Rabbit Ears are not working for DTV reception - Please help!

A

angie

DTVUSA Rookie
#1
#1
I currently have a TV for my workplace, using "rabbit ears". Granted, I only got a couple channels, but they were major networks and worked just fine for me. I bought the Tivax STB-T8 converter, hooked it up, and now I get 3 PBS channels and that's IT! Yes, they're crystal clear, but I can't seem to get anything else. Checked the signal strength and it was at 0 no matter where I directed the rabbit ears, but the PBS channels still came in. Why would I get the channel in analog with the antenna, but not digital? :confused:So....do I need to buy a stronger antenna, and if so, which one? This is a place of employment, so I don't think a rooftop antenna is an option. And I'm in a valley, surrounded by large hills. Am I out of luck, or is there still hope?!?!
 
cowboyup4christ

cowboyup4christ

DTVUSA Member
#2
#2
angie said:
I currently have a TV for my workplace, using "rabbit ears". Granted, I only got a couple channels, but they were major networks and worked just fine for me. I bought the Tivax STB-T8 converter, hooked it up, and now I get 3 PBS channels and that's IT! Yes, they're crystal clear, but I can't seem to get anything else. Checked the signal strength and it was at 0 no matter where I directed the rabbit ears, but the PBS channels still came in. Why would I get the channel in analog with the antenna, but not digital? :confused:So....do I need to buy a stronger antenna, and if so, which one? This is a place of employment, so I don't think a rooftop antenna is an option. And I'm in a valley, surrounded by large hills. Am I out of luck, or is there still hope?!?!
Click to expand...
if all of the digital channels in your area are going to uhf you will need to buy a antenna that can recieve UHf most rabbit ears will not. they make several amplified in door antennas which should work for you.:)
 
A

angie

DTVUSA Rookie
#3
#3
Thanks for the info, but I still have questions: I went to antennaweb.org, and when I entered my zip code, the PBS channels are in the yellow/uhf zone, I have one Fox station in the blue/uhf zone, but the rest of the channels are in the violet/vhf zone, and I'm in the 50+ mile range from these towers. Could the uhf/vhf status change after the conversion? Does the vhf status mean they haven't converted yet? You had said that most rabbit ears will not pick up uhf, but right now that's ALL I can get using rabbit ears. Any suggestions?
 
cowboyup4christ

cowboyup4christ

DTVUSA Member
#4
#4
angie said:
Thanks for the info, but I still have questions: I went to antennaweb.org, and when I entered my zip code, the PBS channels are in the yellow/uhf zone, I have one Fox station in the blue/uhf zone, but the rest of the channels are in the violet/vhf zone, and I'm in the 50+ mile range from these towers. Could the uhf/vhf status change after the conversion? Does the vhf status mean they haven't converted yet? You had said that most rabbit ears will not pick up uhf, but right now that's ALL I can get using rabbit ears. Any suggestions?
Click to expand...
use your exact address at TV Fool - Home they are more accurate as to what is what. the blue will require an outdoor antenna with a pre amp on it as well as the violet anything outside of red zone you will need a pre amp anything outside of yellow will require an outdoor antenna.:)
 
Thomas G

Thomas G

Contributor
#5
#5
angie said:
Thanks for the info, but I still have questions: I went to antennaweb.org, and when I entered my zip code, the PBS channels are in the yellow/uhf zone, I have one Fox station in the blue/uhf zone, but the rest of the channels are in the violet/vhf zone, and I'm in the 50+ mile range from these towers. Could the uhf/vhf status change after the conversion? Does the vhf status mean they haven't converted yet? You had said that most rabbit ears will not pick up uhf, but right now that's ALL I can get using rabbit ears. Any suggestions?
Click to expand...
Yeah, it sounds like rabbit ears just aren't going to do it for your conditions. There are a lot of indoor antennas that can receive both UHF/VHF, that are powered (pre-amp), and cost less than $40.00.

I like the Terk HDTVa Indoor Amplified High-Definition Antenna myself, but I'm sure there are other solutions as well. 50+ miles is a bit far, but I'm sure you can still get good reception by using an indoor powered antenna.
 
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