Any Good Indoor Antennas???

[dumpingCable]

Hi all, after 26 years I'm dumping Comcast and going OTA.;)

As my title says...are there any good indoor antennas, or am I stuck with an outdoor antenna?
I can mount something off my back deck railing (not rooftop) and aim it at 1:00 to catch the majority of digital signals.
For an outdoor antenna I would need something strong (20' off the ground) but not to big or 'fugly' as it would be on my 'rear' deck (rowhomes) and, at the back of the house the antenna can be aimed properly.
Indoor would be ideal however no back window near by.:(
Thanks for any suggestions, Ray

As viewed below...back of row-homes run true north...I would point antenna at 1:00 or between 18-20 degrees.
http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%3d0b86e6c218337b

[GroundUrMast]

Your TVFR looks very good. Depending on the materials used in your home's construction, an indoor antenna could work very well.

http://forum.tvfool.com/showthread.php?t=2828

[Electron]

How many tv's are/will be connected?? For a above roof antenna install a , http://winegarddirect.com , HD7000R aimed at about 80 degree magnetic compass. Here is how to aim antennas , http://www.kyes.com/antenna/pointing/pointing.html. Here are some antenna mounts , http://www.ronard.com/909911.html , http://www.ronard.com/34424560.html , http://www.ronard.com/ychim.html , http://www.ronard.com. Buy the antenna mounts at solidsignal by typing the word ronard in the solidsignal search box or buy from ronard. Here are some places to buy antennas and etc. , http://www.solidsignal.com , http://www.amazon.com , http://www.ramelectronics.net , http://www.tigerdirect.com.

[dumpingCable]

Your TVFR looks very good. Depending on the materials used in your home's construction, an indoor antenna could work very well.

http://forum.tvfool.com/showthread.php?t=2828

Thanks for the reply...my 50" Plasma is 10' from a large front picture window > however the front window faces west-wrong direction. Brick construction front/rear side walls are attached to other houses (row/town homes) flat rubber roof over second floor. Back dining room window faces east.
I would prefer an indoor antenna, but if the reception is questionable I'll mount something outside on my deck railing and 'can' point it directly at 18-20 degrees to the right of true north. However it would only be 20' off the ground.

[GroundUrMast]

If you end up mounting outside (which is better almost 100% of the time), 20' up with a clear view is great.

In addition to the HD7000R, Winegard's HD7015 and Antennacraft's C290 would be worth considering.

If I had a flat roof to work with, I'd consider a non-penetrating mount system: http://www.3starinc.com/non-penetrating_roof_mount_60_inch_mast_with_1_25_inch_o_d_.html

[Electron]

Here is a J Mount , http://www.amazon.com/Antennas-Direct-Universal-Mounting-STM-715/dp/B000WOVD1Y

[dumpingCable]

If you end up mounting outside (which is better almost 100% of the time), 20' up with a clear view is great.

In addition to the HD7000R, Winegard's HD7015 and Antennacraft's C290 would be worth considering.

If I had a flat roof to work with, I'd consider a non-penetrating mount system: http://www.3starinc.com/non-penetrating_roof_mount_60_inch_mast_with_1_25_inch_o_d_.html

Thank you for the feedback and suggestions...'if' I go roof mount the three above certainly are cheap enough to purchase, and I can mount to my chimney stack.

However the three above wouldn't aesthetically look very nice mounted to the deck railing (neighbors and all):rolleyes:

Below is expensive but wouldn't be so much of an eye sore mounted to the deck. Feedback on this or something similar would be appreciated.http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Antennas+Direct+-+ClearStream+2+Long-Range+HDTV+Outdoor+Antenna/9119642.p?id=1218027044954&skuId=9119642
Or...http://www.bestbuy.com/site/RCA+-+Outdoor+HDTV+Antenna/9736728.p?id=1218164033950&skuId=9736728
Or...http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Terk+-+Amplified+Outdoor+HDTV+Antenna/9736682.p?id=1218164032780&skuId=9736682

Again, thank you for your time, Ray

BTW > this antenna would only be used for my living room 50" plasma.
My other two CRT TV's (upstairs bedrooms) are working GREAT with two little $10 RCA rabbit ears and loop.

