Can I use an outdoor antenna indoors to improve reception?

[Lord Vader]

I'm located 32 miles west/southwest of Chicago, from where all my main OTA signals originate. I'm on the 2nd floor of a 3-story apt. building, and my unit's windows all face southwest, directly opposite from where my OTA signals come.

I've tried a couple different indoor antennas, the latest being the much-touted Silver Sensor. Although that particular antenna is better than others I've tried, it still doesn't pull in the signals as well as I'd like.

I have the luxury of having an indoor antenna in a bedroom and pointing it toward Chicago, with the cable from the antenna running to the living room satellite receivers. I do this for aesthetic purposes, which also means that if I need to, I can use a bigger and better--even uglier--antenna to pull in the signals. I'd love to be able to do this to also get my CBS affiliate, WBBM Channel 2, which (a) beams from the Hancock building--all others come from the Sears Tower; and (b) is on a much lower frequency, meaning it can't come in like all the other primary channels.

So, what I'm wondering is if I can use an antenna that normally is installed outdoor to get better signals and possibly my CBS station (though the former is more important to me than the latter). Because this antenna would be "hidden" in a room that no one would enter or see, I don't mind it being aesthetically bad.

Any suggestions on whether I could do this, and if so, which models might be good? Obviously a huge antenna wouldn't do the trick--I don't have the space to put up a bowtie antenna that would stretch 4 or more feet across.

[SolidSignal_Mike]

Using an outdoor antenna indoors is far more affective than those set-top /rabbit ear antennas. In fact most people that install antennas in their attic use the outdoor type. The big metal antennas have always worked best.

I have heard that the CBS is a real pain to get in, especially in digital. The only limitation in your situation is the size of the antenna. When going indoors most people get a twice the antenna that we would need outdoor to make up for the loss. At 30 miles that would be the Channel Master CM3679, which would be much too big. Even the 3016, which is one of our smallest tradional style antennas would be too big.

Even if the antenna is a bit undersize for the mileage, it would have to be better than those cheap indoor antennas. If you can put an antenna on your balcony, the CM3010 Stealthtenna would work great.

If you are limited to 4 feet width, we do have antenna that is 6.5 inches wide but about 46.5 long. It is the Winegard Sensar III GS1100 Hopefully this will do, in fact I can't find anything smaller. It has great VHF and sure get CBS.

-Mike

[Lord Vader]

Mike,

I could put an antenna on my balcony, but the balcony, which is on the 2nd floor, does face southwest, the opposite direction from Chicago. Of course, it's outside, and if this means it might be a bit better to catch the signals, then I could possibly do it.

BTW, between the CM3010 and the Winegard GS1100, which is better?

[SolidSignal_Mike]

I have spoken to many customers in an apartment building, with a similiar situation where they were able to pick up a reflected signal of the building in front of them, but its not something I would count on. I recommend getting an antenna that will fit inside, so if it doesnt work outside you can still use it in the room.

Between the two, the CM3010 is better in my oppinion. It's much stronger in a particular direction, whereas the GS1100 picks up two opposite directions simultaniously. The Bi-directional ability of the GS1100 can actually be a distadvantage by picking up more interference.

Again I would normally recommend something much larger for inside, but any of the antennas we discussed would be stronger than the Silver Sensor.

-Mike

[Lord Vader]

Mike,

Would I really need the 3038 amplifier with this, or would that realistically be a waste of money to get the amplifier with the 3010?

[SolidSignal_Mike]

An amplifier really only makes up for loss aquired from long cable lengths and splits. So it wouldnt do you any service to get one. So if you are looking at the bundle on our site, I would just buy the CM3010 and if you want a J-mount, then get the DS3000 for only 15.99, it's a bit taller than the one in the bundle.

-Mike

[Lord Vader]

I don't think the cable length will be much of a problem. It's no longer than 25 feet from the antenna to the receivers.

[lonewolfette]

Was just reading through this thread as it's essentially the same set-up that I'm working with. I have no ability to put an antenna on the roof, nor do I have an attic to use. I have a lengthy bit of wall space behind my TV , but it's fairly narrow. The above suggested antennas are just the sort of thing I'm looking into.

