Zenith Silver Sensor "HDTV" antenna

[GaryPen]

This is generally regarded as the best indoor UHF antenna for digital OTA reception.

I had it in the attic, and it picked up every SF/SJ area digital station, using a Dish 811 receiver. (Remember that piece of crap?) This was with about 100ft cable run, and a 38 mile distance to the main broadcast tower. It even picked up a VHF station from the opposite direction!!!

I've long since moved, and switched to cable, and this thing has been sitting in its original box in the garage. I pulled it out the other day to play with my TV's tuners, and it's still picking up the stations, even further away. (Although, it was with the TV's ATSC tuners, not a DP811 this time.)

$20 shipped.

 

[snathanb]

(Remember that piece of crap?)

Boy do I. I remember many, many posts from you on the subject...lol. That was the receiver I had when I ditched DISH and went straight OTA. Had the 811 been a better receiver, I might still be a dish customer today.

 

[iceturkee]

gary, what's the range on this antenna? and do you know whether or not it would work amplified?

 

[GaryPen]

I don't know the "official" range. But, it picked up all the digital stations from the San Bruno tower some 40 miles away.

I used a 10dB vhf/uhf amp on it. It helped with a couple stations further north. So, yes, and amp works with it.

I did have it up in a loft, the equivalent of the third floor. I'm sure that helped. I notice a big reception difference in my new place, when I tried it on the first floor vs the second floor. It definitely works better upstairs. I imagine it's due to the high density of housing, plus mountainous terrain here.

 

[GaryPen]

Sold.