A tip, trying to find the sweet window, I put the TV on my hardest to get to come in channel. Then I walked through the house with antenna, on a longer, temporary cord, going window to window. I heard the TV channel come in clear and leaned against the wall for testing. It came in clearer there without me being there. So I measured the distance to the crawl space and placed it in my attic,out of site and good reception
I appreciate this video so much. After watching a bunch of "improve your reception" videos the RG6 cable was the trick for us! VERY, VERY appreciative!
You can also wrap aluminum foil around a cardboard box or board and place it behind your tv antenna and it will sometimes improve reception on some channels.Am now,doing it with Twist.I used a cardboard box with aluminum foil taped to it.
I love this video. I have figured out many of these tips on my own by playing with the antenna and TV set up. I am glad to know I’m on the right track. You also gave me a few fresh ideas. Thank you for making this video.
Experimenting even with ridiculous positions are worth it. We were trying various window locations and various angles, but couldn't get the station we wanted. Then I just laid the flat antenna face-down on the windowsill. Success! Thanks for the suggestions-
I "cut the cord" a few weeks ago. I'm now using a pair of rabbit ears positioned in my garage window....the only place where I could get a signal. I had the ears extended all the way out thinking I'd get a stronger signal for channel 9 (175 mhz). I'm using a 15db amp as I have a 75 foot of RG6 to the house. I was only getting a 1 bar signal on my TV for a few weeks causing for some bad reception. Then I discovered if I collapse the ears all the way down making the rods about 6 inches long my signal jumped to a 3 bar solid picture! I always thought the bigger the antenna the better but not in my case. I get 10 channels with the ears now. I going to try to ad another pair of ears just to see if that improves the signal any further. The more the merrier..I hope.
Thank you for doing this, I really got a lot out of your video. Just nice to hear people willing to help, without having to get paid for everything we do.
Installed a Terk HDTV Antenna model Thin TV 6a on the wall next to the TV and obtained great reception right away. "Lost' a couple of stations and could never get them back through multiple relocations. I'll just live with it for now.
I have this antenna, and it actually works better than the mohu curve 50 that’s amplified, the trick is to place it high on the wall, close to a window. Both the flat antenna and the mohu curve 50 come with RG-59, I’m going to try RG-6 for the heck of it to see if there’s any improvement. Good video!
I have a really cheap flat antenna I put in the bedroom window and I get 52 channels. They all come in clear. Just depends where you live. I’m in a city so works 👍
My cheapo flat panel indoor antenna came with a very skinny antenna wire that couldn’t be replaced, but it also had an amplifier. I compared it to a Leaf antenna with amplifier and there was no difference in signal quality. I think over a short run, eg. 12 feet or so, there’s no significant signal loss. For whatever reason, I get better signal on my first floor than second floor. Sometimes it’s even better at the bottom of the sliding glass window then at the top. It’s variable from day to day.
Yeah, I've seen some totally bizarre things like that, i.e., flat antenna gets better reception lying on the floor than on a window! Bottom line is you just have to experiment. Thanks for sharing! - Brian
amplifiers are a must in ALL situations with DTV in my experience. with the amp plugged in, try putting the flat antenna flat on the FLOORS - especially at the back of the house. often under the bed. I don't know why this works. What will happen is you will eventually find a sweet spot that gets all the reflections. The walls need specific locations.. also it makes a huge difference on face side up or down.. one side is stronger. you'll figure it out.
A leaky microwave can cause havoc on signals. To test the microwave for leakage, put a cup of water in the microwave and turn it on for 2 minutes. While it is running, take a fluorescent light bulb and go around the door seal and around the microwave. If it lights up then it leaks, and have it repaired or replaced.
Why does my reception fluctuate with where I am sitting in the room- even where I have my foot placed. How can a digital signal be affected just like those old rabbit ears?
Me too !! If I wiggle my toes, literally just wiggle my toes, the reception changes!! Not 100% of the time, but more than you can imagine. Sooo aggravating!
@Lydia R 😭😭🤫 So That's the Big Secret Huh? 🤫🤣 I even get better channels by Wearing my Daughter’s twinkle toe Shoes around the Houe while she is at school. 🤷♂️
Radio wave propagation is complex. People greatly effect radio signals, in the old days, sometimes you would get best reception when someone was holding the antenna! You need to upgrade to a much better TV antenna, location, amplifier, and get rid of interference.
I cut up a metal pie plate in strips and put around the back of the antenna about 4 inches long on the rods. Wrapped it rods to extend them. They weren't long enough. Now I pick the ones I didn't pick up in a while. 😉
When I couldn’t afford an antenna I simply used a copper speaker wire. Stick it in the hole I’ve the cable connector on the back of your tv and then run it out you window. I got a lot of channels
Iam in block of flats on 3rd floor using a tv antenna but struggling to get all the channels. They all tune in but the reception on at least half the channels suck and are not watchable. When I move it from current position I lose half the channels but half them work fine... Should I try a amplifier or booster or should I pay more for a better antenna. I payed £30 so thought it would work fine
I wasn't picking up CBS with mine so I actually rotated my antenna 90 degrees on my window and it picked up three extra channels (including CBS). No reason why it should have worked but it did so I wanted to mention.