I have a slightly different "story" however: my area is a finished, ground level "basement" that's surrounded by lots of trees. (The entire county is known for its foliage.) Essentially, I'm looking for a strong antenna as currently regular rabbit ears can pull in a whopping two analog channels. I recently purchase a digital TV PC stick with a telescopic antenna... which receives only the same two analog channels & no digital. According to AntennaWeb, I have about a dozen digital channels that are 45 miles or less away. Now, with a decent amount of trees/foliage & hills & mountains, would the GS1100 do for me (perhaps with an amplifier) or would the CM3010 be better (& might the amplifier be anything of a help to me)?

As for length of wire, it'll easily be nore more than 6 feet, but I do intend on getting at least something like the Winegard A / B switch, so I can have the antenna & my basic cable, but I'm also looking to split the feed between my VCR & DVD recorder.

[lnerdman1]

I just ordered a ya173. Will it workin my attic. Hope it's bewtter thhan uhf

[candiceunderwood]

using the UHF antenna is the one of the old way of using an antenna.But compared to newer one it s more effective using outdoor antenna. using an outdoor antenna is better when you have a small house because you can turn the pole where the antenna is located.

[SWHouston]

lonewolfette,
When you checked your receivable channels on the Tower Locater, did you use your elevation in minus (-)?
Since you are below grade, that inclusion may seriously alter what you can get. Check that again and let us know what you find !
Additionally, using an A/B is not as convenient as it seems, now a days, most VCR's, TV's and DVD's have to be switched between "Cable" and "Antenna", and you may have to do a Channel Scan each time you change them.
This may be an issue you might be able to avoid, by dedicating the VCR to the Antenna, and the DVR to the Cable. Just a suggestion.

Inderman1.
Your choice of YA type Antenna is very interesting!
The YB series as well as the CM and FO series from AS&S, have very limited UHF reception capabilities, mostly in the lower range (400-450 Mhz).
I don't have any listing for the YA series, and if you would, please give us a link to that. I'd love to see the specifications on it!

Have a good Day !
S.W.

[lonewolfette]

Originally Posted by SWHouston

lonewolfette,
When you checked your receivable channels on the Tower Locater, did you use your elevation in minus (-)?
Since you are below grade, that inclusion may seriously alter what you can get. Check that again and let us know what you find !
Additionally, using an A/B is not as convenient as it seems, now a days, most VCR's, TV's and DVD's have to be switched between "Cable" and "Antenna", and you may have to do a Channel Scan each time you change them.
This may be an issue you might be able to avoid, by dedicating the VCR to the Antenna, and the DVR to the Cable. Just a suggestion.

I may just have to dedicate one to each. I'll give the A/B switch a go & if that gets annoying, I'll change.

As for AntennaWeb, I've got it listed at street leve, which it actually is, there's just lots of trees around. Are you saying I should go back & reset it so that it appears I'm below grade?

[SWHouston]

lonewolfette,

No, if you set it at "0", I think you probably have it as best you can, not that it wouldn't hurt to see what a -2 or -4 would show.

Good luck with your setup, and keep us updated !

Have a good Day !
S.W.

[SWHouston]

lonewolfette,
I hate to double clutch a Topic by posting twice in a row, but.....

I'm trying to think of a way to get you out of that "hole" you're in.
I've seen in some instances, where one has used what I'm going to call a "Shirt Box" Antenna.
It looks like a Box, and can be mounted on the outside wall of your residence, given that wall is toward the stations you want to watch.
Check out: (here at SSig)

Possible Outside Wall Mount:
AntennaCraft HDX1000 VHF UHF HD Antenna (HDX1000)
Antennas Direct Lacrosse UHF High Definition TV Antenna (LACROSSE)
TERK HDTVs High-Band VHF/UHF Digital/Analog/HDTV Antenna System (HD-TVs)

Additionally, you might consider using an Circular Omni mounted to the ceiling of your Apartment, nearest the Stations, see...

Ceiling Mount:
AntennaCraft 5MS921 Omni-State Omni-Directional HDTV/VHF/UHF Antenna

Have a good Day !
S.W.