HDTV Antenna Makers Enjoys Triple Digit Growth

[Smokey]

And here is what these guys are not telling you.

There is really no such thing as an HDTV antenna. It is exactly the same old UHF/VHF/FM antenna it always was. The old ones pick up the stations no different than one marked as exclusive HDTV.

In general terms that is true. But since most digital stations have moved to UHF band, one really need an antenna that is specifically design for UHF band. Which mean they will be smaller than traditional antennas that recieve VHF band also.

Practically any piece of wire will pick up TV station if station is strong enough. But to have gain, less interference and directionality, an antenna specific to band is required as there is no such a thing as "all purpose " antenna

Good ole rabbit eared antennae are the best performing when it comes to HDTV.

You might get better results with Bow Tie antenna (or variation of it) as Rabbit Ears were primarily designed for VHF bands (telscopic rods are long). Ofcourse it still can be used for UHF bands (digital TV), but have to keep the telescopic rod very short.

I made my own [short] HDTV antenna in dipole configuration which is very directional. And living on a third floor does help the reception

[Hyfi]

You might get better results with Bow Tie antenna (or variation of it) as Rabbit Ears were primarily designed for VHF bands (telscopic rods are long). Ofcourse it still can be used for UHF bands (digital TV), but have to keep the telescopic rod very short.

I made my own [short] HDTV antenna in dipole configuration which is very directional. And living on a third floor does help the reception

I have one tv in my gym not hooked to the roof. I use a telescoping rod antenna, extended all the way, hanging on the wall and connected to a digital converter box. No problems getting all the same stations as the roof antenna does. Also my newer roof antenna that was marked as HDTV looks no different than the previous one and is the same size and shape.

[Smokey]

I have one tv in my gym not hooked to the roof. I use a telescoping rod antenna, extended all the way, hanging on the wall and connected to a digital converter box. No problems getting all the same stations as the roof antenna does.

They probably pick up the same stations, but signal strenght from roof antenna will be much higher. If you have low power digital tv station or have one that is further away, roof antenna will outperform indoor antenna (assuming using the rotor to change antenna direction).

Also my newer roof antenna that was marked as HDTV looks no different than the previous one and is the same size and shape.

Then what you have is VHF/UHF antenna which technically still can be called "HD". But if you want antenna that is specificaly for UHF band which most digital stations are located, it should looks like this (note that antenna elements are much shorter):

Smoke,
According to Broadcast Magazine, their field report say that Rabbit ears have the best performance on both UHF and VHF as long as the viewer is within 30 or so miles of the broadcast tower. This is for indoor antenna's only.

That is true for VHF band, but don't know how it could be true for UHF band. I am sure the editor that wrote that article know that there are better design indoor antenna than what rabbit ears can offer.

RECENTLY I went shopping for a new HDTV antenna for my work site, and got a surprise. Couldn't find one of the classic aluminum (and cheap) antennas.

Since most HD channel moved to UHF band, there is no need for those long element antennas that can stretch over 8 feet. The elements are much shorter now as shown in the picture.

[bobsticks]

No debate here. I'm sure if anyone would have had the time to study this at length it would be Smokey, his knowledge acquired in the ten-plus years he spent researching before making an HDTV purchase





Love ya, Smokester

[Sir Terrence the Terrible]

That is true for VHF band, but don't know how it could be true for UHF band. I am sure the editor that wrote that article know that there are better design indoor antenna than what rabbit ears can offer.

Nope, they tested every antenna on the market at various locations, and found the rabbit ears were much more reliable at picking up all signals from different locations. The flat UHF antenna's were the least reliable they found.

Even the head Engineer at our local ABC station here is the bay area confirms that rabbit ears are the best all around antenna's as long as you are not further than 20-30 miles from the broadcast tower. I was surprised myself when I heard his comments, and then read it in Broadcast Magazine.

