Question: I have a relatively new Samsung TV and recently dropped satellite service. I purchased a TERK omni directional amplified flat digital antenna. Now I am able to get good reception of local channels except nothing on 8 or 12. Relocating the antenna makes no difference in the lack of reception of those two channels. I live in the N/W valley (Peoria,AZ). Can you suggest what I may need to do to get channels 8 and 12? Thanks.
Hello, Mary Ellen,
Answer: There's a pretty simple reason why you're not getting TV reception on 8 and 12. Both stations broadcast a VHF signal. The antenna you have claims to be a VHF and UHF TV antenna but the truth is it's not a VHF antenna. There are a lot of antennas out there claiming to be designed for both VHF and UHF TV reception but perform miserably on the VHF signal frequencies. See: UHF TV antennas
The antenna best suited for your location that truly receives both VHF and UHF signals is the EZ HD antenna. In the picture notice the longer elements (rods) protruding from the EZ HD antenna boom? There are four of them on each side spaced and cut to length to receive the VHF frequency wave pattern. The four shorter flat plates in front of the long rods is all that's needed for good UHF signal reception. That's why any antenna smaller than the size of the EZ HD antenna will quickly begin to lose the ability to receive the VHF TV signals. This is also true of set top antennas. The reason rabbit ear antennas have the longer rods that stick up like rabbit ears is to receive the VHF TV signals.
My recommendation for an antenna that will receive both the VHF and the UHF TV signals is the EZ HD antenna. If the antenna will supply only 1 TV or 2 TVs Using a 2 way signal splitter signal amplification should not be needed. If a 3 way signal splitter will be in use or larger I suggest the HDA 100 signal amplifier install inline on the antenna side of the signal splitter.
From your location in Peoria AZ. install the EZ HD antenna aiming South/Southeast.
If I can assist you further, please don't hesitate to contact me.
Best Regards,
Denny Duplessis
Denny's TV Antenna Source
Helping America Watch Free TV Since 1988