wait until we have the total switch over to digital. The old analog signals travel better through things like trees and clouds......when peoples digital signal is not as clear as a sattelite with no obstructions (other than large storms) we may see more people going to dishes.
I’m not so sure about that... The digital signal I receive is far superior to the analog I get. Even with the clouds and trees (Not much else to get in the way down here in Houston).
I just put the antenna in the attic.
I wonder about the digital signals. I made a Fractal antenna from directions on the internet and hooked it to a tuner device on my laptop. It works very well but seems to require close signals.
What are the signal characteristics? Do trees and other such impede reception. Is a clear line of sight necessary. Does the signal disappear when out of sight, ie no line of sight, due to distance?
Then there is the question of direction. Is the digital signal highly directional?
I really enjoyed fooling with the amazing little device that plugged into a usb port and made the laptop an HD TV.
I made the fractal antennna because it was less cumbersome than the many variations of coat hanger antennas. The laptop goes with us camping and now does extra duty as a TV.
The signal is not dependent upon content, but upon frequency.
The digital signal will travel at the same rate as the analog signal because the ‘carrier frequency’ remains the same.
The big difference between analog or an ‘FM’ frequency and a ‘digital’ one is that digital content uses a ‘checksum’ in the decoder to reassemble the signal for viewing.
Digital is ‘error prone’, just like your computer.
Any data loss shows up in the signal as a ‘block’ or drop out in the screen.
Trees, buildings and hill sides would have no more effect on digital then it does on FM signals.
Carriers ‘bounce’ and it is possible to set up a ‘passive repeater’ (stand alone antenna) on a hill side to increase your chances of getting the signal to your receiver.