Reality: very much range and line of sight limited.
I tried the super duper digital OTA antenna, good for 75 miles (we are 53 as the crow flies) and got zero channels.
Returned it to Best Buy. GEEKSQUAD guy said they got a LOT of returns on them.
“I tried the super duper digital OTA antenna, good for 75 miles (we are 53 as the crow flies) and got zero channels.”
I’m within the range (50something to 75 miles) you mentioned and get a boatload of channels pretty well. Using nothing but some el cheapo rabbit ears antenna. If you haven’t given those a try yet, I’d suggest hooking a pair up.
But, like I said, the rule about range has always been in place. Though I’ve watched atmospheric “skip” channels from 100s of miles away. It’s an odd phenom and usually doesn’t last for a real long time.
“Returned it to Best Buy. GEEKSQUAD guy said they got a LOT of returns on them.”
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By the way, never take a PC to BestBuy-Geek Squad for fixin’. Not only do they scam the bejezuz outta people, but they’re also pretty much an arm of the deep state when it comes to getting any info outta your devices.
“I tried the super duper digital OTA antenna, good for 75 miles (we are 53 as the crow flies) and got zero channels”
I have read more than one time that you want to match the over-the-air antenna as close as possible to your actual distance to the tower. A 75-mile range antenna may not be good when you’re only 50 miles out. Over amplification or something to that effect.
We live over 50 miles from the big sticks. Got one of those very directional antennas (like from ole Radio Shack). Pull in about 48 off air channels. Like 3.1,3.2,3.3,3.4,3.5,3.6,8.1, etc
All digital, only xx.1 is the HD channel, the others are low bandwidth 4x3 programming, but hey that’s when TV was 1000% better anyway !!!
Zipcode 33523 is not exactly near any towers.
I did the same. My probably 40 year old rooftop antenna worked far better.
Any states range that relies on an amplifier is exagerrated. You cannot amplicy what isn’t there. A lot depends on topography, elevation, large obstacles (skyline, mountains). A good roof antenna (Channel Master, maybe Winegard) may make the difference.
[2019 Latest] Amplified HD Digital TV Antenna Long 65-80 Miles Range – Support 4K 1080p & All Older TV’s Indoor Powerful HDTV Amplifier Signal Booster - 18ft Coax Cable/USB Power Adapter https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07FVLXHYV/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_I8MpCb4HHT6E3
This one works great for me at 50+ miles.
You must live in a deep dark valley.
There's no such thing as a "digital" antenna. Radio waves are still analog. You was hustled.
Antennas are not one-size fits all, particularly because the transmitters for the new OTA stations are much lower powered than the ones they used in the pre-"digital" days. You need to hand-pick an antenna based on your circumstances, particlarly three factors:
1. The distance to the one station that's furthest away but that you HAVE TO have.
2. How many "bands" are included among all the stations that are on your HAVE TO have list (the choices are Low VHF, High VHF and UHF).*
3. What is the width of the arc (how many degrees apart is the compass heading) between the HAVE TO have station furthest to your left versus the one that's furthest to your right (this is known as "beam width").
You can get most of this information from TV Fools dot Com
Once you have that information, you need a comprehensive list of antennas available by manufacturer and model. The best one I know of is at Digital Home dot Canada. Search the thread I linked to for a decision chart posted by user name 'Stampede.'
*The channel you select on your TV dial is the "virtual" channel, which has absolutely nothing to do with the "broadcast" channel number, although in some cases (particularly the historic "broadcast" stations) they are the same. Which band a given station is transmitting in depends on the broadcast channel, not the virtual channel. The TV Fools chart will tell you both.
Broadcast channels 2 thru 6 are Low VHF. 7 thru 13 are high VHF and 14-82 are UHF. Not all antennas are rated for all three bands so you need one that will bring in at least all of your HAVE TO have stations.
Regarding "beam width," I usually had to go to the antenna manufacturer's website to find out this detail. And it is entirely possible you could have antennas that are too far apart --- say, one due north and the other due south -- for any one antenna to cover. Joining signal from more than one antenna is tricky so you might have to make a choice to the exclusion of some channels you wish you could get.
Labeling an antenna "digital" is pure hype and depending on your circumstance, a 50-year old antenna from the analog days could be entirely adequate.
What model # is THAT?
A simple modified yagi style (see my post #92) will probably stomp it.
This one will definitely work:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00SVNKT86/ref=emc_b_5_mob_t
I have the 2-loop version, getting around 80 channels 60 miles from Orlando. That one is same brand, 4-loop version. More better. Reviews are spectacular, as they should be.
A couple notes for over the air antennas:
1. The higher, the better. Put it outside, high up.
2. Aim is very important, the farther away you are, the more important it is. There are maps of exactly where the broadcast antennas are. Use google earth to find your house, and the cluster of broadcast antennas in the nearest big city. Use the google map, draw a line from where you will mount your antenna to the broadcast cluster. Find a landmark you can see from your antenna mount that the line runs through, use it to aim your antenna.
3. If you have a helper, use your smart tv to help optimize the signal. They have a setting somewhere that shows signal strength. Tweak your antenna left right up down to maximize signal strength.
4. Set your smart tv to autoscwn for all channels. Delete the stupid ones.
For me, a long piece of coaxial cable worked as well as an antenna.
(3 tv’s in the house, 2 with cable)