TV Antenna Selection for
Indiana
46307
Hi - We live an an area of NW Indiana that gets bad reception for the local Chicago VHF (espec) and some UHF channels. We really hate the idea of shelling out good $$$ for "basic" cable or disk service when the the "basic" package "basically" just brings in the FREE channels without the fuzz. We have thought about trying the Philips outdoor Mant-950 antenna, but then I'd have to snake some cable some how to get to the TV. We'd prefer an indoor. We have an RCA model now that does "ok" but could really be improved on. We have been exploring the Philips High Performance Amplified Indoor Uhf/Vhf/Fm/HDTV Antenna and the Radio Shack Indoor Antenna 15-1892. Research shows some postive postings on both. Tried a Terk. It sucked.
Are you familiar with either the Philips or RS items? In general, are we just wasting our time trying to sovle this problem from insdie the house?
Thanks in advance for any response.
J. _______
Greetings, The fact is most indoor antennas perform about the same. Some may perform a little better then others but yes, it does sound like you may be wasting your time with indoor antennas. It's difficult for me to offer you a recommendation without having your street address and zip code. If I can assist you further, please don't hesitate to contact me. Best Regards, Denny TV Antenna Source Thanks Dennis for your comments. Our zip code is 46307. Is there an outdoor antenna you can recommend? Does the disk or stick type work for both UHF and VHF? J. ________
Your absolute best bet for excellent analog and digital/HD reception at your location is the miniMAX TV antenna along with the Winegard HDP 269 antenna preamplifier. We have customer's using this combination all around the Chicago area with great success. Small compact antennas are not a good choice for Chicago reception due to the longer wavelengths of channel 2 and 5. To capture these wavelengths properly requires a wider antenna. The wavelength of channel 2 is 102" making it very difficult to receive with a smaller compact antenna. The miniMAX is designed for good signal gain all the way down to channel 2. As a matter of fact there is a gentleman in Elgin with this set up who has a comment at the bottom of the miniMAX photo gallery page. The antenna can be installed in a stationary position with the narrow end pointing NNW to receive all of the Chicago area stations. I am very confident that this equipment properly installed (I'm here to help if you need it) will provide you with excellent reception for both analog and digital/HD signals. If you would like detailed information on how to install the equipment, or if I can assist you in any way, please don't hesitate to contact me. Product Status = in stock
Bluffton 46714
Hi Denny, I was looking for the best possible Indoor TV Antenna and stumbled across your Web Site. As I was reading your site I was impressed. So I was wondering if you could help me with the best possible indoor antenna for my application. What I want to do is replace a antenna in my attic with a better one. I am going to run rg6 coax cable.I live in Indiana zip of 46714 2 story house with no immediate obstructions in the way. I want to got to my television and also split off to three other televisions, please help me install this properly for the best reception. Of course I want to do this right for the future of digital. I hope this makes sense Thanks Randy
P.S. I was looking at your MS2000
Greetings Randy,
All of your networks are available from Fort Wayne due North at a distance of about 25 miles. They all broadcast on the UHF (14-69) band and they will continue to do so after the digital transition is complete in 2009. As far as digital TV antenna reception goes, in a nutshell, a TV antenna that performs good receiving current analog broadcasts will work just as well for digital/HD reception. Digital signals are and will broadcast on the same frequency bands as current analog signal, requiring the same type of antennas to receive the signal.
You do have a few channels within range of your location in other directions however, they are duplicate networks as those available from Fort Wayne. My suggestion for an attic installation would be the Channel master 4221 UHF TV antenna along with an Winegard AP 4700 antenna preamplifier. I'm confident that this combination would provide excellent results for you. If you want to receive those channels that I mention from other various directions I would recommend a rotor to turn the antenna. I am a little hesitant to recommend the MS 2000 TV antenna for an attic installation at your location. However, if you would like to try it we do offer a 100% money back guarantee. I'm not saying the MS 2000 won't work but rather I'm not confident enough to recommend it in the attic at your location.
If I can assist you further please don't hesitate to contact me.
