Improve tv reception

[Magnum]

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.

[dedndave]

folding arms - don't think that's a "feature" that is pertinent
but outdoor antennas almost always perform better than indoor antennas

[Magnum]

I found this and will be building it.

http://www.tvantennaplans.com/

[dedndave]

never saw it called that - we call it a "bow tie" antenna - can't imagine why   :P

[Magnum]

Funny how some designs are timeless.

[Magnum]

I built this and it is working quite well.

Got 15 extra channels.

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.
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[dedndave]

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"

[Magnum]

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. :-)

[BlueMR2]

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).

[Magnum]

I live in an apartment and they won't let me mount it high.

The furthest station is about 40 miles away.

[Gunther]

Andy,

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

[Magnum]

I am happy with the reception.

Cable is expensive and loaded with dumb commercials.

I get around 70 channels of high definition for free.

[Gunther]

Hi Andy,

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

[Magnum]

You have 400 over the air channels for free ?

[Gunther]

Andy,

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