They might have a 'Repeater'... my major Hub is 65-ish Miles SE... 50 Miles NW is a 'nest' of Repeaters Terrain Issues actually leave the Farther Site superior... but even at 180 most of the signals get through...
Am using 2 indoor antennas hooked to a splitter turned around which is hooked to one tv. So far so good. Do splitters have different strengths? Mine says 1000 mz. See most are 2500mz. Be even better to use the 2500mz?
Upper frequencies of Over the Air (OTA) signals stop at 806 MHz. Nothing would be gained by going to these higher frequency splitters. Typically, splitters going to 2.5 GHz are designed for satellite or cellular phone reception. Best thing to do would be to upgrade your antennas and/or purchase pre-amplifiers for your antennas. Splitters hooked up backwards still maintain the loss per-port listed.
I have a simple telescoping stick antenna, absolutely nothing fancy that came with a pctv adapterI bought, the pctv adapter died, so I tired that stick antenna on my tv, and got 70 channels with it.... not in a window, not close to transmitting antennas.... not sure if it is just a fluke but it seems to be working great...
Great tips. I especially like the tip about the metal window screens. Also, I moved my Amazon Alexa and my remote worked better. I plan to check other electrical devices to see if they are interfering. Scanning regularly is also a great tip. I was ready to set it and forget it. Scanning is simple and doesn't take a lot of time. I also like the tip about adding metal to the antenna. It can be decorative. I happen to have copper wire that I can spiral around the metal in my antenna. Thanks again. Are you aware of any antennas that don't come with an RG59 coaxial cable hardwired to them? What do you think of filters? Is it just best to distance the antenna from electrical devices instead of attaching a filter?
Thanks for the reply Angela! The more reputable antennas like the Mohu Leaf have detachable cable (although it still comes with an RG59). Avoid the cheap no-name indoor antennas. Almost all reputable outdoor antennas have detachable cable. All of the antennas I recommend have detachable cables. - Brian
I started out with the cheapest rabbit ears I could find ($8.88) @ Walmart. It was fair but not good. My wife's favorite local Indy channel was hit or miss with lots of pixelation. Initially I was going to work my way up the price chain, but then decided that if she could get herself a Kureg which we didn't need, I could get a Mohu Leaf ($55.95 @ Best Buy). Initially, her favorite channel was still spotty, and she hated the the look of the antenna if it was high enough to pick up WISH TV 8. But after 50 rounds in the ring with her, I'm battle-hardened, and kept experimenting. After some experimentation I found that laying it flat on top of the china cabinet works really well. I get well over 30 channels beautifully, including WISH TV 8 in Indianapolis (we live in Noblesville), my wife's happy, and now I can shop for the best ISP available in my area.
I've noticed over the last 10 years as the days get longer, the reception gets worse. The best reception is in the winter time as the days are the shortest.
The U.S. TV repack will continue over the next couple of years or-so. So if you lose several channels in succession, try rescanning. RF signals above 38 will no longer be used for TV, so some stations in your market may move to a lower RF.
I believe you're talking about "skip," which is detailed as skywave in Wikipedia. Very few stations change frequencies or power levels, except at sunrise and sunset when that's required by law. Instead, certain stations and channels penetrate better at certain times of day -- usually early morning. Many mornings I'll pick up WWLP and WPRI, which are way outside my market, but they'll be gone by 10 AM.
It's possible a station is powering down to save electricity, though that's VERY uncommon these days. Analog transmission took a lot more energy than digital -- sometimes 20 times more! If you want to mess around with "bounce" or "skip" a bit more, try it on a better-quality AM radio. I've been known to get stations up to 400 miles away, because if atmospheric conditions are just-right, the signal will bounce off the ionosphere right into your neighborhood. Usually I don't get results before 2AM, but your experience might be different.
I live in a first floor apartment and get best all around reception of all of my channels with the antenna on the floor resting against the wall at an angle.
The "mileage" range in antenna marketing materials is not really accurate. So much depends on the terrain and other conditions. And outdoor rooftop antenna is best, but if that is not feasible for you, here are some indoor antennas that I recommend: www.disablemycable.com/antennas/
I was getting weak signals and interference. I put on a device on my tv power cord to ground out electrical interference and my tv reception is beatiful.its a little round donut like a magnet or charcoal..but it really works..try it save money
Hi, great vid, I live in England and I'm struggling to find an indoor aerial with a coaxial port directly on the unit. I can only find the cheap crap with a really thin cable attached from Factory. Can you get units in the UK that you can swap out the cable? Got any good websites I can find one? Thanks
I just watched your video about testing for stations, where you hook up the coaxial cable and the extension cord… I got 11 stations… I live in Southern NH, and I was hoping to get stations out of Boston ( about 40-45 nautical,Ike’s ) but I face north in a high rise. I did order an antenna before seeing your video. When testing and doing the tv scan, I did slip off the cord plug a few times, though I’m wondering if the amplifier on the one I bought might pull in the Boston stations? I can’t place anything in the window, so I bought a table top model…
Generally I haven't had good results with amplified antennas, except for the Antop AT500SBS, which I will be reviewing soon. But 45 miles away is pretty challenging...
