Bay Area reception - antenna suggestions?

kelesis · 1-Oct-2013, 4:47 AM

Hi.

I used to have Comcast cable but decided to cancel it after my roommate moved out. I tried using the really basic antenna that came with my older TV, but I'm not really getting any channels at all.

Here is my information...

http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...46ae159b5bb908

Could you please suggest an indoors antenna that should be able to receive as many nearby channels as possible? I live on the 1st floor in a small apartment complex, with my living room having access to a window that would let me point to the south east.

Thank you very much for any tips!

GroundUrMast · 1-Oct-2013, 5:14 AM

The first item to verify is, older analog TV's can't understand the digital signal format used in over-the-air TV broadcasting. They need a converter to be able to display the digital signal.

However, all TVs sold in the US since mid 2007, if equipped with a tuner, must have the ability to tune the OTA digital format. If your TV falls into that group, check to make sure it is configured to scan for 'antenna' or 'air' channels. Most tuners default to 'cable' mode which uses a different signal format.

As far as antennas are concerned, consider the Terk HDTVi (not the amplified HDTVa). You get a little bit of directional qualities in the UHF band which may help overcome signal reflections (common in an indoor location).

2-Oct-2013, 12:05 AM

The largest group of Digital Tv stations channels is/are to the , North - North West.

You can Test reception with a Terk HDTVi antenna (not HDTVa) antenna in a window in the South East direction that has a smaller group of Digital Tv stations/channels and will most likely receive some of the , North-North West Digital Tv stations/channels also.

Here is how to aim indoor and outdoor antennas , http://www.kyes.com/antenna/pointing/pointing.html.

Use a Real and Actual magnetic compass to aim antenna.

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The Tv Must Be Able to scan for the Digital Broadcast Tv channels , the ATSC Digital Broadcast Tv channels , aka , 8VSB Digital Broadcast Tv.

If the Tv is a older Analog Tv or is a type of Tv monitor with no Digital Broadcast Tv tuner.

Then.

Walmart sells a basic Digital to Analog tuner , the RCA DTA800B1 converter box.

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Here are some converter boxes that do more.

http://www.epvision.com.

Channel Master has Digital Tuner boxes.

http://www.channelmasterstore.com