Can you recommend a good indoor antenna?

Question

I live about 10 miles from Washington DC and 30 miles from Baltimore. With an analog signal, my Radio Shack amplified antenna ($25 8 years ago) can get all DC stations fairly well and some Baltimore stations weakly.

I attached my new converter box and--as I expected--lost Baltimore. I did not expect, however, to have so much difficulty getting some of the DC stations, even with turning the k***s and rabbit ears and checking the signal strength. Some stations come in for a little bit, then get stuck because of a weak signal, then return, then go away. It is annoying enough to go back to the analog signal for now.

Can anyone recommend a good indoor antenna? I'm not expecting Baltimore, but I want to get all the DC stations, if possible.

Thanks.

Answer 1

Audiovox makes an antenna called the TERK 5 available in many places.  I've also heard good things about the Silver Sensor.

The specs look good although I've not had personal experience with either.

I hope this helps.

Answer 2

The first stop of you should be www.tvfool.com. This will tell you the directions and "real" frequencies of the DC/Baltimore digital transmitters.

The location of indoor TV antennas is very hit and miss. Often a window facing the direction of the transmitters is best, but if there is a metal screen on the window it could be the worst place.  (A metal screen acts like a mirror to TV signals).

Right now all of these major stations in your area are transmitting on UHF channels (analog 14-69). Some are changing back to VHF- Hi (analog channels 7-13) after 2/09, so you want to buy an antenna that handles both.  

I've linked to a web site with antenna reviews and two models that would seem good for your situation.

If you are a do-it-your-selfer, throwing a temporary UHF only antenna isn't that difficult. Many people have made them from coat hangers but it's easier just to use 12 gage solid copper wire.

Answer 3

I get Home Theater magazine and have read that some of the contraptions students come up with actually have pretty good gain once in a while, depending on the direction. For example, connecting a wire to a curtain rod or bed frame. It costs nothing to experiment. Winegard is a very good name in antennae. So is D X.

Answer 4

Could it be that your "rabbit ear antenna" was set up for VHF and the DTV stations, for the most part, are on UHF.  Is your indoor antenna capable of receiving UHF frequencies?

More info:  Yes, Digital signals are more sensitive.  With Analog, the picture slowly gets snowy as the signal decreases, but you still see something.  With Digital, you reach a threshold and it just shuts off completely.  Looking at my signal strength with my converter box, the signal could be at 50% of the scale and you will not get a picture.  If you do get a picture, you get breakup of pixels and it freezes for a bit before disappearing completely.