How can I get better signal for my DTV converter box?

Question

I just bought an RCA converter box. My old rabbit ears didn't provide a strong enough signal (I got about 40% signal with the rabbit ears and converter box), making the picture and sound too crappy to watch. So I bought a new indoor antenna. It is also an RCA, with k***s to adjust gain for UHF and VHF, and there is also a loop and deflector thing on it in addition to the normal rabbit ears. Now I get about 65% signal, and the digital picture and sound still breaks up too much.

I live roughly 18 miles from the TV station antennas, with no mountains in between. My current antenna is within a few feet of a window.

Would a different antenna or converter box help? Or do I just live in an area that won't get great signal no matter what?

Answer 1

You should try a outdoor antenna. It sounds like you are having trouble with UHF so aim accordingly to the UHF stations.

Answer 2

Make sure the TV antenna you are trying, is made for the DTV channels!! They are at a much higher frequency than the old analog channels. There are new indoor special DTV antennas available. They might even have them at Radio Shack. The old 'rabbit ears' would work very poorly....

Answer 3

DTV requires a much stronger signal than the older analog channels as you have found out. Most of those indoor antennas are barely better than the rabbit ears you were replacing.

There really is no substitute for an outdoor antenna I'm afraid. You live within a reasonable distance though so you don't need a real "monster" sized one.  Models suitable for Digital TV are normally quite small and can be mounted in quite a number of ways. I would suggest calling the station you are trying to pick up and see what they recommend for an antenna dealer.

BTW; This part of my message is for people who think you need a special antenna for DTV; that isn't entirely true. Most of the DTV channels right now are in the old "UHF" channel range, which means your antenna needs to have those elements on it (which is why the bunny ears are no good right now". As time goes on the older analog channels (VHF 2-13)will dissapear and new DTV channels will take their place; at that time those older antennas will once again be useful for that portion of channels.

Answer 4

In the old days, you could set up your antenna by putting on the channel you want to watch and twist and turn the various pieces while watching the tv to see if its better or worse.  With digital, there is no way to do that, so you have to know where the transmitters are and how to configure your antenna to be aimed at them.  The links below will help you with that.  They will tell you where your local stations are and how strong their signals are in your area.

Before you resort to a roof antenna (which you will likely need) be sure you are aiming the antenna at the stations you are trying to receive)