Where to buy HDTV OTA antenna?

[pkensler]

Holy cow, what a hassle! I can't find anyone that stocks HDTV antennas, besides the usual TERK or small set-top models found at Radio Shack, Best Buy, etc. I'd rather go buy one locally than order via the web - and besides, I'm hoping to get this done this weekend and not have to wait for delivery.

I'm looking for either the Winegard Square Shooter or Winegard Metrostar - something I can try out in the attic or put on the roof myself without a lot of work. Ideally, I'd like to save money and effort by putting up one antenna instead of two (I'm told the Square Shooter will pick up CBS too from the side).

DOW does NOT sell to the general public anymore - they are only a wholesaler that sells to retailers. Which is a shame, since they are the only people in town who seem to have ever heard of Winegard...

I'll be installing this antenna in a single-story, single-family house in Lutz (Pasco, east of 41 between 54 and County Line) if that makes a difference in case anyone has any advice or recommendations...


Thanks in advance,
Paul

[teampozer]

I knew that about Dow and have wondered why some posters here are still recommending them. It's my opinion that where you're at, you shouldn't have any issues picking up CBS. You're probably close enough that it won't matter that your antenna is directed to the SE. Now which one you choose is up to you. Realize that most antennas should work. None of them are "specifically for HDTV" so buying even a traditional VHF/UHF from a Radio Shack/Home Depot/Lowes just might work even sitting in your attic.

[dprice]

Hmmmm...Dow sold me 500 ft of audio cable last week...no problem. Just drive down there and see if they turn you down. If they do, intercept the next satellite install guy walking in and offer him a beer at Hooters, or $5, whatever to get it for you. Sort of like trying to buy beer a long time ago...

Don

[pkensler]

I ended up buying an HDTV antenna at Radio Shack - the kind that looks like the ChannelMaster stealth antenna. It did a decent job in my house - a single story with a vaulted ceiling. I just stuck the antenna up on top of the plant shelf inside the house. I got all the channels (NBC, CBS, ABC, UPN) with about 75% strength, except for Fox which was around 37%. Cost - about $75.

Since I'm a DirecTV subscriber, and I just moved in, I already had DirecTV coming out to upgrade my dish - I called them and they requested the local installer to bring an OTA antenna. He showed up with the Winegard Metrostar, and installed it on my roof next to the satellite dish. Now I have 100% signal strength on NBC, CBS, ABC, FOX, and UPN - WB is still low, but I guess that's a WB thing... Best of all, it only cost me $50 INSTALLED by going through DirecTV. I did find one guy down in Brandon that had a Metrostar in stock, but living in Lutz it was hard for me to get down there - now I'm glad I didn't after finding out DirecTV could solve the problem.

If this helps anybody, I'm in a single-story, single-family block-construction home in Lutz (W of 75, E of Livingston, between County Line and 54). I do have a direct view of the stations using only a 4' mast mounted to the fascia of my roof.

PK