Radio Shack 15-624 indoor UHF antenna

Bocatrip · 11-25-2007, 10:21 AM

I just hooked up a crappy $10 indoor Radio Shack antenna I had lying around the house and was shocked to see over 30 digital stations coming in quite clearly on my Philips 42" 7422 LCD. How much better will I do if I get a better indoor antenna with an amplifier or will it be pretty much the same? I'm getting many more digital stations than my cable without a converter box.

QueryAll · 04-02-2008, 04:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tigerbangs

I know that I have been suggesting this antenna to people who, for whatever reason, won't mount an antenna outdoors. Whiel it's true that this antenna works well, you need to modify the antenna slightly for best performance. As it's delivered, the 15-624 comes with a 300 ohm ribbon wire attached to the antenna. This wire is usually too short for most situations, and it picks us signal on it's own, contributing to multipath issues. I suggest modifying the antenna as follows for best performance and greatest flexibility:

1. Remove the ribbon antenna cable attached to the antenna

2. Pick up a good 300 ohm to 75 ohm bauln transformer. Radio Shack makes the 15-1140 and the 15-1230 matching transformers, but any good bauln transformer with good 300 ohm leads will do.

3. Solder the 300 ohm ends of the transformer to the old attachment points on the 15-624. (I know soldering scares a LOT of people, but it isn't any big deal really!)

4. Attach a good RG-6 coaxial cable to the bauln transformer, up to 12' in length

5. Connect the coax cable to the antenna input of your tuner or TV set.

I think you'll find that the effort to modify the antenna is worth it: you'll increse the flexibility of the antenna tremendously, and you'll reduce multipath interference. Good Luck!

I see that the point of the CECB was to assist people that would not be able to purchase new equipment [HD TV]. You state in the quoted post and several other of your posts that you suggest that people require outdoor antenna. I know you don't actual state that but you come close to it and I suspect you are right about reception without an outdoor antenna.

Now can you explain how the people that need a government handout just for the converter box are going to get the antenna let alone pay for the installation? I also realize you had nothing to do with the writing of the program, but I just wanted to make a point that few realize. That this program is a sham and provides too little for those it should really be helping.

deadhead68 · 04-02-2008, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by QueryAll

I see that the point of the CECB was to assist people that would not be able to purchase new equipment [HD TV]. You state in the quoted post and several other of your posts that you suggest that people require outdoor antenna. I know you don't actual state that but you come close to it and I suspect you are right about reception without an outdoor antenna.

Now can you explain how the people that need a government handout just for the converter box are going to get the antenna let alone pay for the installation? I also realize you had nothing to do with the writing of the program, but I just wanted to make a point that few realize. That this program is a sham and provides too little for those it should really be helping.

If they need to use the coupon program to get the converter box, then they already have a working antenna. No need to get another one. And once the analog signals are shut off, the stations "should" up the power on their digital signal. If they do, then the coverage will be the same.

DeadHead68

zxcasd · 04-02-2008, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rbinck

The reasons are mostly emotional and not technically grounded, IMO. The spouse objects to an outdoor antenna, there is a false fear of their HOA, they don't want to spend the efforts to put up an outside antenna, they don't have the ability to put up an outdoor antenna and don't know where to get one installed, they figure if the indoor antennas didn't work, why would they sell them? PT Barnum comes to mind here.

There are some applications where the user is very close to the transmitters, under 10 miles or so, where the indoor antenna will work fine. More often than not, the indoor is a source of more flustration and embarrassment than good reception.

ooh.... another reason: they are renting, like me :|

indoor antenna is probably the easiest+convenient way w/o any complaints/problems/easy access

i have a regular PCI analog tuner hooked up to my basic cable, but i'm thinking of ditching my cable for OTA....(my cable provider is patriot media, who was acquired by comcast and i think the service/quality will go down.... fios is coming soon, but i'm thinking of options)

i have the Pinnacle PCTV HD Pro USB stick that comes along with a small antenna ...... my zip code is 08540 but i have an airport close by, and antennaweb.org shows that most channels are @ NYC about 43 miles away, and recommended a medium directional outdoor w/ pre-amp

still, usign the small antenna, i can get digital channels 20 miles away in New Brunswick, clear...... i get a few fuzzy non-watchable analog channels from the NYC sites.... so i'm guessing i can try a real indoor antenna.... any recommendations besides the one from radioshack? i'm looking at Terk - Indoor Amplified HDTV Antenna, and i'm going to bestbuy/radioshack to look at indoor antennas on friday....... (i know that there isn't such thing as a real standard "hdtv" antenna as the antenna just receives signals......)hope bb/radioshack have a good return policy

another question: for Clear QAM, it is unencrypted digital channels...... are they available OTA or its just a case of a cable provider just broadcasting the local HD stations unencrypted to anyone with their basic cable service but happen to have a clearqam tuner?

also, i'm looking to upgrade my USB tv tuner to something that supports ClearQAM, and probably h.264 hardware encoding..... so Pinnacle HD Ultimate or AverTV Hybrid Volar MAX.... any opinions?

spokybob · 04-02-2008, 11:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deadhead68

If they need to use the coupon program to get the converter box, then they already have a working antenna. No need to get another one. And once the analog signals are shut off, the stations "should" up the power on their digital signal. If they do, then the coverage will be the same.

DeadHead68

Not true. ZIP 61231. Rabbit ears will not pull in the UHF out here. The YouTube 4 bay does show promise indoors, but in Feb, 4.1 is moving to vhf-lo and reducing power.

hierychien · 06-28-2008, 01:13 PM

I apologize in advance.

PUT IT ON THE ROOF!!

