'm using it in Florida at my parents house. I'm hooking 4 rooms up when it gets here. Thanks for the tips
Let me know how it goes
@@handydadtv ended up moving to Florida and that antenna is ok but I need further. I can't get some stations I want. Laff tv, gettv, h&i
Personally, I switched to UA-camTV last month. Really happy with it so far.
I WANT TO CUT THE CORD TOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
do you know Bruce Springsteen?
Yes. He grew up in my town and went to the same high school as my kids. He lives one town over but still comes to a lot of events in Freehold.
His house is in deal, NJ it's pretty nice. Did work on many houses in that area. It's like the elite folks area
@@handydadtv Maybe you can help out Aaron Rodgers with his antenna when he moves in.
Same with me im in south philadelphia no abc lol
Sucks
I bought a Clear Stream 4 today, it is no better than the 32 year old piece of junk that I replaced. Rip off. I live in a low signal area.
Did you try the signal amplifier?
There's no reason to expect them to do significantly better unless your old antenna was broken or you were getting interference that the new antenna blocked (say with an LTE filter). Basic antenna reception didn't change with the move to digital signals so none of these new designs will do significantly better than a well designed antenna from decades ago. That said none of those old antennas are going to work well inside an apartment so there is some advantage to newer designs.