I out my antenna in the window facing the towers. No screen, no trees blocking anything and can't pick up a single channel. Ironically, in the corner of my house where the antenna is blocked by walls and the garage is where I get the strongest signal. Still can only get 3 channels though
I tried numerous indoor antenas, the thing is when a channel has no signal, it makes the other channels stop working and when I switch to netflix or prime tv or RUclips, those apps don't work in the TV, so I have to disconnect the TV so I can have the signal back. Do you know why that happens? Sincerely, Reina Brooklyn, NYC
I purchased 4 antenna 20-55 mile range 2 being amplified but I have not picked up any signal. Is it possible that my location can't scan channels. I live in a basement apt
i have i adel pout 2 entena like the original et stiks metal outside of your hase myke sure you have more spsce for your cable to ina out your hase tanks.😎
The only problem with cutting the cord is now I don't have DVR. Can you do a video on how to record TV shows without cable? I have a MOHU leaf antenna and get about 30 channels. CBS, FOX. ABC, WWOR, WPIX are all in HD and the reception is as good as cable but now how can I record shows?
Walmart sells an Ematic brand digital converter box with a built in DVR and HDMI output for the TV. You simply save the recorded programs on a USB thumb drive. Here's the DVR on Walmart's site; Ematic AT103B www.walmart.com/ip/Ematic-AT103B-Digital-Converter-Box-with-LED-Display-and-Recording-Capabilities/28505040?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=0&adid=22222222228021752372&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=m&wl3=40330391672&wl4=pla-60244484011&wl5=9058203&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=8175035&wl11=online&wl12=28505040&veh=sem&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI_qCqssP74gIVRLbACh338gP0EAQYASABEgKZyfD_BwE
a Lot of broadcasters moved to UHF (which has issues with 'penetration') after the '09 switch, so if the 'True signal' is between channels 14 and 36 it'll have a harder time with your siding (especially if aluminum)... and IF they are still on VHF (2-6 Low / 7-13 High) most new indoor Antennas skimp on the VHF components (many forgoing Low all together )
I bought a Clear TV antenna for $8 and it doesn't get much at all, very disappointed. I'm going back to my black flat antenna with ears from Walmart that I paid a lot more for. Now I get my Twist, MeTv etc.
Yeah, those really cheap antennas usually aren't very good. Flat antennas are often better. For the best reception, an outdoor antenna is best, if that is an option. - Brian
Will the companies make better Antennas soon for people who can't get any channels , such as ground floor condo bldgs apartments and/ or concrete bldgs and living many miles from a TV stations ( 50-75 miles away) ?
Those distances are prohibitively far to receive land-based TV signals on the ground floor, as the curvature of the Earth starts to come into play. The only thing that might help is putting your antenna as high up as possible.
@@disablemycable I guess I am out of luck. Since I don't use the condo 6-8 months out of the year , I didn't want to spend the money to pay for cable service all year long.
what Floor are you on... what Direction is the 'Broadcast hub' Is there an Antenna on the building? - is there a 2nd, Unused Coax Jack on the same wall as your Internet/VOIP source - once upon a time my city actually had two Cable providers...When the original bought the competition they rewired most apartment buildings to use the Newer Cables... many Apartment Complexes with an existing antenna wired the Old Co-ax wall jacks to the antenna (if not by default as your on site manager/Super about it
Thanks so much for these tips, last summer I bought a Terk indoor antenna (paid between $66-$70 dollars) which came with an amplifier which I've been using all this time until today, the amplifier I am now certain is what has been contributing to the interference of some OTA channels on my TV, may I mention it also had an RG 59 cable. Well, I removed it and placed my antenna on the floor directly next to my porch patio window...problem solved( at least for now) And all this time I could've gotten a much cheaper one to do the same job. Just goes to show bigger is not always better.
Couple of different issues. For one, I live near an airport and according to your website for better tower service, is literally putting my antenna in the window facing the airport. Secondly, I live on an island about five miles from any mainland, and no less than 30 miles from the nearest tower. I just bought an antenna that's for 55+ miles and with it in the window facing the airport, I get 16 channels. Am I just SOOL or is there a way for me to boost this bad boy to reach the towers? Thirdly, the cords are in fact attached to the antenna. And that was the best I could find. This antenna did come with an electric booster. But the cords for both pieces are really thin and nothing like what you suggested... I hate to think that I'm SOOL! I have a Roku TV and would love to get some good local channels. What do you suggest? Please help me out... Thanks!
good video I use LAVA 8008 HD Omni pro antenna outside my balcony I get about 30 channels sometimes 43 depends on the day I am high up I live In the Toronto area .as a rare occasion I received Detroit Michigan for about 5 hrs WDIV it had Me TV as a sub channel. But I generally get the western New York area.
Another thing to add is that when using an amplifier it's best to locate it as close to the antenna as possible, especially if you have a long run of cable.
writerpatrick Could you tell me what the amplifier does for your antenna I've got a digital and only get 3 channels and it's stupid cuz I don't want to buy cable because it's just s*** TV thank u for ur advice I advance.
@Irving Popoca I tried putting the device on every part of or near both windows in my bedroom. I am kind of in the woods, in a very private street. Is that a what is causing so little amount of channels? This is the indoor one so I can't place it outside, besides, I don't have a long enough coax cable to try windows in other rooms. What do you suggest, please?
Sorry,hard question to answer.Have a old Terk antenna that work great.However,have also heard some complaints about Terk antennas of late.Maybe,my old one was better.The more metal and the bigger the better.