[pixelthis]

The "best" antenna is a V shape UHF, mounted outside.
THIS is from experience. There is no way that an indoor
antenna can beat an outdoor, outdoor is always going to be
better.
If you have more than one major city nearby a rotator would
be a big help also..
Your antenna would need a ground, if you have a sat dish
you can use the same one, and the antenna should not touch
metal, it will kill the signal (connect the mast to ground).
No shortcuts for antennas, great way to get killed.

[Sir Terrence the Terrible]

The "best" antenna is a V shape UHF, mounted outside.
THIS is from experience. There is no way that an indoor
antenna can beat an outdoor, outdoor is always going to be
better.
If you have more than one major city nearby a rotator would
be a big help also..
Your antenna would need a ground, if you have a sat dish
you can use the same one, and the antenna should not touch
metal, it will kill the signal (connect the mast to ground).
No shortcuts for antennas, great way to get killed.

My comments were based on indoor antenna's only idiot......

[Smokey]

No debate here. I'm sure if anyone would have had the time to study this at length it would be Smokey, his knowledge acquired in the ten-plus years he spent researching before making an HDTV purchase

Heheheheh, there is little bit of truth to that. I used to be big amateur/shortwave radio fan. So been reading on this stuff and it is not so complicated as long as we follow few simple physics/electrical rules.

Nope, they tested every antenna on the market at various locations, and found the rabbit ears were much more reliable at picking up all signals from different locations. The flat UHF antenna's were the least reliable they found.

Man, wish I could have read that article to see if they change the position of base or lenght of rod to get different stations. Going by law of physics that state "To recieve different frequecny band more efficiency, different antenna lenght is required", you see how that test might not be technically valid.

For example if we buy a indoor UHF antenna and hang it right by the ceiling (or attic), the higher antenna height itself will make the antenna perform better since we tend to put rabbit ears on top of the Tv or stand (lower height).

Even the head Engineer at our local ABC station here is the bay area confirms that rabbit ears are the best all around antenna's as long as you are not further than 20-30 miles from the broadcast tower.

I don't know Sir TT, but 30 miles might be wishfull thinking. Even in analog TV days, the rabbit ears had trouble picking up stations that were further away (remember snowy pictures ). With digital stations in UHF band, the signal will be more of "Line of sight" whcih mean the signal area coverage will be less than analog signal.

[pixelthis]

Heheheheh, there is little bit of truth to that. I used to be big amateur/shortwave radio fan. So been reading on this stuff and it is not so complicated as long as we follow few simple physics/electrical rules.



Man, wish I could have read that article to see if they change the position of base or lenght of rod to get different stations. Going by law of physics that state "To recieve different frequecny band more efficiency, different antenna lenght is required", you see how that test might not be technically valid.

For example if we buy a indoor UHF antenna and hang it right by the ceiling (or attic), the higher antenna height itself will make the antenna perform better since we tend to put rabbit ears on top of the Tv or stand (lower height).



I don't know Sir TT, but 30 miles might be wishfull thinking. Even in analog TV days, the rabbit ears had trouble picking up stations that were further away (remember snowy pictures ). With digital stations in UHF band, the signal will be more of "Line of sight" whcih mean the signal area coverage will be less than analog signal.

WHERE I "work" I put a ten dollar "rabbit ears" with a round UHF
on the roof, it is now reliably picking up stations 30-40 miles away.
Of COURSE uhf is highly directional, but the signal disperses as
distance increases, widens as well as weakens.
But with proper placement and a strong signal even rabbit ears will "reach" 30 miles with no problem.

[Sir Terrence the Terrible]

You might get better results with Bow Tie antenna (or variation of it) as Rabbit Ears were primarily designed for VHF bands (telscopic rods are long). Ofcourse it still can be used for UHF bands (digital TV), but have to keep the telescopic rod very short.

I made my own [short] HDTV antenna in dipole configuration which is very directional. And living on a third floor does help the reception

Smoke,
According to Broadcast Magazine, their field report say that Rabbit ears have the best performance on both UHF and VHF as long as the viewer is within 30 or so miles of the broadcast tower. This is for indoor antenna's only.