Indoor DTV antenna

**Seymour Butts** · 19-03-14, 08:28 PM

I have a 40" LG LCD TV in my office.
It's used mostly for PowerPoint and Camtasia Studio presentations (VGA to HDMI)
However I would like to occasionally swap over to digital TV to watch the cricket or whatever.

Has anyone had any success with Internal DVD antennas??
And if so what do you recommend?
My office is on the top floor or a two story wooden building.
Thanks

**jok11n** · 19-03-14, 08:39 PM

From my experience environmental influence is the decider, can work great in some locations and not at all in others, something you just have to try and see, buy from somewhere with a generous return policy I guess

**mtv** · 19-03-14, 09:31 PM

Indoor antennas are generally only suitable for areas with excellent signal.

Not knowing how good the signals are in your office, it's impossible to say.

The indoor antennas with built-in amps tend to create more problems than they solve with digital.

If you can provide an approximate location, I may be able to give you a 'guesstimate' how well an indoor antenna 'may' perform.

**hoe** · 19-03-14, 10:08 PM

I have one working fine in st James, perth. Not sure how far away the transmitter is, but I get 10/10 on all channels.

**Seymour Butts** · 19-03-14, 10:19 PM

Thanks guys, I'm in Werribee Victoria - Bloody miles from the local transmitter I'm told.
I live only 2Kms from my office and my standard terrestrial antenna on the roof gives excellent reception.
I might just have to "Suck it and see"

**hoe** · 19-03-14, 10:48 PM

You might be surprised, you will have to do a bit of trial and error to get the best spot.
Just get some basic rabbit ears, mine has a coat hanger on one side.

**mtv** · 19-03-14, 11:48 PM

Originally Posted by Seymour Butts

Thanks guys, I'm in Werribee Victoria

Werribee can be a difficult reception area, even with a roof-mounted antenna.

I doubt an indoor antenna would provide reliable reception, but being elevated will help.

**Seymour Butts** · 20-03-14, 09:08 AM

Thanks guys, I'll buy a few cheap ones and see where it leads.
Cheers

**gordon_s1942** · 20-03-14, 09:37 AM

Depending how keen you are and have the time to waste watching TV instead of working (retired, so I can poke fun), If you have a fair sized window facing the TV transmitters, maybe a phased array mounted on an old floor fan base so that it sits dead centre of the window facing the transmitters might work.

I would avoid the wall even though you say its wooden because it could have metal strapping and/or be insulated with foil and the signals dont pass through that too well.

If it works and others ask what it is, you can say its the latest version of an 'Ionic Room Energiser' !!!

**mtv** · 20-03-14, 06:56 PM

Originally Posted by gordon_s1942

... If you have a fair sized window facing the TV transmitters, maybe a phased array mounted on an old floor fan base so that it sits dead centre of the window facing the transmitters might work.

Gordon,

Werribee signals are from the main Melbourne Mt Dandenong transmitters... which are all VHF (except the UHF community channel).

VHF phased arrays are HUGE... most definitely NOT suitable for indoor use.

A small Log Periodic VHF antenna can work well when used indoors sometimes..... I've installed a couple previously.

**gordon_s1942** · 21-03-14, 11:17 AM

MTV, I did say a 'Fair Sized window' he could stand it in and pass it off as a sculpture. Seen sillier things used as 'Conversation pieces'.

If you remember, I still have that pair of Hills CA16's up in the Pine tree and they appear from the ground to be in good condition considering its now more than 30 years since I put them there, now that is quality.