Just got a 10 dollar RCA indoor antenna from Walmart. Does anyone know how many channels on average one should be able to pick up with an antenna? Does it depend on how expensive it is? Does it make a difference if you are using a smart tv? Lastly, any suggestions on diy hacks for hanging the antenna on a window or wall without having to drill holes in wall or window frame? Looking for a quick easy way to hang it without issues due to weight and size. I was thinking command strips with small wire hook at top or a Velcro strip but the Velcro would be permanent 😩Thanks!!
Hi T. Terrell, The number of channels you can get is highly dependent on your location. In a big city, many people can get over a hundred stations. If you live in a rural area, you might not get any. Enter your zip code in the Station Finder to see how many channels you can get: www.disablemycable.com/station-finder/ A ten dollar indoor antenna won't get you the most channels. An outdoor antenna is best. If you can't do an outdoor antenna, I recommend the Mohu Leaf with RG6 cable: www.disablemycable.com/mohu-leaf/ It does not make a difference if you are using a smart TV, other than some newer TVs have better tuners. Regarding hanging an indoor antenna, that is the beauty of using the Mohu Leaf; it is flat so you can just pin it to a wall or tape it to a window. Hope this helps! Brian
@@disablemycable thanks so much for the reply-so the station finder only showed 15 channels available. After I repositioned when I finished your video I got 25. So you’re saying the Mohu will get me more than that?
@@t.terrell7037 There are no guarantees, but out of the indoor antennas I've tested, the Mohu Leaf usually gets the most channels. Just note, many times the weaker channels are foreign language, shopping, etc. - Brian
A tip, trying to find the sweet window, I put the TV on my hardest to get to come in channel. Then I walked through the house with antenna, on a longer, temporary cord, going window to window. I heard the TV channel come in clear and leaned against the wall for testing. It came in clearer there without me being there. So I measured the distance to the crawl space and placed it in my attic,out of site and good reception
You're the coolest dude. You got me 45 channels with perfect reception for $10.
Thank you Lauren! Glad to hear you got those channels! - Brian
Your video on this topic is most instructive!!!
Why are you assuming gender
Thanks for the tip on removing the amplifier, Brian! It worked beautifully.
I appreciate this video so much. After watching a bunch of "improve your reception" videos the RG6 cable was the trick for us! VERY, VERY appreciative!
You can also wrap aluminum foil around a cardboard box or board and place it behind your tv antenna and it will sometimes improve reception on some channels.Am now,doing it with Twist.I used a cardboard box with aluminum foil taped to it.
I love this video. I have figured out many of these tips on my own by playing with the antenna and TV set up. I am glad to know I’m on the right track. You also gave me a few fresh ideas. Thank you for making this video.
Experimenting even with ridiculous positions are worth it. We were trying various window locations and various angles, but couldn't get the station we wanted. Then I just laid the flat antenna face-down on the windowsill. Success! Thanks for the suggestions-
Thanks for sharing! Yes totally. Sometimes the antenna positions make no sense, but work great as you said! - Brian
Thanks for your video! tip number 6 was the winner!
I "cut the cord" a few weeks ago. I'm now using a pair of rabbit ears positioned in my garage window....the only place where I could get a signal. I had the ears extended all the way out thinking I'd get a stronger signal for channel 9 (175 mhz). I'm using a 15db amp as I have a 75 foot of RG6 to the house. I was only getting a 1 bar signal on my TV for a few weeks causing for some bad reception. Then I discovered if I collapse the ears all the way down making the rods about 6 inches long my signal jumped to a 3 bar solid picture! I always thought the bigger the antenna the better but not in my case. I get 10 channels with the ears now. I going to try to ad another pair of ears just to see if that improves the signal any further. The more the merrier..I hope.
Hi Curt, thanks for sharing! Yeah, nothing beats experimenting. Sometimes you get results that seem counter-intuitive. I know I have! - Brian
Thank you for doing this, I really got a lot out of your video. Just nice to hear people willing to help, without having to get paid for everything we do.
Installed a Terk HDTV Antenna model Thin TV 6a on the wall next to the TV and obtained great reception right away. "Lost' a couple of stations and could never get them back through multiple relocations. I'll just live with it for now.
I have this antenna, and it actually works better than the mohu curve 50 that’s amplified, the trick is to place it high on the wall, close to a window. Both the flat antenna and the mohu curve 50 come with RG-59, I’m going to try RG-6 for the heck of it to see if there’s any improvement. Good video!
My antenna just fell on the ground while watching this. It's working great now.
Yes, that happened to me too at my previous apartment! You never know for sure what location will work the best so try them all! - Brian
😄😄
don’t touch it lol
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
So,did mine,long ago.Rabbit ears are broked.Still,work great.
I have a really cheap flat antenna I put in the bedroom window and I get 52 channels. They all come in clear. Just depends where you live. I’m in a city so works 👍
Adding a hanger really helped for me. Thank you!
Sometimes it does,sometimes it does not.Plastic hangers seems to work better for me.
Thank You very much I appreciate the excellent tips and I will try them.
Thank you Pam! - Brian
My cheapo flat panel indoor antenna came with a very skinny antenna wire that couldn’t be replaced, but it also had an amplifier. I compared it to a Leaf antenna with amplifier and there was no difference in signal quality. I think over a short run, eg. 12 feet or so, there’s no significant signal loss. For whatever reason, I get better signal on my first floor than second floor. Sometimes it’s even better at the bottom of the sliding glass window then at the top. It’s variable from day to day.