[Dave Loudin]

Boo on the Terk antenna. The absolute last thing you need is an amplifier of any sort. We have recommended the RCA antenna to many people, and it is functionally the same as the HD7000R except for performance at ch. 6 (WPVI) - the 7000 is better. The CS2 is not designed for channel 6 reception.

However, since you've got tons of available signal the CS2 or the RCA should pick up ch. 6 anyway. So the question becomes spending somewhere around $30 for an antenna that is designed for your situation or three times that for "looks".

[dumpingCable]

Boo on the Terk antenna. The absolute last thing you need is an amplifier of any sort. We have recommended the RCA antenna to many people, and it is functionally the same as the HD7000R except for performance at ch. 6 (WPVI) - the 7000 is better. The CS2 is not designed for channel 6 reception.

However, since you've got tons of available signal the CS2 or the RCA should pick up ch. 6 anyway. So the question becomes spending somewhere around $30 for an antenna that is designed for your situation or three times that for "looks".

I much appreciate the suggestions...if i must go outside (and I will) I'm hoping to stay off the rooftop. My "Terk" was an attempt to see 'if' there was a more aesthetically viewable when mounted on my rear deck.
Thanks again, Ray

[Electron]

The way people use the word , aesthetic , leaves a bad taste in my mouth.

[dumpingCable]

The way people use the word , aesthetic , leaves a bad taste in my mouth.
Not trying to upset the antenna gurus here by using the word "aesthetically"...but just envision a large porcupine antenna mounted on a little 15x12 deck > I sure as heck don't want to take someone's eye out!
I simply was asking for some other smaller options.

If the prior suggested Antenna's are what I need for the 'best reception' then I will mount it to the roof. ;)
Can I use the existing Comcast cable to the back of my Plasma?
May I ask about the proper way to 'ground' such a roof antenna, or is that topic in another area?

Regards, Ray

[Electron]

If subject is tv reception and grounding and wiring and etc. with a tv antenna and reception devices or FTA satellite reception or even internet streaming then it's open here. I do not get into telling people how to get pay cable services or the pay satellite services such as dish network or direct tv. If you choose to ground the antenna , the best location for grounding is the electric service ground at the building. There are different ways to connect the ground wire to electric service ground. Might be best to have a electrican show you the different ways to ground at electric service location on the building. Some examples of grounding would be the pay cable service ground or pay satellite ground. It is also best ground the coax with a coax grounding block at the same location. Home depot has all manner of grounding clamps and hardware. Use real 'copper ground wire' real copper ground wire is made for grounding , it is though and durable and it lasts a long time outside it's made that way.

[Electron]

Do Not in any way shape or form connect the antenna coax to any type or kind of Active cable tv delivered services. Do Not connect the antenna coax to a coax that has active cable tv service , Do Not connect the the antenna coax to a coax that has active cable internet service , Do Not connect the antenna coax to active cable phone service coax. And Do Not connect the antenna coax to any other type or kind of Active cable delivered services. YES the antenna coax can be connected to coaxes that are on or in the building that do not have or are not being used for cable services.

[Electron]

There is opinion that antennas are necessary Evil to receive tv and radio and communications. Leaves a bad taste in my mouth. The Truth is Antennas are , Handsome , Lovely , Beautiful , Dashing , Debonair , Pretty , Dependable , Responsible.

[dumpingCable]

Do Not in any way shape or form connect the antenna coax to any type or kind of Active cable tv delivered services. Do Not connect the antenna coax to a coax that has active cable tv service , Do Not connect the the antenna coax to a coax that has active cable internet service , Do Not connect the antenna coax to active cable phone service coax. And Do Not connect the antenna coax to any other type or kind of Active cable delivered services. YES the antenna coax can be connected to coaxes that are on or in the building that do not have or are not being used for cable services.
Exactly what I was referring too...I've canceled Comcast but want to use their existing cable ... in my home ;)
Never looking to hijack any Cable or Dish network...my whole process here it to just get FREE OTA digital signals.