Goldie Bowtie · 07-08-2008, 08:42 AM

I have one of those antennas, but just last summer I bought a Terrestrial Digital DB-2 antenna, which can be used outdoors as well as indoors. (I live in an apartment building, and our landlord won't allow us to have satellite dishes or antennas, or any other things that stick out outside). I have it fastened to an old floor-lamp stand in my bedroom.

The 15-624 I have right now still works, even though I have to trim the wire every now and then. I might just take Tigerbang's advice on the cable soldering. It might be worth a try.

EscapeVelocity · 07-09-2008, 12:49 AM

People looking at this thread might enjoy this...

EV's Best Recommended Top Rated HDTV Digital TV Television UHF/VHF Indoor Antenna Review Test Round-Up Guide

Cant post a link, but you can Google it and it comes right up. Its a work in progress, but its getting there. Please feel free to comment and add your expertise.

tube69 · 07-09-2008, 01:25 PM

Looks like direct links to that site are not allowed.

Jim Bob Jones · 07-09-2008, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gary4ever1

yes you are correct i miss read the opening post correctly . Certainly i can't understand why any one would use or want to use any indoor antenna at all ? If some one is going to spend money , do it once , and do it right the first time . Indoor antennas for HDTV reception is a mistake for almost all applications in OTA

The answer is simple: it is cheaper, easier to install and if you live in or near a saturated market of broadcasters may pull in stations to your satisfaction. Why go to the expense of an outside installation if it is not necessary?

EscapeVelocity · 07-10-2008, 06:57 PM

Lets try this. This post makes 5.

EscapeVelocity · 07-10-2008, 06:57 PM

I think you just have to have 5 posts, to post a link, to discourage spammers. I may actually fit that definition. But Im just trying to share information. And isnt that what the Internet is supposed to be about in the grand scheme of things.

EV's Best Top Rated HDTV Indoor Antenna Review Test Round-Up Guide

BrianO · 07-10-2008, 10:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EscapeVelocity

I think you just have to have 5 posts, to post a link, to discourage spammers. I may actually fit that definition. But Im just trying to share information. And isnt that what the Internet is supposed to be about in the grand scheme of things.

EV's Best Top Rated HDTV Indoor Antenna Review Test Round-Up Guide

Your link still doesn't work because noone can post a direct link on this site to the "AVS Forum", no matter how many posts you have made here.

EscapeVelocity · 07-10-2008, 11:50 PM

Oh, Ill remove it then. Must be some bad blood, I dont know about.

My apologies.

Oops, no editing allowed, either.

EscapeVelocity · 07-10-2008, 11:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Bob Jones

The answer is simple: it is cheaper, easier to install and if you live in or near a saturated market of broadcasters may pull in stations to your satisfaction. Why go to the expense of an outside installation if it is not necessary?

I agree. Not only that but renters and apartment dwellers have limited options.

07-09-2008, 01:25 PM	#39
tube69 High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: May 2005 Location: Salem, Ohio Age: 56 Posts: 114	Looks like direct links to that site are not allowed. __________________ Westinghouse LVM-37W1 LCD Monitor Dish Network DTVPal DVR Harman-Kardon AVR 635 AV Receiver 5 Dynaco A25 Speakers 1 JBL CinemaVision 400 Watt Powered Subwoofer Logitech Harmony 550 Remote Control Channel Master 4228 8-Bay UHF Antenna Winegard YA-1713 High Band VHF Antenna Channel Master 9521A Rotator Channel Master 7777 Titan2 Preamplifier 55' Antenna Tower Harman-Kardon DVD 48 DVD/SACD Player Samsung BD-P1500 Blu-ray Player Adcom ACE-515 Power Conditioner Last edited by tube69; 07-09-2008 at 01:32 PM. Reason: remove link

07-10-2008, 06:57 PM	#42
EscapeVelocity High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 57	I think you just have to have 5 posts, to post a link, to discourage spammers. I may actually fit that definition. But Im just trying to share information. And isnt that what the Internet is supposed to be about in the grand scheme of things. EV's Best Top Rated HDTV Indoor Antenna Review Test Round-Up Guide Last edited by EscapeVelocity; 07-10-2008 at 07:07 PM.

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11-25-2007, 10:21 AM	#31
Bocatrip Bocatrip Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 7	I just hooked up a crappy $10 indoor Radio Shack antenna I had lying around the house and was shocked to see over 30 digital stations coming in quite clearly on my Philips 42" 7422 LCD. How much better will I do if I get a better indoor antenna with an amplifier or will it be pretty much the same? I'm getting many more digital stations than my cable without a converter box.

06-28-2008, 01:13 PM	#36
hierychien A couch and an HDTV to go please. Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 12	I apologize in advance. PUT IT ON THE ROOF!!

07-08-2008, 08:42 AM	#37
Goldie Bowtie Hi-Def Channel Surfer Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Catskills/Hudson Valley, NY Posts: 1	I have one of those antennas, but just last summer I bought a Terrestrial Digital DB-2 antenna, which can be used outdoors as well as indoors. (I live in an apartment building, and our landlord won't allow us to have satellite dishes or antennas, or any other things that stick out outside). I have it fastened to an old floor-lamp stand in my bedroom. The 15-624 I have right now still works, even though I have to trim the wire every now and then. I might just take Tigerbang's advice on the cable soldering. It might be worth a try.

07-09-2008, 12:49 AM	#38
EscapeVelocity High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 57	People looking at this thread might enjoy this... EV's Best Recommended Top Rated HDTV Digital TV Television UHF/VHF Indoor Antenna Review Test Round-Up Guide Cant post a link, but you can Google it and it comes right up. Its a work in progress, but its getting there. Please feel free to comment and add your expertise.

07-10-2008, 11:50 PM	#44
EscapeVelocity High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 57	Oh, Ill remove it then. Must be some bad blood, I dont know about. My apologies. Oops, no editing allowed, either.