Best Regards,
Denny Elberfeld 47613 Hi, I found your web site and noticed that you would recommend an antenna. We are interested in the local (ABC, FOX, NBC, CBS) channels in HDTV only. We currently have a Dish Network satellite service, but the local channels are poor quality on their service. Listed below is our current information. address: _________ Rd Elberfeld, IN 47613 Greetings Charles, The absolute best choice for consistent quality digital/HD reception for your location is the UP-7 antenna TV antenna. This antenna is designed to receive channels 7 and above allowing it to be much smaller and yet provide the signal gain of antennas 3 or 4 times larger. The antenna can be installed in a stationary position with the narrow end pointing South Southwest. All of your digital stations are currently broadcasting on the UHF band. I know you didn't mention that you wanted PBS but they are moving their digital signal to channel 9 at the time of the analog shutdown. The price of the UP-7 is no more then an applicable UHF only antenna so why eliminate PBS, just in case. Along with the antenna I suggest the Winegard HDP 269 antenna preamplifier. If there are no signal blocking materials in your attic such as aluminum siding, foil faced insulation. brick etc... in the path to the transmitters I believe the antenna can be installed in your attic with excellent results. I am very confident that this equipment properly installed (I'm here to help if you need it) will provide you with excellent digital/HD reception. If you would like detailed information on how to install the equipment, or if I can assist you in any way, please don't hesitate to contact me. Product Status = in stock
Edinburgh 46124
Denny,
We are impressed with your website and obvious knowledge, but we’re still not quite certain which TV antenna would be best for our setting. We live on a farm surrounded by several hundred acres of flat, open ground. We are approximately 40 miles south of Indianapolis. Do you have any recommendations?
Is the only distinction between the MS2000 and MS2002 that one comes with 50 feet of coaxial cable?Thanks so much for your time and input! We appreciate your effort.
Take care,
Hal & Cindy
Greetings Hal & Cindy, I just finished viewing the channel data from your location. I think the Winegard MS 2000 TV antenna should be a good choice for your location. I do have one small concern that I must mention. You have 3 channels within 11 miles of your location, 4, 42 and 63. These channels because of their close proximity could cause a signal overload, meaning to much signal and causing reception problems. I think the chance of this happening is slight but possible. Because your stations are in different directions the only alternative would be a larger TV antenna requiring a rotor. If it were me I would certainly go with the MS 2000 and if by chance it does overload you can always take advantage of our 100% money back guarantee. If I can assist you further please don't hesitate to contact me. Best Regards, Denny
Elkhart 46514 I live in the zip code of 46514. Most of the stations in my area are within 15 miles of my house. All come in pretty clear already but two of them are a bit fuzzy. I just bought an HD compatible TV and am wondering if I need a new antenna. Reading some of your articles I'm beginning to think that my old one will do just fine. I've attached a picture of it. Do you think it's OK? The antenna in the picture is a Channel Master 4221 UHF antenna. All of your current analog and digital/HDTV are UHF and will remain that way even after the analog shutdown in 2009. The antenna will work just fine now and in the future. You mentioned a couple of fuzzy channels. You can cure that if you wish with a Winegard AP 4700 preamplifier. UHF signal is more susceptible to signal loss traveling the coax cable than VHF using a preamplifier will remedy that issue. If your new TV receives these channels they will be crystal clear. If those channels freeze up and little squares come and go in the picture the preamplifier will solve the problem. If I can assist you further please don't hesitate to contact me. Best Regards, Denny
Goshen 46526 Hello,
I received my MS 2002 the round rotor free antenna Yesterday. I was very excited. I took down the 24 dollar one I got from radio shack 2 years ago (that worked fine) and installed my 87 dollar new MS 2002 hoping to pick up a couple more channels and better quality picture. Boy was I suprised when the picture was a little shadowed, and no new channels. There is also a line that runs accross the picture and moves up. I am wondering if I got
the wrong type of antenna for my location? I currently receive channels 16,22,25,28,34,46,57. And for my location is there any atvantage in being able to pick up VHF?
Thanks,
Jeremiah Greetings Jeremiah,
Sorry to hear things aren't working out What you described to me (shadows and lines) sounds like amplifier overload. I just checked, and your location has 13 channels all less than 20 miles away. With the MS 2000 that is usually a recipe for preamplifier overload. I also checked the final destination for the channels in Fort Wayne and South Bend and they will all remain UHF after the digital transition is complete. This means for all practical purposes you have no use for VHF reception. A good UHF antenna and preamplifier is all you need.
We have an excellent return policy. Just return the antenna with a copy of your receipt or your name and phone number, along with attention Rhonda on the package. We will promptly refund your full purchase price.
Sorry for the inconvenience, if I can assist you further Jeremiah please don't hesitate to contact me.
