I use an RCA HDTV antenna.
Sometimes I get electronic static.
It is usually with stations just outside of the range of the station.
But it also occurs with stations which are withing range.
Would it helped if I got an external outdoor antenna, one with the folding aluminum arms ?
Thanks.
folding arms - don't think that's a "feature" that is pertinent
but outdoor antennas almost always perform better than indoor antennas
I found this and will be building it.
http://www.tvantennaplans.com/
never saw it called that - we call it a "bow tie" antenna - can't imagine why :P
Funny how some designs are timeless.
I built this and it is working quite well.
Got 15 extra channels.
http://www.tvantennaplans.com (http://www.tvantennaplans.com)
I tried it without the reflectors and the reception went way down.
For some stations, I do have to rotate it.
I am wondering if adding some more "copper V's" that are at 180 degrees to the others, might minimize having to rotate it.
_________________
more elements would make it more directive, if anything
understand that, directivity is how an antenna accomplishes "gain"
gain is probably a bad term
what it really means is "better than some standard antenna"
in most cases, the standard antenna is a simple dipole
in some cases, it's an "isotropic source" which is a theoretical "single point antenna"
I attached a pic.
At the top, you can see that I added some that are at 180 degrees to the others.
I know, it's butt ugly. :-)
Quote from: dedndave on June 10, 2014, 12:09:38 PM
more elements would make it more directive, if anything
understand that, directivity is how an antenna accomplishes "gain"
gain is probably a bad term
what it really means is "better than some standard antenna"
in most cases, the standard antenna is a simple dipole
in some cases, it's an "isotropic source" which is a theoretical "single point antenna"
Yes, always check to see if listed gain is over the "standard" dipole or an isotropic radiator. Otherwise Apple to Orange comparisons will ensue. :-)
For VHF/UHF, your best bet is to get line of sight. Failing that, an outdoor antenna as high as possible is *usually* (like almost always) the way to go. Tuned antennas aren't worth much more on receive (despite being critical on transmit), so the more metal in the air the better (generally speaking again). If you're building your own and don't mind having to rotate it as necessary, making it highly directional will bump that gain up a lot (at the requirement of pointing it more precisely).
I've got a mid-sized directional ("mediumish" gain) TV antenna at 35 feet up and can just barely pick up a digital station 75 Nautical Miles away (enough signal to decode with very rare blips, but signal strength is single digit). Most of the stations I watch are in the 10-50 NM range though (with signal strength of 20 up to 95).
I live in an apartment and they won't let me mount it high.
The furthest station is about 40 miles away.
Andy,
Quote from: Magnum on June 14, 2014, 10:17:46 AM
I live in an apartment and they won't let me mount it high.
The furthest station is about 40 miles away.
I think you've bad cards in that case. What about cable TV?
Gunther
I am happy with the reception.
Cable is expensive and loaded with dumb commercials.
I get around 70 channels of high definition for free.
Hi Andy,
Quote from: Magnum on June 15, 2014, 01:08:36 AM
I get around 70 channels of high definition for free.
that seems to be enough. I've over 400 channels in HD, but I'm watching a small part of it.
Gunther
You have 400 over the air channels for free ?
Andy,
Quote from: Magnum on June 15, 2014, 07:30:28 AM
You have 400 over the air channels for free ?
not over the air (terrestric). It's called Entertain and comes together with my VDSL.
Gunther
You must live close to to the telephone exchange.
Same with me, I live about 50 meters away.
The most major drawback for VDSL is the distance it needs to be from the telephone exchange. Within 300m, you may still get close to maximum speed but beyond that, the line quality and the speed deteriorates rather quickly. Because of this, ADSL is still preferable unless you live extremely close to the telephone exchange of the company that you are subscribed to. Most VDSL subscribers are companies who need a very fast server and would often place their own servers in very close proximity.
Read more: Difference Between ADSL and VDSL | Difference Between | ADSL vs VDSL http://www.differencebetween.net/technology/difference-between-adsl-and-vdsl/#ixzz34l2yTGvg
Andy
My mother's dementia has got to the stage where she does not know who I am.
Andy,
Quote from: Magnum on June 16, 2014, 10:38:07 AM
You must live close to to the telephone exchange.
yes, 25 yards away. That's not much.
Quote from: Magnum on June 16, 2014, 10:38:07 AM
My mother's dementia has got to the stage where she does not know who I am.
That's sad news.
Gunther