Am I out of luck?

interface2x · 02-04-2006, 04:09 PM

I just decided to try and get into the OTA HD game so I'm still in the really clueless stage. Unfortunately, my apartment complex has a contract with (what I consider to be) a substandard cable company that offers no HD option.

I live in ZIP Code 60516, which is 22.4 miles from the Sears Tower in Chicago. My apartment is on the ground floor of a two story building and the back of my television is right next to the sliding glass door facing East. The Sears Tower is mostly East of here and a little North.

The TV I'm working with is a Sharp Aquos LC-37DB5U. So far, I have only tried indoor antennas and the two that I've tried are:

Phillips SCA050 - amplified signal 25dB
RadioShack 15-880 - amplified signal 26dB

When I tried to do the Antenna Setup - Digital (hooked into the Digital - Air coax port) process on my TV, I get absolutely nothing. No signal, nothing. It's literally the same thing I get when I try the process without anything plugged in.

Just out of curiosity, I tried it also on the Analog port and just off the air, I get four channels (NBC, ABC, WGN, PBS), all pretty snowy.

Since I got pretty much the same result with both antennas, it's making me think that I'm not going to get anything going here. So am I doing something wrong? Would there be any change if I tried an external antenna on my patio? Or am I just out of luck on this HD thing unless I switch to satellite?

Thank you!

Rick0725 · 02-04-2006, 05:05 PM

First...Since you are on the ground floor, are there any structures in the way... buildings in the distance, etc. to the direction of the towers?

Trying to get a feel if a large multidirectional with preamp would work for you. Maybe mounted someplace outside on the deck.

Antennaweb suggests:

LM – Large Multidirectional - Yellow, Green, LT GREEN with preamp or
SD – Small directional - Yellow, Green, LT GREEN with preamp, which of course would be prohibitive in an apartment situation.

20 miles or more from the towers ....inside reception may be a challenge.

Rick

interface2x · 02-04-2006, 06:52 PM

There aren't any large structures right by me but I think I am in a slight depression as the road is a slight incline moving eastward.

Rick0725 · 02-04-2006, 07:15 PM

Try one of these...(make sure you can return it after purchase though if it does not work)

Winegard - Multidirectional
MS-2000 - Amplified
GS-2000 – Amplified
SS-2000 - Amplified for ch 7-69

http://www.winegard.com/offair/offairmain.htm

Channel Master 7777 amplifier and connect a Antennas direct DB-2 to its UHF input, and connect rabbit ears to its VHF input."

maybe a Silver Sensor (ZHDTV1, UHF only)

Multidirectional antennas can be multipath prone...

Rick

02-04-2006, 04:09 PM	#1
interface2x What is HD? Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 2	Am I out of luck? I just decided to try and get into the OTA HD game so I'm still in the really clueless stage. Unfortunately, my apartment complex has a contract with (what I consider to be) a substandard cable company that offers no HD option. I live in ZIP Code 60516, which is 22.4 miles from the Sears Tower in Chicago. My apartment is on the ground floor of a two story building and the back of my television is right next to the sliding glass door facing East. The Sears Tower is mostly East of here and a little North. The TV I'm working with is a Sharp Aquos LC-37DB5U. So far, I have only tried indoor antennas and the two that I've tried are: Phillips SCA050 - amplified signal 25dB RadioShack 15-880 - amplified signal 26dB When I tried to do the Antenna Setup - Digital (hooked into the Digital - Air coax port) process on my TV, I get absolutely nothing. No signal, nothing. It's literally the same thing I get when I try the process without anything plugged in. Just out of curiosity, I tried it also on the Analog port and just off the air, I get four channels (NBC, ABC, WGN, PBS), all pretty snowy. Since I got pretty much the same result with both antennas, it's making me think that I'm not going to get anything going here. So am I doing something wrong? Would there be any change if I tried an external antenna on my patio? Or am I just out of luck on this HD thing unless I switch to satellite? Thank you!

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02-04-2006, 05:05 PM	#2
Rick0725 Antennas by Committee Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Clay, New York Posts: 1,562	First...Since you are on the ground floor, are there any structures in the way... buildings in the distance, etc. to the direction of the towers? Trying to get a feel if a large multidirectional with preamp would work for you. Maybe mounted someplace outside on the deck. Antennaweb suggests: LM – Large Multidirectional - Yellow, Green, LT GREEN with preamp or SD – Small directional - Yellow, Green, LT GREEN with preamp, which of course would be prohibitive in an apartment situation. 20 miles or more from the towers ....inside reception may be a challenge. Rick

02-04-2006, 06:52 PM	#3
interface2x What is HD? Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 2	There aren't any large structures right by me but I think I am in a slight depression as the road is a slight incline moving eastward.

02-04-2006, 07:15 PM	#4
Rick0725 Antennas by Committee Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Clay, New York Posts: 1,562	Try one of these...(make sure you can return it after purchase though if it does not work) Winegard - Multidirectional MS-2000 - Amplified GS-2000 – Amplified SS-2000 - Amplified for ch 7-69 http://www.winegard.com/offair/offairmain.htm Channel Master 7777 amplifier and connect a Antennas direct DB-2 to its UHF input, and connect rabbit ears to its VHF input." maybe a Silver Sensor (ZHDTV1, UHF only) Multidirectional antennas can be multipath prone... Rick