Indoor Antennas - Non-amplified

[GroundUrMast]

This is a thread dedicated to listing and reviewing Indoor, non-amplified antennas... "Rabbit Ears"

If you need help deciding whether an indoor antenna will work for you or not, please read through the Guidelines when asking for help (http://forum.tvfool.com/showthread.php?t=4) Then, as directed, post your request in the Help With Reception (http://forum.tvfool.com/forumdisplay.php?f=7) forum.

My reference to specific retailers pricing is not an endorsement of that retailer. Vendors such as solidsignal.com, summitsource.com, amazon.com, 3starinc.com, frys.com, newegg.com, bestbuy.com... and on and on... are all worth considering when shopping.

As a general rule I am inclined to recommend non-amplified indoor antennas. I won't go so far as to say, "Never consider an amplified antenna." However, my opinion is that if signal conditions are strong enough to make an indoor antenna worth your consideration, use of any sort of amplifier is generally not needed. Amplifiers can be overloaded by strong signals, at which point the quality of the received signal will be reduced to the point were reliable reception is affected. Amplified antennas also cost more... but rarely give you any additional benefit that can be observed on the TV screen.

Most rabbit-ear style antennas have adjustable length rods that are intended to receive VHF frequencies. Here is a list of the estimated length for each VHF channel.

For 1/4" diameter dipole rods
Estimated length of each rod
Calculated using 4NEC2

Channel - Rod Length
2 ------- 49 3/8"
3 ------- 44 5/8"
4 ------- 40 3/4"
5 ------- 35 1/2"
6 ------- 33"
7 ------- 15 5/8"
8 ------- 15 3/8"
9 ------- 14 5/8"
10 ------ 14 1/4"
11 ------ 13 3/4"
12 ------ 13 3/8"
13 ------ 13"

Post #2 in http://forum.tvfool.com/showthread.php?t=11 provides additional information about the technical performance of the typical set top antenna.

[GroundUrMast]

As of 11/29/2011, the Zenith VN1ANTP1 (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003E3029Y/ref=s9_simh_gw_p23_d0_g23_i2?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=05D68PADP09C8GGBDRSD&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=470938631&pf_rd_i=507846) is priced at under $5 at Amazon.

A basic indoor antenna. Typical of most basic 'rabbit ears'.

Capable of reception of VHF and UHF signals (CH-2 through 69) when signals are strong and not subject to multipath, adjacent or co-channel interference.

[GroundUrMast]

As of 11/29/2011 the RCA ANT-111 (http://www.amazon.com/RCA-ANT111-Basic-Indoor-Antenna/dp/B000HKGK8Y/ref=pd_cp_e_1) is priced at less than $10 at Amazon.

A basic indoor antenna. Typical of most basic 'rabbit ears' in performance. A bit more modern appearance than the classic 1950's style rabbit ears.

Capable of reception of VHF and UHF signals (CH-2 through 69) when signals are strong and not subject to multipath, adjacent or co-channel interference.

[GroundUrMast]

As of 11/29/2011, the RCA ANT-121 (http://www.amazon.com/RCA-ANT121-Indoor-Antenna/dp/B00009W3E2/ref=pd_sim_e_7) is priced at under $13 at Amazon.

Essentially the same type antenna as the ANT-111 and other similar 'rabbit ears', with the addition of a front panel adjustment knob which presumably switches element sections in or out of the circuit. While not necessarily a gimmick, the addition of this 'variable' may needlessly complicate the operation and adjustment of an antenna that could otherwise be set and then left alone.

Capable of reception of VHF and UHF signals (CH-2 through 69) when signals are strong and not subject to multipath, adjacent or co-channel interference.

[GroundUrMast]

As of 11/29/2011, the Terk HDTVi (http://www.amazon.com/Terk-Technology-HDTVi-Indoor-Antenna/dp/B0001FV36E/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1322597898&sr=1-2) retails for about $30 at Amazon.

Be careful to avoid confusing this antenna with the HDTVa which includes a built in amplifier. If signal conditions are strong enough to use an indoor antenna, an amplifier is generally not needed and in many cases, a source of trouble due to signal overload.

Capable of reception of VHF and UHF signals (CH-2 through 69).

The performance on Channel 2 through 13 is about the same as most other 'rabbit ear' style antennas, minimal gain and minimal directivity. Expect virtually the same VHF reception in both directions perpendicular to the VHF rods.

This antenna does offer some gain on UHF channels 14 through 69. The antenna will be more sensitive to UHF stations in the direction the antenna is pointed. (The longest wing like elements are the back, the shortest wing like elements are the front of the antenna.) The modest gain also results in the antenna having the ability to reject some multipath interference.

Post #3 in http://forum.tvfool.com/showthread.php?t=11 provides additional information about the technical performance of a similar design.

[GroundUrMast]

As of 11/29/2011, the manufacture's web site offers the Mohu Leaf (http://www.gomohu.com/the-leaf-indoor-hdtv-antenna/) for $39.99

The vendor's web site and ad copy only provide physical dimensions of the antenna, no bandwidth or gain data was found. The folks at digitalhome.ca have a dedicated thread, http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=138226

This antenna is reported to have nominal performance when used for UHF reception. It's VHF performance is reported to be less than that of a typical VHF dipole.

At $40, some may consider the esthetics of the product worth the price... others may not place that much value on looks.

[GroundUrMast]

As of 1/19/2012, the CM-4010 (http://www.channelmasterstore.com/CM_4010_Indoor_Antenna_p/cm-4010.htm) is priced at under $23.99 at the manufacturer's online store.

A basic indoor antenna. Typical of most basic 'rabbit ears'.

Capable of reception of VHF and UHF signals (CH-2 through 69) when signals are strong and not subject to multipath, adjacent or co-channel interference.

[GroundUrMast]

As of 4/6/2012, the Antennas Direct SR8 Indoor Antenna (http://www.antennasdirect.com/store/SR8_indoor_yagi.html) is priced at $18.99 at the manufacture's online store.

This is a directional antenna with more than 4 dBd forward gain. (6.5 dBi per the manufacturer.)

This would be a good choice in a market served only by real UHF broadcasts and where the stations are grouped within 40° of each other.

This type antenna can also help overcome more multipath interference than the basic UHF loop element on most indoor antenna designs.

Best for reception of real channels 14 and higher, though strong signals in the VHF bands may be received.