In need of a decent TV antenna

[CD 94.7]

So... I am considering dumping my cable TV, I just don't watch it enough to justify keeping it and plan to just keep the internet. Sometime ago, I turned in the cable boxes and decided to just use The APP on my Roku stick to watch TV. Then, I went down to the cheapest cable package, which does not include local channels. Now I am of the mind that maybe I don't need cable anymore. My cable TV used to have this bare bones package, which was just locals for around $20 a month, of course that's no longer offered.

I had an old pair of rabbit ears, that had been in the drawer for quite some time and decided to see what OTA stations I could get, so I auto programmed my one TV a few times and every time I would get one set of stations but not the other and then on the next try, I'd get one I didn't before but not the other. etc...

That's not going work, so I'm thinking I need an amplified antenna. I live in a ground floor apartment and were not allowed to have any kind of antenna or dish that attaches to the building in any kind of way. What would me options be? and is there any indoor antenna that is any good?

Thanks.

[km1125]

It's really a function of how good the TV receiver is on whether or not an amplifier is going to make a difference. You can buy a low-cost amp on Amazon, but with virtually no technical data on them it's hard to predict which ones might work better for your application. And many can make it worse because they are more intended for distribution in overcoming splitter and cable loss to many TVs, rather than a low-noise incoming signal booster.

Also, the length of the rabbit ears makes a difference, and you'll compromise one signal's reception with another when you change the length. A better antenna might give you much more predictable results.

Have you looked your location up on antennaweb.org to see what you should be able to pick up? Is your antenna placed in the correct orientation to pick up the most signals?

[SolarMax]

Where are you located, in relation to local broadcast transmitter sites? Distance, terrain and structures in-between will always be factors.
An indoor antenna will always be a compromise, never be as good as anything outdoors, but you'll have to work under those restrictions.
There isn't much variety or choice of available indoor antennas. Usually variations on rabbit ears, with or without amplifiers, and flat-panel antennas, amplified or no. Set-top or hang on the wall, stick on a window or suspend from the ceiling.
Solid Signal in Novi has a page of indoor units, pretty much the same ones found everywhere.
https://www.solidsignal.com/tv-antennas ... nas-indoor
Depending on your location and position in the building, you may be limited as to how many stations you will be able to pick up.

[Ben Zonia]

Too bad you can't have a flagpole antenna that goes up and down like on Hogan's Heroes. The other problem is you need horizontal polarization.

[MWmetalhead]

I would recommend the $29.00 Channel Master indoor antenna found here:
https://www.amazon.com/shop/antennaman/ ... fs_mixed_d

It should work on VHF channels 7 to 13 if you are within 15 to 20 miles of the tower site of the station(s) you wish to view. On UHF, usable range may be as high as 30 miles.

km1125 is correct that the quality of the tuner incorporated into your TV set makes a difference, too. The higher-end TVs do not always have the best tuner. My best OTA reception comes from my inexpensive 40" Insignia in my bedroom. It is the only set where I've ever been able to pick up CBET from Windsor.

One last note: placing the antenna near your TV set might not offer the best result. The coaxial cable that connects from the antenna to the jack on your TV set can act as an antenna itself. Stretching that cable out often will result in improved reception.

[MWmetalhead]

ClearStream 1 Max is also a good all-around unit for both VHF hi and UHF reception.

There is no reason to spend extra on the 2 Max.

Walmart.com has a great price on the 1 Max as of this writing:

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Antennas-Dir ... /578927395

[Marcus]

Another good one is that Televes DiNova Boss Mix on the first link. It is amplified with an LTE filter. One limitation to consider is that on the ground floor, you will not get the 60-mile range that it claims.

[CD 94.7]

Thanks for ideas! I will look into them! Much appreciated!

[km1125]

Thanks for ideas! I will look into them! Much appreciated!

Let us know what you get, and how it performs for you!

[CD 94.7]

Will do!

[MWmetalhead]

Have you purchased and installed one yet?

[CD 94.7]

No not yet, been busy with work but it's on to do list.