Best Regards,
Denny Denny
I want to thank you for a GREAT positive attitude! Also for your website! Your return policy and ability and willingness to help is why I'm here! What is preamp overload? Too many channels coming in at all angles?
If I use a directional antena will that help because of not receiving in the rear. Do you need to have a "digital tuner" in the tv to take advantage of digital broadcasting? So I guess I messed up by purchasing a ms2002 I hoped I could add Ft Wayne channels in addition to South Bend without a rotor, and increase the quality of mainly channels 57,69,25. So if I keep my$24 radio shack uhf antenna, add a preamp (ap4700 that will increase the quality or would your uhf antenna be better? and only have south bend now if I add a rotor do you thing I would be able to add fort wayne to my selection?
Thanks again for your help
Jeremiah Jeremiah,
Overload is exactly how you explained it. Too many channels, with strong signals, coming from all directions. A directional antenna is your answer. The 4700 antenna preamplifier is a perfect choice for your situation. The overload level on that amp. is 110,000 micro volts. That may not mean much to you but it's a lot. As far as your current antenna goes, the Channel Master 4228 TV antenna has the highest gain of any UHF antenna taht I know of. However you may just need to add the amp to your Radio Shack antenna. Radio Shack doesn't make their antenna specifications readily available usually because they are poor. I'm certain with the 4228 TV antenna and the 4700 and a rotor your Fort Wayne channels would come in great. It is possible that your current antenna would work I can't say for sure because I don't know which antenna you have, and even if I did, because they don't offer specs I couldn't say unless I tested it. Digital TV is available either by having a TV with a built in DTV tuner or by purchasing a set top tuner for your current TV. All broadcast will only be available in digital by February 2009. Current analog will no longer exist after that date. One other thing, set top tuners will allow you to tune in digital broadcasts with your current TV. However, the picture would not be HDTV since it takes an HDTV to produce an HDTV picture. Digital provides a perfect picture, no snow or interference, HDTV is higher resolution. Most broadcasters are providing several channels. In other words, digital broadcasting allows each station to broadcast several channels at the same time. Here at our location we have about 25 analog channels available. With digital we have about 70 channels, a big difference.
I hope this helps you.
Denny I just entered an order for your equiptment (the works). Again I very much appreciate the quick responses, and don't worry when I get my new equiptment. I won't hesitate to ask a question. I SURE can't get this type of service at Menards, Lowes, or even Radio Shack!!!!! I will get the ms 2002 back to you as soon as I get my new equiptment.
Thanks again for your service and support.
Jeremiah
Jeremiah,
Thank you for being one of our customers.
It makes our job easy when we have someone like you to work with.
Rhonda
TV Antenna Source
New Harmony 47631 Denny I live in New Harmony, IN 47631, This is kind of down in a hole, surrounded by some small hills and approximately 25-30 miles from Evansville,IN which I believe has 5-6 HD channels available, looking for an antenna that might work here. I live in town and do have some obstacles such as trees to contend with looking in the Evansville direction, however I do live in an old 2 story house and may be able to get above most of the major obstacles such as other houses and smaller trees from the roof top Thanks in advance, Steve Greetings Steve, All of the Evansville channels are UHF (14-69) except one WNIN. This channel currently broadcasts its digital signal on channel 12 and will move to channel 9 after the digital transition is complete in February 2009. This means a VHF/UHF antenna will be required at your location. The antenna I recommend is the Winegard HD 7080P TV antenna along with the Winegard AP 8700 antenna preamplifier. This combination should provide you with excellent reception from Evansville at your location. I did notice according to my information that Evansville does not offer an ABC channel. Your closest ABC affiliate is in Harrisburg, IL. WSIL with a transmitter distance of 62 miles.
