I wanted excellent reception, lots of choices in programming, movies, and CHEAP entertainment at home. I found ways to save $1000 a year and not feel deprived. First, I tried out four home antennas from Winegard, a major manufacturer.
Four easy, affordable TV antennas, supplied by Winegard
SS-3000 is an amplified low-profile indoor television antenna for excellent reception within 0-30 miles of the station transmitter. It’s not bad looking – an easy-to-connect, free-standing indoor antenna with a plastic enclosure. It comes with a built-in pre-amp and a power supply included. A thing called a power injector supplies additional power to the pre-amp.
Being 42 air miles from the transmitters, we couldn’t get lower band VHF channels, including Chicago WBBM Channel 2 and WMAQ Channel 5, but picture quality was better than Uverse on the upper channels and audio was perfect. SS-3000 is designed to reside on top a TV or on a shelf. It looks way better than rabbit ears. MSRP is $59.99.
Sensar GS-2200 is an amplified indoor/outdoor VHF/UHF contemporary design antenna. It’s intended for reception within 10-45 miles of the transmitter. This is an out-of-the-box plug and play. No assembly required. We received all the digital channels. Occassional pixelation on a stormy night, good sound. If used indoors, it goes in the attic–outdoors on the roof or a mast. MSRP $62.99
HD1080M is a two-bay bowtie, outdoor UHF and high band VHF (channels 7-13) antenna, suggested for 0 to 40 miles from transmitter. Out of the box, it requires carriage bolts to put it together. (here’s how to install it). HD1080M is not a space hog. It’s about the size of a DirecTV dish, though not that shape. Mount it to the roof or outside wall. At 42 miles from the transmitter, our reception was decent but channels 5 and 2 were again MIA. This is a non-amplified antenna for near-in locations. Especially suited to townhomes or condos where you wouldn’t want a big, honking antenna. $69.99
HD7694P is a pretty big momma antenna meant to be installed outdoors on the roof. The manual suggests a range limit of 25 miles for UHF and 30 miles for VHF. Interestingly, we put it in an attic crawl space. We put a preamplifier on it and got outstanding reception of digital channels. Channel 2 is still mildly problematic.
Clarity from these home antennas is remarkable. We put a pay TV connected television next to an antenna connected set and the difference was clear. Hands-down, the off air signal, the antenna, gave a better picture and better sound. We have noted very little pixelation or drop outs. Our pay TV service is constantly wracked with artifacts, drop outs and other garbage, for over $100 per month. I’m saving nearly $1500 annually without pay TV, premium channels, and movies on demand. Where do I get my movies? Read the next post to learn my secret!
There are new networks with the new digital TV systems. Each channel has up to three subchannels in digital, and they are using them to provide some interesting stuff. We’ve used an antenna for nearly a year, now, and are delighted with the results – although Channel 2’s signal drives me nuts and probably always will until and unless they go to a higher frequency. For a savings of well over $1000 annually, I’m hopeful we’ll adapt nicely. We’ll keep you tuned in.
Footnote: At this point, early 2010, the U.S. government is considering selling off the frequencies that house free TV. If they do that, you will be compelled to purchase your TV entertainment at whatever rates anyone chooses to charge you. The digital conversion last spring was such a SNAFU that the program apparently cost more than it earned in the selling of some frequencies. Read more about that and stick with me – I’ll follow this story.
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