Yeah, I've seen some totally bizarre things like that, i.e., flat antenna gets better reception lying on the floor than on a window! Bottom line is you just have to experiment. Thanks for sharing! - Brian
amplifiers are a must in ALL situations with DTV in my experience. with the amp plugged in, try putting the flat antenna flat on the FLOORS - especially at the back of the house. often under the bed. I don't know why this works. What will happen is you will eventually find a sweet spot that gets all the reflections. The walls need specific locations.. also it makes a huge difference on face side up or down.. one side is stronger. you'll figure it out.
Will try thanks!
A leaky microwave can cause havoc on signals. To test the microwave for leakage, put a cup of water in the microwave and turn it on for 2 minutes. While it is running, take a fluorescent light bulb and go around the door seal and around the microwave. If it lights up then it leaks, and have it repaired or replaced.
Thanks a lot this helped out so much! Especially being near an open window or outside for ultimate tv reception
So glad this video was helpful! Thanks for sharing! - Brian
Tip 6 (remove the amp) worked for me, thanks!!
Awesome, thanks for sharing! - Brian
Thanks for the tips
Removing the amplifier helped alot for me.
*a lot
6:35 You can get flat coaxial cable couplers which can go through windows if you have a balcony
Got a tv antenna and got channel 2.1 all the way up to channel 1168. Problem is I don't know what I did to get them. But it's nice. 😄😄
😀
What antenna did you buy?
I did a scan and it picked up a channel I wanted. Thank you!
Nice
Good common sense tips...a good reminder. Thank you
Why does my reception fluctuate with where I am sitting in the room- even where I have my foot placed. How can a digital signal be affected just like those old rabbit ears?
Me too !! If I wiggle my toes, literally just wiggle my toes, the reception changes!! Not 100% of the time, but more than you can imagine. Sooo aggravating!
@Lydia R 😭😭🤫 So That's the Big Secret Huh? 🤫🤣 I even get better channels by Wearing my Daughter’s twinkle toe Shoes around the Houe while she is at school. 🤷♂️
Radio wave propagation is complex. People greatly effect radio signals, in the old days, sometimes you would get best reception when someone was holding the antenna! You need to upgrade to a much better TV antenna, location, amplifier, and get rid of interference.
I just discovered I get NBC using one of your links. PassportTV schedule had different channel numbers. Thanks!
I made one of those binder clip antennas and through trial and error, found that it actually gets the best reception a couple of feet off the floor.
I removed my amplifier and it worked thanks man.
I cut up a metal pie plate in strips and put around the back of the antenna about 4 inches long on the rods. Wrapped it rods to extend them. They weren't long enough. Now I pick the ones I didn't pick up in a while. 😉
Great tip! - Brian
When I couldn’t afford an antenna I simply used a copper speaker wire. Stick it in the hole I’ve the cable connector on the back of your tv and then run it out you window. I got a lot of channels
I used a coffee can , coax , and a nail. Only got 15 channels, but during that time, it was great!
This was also a trick used in prison
I heard of persons using paper clips.Of course,unless you are close to the transmission stations ,you may not pick up many channels,that way.
Iam in block of flats on 3rd floor using a tv antenna but struggling to get all the channels. They all tune in but the reception on at least half the channels suck and are not watchable. When I move it from current position I lose half the channels but half them work fine... Should I try a amplifier or booster or should I pay more for a better antenna. I payed £30 so thought it would work fine
Your very informative. Will watch again and take notes. Thank You.
*You're (contraction of "you are")
"Your" is for possession.
Thank you for these tips. I do most of them, I wasn’t aware of the cable size, also not using the amplifier. I will try those tips. Thank you. 😀😎😀
We added an amplifier and got us all the channels we had b4 we moved. Have the added challenge of a tin roif
Great advise, thanks!! I was wondering why my channels disappeared, after a quick rescan, they're all back.
*advice (noun)
advise = verb (and slightly different pronunciation)
Great info. Thank you for sharing your knowledge & expertise.
Try curving the flat HDTV antenna when there are channels that have weak signals. The antenna becomes more of a directional antenna when it is curved.
Love this idea. I've seen this help as well! - Brian
Thank you for your help 🙂
I wasn't picking up CBS with mine so I actually rotated my antenna 90 degrees on my window and it picked up three extra channels (including CBS). No reason why it should have worked but it did so I wanted to mention.
They might have a 'Repeater'... my major Hub is 65-ish Miles SE... 50 Miles NW is a 'nest' of Repeaters
Terrain Issues actually leave the Farther Site superior... but even at 180 most of the signals get through...
Thanks for the info - RG6 coaxial cable helped strengthen my signal, picked up eight more channels!
Hi Rick, glad the RG6 coax worked for you! - Brian
Thank you you the Advice fit the RG-6 Cable it works good .
Glad to hear it Liz! Thanks for sharing! - Brian
Am using 2 indoor antennas hooked to a splitter turned around which is hooked to one tv. So far so good. Do splitters have different strengths? Mine says 1000 mz. See most are 2500mz. Be even better to use the 2500mz?
