Radio Shack 15-624 indoor UHF antenna

tigerbangs · 12-27-2005, 09:38 AM

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!

homerjay239 · 12-27-2005, 04:31 PM

Since it's not the most attractive antenna out there, is there any placement suggestions?

jim5506 · 12-27-2005, 07:31 PM

I apologize in advance.

PUT IT ON THE ROOF!!

tigerbangs · 12-27-2005, 10:57 PM

Yes, put it on the roof, but for those who can't or won't, I still have to listen to them carping about lousy reception!

homerjay239 · 12-28-2005, 04:29 PM

seriously tb, does the placement of this indoor antenna make much of a difference? If I can get it near a window - would that help? can I hide it on the floor behind the entertainment center, or should it be as high as possible (as with outdoor antennas)?

jim5506 · 12-29-2005, 11:25 AM

If you can place it in a window that has no wire screen over it in the direction of your stations that will partially simulate it being outside. Also, keep it at least 3 ft away from ANY metal.

The Idea is to have as few obstructions and as much open air between the antenna and the broadcast tower as possible. Walls, roofs and trees are obstructions, they all reduce the signal strength the antenna receives and you can never recover from a weak signal at the antenna with an amplifier (you amplify the noise too).

This is why the basic rules for antenna reception are Outside, Higher and Bigger. Each of these factors optimizes the signal .

gary4ever1 · 12-31-2005, 07:41 PM

I have read this thread and disagree . Please go here .
http://www.warrenelectronics.com/antennas/4228.htm

Then click on channel master . Look at the 8 bay antenna uhf out doors. One of the great benefits is that it will not be affected by high winds and breaking by weight of snow and freezing rain on the elements. The wind blows vertical straight threw . It should be put on a cast iron pole with a antenna rotor and UHF distribution amp of 25 db . The antenna is less than $40.00 . I get a radius range of 75 miles north / south

Yes the antenna belongs outside as high as possible as terrestrial airwaves are transmitted across unlike up / down like satellite . The picture quality is much better than any cable company can offer when it comes to local stations .
Finally as HD is in it developmental stages we certainly can look for more stations making the simulcast / change over and lots of extra channels added like WCSH TV 6 NBC in Portland Maine now transmitting three 3 to 1 .

Hope this helps . Finally as a past radio shack employee i can say many of there products especially antennas are of poor quality and unfortunately many folks never no where to look for suitable equipment . Gary

**rbinck** · 12-31-2005, 07:58 PM

Maybe it was not clear to you Gary, but this thread is not suggesting an indoor antenna be used by anyone. The theme of this thread is if you insist on using an indoor antenna then this particular antenna will have as much gain as any other and it will prevent you from spending major bucks only to find you need to get an outdoor antenna. The OP recommends a CM4228 as a matter of fact.

gary4ever1 · 12-31-2005, 08:22 PM

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

**rbinck** · 01-01-2006, 12:28 PM

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.

tigerbangs · 01-01-2006, 11:19 PM

Welcome to the forum, Gary... You may want to review some of the posts here before you jump in too deeply. I think you'll find that so many of the issues that have been raised have already been answered ad nauseum. The sticky notes at the top of the forum answer many of the issues raised: we tend to answer questions regarding reception, tuners and antennas for those people who have specific needs based on their location or equipment. It's fun and educational: please feel free to join in!

chuckpp · 01-02-2006, 07:50 AM

What does the uhf antena do ????Do you get hd for free i have that with my cable now..

chuck

**rbinck** · 01-02-2006, 10:45 AM

It would be for OTA reception.

joshua12 · 01-17-2006, 06:19 PM

hi,
i got a indoor radioshack antenna today(ill work on an outdoor one when it gets warm and dry)just to try and get cbs,fox.can anyone tell me how to hook it up.i have my cox cable coming from the wall split ,one to antenna on back of tv,the other to hd-dvr(motorola one antenna knob)hd-monitor tv.but i cant take those out,can i use a a/b switch with the cable and indoor antenna cable then to hd-dvr
ps i problably didnt explain this to well

tigerbangs · 01-17-2006, 10:14 PM

Try reading the "A Plea for Help" sticky and repost your question, please.

12-27-2005, 09:38 AM	#1
tigerbangs Antenna Maven Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Springfield, MA Age: 54 Posts: 2,116	Radio Shack 15-624 indoor UHF antenna 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! __________________ Real men don't use indoor antennas; neither do real women!

12-27-2005, 04:31 PM	#2
homerjay239 Marge, beer me Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 27	Placement? Since it's not the most attractive antenna out there, is there any placement suggestions?

12-27-2005, 10:57 PM	#4
tigerbangs Antenna Maven Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Springfield, MA Age: 54 Posts: 2,116	Yes, put it on the roof, but for those who can't or won't, I still have to listen to them carping about lousy reception! __________________ Real men don't use indoor antennas; neither do real women!

