ChrisCoaster wrote:
Doug Freyburger wrote:
We went with a "ClearStream 2 Complete" that has plastic wings that
almost look like toy propellers as one of its 3 types of receiving wave
guides. *Right now it's just sitting on a bench indoors facing
diagonally out one of our windows towards most of the transmitters in
downtown Chicago. *I'm not even sure I'll bother mounting it outdoors as
it works as it is sitting in a corner of the living room.
I purchased that in late '09 when I lived in an apartment. Fine
reception, but as you'll see:
http://www.antennasdirect.com/store/...V-antenna.html
This is only a UHF(ch. 14 & up) pickup!
Check on TVFool to see if there are any high-VHF channels still in
your area(from 7 up to 13) as you will probably need to combine the C2
with a rabbit ears or other VHF dipole type pickup to get them.
I see. We got a ClearStrem 2 Complete that adds a dipole to that.
http://www.antennasdirect.com/store/...VHF-Combo.html
It's supposed to work great for all channels. I had to move it around a
bit to get a spot with minimum interference but now it works. I put it
on a box so it points above the wrought iron railing around the deck.
How much better it is than the square one in the window remains to be
seen as the weather gets worse. At least we now get the channels in the
20 series that come from the other good PBS affiliate on the new
antenna. One more PBS series isn't a large deal but they are the
slightly better one for what shows they carry. It's already been a win.
Unfortunately in the first 6-12 months since the digital
transition(late 2009-early 2010) a lot of antenna hawkers sold a lot
of limited-band antennas as "HDTV antennas" or "Digital TV antenna!!"
and most folks bought 'em,(like moi!) not understanding exactly what
portions of the VHFUHF band broadcast TV was going to occupy after
the transition.
Do you live in a condo/apartment? If so keep the C2 and just purchase
this: http://www.solidsignal.com/pview.asp...Antenna-(UVSJ),
connect the C2 where it says UHF, the dipole to VHF, and run RG6 to
your digital converter box or directly to your HDTV(whichever is your
case).
I'll note that if I decide to add a bigger one for the low frequencies.
Thanks. Our worst case is 2-1 which carries NCIS and other shows we
like. It's lower power than some of the other stations downtown. I
could use that to add a bigger dipole to the mix.
If you live in a house, or townhome where a small aerial is permitted,
sprint for what I mentioned I purchased or a slightly smaller Winegard
that looks sort of like it. One of those "jetplane shaped" aerials
will handle all your TV needs in one package.
We selected an apartment facing downtown. Actually about 45 degrees.
The previous place we faced away from downtown and that building had a
reinforced steel/concrete core that shielded the signal. We picked this
apartment in the building facing away from the satelites so we could
face the transmitters. A hundred dollars per month difference.
I think I'll hire someone from the maintenance crew to pierce the wall
so I can switch it from inside to outside. Bolt it to the wrought iron
railing and there will be the minimum interference.