I just knew you would have an edited at the end of this
Upper frequencies of Over the Air (OTA) signals stop at 806 MHz. Nothing would be gained by going to these higher frequency splitters. Typically, splitters going to 2.5 GHz are designed for satellite or cellular phone reception. Best thing to do would be to upgrade your antennas and/or purchase pre-amplifiers for your antennas. Splitters hooked up backwards still maintain the loss per-port listed.
@@dwaynenewman6473 thx
Glad it works,sometimes it causes multipath interfernce,however.
Thaks a lot . I just whraped some aluminum foil and it worked
Great tips, thank you 🙏🏼
Glad it was helpful! Thanks! - Brian
This is such a great video and service. Thank you for your tips.
I used a powered amplifier on my antenna and it made a world of difference.
I put mine behind my tv with a mirror behind that,oddly it had been knocked over and the tv was flawlessly great...
So was a good antenna ??
The mirror got metal,right?That is call a reflector.I made one with a cardboard box and aluminum foil.
I have a simple telescoping stick antenna, absolutely nothing fancy that came with a pctv adapterI bought, the pctv adapter died, so I tired that stick antenna on my tv, and got 70 channels with it.... not in a window, not close to transmitting antennas.... not sure if it is just a fluke but it seems to be working great...
Great tips. I especially like the tip about the metal window screens. Also, I moved my Amazon Alexa and my remote worked better. I plan to check other electrical devices to see if they are interfering. Scanning regularly is also a great tip. I was ready to set it and forget it. Scanning is simple and doesn't take a lot of time. I also like the tip about adding metal to the antenna. It can be decorative. I happen to have copper wire that I can spiral around the metal in my antenna. Thanks again. Are you aware of any antennas that don't come with an RG59 coaxial cable hardwired to them? What do you think of filters? Is it just best to distance the antenna from electrical devices instead of attaching a filter?
Thanks for the reply Angela! The more reputable antennas like the Mohu Leaf have detachable cable (although it still comes with an RG59). Avoid the cheap no-name indoor antennas. Almost all reputable outdoor antennas have detachable cable. All of the antennas I recommend have detachable cables. - Brian
For some reason I am getting the best reception with it away from the windows.
I started out with the cheapest rabbit ears I could find ($8.88) @ Walmart. It was fair but not good. My wife's favorite local Indy channel was hit or miss with lots of pixelation. Initially
I was going to work my way up the price chain, but then decided that if she could get herself a Kureg which we didn't need, I could get a Mohu Leaf ($55.95 @ Best Buy).
Initially, her favorite channel was still spotty, and she hated the the look of the antenna if it was high enough to pick up WISH TV 8. But after 50 rounds in the ring with her, I'm battle-hardened, and kept experimenting.
After some experimentation I found that laying it flat on top of the china cabinet works really well. I get well over 30 channels beautifully, including WISH TV 8 in Indianapolis (we live in Noblesville), my wife's happy, and now I can shop for the best ISP available in my area.
Yeah, residential signal reception has always been more of an art than a hard-science... 👍
Very helpful. Thank you!
I've noticed over the last 10 years as the days get longer, the reception gets worse. The best reception is in the winter time as the days are the shortest.
Leaves and trees blocking the signal.
If you intend to pick up a VHF signal, you will need a VHF retrofit kit in addition to the antenna.
Question, my leaf the cable isn’t removable, what’s your thoughts on using a cable splitter ?
I'm having the same problem I think you might have to upgrade
Right, you must have an older Leaf. On the newer ones the cable is removable.
I'm hesitant to re-scan because I'm afraid I might lose a channel I usually get but has bad reception that day.
Yes,I did.My new trick is to make sure you are getting all the channels good before a rescan.
The U.S. TV repack will continue over the next couple of years or-so. So if you lose several channels in succession, try rescanning. RF signals above 38 will no longer be used for TV, so some stations in your market may move to a lower RF.
I believe you're talking about "skip," which is detailed as skywave in Wikipedia. Very few stations change frequencies or power levels, except at sunrise and sunset when that's required by law. Instead, certain stations and channels penetrate better at certain times of day -- usually early morning. Many mornings I'll pick up WWLP and WPRI, which are way outside my market, but they'll be gone by 10 AM.
It's possible a station is powering down to save electricity, though that's VERY uncommon these days. Analog transmission took a lot more energy than digital -- sometimes 20 times more! If you want to mess around with "bounce" or "skip" a bit more, try it on a better-quality AM radio. I've been known to get stations up to 400 miles away, because if atmospheric conditions are just-right, the signal will bounce off the ionosphere right into your neighborhood. Usually I don't get results before 2AM, but your experience might be different.
I just put two pieces of foil on the rabbit ears and increased the reception measurably. So, thank for that tip So much for hi tech!.
feels like we have gone full circle with t.v. reception, doesnt it!
An LTE filter could help out the channels that you already have come in clearer.
I live in a first floor apartment and get best all around reception of all of my channels with the antenna on the floor resting against the wall at an angle.
Yes, that has happened to me too! Very strange but it is true!
I see some say differet miles. Is there a difference powerage for some? They all look flat and square
The "mileage" range in antenna marketing materials is not really accurate. So much depends on the terrain and other conditions. And outdoor rooftop antenna is best, but if that is not feasible for you, here are some indoor antennas that I recommend: www.disablemycable.com/antennas/
I was getting weak signals and interference. I put on a device on my tv power cord to ground out electrical interference and my tv reception is beatiful.its a little round donut like a magnet or charcoal..but it really works..try it save money
But where do we get that device? Anyone know?
Hi, great vid, I live in England and I'm struggling to find an indoor aerial with a coaxial port directly on the unit. I can only find the cheap crap with a really thin cable attached from Factory. Can you get units in the UK that you can swap out the cable? Got any good websites I can find one?
Thanks
I just watched your video about testing for stations, where you hook up the coaxial cable and the extension cord… I got 11 stations… I live in Southern NH, and I was hoping to get stations out of Boston ( about 40-45 nautical,Ike’s ) but I face north in a high rise. I did order an antenna before seeing your video.
When testing and doing the tv scan, I did slip off the cord plug a few times, though I’m wondering if the amplifier on the one I bought might pull in the Boston stations? I can’t place anything in the window, so I bought a table top model…
Generally I haven't had good results with amplified antennas, except for the Antop AT500SBS, which I will be reviewing soon. But 45 miles away is pretty challenging...
I out my antenna in the window facing the towers. No screen, no trees blocking anything and can't pick up a single channel. Ironically, in the corner of my house where the antenna is blocked by walls and the garage is where I get the strongest signal. Still can only get 3 channels though
I tried numerous indoor antenas, the thing is when a channel has no signal, it makes the other channels stop working and when I switch to netflix or prime tv or RUclips, those apps don't work in the TV, so I have to disconnect the TV so I can have the signal back.
Do you know why that happens?
Sincerely,
Reina
Brooklyn, NYC
I purchased 4 antenna 20-55 mile range 2 being amplified but I have not picked up any signal. Is it possible that my location can't scan channels. I live in a basement apt
no longer get cw cbs and ion stations with antenna I use to and made no changes
some have have changed frequencies recently (8/19), try rescan
i have i adel pout 2 entena like the original et stiks metal outside of your hase myke sure you have more spsce for your cable to ina out your hase tanks.😎
The only problem with cutting the cord is now I don't have DVR. Can you do a video on how to record TV shows without cable? I have a MOHU leaf antenna and get about 30 channels. CBS, FOX. ABC, WWOR, WPIX are all in HD and the reception is as good as cable but now how can I record shows?
@@JodBronson Thanks Jordan. I was looking at getting the AirTV DVR. Do you know about that brand? Would you recommend it?
Here are my recommended DVRs that work with broadcast TV antennas: www.disablemycable.com/dvr/
Walmart sells an Ematic brand digital converter box with a built in DVR and HDMI output for the TV. You simply save the recorded programs on a USB thumb drive.
Here's the DVR on Walmart's site;
Ematic AT103B
www.walmart.com/ip/Ematic-AT103B-Digital-Converter-Box-with-LED-Display-and-Recording-Capabilities/28505040?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=0&adid=22222222228021752372&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=m&wl3=40330391672&wl4=pla-60244484011&wl5=9058203&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=8175035&wl11=online&wl12=28505040&veh=sem&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI_qCqssP74gIVRLbACh338gP0EAQYASABEgKZyfD_BwE
Unfortunately my house has no windows near transmitter. For what ever reason, I get channels no more. Did they weaken the signals?
a Lot of broadcasters moved to UHF (which has issues with 'penetration') after the '09 switch, so if the 'True signal' is between channels 14 and 36 it'll have a harder time with your siding (especially if aluminum)...
and IF they are still on VHF (2-6 Low / 7-13 High) most new indoor Antennas skimp on the VHF components (many forgoing Low all together )
Thanks for the tips!
Nice thanks Do more tips...
Pam Wightman
How to make a solar
I bought a Clear TV antenna for $8 and it doesn't get much at all, very disappointed. I'm going back to my black flat antenna with ears from Walmart that I paid a lot more for. Now I get my Twist, MeTv etc.
Yeah, those really cheap antennas usually aren't very good. Flat antennas are often better. For the best reception, an outdoor antenna is best, if that is an option. - Brian
Will the companies make better Antennas soon for people who can't get any channels , such as ground floor condo bldgs apartments and/ or concrete bldgs and living many miles from a TV stations ( 50-75 miles away) ?
Those distances are prohibitively far to receive land-based TV signals on the ground floor, as the curvature of the Earth starts to come into play. The only thing that might help is putting your antenna as high up as possible.
@@disablemycable I guess I am out of luck. Since I don't use the condo 6-8 months out of the year , I didn't want to spend the money to pay for cable service all year long.
What is the difference for the thickness of cables? Like the rg6. Impaired to thinner cables?
*Compared
wow, i did a channel scan and got additional channels and better reception. thanks for the tip
What about if you have a tin roof
Everything he said is accurate. Yes
Laying the antenna flat on it's back may help and if you are far from the transmitter a high db gain pricy one may help boost the signals
*its (possessive)
It's = contraction of "it is/has"
I live in apartments and am surrounded by buildings and have no way of putting it high. What can i do or am i just out of luck?
Out of luck. :(
what Floor are you on...
what Direction is the 'Broadcast hub'
Is there an Antenna on the building?
