Rural Area - need TV Amp!

I am living in Rexburg, Idaho which is a small town outside of Idaho falls and Pocatello where the TV stations are.

I can't get a Sat Dish since I am living in an area that one can't be installed.. don't ask.. So I have my nice HDTV Vizio 22" I can't do anything with right now because..

With a Radio Shack antenna, and the in-line amp they sell, I only get PBS and Telemundo!

What is an antenna and Amp I could buy to really juice up the reception?
I've heard outdoor antennas are better, but the regular indoor stuff around here really doesn't work... Can I buy something decent online?

Thanks!

Hello Amtrak, welcome to the forums!

I live in Idaho Falls and am familiar with our tv broadcast towers. Can you go to www.tvfool.com and enter your actual address. Post the link to the results here. There is a caveat, you need 5 posts before you can post a link. So, simply make 4 test replies to this thread, and then post the link.

NBC has a new tower near Rexburg for the upper valley area. ABC, CBS, and PBS all broadcast from the butte west of Idaho Falls. With the right antenna, you should have little difficulty acquiring ABC, CBS, NBC, and PBS. To my knowledge, Fox is only broadcast from Pocatello, which makes it a bit of a challenge for you to receive. It's doable but depends on where in live in Rexburg. You will need an outdoor antenna.

HTH,

Rick

While I agree with IDRick and own a radio shack antenna, its also important to note that radio shack antennas may tend be good at being multidirectional, they still may lack what you probably need which is very high on aim gain.

But until you can post that exact address TVfool report, its all somewhat useless speculation on my part.

Wow, awesome!
I can't believe someone so close is on here. I am actually right on-campus at BYU Idaho at 525 So. Center St, Rexburg, ID 83460.
It wouldn't let me copy and paste the results, but that should give you an idea? The only thing is I think that address is for the whole campus and I don't know how to specify my exact location?

Interesting about NBC b/c with the Radio Shack stuff I only got the PBS Stations and a Spanish station.

I can't put an antenna outside, so I can only use some type of indoor unit with a good amp? Or, is an amp just for wire length?

Thanks so much!
Tony

Tony,

Here is your tvfool report: http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%3d8ecdb9390d6472 There is a good FAQ that discusses how to interpret the tvfool report. Very helpful. NBC is broadcast on K13UF, about 1.2 miles from you (other side of the hill to the south/southeast).

Answers to these questions will provide needed info for making an antenna recommendation. NBC is broadcast on K13UF, about 1.2 miles from you (other side of the hill from your location). Do you live in one dorms on campus or apartments next to campus? Are there any restrictions on use of antennas? Most of the towers are to the west/southwest of your place. Do you have a deck or window that faces that direction? Are you on the first floor, second floor, or what? Which radio shack antenna are you using?

NBC is broadcast on K13UF, about 1.2 miles from you (other side of the hill to the south/southeast). You will need to adjust antenna aim to receive NBC versus those on the east butte (ABC, CBS, and PBS). Fox looks out of the question unless it is rebroadcast on one of the nearby translaters.

HTH,

Rick

Hi Rick,

I was using a Radio Shack 1500254 with a In-line signal amplifier as well. I live on the first floor of the dorms, and I cannot put anything outside, only next to the window. It's interesting because to my knowledge, NBC did not come up, but only those PBS stations, etc.
Perhaps I am on the east side of the building?
(I sent you a PM with a link to an image of where I am, it wont let me post it here yet, it says I need 5 posts)

I'm willing to by any necessary equipment online to get at least a few of the major networks!

Thanks! :)

Hi Tony,

You have a very challenging location to receive tv signal. You're in the shadow of the hill for NBC and on the wrong side of the building for the stations on the east butte. There's no easy solution for you. I'm going to send you a PM and give you a link to a person who has tested many of the indoor antennas. Hopefully, he will have a good recommendation for you. I'm not real familiar with the wide breadth of indoor antennas...

Good luck!

Rick

Thanks much!
I had a feeling this was going to be challenging.