Do these antennas really work?

[lostinPA]

Do these really work 150 miles?
https://www.amazon.com/Amplified-1P...words=tv+antenna+outdoor+long+range+150+miles

 

[RF Steve]

The short answer is No!!
The curvature of the earth limits the range of VHF and UHF signals to less than 80 miles in most locations. I am quite well aware that there are exception to that. 150 miles is nothing more than a wild marketing claim.
From my reading and personal observation these antennas work better than I would expect, but for a very short period time. Normally less than six months when mounted outside.
The rotor in them often fails in a few days, and has no indoor read out as to which direction the antenna is pointed. The built in preamp is prone to both failure, and overload from nearby signals.
With some creativity on the mounting arrangement I think they would work quite well as an indoor antenna. Used outside they need to be replaced frequently.

 

[Fringe Reception]

RF Steve is spot-on. Sadly, it's Chinese junk that they continue to offer for sale.

 

[harelfiliba]

Hi,

I bough this item recently

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Supersonic-...torized-/252705029990?ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT

And it's does the job

 

[ATL Royals]

I own one of these Chinese piece of junk antennas. I have it mounted in my attic. It works well enough, but it's pretty clear the VHF-hi balun has lost sensitivity, so I'm not picking up NBC (RF channel 10), and UHF sensitivity is dropping over time. It's my intention to replace it soon, once my medical bills from last fall are paid.

No, it will never pick up anything from 150 miles away, but it does have surprisingly good reception on UHF as long as you have line-of-sight to the tower, or are somewhat closer on 1-edge and 2-edge stations. However, low-power stations, even nearby ones that should have better signal that distant high-power broadcasters, are choppy and frequently drop out.

I used to recommend this one when I first bought it, but after 2 1/2 years with it I'm a lot less satisfied.

 

[Jim Navotney]

Only antenna SIZE is a good predictor of performance so regardless of all the fake distance and gain claims, the bigger the antenna the better it works.
A simple 4 bay bowtie made from scrap wire and a stick will easily out distance most of the plastic Chinese gimmicks.
And a Winegard 7694 will beat them all by a country mile

 

[traveling wave]

The UK group A uhf channels 21-37 "470-603" mhz are a perfect match for the USA channels 14-36. There are several UK antenna mfg. companies that make quality uhf antennas designed for Group A. Since no USA company seems to want to re-tool and redesign for the new USA uhf channels 14-36 it would be nice if some USA retailer would import a large enough quantity of group A antennas and buying in quantity may reduce some of the import costs, British pound to US dollar conversion etc.

 

[Jim Navotney]

The UK group A uhf channels 21-37 "470-603" mhz are a perfect match for the USA channels 14-36. There are several UK antenna mfg. companies that make quality uhf antennas designed for Group A. Since no USA company seems to want to re-tool and redesign for the new USA uhf channels 14-36 it would be nice if some USA retailer would import a large enough quantity of group A antennas and buying in quantity may reduce some of the import costs, British pound to US dollar conversion etc.

I also like some of the antennas from Australia but ordering them is also a problem in the US.
The difference in performance between a antenna designed for 14-51 and one for 14-36 may also very small especially if it was properly designed.
The new Winegards all have peak gain below 36 so retooling isn't needed