Thanks for the "grounding info" any particular gauge copper wire needed? The run from roof to house ground box may be 25'.

thanks Again Regards, Ray

[GroundUrMast]

#10 gauge copper, insulated or not, is generally sufficient.

http://forum.tvfool.com/showthread.php?t=901

[dumpingCable]

Time to purchase...and I'll be mounting to my flat-roof chimney two stories up.
Being channel 6/abc is the only difficult channel to grab > 'if' you threw a dart at the below 3 ..."
handsome , Lovely , Beautiful , Dashing , Debonair , Pretty , Dependable , Responsible" antenna's > which would you hope the dart hits?

http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%3d0b86e6c218337b

Winegard's HD7000R
Winegard's HD7015
Antennacraft's C290

[Dave Loudin]

I vote for the 7000R, as Electron originally suggested. You have tons of signal, so you do not need much antenna gain. In addition, the 7000R is sensitive over a wide span of angles, so aiming does not have to be exact. Electron suggested 80 degrees so you can pick up the New Jersey PBS, Telemundo, and independent stations to the east-southeast.

[dumpingCable]

Hi antenna Gurus,
Well, it's been a while...and sorry to say shortly after my prior posts I became very ill and spent much time in the hospital.
As mentioned prior, Cable/Comcast was canceled, I did purchase the Winegard 7000R, Ronard chimney mount, but was not able to get up on the roof.

I've been dealing with a little $9 RCA-ANT111 however, I'm now healthy enough to install my rooftop antenna.

The only item I require is some 40' of coax to run from the antenna, down the back of the house and I'll then connect to the existing coaxial cable in my home.

Question...when ordering outdoor coaxial cable, is there anything 'special' I need to look for, especially for signal?

Again, I can't thank you enough for your advice.
Kindest Regards, Ray

[teleview]

Standard RG-6 coax at Home Depot or Lowes will be fine.

No requirement to use RG-6 Quadshield coax , but that can be used also.

[dumpingCable]

UPDATE...
My Winegard's HD7000R is up and running!
Grabbing some 52 channels, but only really 10 or so that I'll actually watch.
Very pleased thus far...waiting for some cloudy weather to see how it performs.
As I notice some other neighbors have the much bigger Winegard HD7015, at times I wonder if a 'bigger antenna' would be better?

My method of pointing...(hope it's acceptable)
Zeroed in on my rooftop, noticed the direction from where 99% of signal was coming from, and actually used my old High school as a sight to aim my antenna. It was the same path.
^ think that's ok or should I attempt another method?

Thanks for all the advice and of course patients...antenna's ROCK!

[teleview]

If you are receiving down the Pending Applications Included Digital Channels list to WFMZ-TV channel 46 , IND. and AccuWX and Me-Tv and RTV , then you are receiving every Tv stations/channels there is to receive with out going to extreme measures to receive.

As you can see in the channel list , the red reception zone is very weak signal strength Tv stations and then goes into the gray reception zone that will require extreme measures to receive.

[dumpingCable]

Loving FREE TV!
The only three bad/pixel channels are 44-2, 50-1 & 50-3 which are SD
Thanks again to everyone's help!

[teleview]

Is this the channel 50 you are referring to??

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WPHY-CD.

___________________________________________________

Is this the channel 44 you are referring to??

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WMCN-TV.

[dumpingCable]

Is this the channel 50 you are referring to??

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WPHY-CD.

___________________________________________________

Is this the channel 44 you are referring to??

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WMCN-TV.
Correct to the above "wphy-cd"
'Bounce' 44-2 WMCN-BNC is badly pixelated too...but at times comes in nicely???