HD antenna

[john2269]

I need to purchase an antenna to get local HD programming becuase i was told i can't get HD from my directv local channels. What is the best antenna i can buy to get my local HD signals?

[Tom Snyder]

Depends on how close you are to the transmitters...

[Matt Heebner]

I'd say he needs quite an antenna to get Milwaukee HD programming from Detroit. All hope for getting FAUX is totally lost....

Matt

[Trounce Records]

I have a Samsung 151 en route, and am looking for an indoor antenna - I'm on Milwaukee's east side.  Any suggestions?  Can I use a double-bow-tie indoors?

[Detritus]

If you're near one of the tall buildings (and not yourself in it, high up, facing the transmitters), the Silver Sensor might be a good choice. You can pick it up at Best Buy.

I'm waiting for a RadioShack Double Bow Tie myself (they're on back order). I'm on the lower East Side.

I'm gonna try the 75Ohm mod once I get the RSDB:)

[dapinger]

I just switched to a Channelmaster 4228 and am getting relatively good results.  I am in New Berlin with the antenna <20' up looking through some tall trees.  I do get 4, 10, 12, 36, 55 & 58.  Will be adding a rotator on Sunday to help improve the quality on 58.  Hope to add 24 to the list when I do.

[Tom Snyder]

TRounce Records asked:

Can I use a double-bow-tie indoors?

The Radio Shack is designed to be used inside.  The challenge will be finding one.

[Trounce Records]

Originally posted by Tom Snyder
TRounce Records asked:
 

The Radio Shack is designed to be used inside.  The challenge will be finding one.

I heard a wacky rumour that someone affiliated with this website had some.  If not, would this work?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3059573085&category=15064&rd=1#ebayphotohosting

[Detritus]

Why is finding a Radio Shack Double Bow Tie a challenge?

Right here: http://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=CTLG&product%5Fid=930-0998

Simply order it from your favorite local RadioShack store.

I ordered it online, but I can recommend against that. It arrived bent because of lousy packaging. I then returned it to a local store and they are doing an exchange.

It was on back order, but they're expecting on the ~23rd.

So as long as you have some patience, simply order it through your local store using the RSU#.

[Tom Snyder]

For awhile, the word was that they were discontinuing it.  There were only two or three stores in SE WISconsin that had any in stock, and you couldn't get them online either.  

Apparently they have reversed that decision, proabably due to the great demand that HDTV hjas created.

[Trounce Records]

Crap...

Yesterday, I went to the Radio Shack up on Capitol, where they flat-out told me that such an antenna didn't exist.  I asked if I could see a catalog, and they grudgingly looked it up for me.  It does, of course, and they put through an order, guessed that it would be 7-10 days, and I was on my way.  In the parking lot, I realized that they had gotten my address wrong, and went inside, where they made a "special exception" for me in that they refunded the shipping charge (clearly they had not shipped it yet.)

Frustrated, I just cancelled the order.

I called the national number today, and was told that they're out of stock without an ETA.  The only way to proceed is to wait until they are back in-stock, or to go back to a Radio Shack, have them put through the order, and get on a waiting list.

E-bay, here I come

In the meantime, I have a Magnavox/Phillips VHF/UHF model that seems to get WISN, PBS and PAX, and works best when unamplified.

My problem is that I have a 4:3 TV, and that my box seems only to send a letterbox format in 720 or 1080 (although it can do either in 480i or p).  Neat toy, though - it was a good purchase.

[Detritus]

Yes, they don't currently have them in stock. I figured I'd keep my order even though I have to wait, hopefully that'll prompt them to get them:)

Anyway, I called them up and they told me they were expecting them around the 23rd.. Who knows.

Also, $15 is kind of hard to beat, probably even on ebay.. Shipping charges will approach the cost of the antenna itself.

I'll let you know if/when I get it. I can always cancel the order if I lose patience. For now I'm using my trusty silver sensor.

[veyj]

You can have mine for $10.  Send Tom a check, or better yet, use paypal (You're set up for that, right Tom?)   After Tom has the money, make arrangements with me to pick it up (6th & Grange).  Any questions, email.

John
veyj@netscape.net

[Tom Snyder]

Cool! Thanks!

We actually have a credit card merchant account, but because they charge a portion of the total, we'd prefer a check. If you decide to go that option, email me at tsnyder@milwaukeehdtv.org and I'll give you info on where to send the check.

[Trounce Records]

You guys rock!

I'll send an e-mail right away and get that addy.  Thanks much for the assistance - and see the thread about me having access to equipment at dealer prices in the HDTV equpiment thread if you ever need anything that I can get you.

:bow: