Digital-to-Analog TV Converter Reception?

Question

I got two Zenith DTT900's from Radioshack today, and installed them on both my upstairs and downstairs T.V. Reception is horrible though. I got nothing except a Latino Channel downstairs, and the CW (33) upstairs.

We don't have a lot of money, and probably can't get an antenna mounted on our roof. We just have free T.V., none of that cable, direct, or satellite. Should we go out and buy some new fancy antennas for on top of our TV that might work better?

Answer 1

I am assuming that since you talk about the CW that you are in the US.  If so, then visit antennaweb.  The site will take your address and tell you what stations you should be able to pick up and what type of antenna would work best for your location.

http://www.antennaweb.org/aw/welcome.asp...

Answer 2

I am about 35 miles from Chicago stations and tried a bunch of antennas before I found something that worked.

Most digitial channels are on UHF, so you need a decent UHF antenna.  I am using a Zenith Silver Sensor near a 2nd floor window with a Radio Shack antenna amplifier and get most Chicago stations most of the time.  I hear Radio Shack has a decent antenna too, not sure of the model, but I think it is a bowtie antenna.

I am behind a 2 story office building, so an antenna on the ground floor does not pick up much of anything.  Fortunately there were some cables running around my home, so I use one of those to get the signal down to living room.

Answer 3

Try auto channel search, that will search the channels in your area.