Antenna Question (Again)

[Rowdy S13]

Ok, Im sick of not watching stuff in HD. Since my GF is a HUGE football fan, I have her all but compleatly won over on getting an antenna to watch games in over the air HD Ok now heres the dilema, Im about 26 miles from most antennas (Almost all of them are on the sears tower) BUT I live in an appartment on the 5th floor and on a clear day I can see the Sears Tower. Ive decided on a Anttenas Direct antenna, but I dont know if I should get the DB2 ( http://www.antennasdirect.com/DB2_Indoor_antenna.html ) which is good to 30 miles. OR do I just spend the extra money and get the DB4 ( http://www.antennasdirect.com/DB4_HDTV_antenna.html ) which is good to 55.

Since I live in an appartment I wont be able to have the antenna outside and aimed. And since I live with my GF I have to kinda hide it too. I was planning on just hanging it on the wall behind the TV, since there not directional (well there multi directional) I was thinking that the DB4 would work better, just based on the fact that Ill have it in a not ideal location.

Thanks,
Sean

 

[Adam]

Sean,

My advice is, if you can spare the extra $20 and the room (as you need to conceal it inside), get the larger antenna. I have this one and love it.

Adam

 

[Swerd]

Ok, Im sick of not watching stuff in HD. Since my GF is a HUGE football fan, I have her all but compleatly won over on getting an antenna to watch games in over the air HD Ok now heres the dilema, Im about 26 miles from most antennas (Almost all of them are on the sears tower) BUT I live in an appartment on the 5th floor and on a clear day I can see the Sears Tower. Ive decided on a Anttenas Direct antenna, but I dont know if I should get the DB2 ( http://www.antennasdirect.com/DB2_Indoor_antenna.html ) which is good to 30 miles. OR do I just spend the extra money and get the DB4 ( http://www.antennasdirect.com/DB4_HDTV_antenna.html ) which is good to 55.

Since I live in an appartment I wont be able to have the antenna outside and aimed. And since I live with my GF I have to kinda hide it too. I was planning on just hanging it on the wall behind the TV, since there not directional (well there multi directional) I was thinking that the DB4 would work better, just based on the fact that Ill have it in a not ideal location.

Those antennas from Antennas Direct might work for you, but I believe they overestimate the gain you'll get from them, so you might be better off with the DB4.

I now use a Winegard SquareShooter antenna. I mounted it in my attic. Do you have a balcony where you could mount this? The grey box shown in the photo is 16×16×4 inches, no bigger than a Direct TV dish. It does cost a bit more than the DB2 or 4, but it is compact and is easier on the eyes.

I live in the Washington, DC area where some local stations are 15-20 miles from my house, and stations in Baltimore are at least 40 miles away. I get all of them clearly. This antenna should work well for you if the Sears Tower is 26 miles from you.

 

[Rowdy S13]

Those antennas from Antennas Direct might work for you, but I believe they overestimate the gain you'll get from them, so you might be better off with the DB4.

I now use a Winegard SquareShooter antenna. I mounted it in my attic. Do you have a balcony where you could mount this? The grey box shown in the photo is 16×16×4 inches, no bigger than a Direct TV dish. It does cost a bit more than the DB2 or 4, but it is compact and is easier on the eyes.

I live in the Washington, DC area where some local stations are 15-20 miles from my house, and stations in Baltimore are at least 40 miles away. I get all of them clearly. This antenna should work well for you if the Sears Tower is 26 miles from you.

I cant have anything on my balcony, as per the rules of the building and the GF. That was the antenna I was gonna get in the forst place, but then I saw reviews and people saying that these were better. As for the one from Crutchfield, it oly does UHF, we have 1 non UHF channel around here

Sean

 

[Swerd]

I cant have anything on my balcony, as per the rules of the building and the GF. That was the antenna I was gonna get in the forst place, but then I saw reviews and people saying that these were better. As for the one from Crutchfield, it oly does UHF, we have 1 non UHF channel around here

The DB4 is UHF only (channels 13-69) isn't it? The Squareshooter handles channels 7-69. I don't know which antenna would be better, and I wonder about any claims that one antenna is better than another. TV reception varies a lot from place to place depending on terrain and surrounding buildings.

Believe it or not, there was a lawsuit several years ago over homeowners' associations and apartments that have restrictive rules about antennas. The courts ruled that the Constitution's guarantee to freedom of speech overrules any local rules prohibiting putting up antennas. If you want you could find a link. Do a google search for "FCC and homeowners association".

Here it is http://www.ccfj.net/FCClaw.htm

 

[Adam]

As Swerd said, the law supports your right to put an antenna out on your balcony. However, there's also the issue of getting along with your neighbors...but it is illegal for the apartment complex to make you take it down.

As for those antennas being "UHF" antennas, I wouldn't worry about it. I worried about it before I got mine, but mine pulls in channel 11 (VHF) crystal clear. Works perfect. I have mine mounted inside, mostly because I just haven't gotten around to putting it outside.

 

[Rowdy S13]

Now that you guys mentioned it, I rember hearing about that law. Thanks for reminding me about it though As for the VHF/UHF does it matter that our only VHF channel is 2? Im slightly worried that its so low in the range. Also what band is radio? Would I be able to use this antenna to pick up radio stations as well?

Sean

 

[Johnd]

As Swerd said, the law supports your right to put an antenna out on your balcony. However, there's also the issue of getting along with your neighbors...but it is illegal for the apartment complex to make you take it down.

Provided it does not breach the contract between Rowdy and the apartment owner. If you are not allowed to anchor to the brickwork (or any part of the structure) with screws, nails, etc. per your apartment contract, that rule would be upheld. But they cannot restrict those means of fastening an antenna which cause no damage (such as u-bolts around a rail). Jfyi

 

[Bryce_H]

Or mount a metal post in a 5 gallon bucket of concrete. I have seen it done at several of my previous apartment complexes. In this manner you are not attaching anything to the building so there is no case for complaints from the apartment owner. if you think it is unstable, put out a few guy wires.

 

[no. 5]

Also what band is radio? Would I be able to use this antenna to pick up radio stations as well?

Sean

FM radio is 88MHz to 108MHz, AM radio is 520kHz to 1700kHz, TV channels 2 - 6 are below 88MHz, channels 7 and up start at 174MHz.

So if the antenna will pick up VHF, it should do FM radio too. However, since you are in an apartment, the stations that are not in view of your apartment windows may not come in very well, as the building itself will be blocking a good deal of RF.

 

[Swerd]

Look at the SquareShooter spec sheet. One of the pictures shows the antenna mounted to a board sitting on the floor. It should be easily moveable. Indoor reception depends on how much steel was used in the construction of your apartment building. The more steel, the worse the reception.

The spec sheet doesn't say anything about FM radio reception. Ask Winegard about that. I'll also try it at home.