Poll of the Day > Indoor TV antennas

(+) Yeah! (+)

Any recommendations?
I've bought a few for backup purposes throughout life and now I'm looking for an upgrade as it's my main form of TV.
I've usually spent up to 50 bucks, about that much on my recent one that has about a 50 mile range.

I'm seeing 200 mile ones on Ebay for like ten bucks. Anyone have experience with those? I have a couple channels at the 50 mile range I don't get, but like 2 or 3; I think anything above 75 will cover me.
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pedro45 posted...

I'm seeing 200 mile ones on Ebay for like ten bucks.

You tend to get what you pay for. A cheap $10 antenna is most likely going to perform like a cheap $10 antenna. In other words, it likely won't perform well at all.

I don't use an antenna myself, but I have researched the subject a bit back when I was looking to cut the cable cord. From what I have read, Mohu makes the best antennas.

Generally though, 50 miles is about the limit you will get with an indoor antenna. If you need a larger range, then you're probably going to need an outdoor antenna. (That's actually the reason why I never got an antenna since I live more than 50 miles from the closest towers, and I live in an apartment so I can't have an outdoor antenna.)

rogerskg1979 posted...

pedro45 posted...

I'm seeing 200 mile ones on Ebay for like ten bucks.

You tend to get what you pay for. A cheap $10 antenna is most likely going to perform like a cheap $10 antenna. In other words, it likely won't perform well at all.

I don't use an antenna myself, but I have researched the subject a bit back when I was looking to cut the cable cord. From what I have read, Mohu makes the best antennas.

Generally though, 50 miles is about the limit you will get with an indoor antenna. If you need a larger range, then you're probably going to need an outdoor antenna. (That's actually the reason why I never got an antenna since I live more than 50 miles from the closest towers, and I live in an apartment so I can't have an outdoor antenna.)

It also depends on your height above terrain. VHF/UHF TV signals are pretty much line-of-sight. An indoor antenna, on the first floor, at ground level, in city clutter, is doing good to get signals from 10 miles away, and is still going to show flutter and ghosting in the rain or any other atmospheric disturbance.

The best way to "cut the cable cord" is with streaming internet services.
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And range means nothing if the stations only output a few miles anyways
So if you are lets say 150 miles from the nearest station, and have that 200 mile antenna, but they are only outputting 100 miles with their antennas you wont pick it up.
The range usually means it has better processing at descrambling the image the weaker it is.
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It also depends on where you live. When I was in Virginia Beach a cheap antenna was more than capable.

I moved to Ohio out in the country and I can barely get 3 or 4 channels.
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Thanks for the information!
I mean, the stations I am missing are there and I think getting a stronger one will help with that.
I'm not much in a crowded city anymore, so I just really want the signal improved and get the stations that are at the 50 mile range.
I know the station distances from the many sites online that help locate and position the antenna.
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