OTA Reception Issue

VHF versus UHF?

Most locations have all their HD channels in the UHF range, so most "HD" antennas are made for this,
the rare instance of a VHF channel thrown in can cause problems.


phox

The Silver Sensor is a UHF-only antenna. Most "HDTV" Antennas don't do VHF (or claim to, but suck at it).

Reminder: There's no such thing as an "HD" Antenna. Any TV antenna is capable of receiving the digital transmissions as well as it can receive the analog

You can try getting an antenna that's built for both, or get a decent VHF antenna and track down a VHF + UHF combiner.

fergusean said:

I recently moved to an apartment and I've been experimenting with different antennas and configurations in order to achieve the best OTA reception. I've been comparing Philips Indoor/Outdoor MANT950 to a Philips Silver Sensor. The Silver Sensor picks up every station stronger than the MANT950 - except one. Channel 11-1 (NBC, frequency assignment 10) gives me a signal strength of approx 75 using the MANT950, and absolutely no signal at all using the Silver Sensor. Why would this be?

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I have used the MANT950 and found it to be an *okay* omnidirectional antenna. But honestly, if you're going through the trouble to put up a compact outdoor antenna, there are much better options.

The MANT950 is UHF only. I doubt your NBC affiliate is broadcasting HD in VHF yet. Hi-VHF digital OTA isn't supposed to start until 2/2009.

I would recommend the Channel Master 4221. Its the best medium range directional antenna on the market. Its only 30 dollars at most online retailers that sell antennas. It looks big in the picture, but in reality, its light and compact and mounts easily outside.

Well, you're right about the VHF. I don't know how I missed that... I knew it was a UHF-only antenna, but I didn't notice that NBC was VHF. Oops.

Unfortunately, I live in an apartment complex and I can't put an antenna up outside without getting prior permission, paying a deposit, etc, etc, etc. Also, there is another apartment in between me and the broadcast towers, so based on my testing, the best signals I seem to be picking up are reflected signals. That said, what would you recommend as the best antenna to be used indoors?

fergusean said:

Well, you're right about the VHF. I don't know how I missed that... I knew it was a UHF-only antenna, but I didn't notice that NBC was VHF. Oops.

Unfortunately, I live in an apartment complex and I can't put an antenna up outside without getting prior permission, paying a deposit, etc, etc, etc. Also, there is another apartment in between me and the broadcast towers, so based on my testing, the best signals I seem to be picking up are reflected signals. That said, what would you recommend as the best antenna to be used indoors?

Click to expand...

I am using a Terk antenna...

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...rd_t=201&pf_rd_p=250314601&pf_rd_i=B0007MXZB2

It is in my attic. I receive both vhf and uhf channels. The towers are 20 miles away, and the Terk receives all available stations with good signal strength.

Terk also has an amplified version of this antenna. With my situation, the un-amplified version works well.