12-29-2005, 11:25 AM	#6
jim5506 Yellow Submarine Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Lubbock, Texas Posts: 2,418	If you can place it in a window that has no wire screen over it in the direction of your stations that will partially simulate it being outside. Also, keep it at least 3 ft away from ANY metal. The Idea is to have as few obstructions and as much open air between the antenna and the broadcast tower as possible. Walls, roofs and trees are obstructions, they all reduce the signal strength the antenna receives and you can never recover from a weak signal at the antenna with an amplifier (you amplify the noise too). This is why the basic rules for antenna reception are Outside, Higher and Bigger. Each of these factors optimizes the signal . Last edited by jim5506; 12-29-2005 at 11:29 AM.

12-31-2005, 07:41 PM	#7
gary4ever1 My plasma is High Def. Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 5	UHF 8 bay antenna I have read this thread and disagree . Please go here . http://www.warrenelectronics.com/antennas/4228.htm Then click on channel master . Look at the 8 bay antenna uhf out doors. One of the great benefits is that it will not be affected by high winds and breaking by weight of snow and freezing rain on the elements. The wind blows vertical straight threw . It should be put on a cast iron pole with a antenna rotor and UHF distribution amp of 25 db . The antenna is less than $40.00 . I get a radius range of 75 miles north / south Yes the antenna belongs outside as high as possible as terrestrial airwaves are transmitted across unlike up / down like satellite . The picture quality is much better than any cable company can offer when it comes to local stations . Finally as HD is in it developmental stages we certainly can look for more stations making the simulcast / change over and lots of extra channels added like WCSH TV 6 NBC in Portland Maine now transmitting three 3 to 1 . Hope this helps . Finally as a past radio shack employee i can say many of there products especially antennas are of poor quality and unfortunately many folks never no where to look for suitable equipment . Gary

12-27-2005, 07:31 PM	#3
jim5506 Yellow Submarine Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Lubbock, Texas Posts: 2,418	I apologize in advance. PUT IT ON THE ROOF!!

12-28-2005, 04:29 PM	#5
homerjay239 Marge, beer me Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 27	seriously tb, does the placement of this indoor antenna make much of a difference? If I can get it near a window - would that help? can I hide it on the floor behind the entertainment center, or should it be as high as possible (as with outdoor antennas)?

12-31-2005, 07:58 PM	#8
rbinck Administrator Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Katy, Texas Posts: 12,338	Maybe it was not clear to you Gary, but this thread is not suggesting an indoor antenna be used by anyone. The theme of this thread is if you insist on using an indoor antenna then this particular antenna will have as much gain as any other and it will prevent you from spending major bucks only to find you need to get an outdoor antenna. The OP recommends a CM4228 as a matter of fact. __________________ www.highdefinitionblog.com www.BlogOfHawaii.com

12-31-2005, 08:22 PM	#9
gary4ever1 My plasma is High Def. Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 5	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

01-01-2006, 12:28 PM	#10
rbinck Administrator Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Katy, Texas Posts: 12,338	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. __________________ www.highdefinitionblog.com www.BlogOfHawaii.com

01-01-2006, 11:19 PM	#11
tigerbangs Antenna Maven Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Springfield, MA Age: 54 Posts: 2,116	Welcome to the forum, Gary... You may want to review some of the posts here before you jump in too deeply. I think you'll find that so many of the issues that have been raised have already been answered ad nauseum. The sticky notes at the top of the forum answer many of the issues raised: we tend to answer questions regarding reception, tuners and antennas for those people who have specific needs based on their location or equipment. It's fun and educational: please feel free to join in! __________________ Real men don't use indoor antennas; neither do real women!

01-02-2006, 07:50 AM	#12
chuckpp What is HD? Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 4	newbee here What does the uhf antena do ????Do you get hd for free i have that with my cable now.. chuck

01-02-2006, 10:45 AM	#13
rbinck Administrator Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Katy, Texas Posts: 12,338	It would be for OTA reception. __________________ www.highdefinitionblog.com www.BlogOfHawaii.com

01-17-2006, 06:19 PM	#14
joshua12 A couch and an HDTV to go please. Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: r.i. Posts: 10	hi, i got a indoor radioshack antenna today(ill work on an outdoor one when it gets warm and dry)just to try and get cbs,fox.can anyone tell me how to hook it up.i have my cox cable coming from the wall split ,one to antenna on back of tv,the other to hd-dvr(motorola one antenna knob)hd-monitor tv.but i cant take those out,can i use a a/b switch with the cable and indoor antenna cable then to hd-dvr ps i problably didnt explain this to well

01-17-2006, 10:14 PM	#15
tigerbangs Antenna Maven Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Springfield, MA Age: 54 Posts: 2,116	Try reading the "A Plea for Help" sticky and repost your question, please. __________________ Real men don't use indoor antennas; neither do real women!

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