Anytime we talk about antennas there are several conversations that could take place. That's because there are some things we need to consider before we purchase our equipment. Will the antenna be installed indoors or outdoors? If indoors will it be in a conspicuous area, or hidden away in an attic? If outdoors will it be affixed to a structure like a house, or will it be on a pole? Where are your signals coming from? One direction or multiple? Do I need an amplifier?
While that seems like a lot to consider, the truth is that it is only scratching the surface. There are many technical questions that antenna experts might ask, but those can start to be very intimidating for someone looking to save some money on their bills every month. What we'll try to accomplish today is identifying the most basic information needed to get up and running. Since our target audience is Charlotte, we'll proceed with the assumption that this is the area where our imaginary antenna will be set up.
Before we discuss the various types of antennas on the market it seems logical to discuss a common marketing tool that is out there. As you explore the packaging on many antennas you might see something that says "HD Antenna" or "HD Ready." While those may be fine antennas the fact of the matter is that there is no such thing as a "HD Antenna." All TV antennas can receive OTA DTV signals whether those tranmissions are in HD or SD. Now if you see an antenna that states for VHF or UHF then that is something that makes a difference. VHF antennas are largely impractical for today's OTA TV signals. While some VHF (very high frequency) signals still persist across the country, WTVI in the Charlotte area is an example, they are the exception. UHF (ultra high frequency) antennas will tune nearly all of the the OTA DTV signals out there.
In addition to terms like UHF and VHF, one other term that is essential for antenna users is "gain." Gain is a measure that is basically the receptive power of that antenna. The higher the gain the more powerful you can expect to receive a signal. Knowing that it seems like you'd just want the highest gain antenna you can buy right? Well yes and no, mainly because of overload. Too much signal can overload the tuner in your TV set and cause issues. That is a discussion for a different day, but still a concern in some situations.
Indoor antennas are exactly what they sound like. Antennas designed to be used indoors. They usually have a design that doesn't stand out, and blends into your interior decor. That also often have stands that allows them to be placed on shelves and other flat surfaces. This one, the Mohu Leaf Metro is among the smallest in the bunch. Mohu has several other indoor offerings such as the amplified Leaf 50, and the Leaf 30. All three of those options are paintable per the manufacturer.
While Charlotte Cord Cutter does not have direct experience with any of the those, we do have experience with a model that is marketed as indoor/outdoor. The Clearstream 2V from Antennas Direct is small enough that it could be used indoors, albeit somewhat awkwardly, however our application is outdoors. Quite possible the biggest advantage of indoor antennas is adaptability. If you need to adjust the antenna to face it in a different direction, or to a different place in the room there isn't much stopping you. Plus if you ever need to move the TV you can take the antenna with it.Where the indoor antenna falls short has less to do with the antenna than it does with the indoors. Since it is by definition separated from the signal by walls, windows, and any number of other obstacles the reception will be affected. Even the models that have incorporate amplifiers could potentially underperfom due to their location. Charlotte Cord Cutter recommends outdoor antennas whenever possible, however indoor antennas can be viable solutions in the right circumstances.
Our next installment will focus on attic and outdoor antenna options, Stay tuned,
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