- is there a 2nd, Unused Coax Jack on the same wall as your Internet/VOIP source
- once upon a time my city actually had two Cable providers...When the original bought the competition they rewired most apartment buildings to use the Newer Cables... many Apartment Complexes with an existing antenna wired the Old Co-ax wall jacks to the antenna (if not by default as your on site manager/Super about it
Thanks so much for these tips, last summer I bought a Terk indoor antenna (paid between $66-$70 dollars) which came with an amplifier which I've been using all this time until today, the amplifier I am now certain is what has been contributing to the interference of some OTA channels on my TV, may I mention it also had an RG 59 cable. Well, I removed it and placed my antenna on the floor directly next to my porch patio window...problem solved( at least for now) And all this time I could've gotten a much cheaper one to do the same job. Just goes to show bigger is not always better.
Get the RG6 Quad.Has 2 braided and 2 foil shields to cut down interference
Couple of different issues. For one, I live near an airport and according to your website for better tower service, is literally putting my antenna in the window facing the airport. Secondly, I live on an island about five miles from any mainland, and no less than 30 miles from the nearest tower. I just bought an antenna that's for 55+ miles and with it in the window facing the airport, I get 16 channels. Am I just SOOL or is there a way for me to boost this bad boy to reach the towers? Thirdly, the cords are in fact attached to the antenna. And that was the best I could find. This antenna did come with an electric booster. But the cords for both pieces are really thin and nothing like what you suggested...
I hate to think that I'm SOOL! I have a Roku TV and would love to get some good local channels. What do you suggest? Please help me out... Thanks!
Great video very helpful
good video I use LAVA 8008 HD Omni pro antenna outside my balcony I get about 30 channels sometimes 43 depends on the day I am high up I live In the Toronto area .as a rare occasion I received Detroit Michigan for about 5 hrs WDIV it had Me TV as a sub channel. But I generally get the western New York area.
Another thing to add is that when using an amplifier it's best to locate it as close to the antenna as possible, especially if you have a long run of cable.
Yes, great tip!
writerpatrick
Could you tell me what the amplifier does for your antenna I've got a digital and only get 3 channels and it's stupid cuz I don't want to buy cable because it's just s*** TV thank u for ur advice I advance.
great tips thank you !
I bought the RCA 55 mile range at best buy for 35 dollars. I live in the Baltimore metro area. I get 27 channels. Is that good or could I get more?
@Irving Popoca I tried putting the device on every part of or near both windows in my bedroom. I am kind of in the woods, in a very private street. Is that a what is causing so little amount of channels? This is the indoor one so I can't place it outside, besides, I don't have a long enough coax cable to try windows in other rooms. What do you suggest, please?
Bought one from Amazon called the geek get 44 channels live in pasadena
Why can’t I get NBC? I get all the other networks with Mohu Vibe and I live in the city. Thanks!
Try some of these tips with your Mohu Vibe, especially playing with location: www.disablemycable.com/antenna-tips/
Is your local nbc on vhf? Your antenna might only be uhf.
What if you can't get more channels on your vizio tv brand voj320f1a
What is the best antenna to buy
Sorry,hard question to answer.Have a old Terk antenna that work great.However,have also heard some complaints about Terk antennas of late.Maybe,my old one was better.The more metal and the bigger the better.
I wish I could just buy a quality cable and solder it onto the bottom of my big metal bed headboard, I wonder if that would work.
Just got a 10 dollar RCA indoor antenna from Walmart. Does anyone know how many channels on average one should be able to pick up with an antenna? Does it depend on how expensive it is? Does it make a difference if you are using a smart tv? Lastly, any suggestions on diy hacks for hanging the antenna on a window or wall without having to drill holes in wall or window frame? Looking for a quick easy way to hang it without issues due to weight and size. I was thinking command strips with small wire hook at top or a Velcro strip but the Velcro would be permanent 😩Thanks!!
Hi T. Terrell,
The number of channels you can get is highly dependent on your location. In a big city, many people can get over a hundred stations. If you live in a rural area, you might not get any. Enter your zip code in the Station Finder to see how many channels you can get: www.disablemycable.com/station-finder/
A ten dollar indoor antenna won't get you the most channels. An outdoor antenna is best. If you can't do an outdoor antenna, I recommend the Mohu Leaf with RG6 cable:
www.disablemycable.com/mohu-leaf/
It does not make a difference if you are using a smart TV, other than some newer TVs have better tuners.
Regarding hanging an indoor antenna, that is the beauty of using the Mohu Leaf; it is flat so you can just pin it to a wall or tape it to a window.
Hope this helps!
Brian
@@disablemycable thanks so much for the reply-so the station finder only showed 15 channels available. After I repositioned when I finished your video I got 25. So you’re saying the Mohu will get me more than that?
@@t.terrell7037 There are no guarantees, but out of the indoor antennas I've tested, the Mohu Leaf usually gets the most channels. Just note, many times the weaker channels are foreign language, shopping, etc. - Brian
It works thanks for the very good video
Why not try putting a 2 way spliter inline and use 2 antennas. Double the antennas, double the signal coming in to the TV..... worked for me.....
The towers in my area report moderate and weak strength on the FCC tower locator. Would a good quality or location of the attenna help this??
I thought the amplifier boosts the signal out, for connecting multiple TVs or traveling through a long cable.
Yes, an amplifier at the antenna would be good if you are driving a long cable.