TV Antennas, any brainiacs out there.

O

oneshot86

Full Member
Full Member
Minuteman
Jul 13, 2001
10,127
12,696
citrus park ,fl
#1
I have dumped cable a while ago and im thinking of getting a 70 inch tv for our market.
i have a street light pole that i can mount it to and i believe all the broadcasting towers id would utilize are within 50 miles.
tell me what i need and should do please.

i can watch the biden trial on it, lol
 
#4
If you want local TV, antenna is still handy.

I have one. Little flat job from best buy or walmart.
Plugged into back of new TV.
Set it up when you set up new TV.

Mine is just stashed on the wall mount behind the TV. No need for mounting in flat FL Me thinks.

Just uses regular TV cable if you need to mount higher.


FYI. Found a strong and simple Made In USA wall mount at walmart of all dang places.
Cheaper than the Chi-com stuff, easier to mount (flat wall, no arm) and came with all the hardware.
 
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#5
if you are in fact within 50mi i would suggest getting an indoor hdtv antenna. Will save you cost and time of running an external antenna.

As for wifi..if you get a smart tv (most are) that has an internet browser, then you can basically watch anything you want. Or so i heard anyways...😏

Samsung also have samsung tv app, which at least in my ao has a few free channels..

I cant speak for the following site, but it came up in a quick search...
www.techradar.com

The best indoor TV antennas for 2025: Tested and ranked by us

How to find the best indoor TV antenna for your over-the-air needs
www.techradar.com www.techradar.com

Tool to check distance from broadcasts.
www.fcc.gov

DTV Reception Maps

www.fcc.gov www.fcc.gov
 
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#7
I have no idea who makes them still but my father in law has a 50" flat screen hooked up to some antennas somehow so it is possible. He gets decent signal, tho he is out in the country so that might help. Less buildings and such to block the signal
 
#9
Look at your local stations and check whether they broadcast on UHF or VHF, then get the antenna that can receive the correct one. I made this mistake a long time ago and couldn't figure out why certain channels could not get a good signal whiles others worked. Turned out this one channel was on vhf and the others in UHF. Got the proper antenna type and it worked flawless since.
 
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#11
If possible- install the antenna inside your attic.

get the largest possible.

price- the price difference is about longevity. Many outside antennas have plastic. The plastic will absolutely break over time. Look at all 6 year old car headlights. The best plastics break down in the sun

better antennas will have zero plastic.

inside the attic - snow- wind- tree branches won’t hurt it ever
 
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#12
OldSalty2 said:
if you are in fact within 50mi i would suggest getting an indoor hdtv antenna. Will save you cost and time of running an external antenna.

As for wifi..if you get a smart tv (most are) that has an internet browser, then you can basically watch anything you want. Or so i heard anyways...😏

Samsung also have samsung tv app, which at least in my ao has a few free channels..

I cant speak for the following site, but it came up in a quick search...
www.techradar.com

The best indoor TV antennas for 2025: Tested and ranked by us

How to find the best indoor TV antenna for your over-the-air needs
www.techradar.com www.techradar.com

Tool to check distance from broadcasts.
www.fcc.gov

DTV Reception Maps

www.fcc.gov www.fcc.gov
Click to expand...

that map is cool, thanks
 
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#13
Bmghunter said:
Look at your local stations and check whether they broadcast on UHF or VHF, then get the antenna that can receive the correct one. I made this mistake a long time ago and couldn't figure out why certain channels could not get a good signal whiles others worked. Turned out this one channel was on vhf and the others in UHF. Got the proper antenna type and it worked flawless since.
Click to expand...

thankyou
 
#16
1st post here on Snipershide. I second putting your antenna in the attic space. We dumped satellite years ago because of price. When we built our new home in northwest Ohio, I placed a 7' yagi in the attic, it was easy to do then before the drywall was up. It will last forever, doesn't clutter up the outside of the house, and will shorten your cable lengths. BTW, with the new digital signals you either get the channel or not, you don't get to settle with good enough like it used to be.
 
#17
Your location will play a part whats best. If you live 20 to 200 miles from town a yagi (which is directional) in the attic will be best and point it towards the city where stuff is broadcast. If you live in a city that is overloaded with signals, an omni directional with lower gain would serve you better. I have used both in the past. Since I live in a city now, it really doesnt take much- I actually split a signal off the FM radio antennae I have on the roof and it gets all the local UHF/VHF stuff just fine.

Knowing where the towers is and how far they are will determine the best setup so go here to map it: http://www.tvfool.com/index.php?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=90
 
#18
Off topic, but I split my YouTube TV bill 3-ways. It allows for 3 simultaneous streams, so it works out to about $20/month. +1 on the roku device, lots of content.
 
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