CORRECTION: Devon a visitor to our web site emailed me and pointed out that there is an ABC afflliate in Evansville WEHT channel 25. This station is in the same direction as the rest of the Evansville transmitters from this location so a rotor would not be necessary to receive ABC. Thanks...Devon If this station is desired I would recommend the HD 7082 TV antenna with the same preamplifier recommended above. This application would also require a antenna rotor since Harrisburg is in a different direction than Evansville. If I can assist you further please don't hesitate to contact me. Best Regards, Denny
Odon Is the winegard antenna better made than the Radio shack antennas and how much better is the 7082 than 7080. I need a antenna and am trying to get one that would pull in Indianapolis which is 80+ miles. I am south of there around Odon In, the rest we get is Terre Haute, Evansville, and some at Vincennes. Thanks Roy Roy, Winegard antennas are built better and perform better than Radio Shack antennas, as a matter of fact our local Radio Shack dealer carries Winegard antenna. We live in open country and the Radio Shack antennas won't hold up to the wind. Read a true story about Winegard and Radio Shack antennas. Denny
Schererville 46375 Denny, I live in Schererville, IN exactly 30 miles from Chicago's Sears Tower and Hancock Tower. I am ready to switch to a satellite TV system but want to have local (VHF and UHF) reception (from Chicago) for 4 of my TV sets. I live in a 2 story town home and can mount the MS2000 on my roof or chimney. Do you think I will have decent reception for channels 2-13 and UHF? What additional materials will I need to mount the MS2000. Thanks. Arthur Greetings Arthur, The kind of mount is your choice. View the antenna mounts and try to determine which mount will work best for your structure and you can safely install. The MS 2000 mounts to a standard 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 OD mast pipe. If I can assist you further please don't hesitate to contact me. Best Regards, Denny TV Antenna Source
Solsberry 47459 Hey Denny. I live at ________ in Solsberry,Indiana 47459. What
directional antenna would you recommend to recieve OTA HDTV from Terre
Haute(40 mi.),Bloomington(12 MI.),and Indianapolis(60 mi.) I would also like
a recommendation for a rotator. Thanks Sam Greetings Sam, I took a look at the channels available in your area. I recommend the Winegard HD 7082P TV antenna along with an AP 8700 antenna preamplifier. The best rotor available is the Channel Master 9521 TV antenna rotor. You could use the smaller HD 7080 except for channel 6 ABC WRTV in Indianapolis, it apparently has a weaker signal than the rest of the channels from that location and would require the HD 7082 for best results. I believe the above recommendation would provide excellent results at your location. If I can assist you further please don't hesitate to contact me. Best Regards,
Denny
Springville 47462 Hi,
I need an HDTV antenna to receive Indianapolis stations. I think I need VHF and UHF capabilities. I live in Springville, IN zip 47462 and I am also in a hole.
thanks Greetings, You are absolutely correct you have 5 channels within range of your location that either are or will broadcast on VHF with the rest being UHF. Considering the Indianapolis transmitters are about 70 miles from your location and you mentioned you live in a hole, I recommend the Winegard HD 7084P TV antenna. With the distance and elevation issues there is no sense in messing around with anything less. I also recommend an AP 8700 antenna preamplifier (booster) along with the antenna. All of the Indianapolis channels are in the same direction. There are several other stations available in different directions. If you want to receive them you may want to add a antenna rotor so you may turn the antenna for best results. Since the Indianapolis channels are all in the same direction a rotor would not be necessary to receive them, along with a few other channels that would probably come in. If I can assist you further please don't hesitate to contact me. Best Regards, Denny TV Antenna Source
Since I am in a hole do I not necessarily have to be in the line of sight?
Yes, TV signal is received best when there is a line of sight from the transmitter antenna and the receiving antenna. However, this does not mean that if you have poor line of sight reception is not possible. What is does mean is it is more difficult. I recommended the HD 7084P antenna because that is one of the best long range antennas available. In a nutshell, if it can't do it no other consumer available antenna will. At your location I honestly can't say with absolute certainty that you will receive all of the Indianapolis stations. The best I can do is offer you your money back if you are not satisfied. Sometimes there is no way of knowing for sure without trying.
Regards,
Denny
Sullivan 47882 Looking for an antenna for my area Sullivan In. 47882. Does a more powerful antenna help pull in other stations from other locations. Already have a rotary antenna would like to replace it with something that I can put on the rotary part. I Would like to pick-up all (6) stations instead the (3) I get and one of those is not to good when the weather is rainey and cloudy. I also to hook this up to two TV's. Any help you can give me would be greatly appreciated. Thanks Dave B. Greetings Dave, I examined the reception conditions along with transmitter distances and directions. My recommendation for your location is the Winegard HD 7082P VHF/UHF/DTV TV antenna along with the AP 8700 antenna amplifier. This combination should provide excellent reception from Terre Haute, Bloomington, and Evansville along with a few more. Of course these location are in different directions so rotation of the antenna would be required. If I can assist you further please don't hesitate to contact me. Best Regards, Denny TV Antenna Source.
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