Before Buying an Outdoor Antenna

You get a single sheet of instructions that amount to just three steps: plug it into your TV, stick it somewhere and then scan for channels. Fortunately, there's not much more to it, since the cable is permanently attached to the antenna and it doesn't include an amplifier. One sticking point is that the adhesive pads on the back of the antenna are on slightly different vertical planes.

LiveWave Antenna Reviews - Is It a Scam or Legit?

Two are located on the upper right and left corners of the antenna itself, while a third is on the back of the thicker attachment point where the cable connects to the antenna. It makes for a slightly awkward installation with no option of repositioning the stickers to get a better purchase on a wall or window. Since the stickers also make the installation semi permanent, before you settle on a final resting place, we suggest experimenting with different locations around your TV to find the best reception spot.

We also recommend checking with AntennaWeb. An initial scan using the antenna produced a list of 24 channels, a not-unreasonable number given the small size of the antenna. Unfortunately, fewer than half of those stations — just 10 in all — turned out to be watchable. If not you'll need an outdoor antenna. Enter your address, and you'll see a list of local stations and notes about which type of HD antenna to use for good reception.

Customer Questions & Answers

In this article, we'll cover the advantages of over-the-air OTA reception and explain how to find digital TV signals in your local area. We'll talk about different types of HD antennas and tell you which ones perform best under various reception conditions. Even if you've never used an off-air antenna before, there are several good reasons to consider adding one to your other TV signal sources:.

So, the first step is to locate the transmitters for your local stations. In addition to distance and direction to the transmitters, you need to be aware of obstacles like mountains and tall buildings. The quick, easy way to get information that's specific to your address is to visit the TV Fool antenna selector website. Once you enter your address, you'll see a list of local stations. Each station has a color-coded indicator showing which type of HD antenna is recommended for best reception. Now that you know the direction and distance of the local TV stations you can receive, let's see which type of HDTV antenna will work best for you.

No one antenna or antenna type will deliver excellent TV reception in every location. The main factors determining reception are the distance and direction from the TV station transmitters to your home. The transmitter's power and the height of its tower also matter. If you live within a few miles of the transmitter, and the signal path is relatively unobstructed, you may be able to get solid reception using a small indoor antenna.

But as you move farther away, getting usable signal strength becomes trickier. This is where careful HD antenna selection and installation become essential. TV signals actually bend a bit in the atmosphere, which can extend reception range beyond the usual line-of-sight limit of 70 miles. The information below will help you zero in on the type s of antenna that should work best for you. Keep in mind that even in the same neighborhood reception conditions can vary from house to house.

So we recommend purchasing your HDTV antenna from a dealer who offers no-hassle returns with a money-back guarantee. The UHF channel range is There are nearly 1, full-power TV stations across the U. Mainly size.

Making Use of the Best Outdoor TV Antenna

Antenna elements are based on the size of the waves they're designed to receive, and VHF frequencies are lower so the waves are longer, requiring a larger antenna surface to receive them. Antennas described as "directional" are designed to receive signals from one direction. Directional HD antennas are able to pull in signals from greater distances, and because they "see" in only one direction they are resistant to noise and "multipath distortion" a problem created when an antenna receives reflections of the desired signal.

Because multidirectional antennas "see" in many directions they are more likely to pick up noise, interference, and multipath distortion.

When TV signals bounce off objects on their way from the transmitter to your HDTV antenna they create reflections, which your HD antenna also picks up. These reflections can cause "multipath distortion.

Direct tv indoor antenna

If you used the TV Fool website to locate your desired stations, you should have an accurate picture of their direction in relation to your home. As an alternative to a multi-directional antenna, you might consider combining a directional antenna with a rotor, which lets you remotely rotate the antenna to pick up stations in multiple directions.

The popular Mohu Leaf 30 indoor antenna is small and paper-thin, so it mounts easily to a wall, a window, or almost anywhere.


  • LiveWave Antenna.
  • Where is antenna deals located in?
  • Find the Right Antenna?
  • ee sim only deals unlimited data?
  • Popular Topics.
  • peelie coupons for sale?
  • limo deals on groupon?

Indoor antennas are generally small, lightweight, and simple to connect to your TV. In general, the larger an HDTV antenna's surface area is, the stronger the signal it will provide. The relative strength of the signal an antenna can deliver to a tuner is referred to as "gain" and is measured in decibels dB. The higher the dB rating, the greater the gain. Most outdoor antennas will outperform even the best indoor antennas. Besides their size disadvantage, indoor antennas have a height disadvantage. They can also be adversely affected by the walls of a house and even by movement of people in the room.

This compact amplifier lets you distribute amplified antenna and cable signals to as many as four TVs. An amplifier that installs on an outdoor HD antenna or mast is often called a preamplifier or " preamp. The potential drawbacks of amplifiers are that they amplify noise along with the signal, and they can be overdriven by strong signals, which can make reception worse.

You could also try calling local TV stations with your antenna questions.

Best indoor antennas under $50:

It's definitely in their interest to help their viewers improve reception. The AVS Forum's local HDTV message boards are also an excellent source for info on digital TV reception; they're loaded with great suggestions and solutions to particular reception problems in locations ranging from big cities to small towns and rural communities.

Mohu Leaf The Mohu Releaf is one of those rare products that brings quality performance in an eco-friendly package.


  1. SkyLink TV Antenna Review: Popular Gadget Falls Flat.
  2. air mccall coupons?
  3. Customer Review Snapshot?
  4. mot deals halfords?
  5. SkyLink TV Antenna Review: Popular Gadget Falls Flat.
  6. Made from materials that take a lesser toll on the planet, it offers an impressive ability to capture over-the-air signals. It is also devoid of any paper instructions, which are instead printed on the packaging to eliminate excess waste. Just to go the extra mile, all of these components are crafted using renewable energy.

    The ClearStream Eclipse offers top-rated performance when it comes to flat, multi-directional HD antennas. This is true of all four available Eclipse models, which come in estimated signal ranges, from 35 miles up to The antenna is two-sided — a black side and a white side — to match your decor. The material is not only adhesive on both sides meaning no tape , but it also can be painted over, so it can easily become a discreet addition to any room.

    Unlike many indoor antennas, most of which use a square or rectangular design, the circular design of the ClearStream Eclipse is better at picking up UHF signals, which can be a struggle for many indoor antennas. Those specs make it a great choice for those ready to ditch cable , regardless of where you live. Why you should buy this: The Mohu Curve hides in plain sight while offering excellent reception. If inconspicuous and discreet locations are hard to come by in your residence, you might as well opt for a good-looking antenna.

    Best Indoor TV Antenna

    This free-standing antenna can sit on tables, entertainment centers, or shelves without drawing much attention. An included foot coaxial cable aids in placement flexibility. Mohu designed the Leaf Metro for discreet installation in homes located close to broadcast towers.