I am presently using a Deck Tech omni directional antenna the type whitworths are selling for $99. I have tried it in several different positions and even tried putting it on a pole to get it higher all I can get is one station. Do these need to be totally level? Is it worth buying a more expensive type? Any suggestions?

Hi Twodogs,
I have a Deck Tech omni directional from Whitworths that cost me $170 so I don't know if they are a different model or simply that you got a better deal.
I am not a TV person and I mainly use my TV to look at movies that I have downloaded or DVD's but on the odd occasion when I have used the TV (to watch Qld win the first State of Origin, for example) it has worked well.
Assuming that you connected it up acording to the directions then I cant see why it wouldn't work.
Mine has a 12v inlet so if yours is the same model I would be checking the power in side from your plug to the connection box.
If that is OK and you have connected it properly and it still doesn't work then I would be taking it back to Whitworths.
Mine antennae isn't fixed and I just run it out and put it on my solar panel that is mounted on my davits and it seems to work fine.
Probably not much help, but thats the best I can offer,
Rick.

Without being facetious I am going to assume this is on a boat. Given that boats are generally not ever level I would think that it doesn't have to be level.
Good quality cable?
Of the right resistance?
Correct terminations?

I have a similar one & found it to be very ordinary. I guess you get what you pay for.

When I was on the hard in Sydney it worked great, getting all the channels very clear.

On Lake Macquarie if I'm tucked in behind an island I get nothing.

If I'm in direct line of sight to the station antenna I have to turn the power off to get reception!!

Mostly though it's not too bad, depending on the weather, with occasional pixalating.

Ill ask down on my pier I went through what to buy and have now forgotten but they were all using the same unit Ill find out the let you know.
Want the wit worths unit some thing else

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twodogs1969 said..
I am presently using a Deck Tech omni directional antenna ...Any suggestions?

Yes, please turn down the volume when using a tv on the water near other boats.

I was moored by a power boat a few weeks ago, the guy had Channel 7 news blasting at full volume during that magical time just after sunset. I was yelling at him to turn it down but of course he couldn't hear me. I had to listen to the details of all the latest murders and political @rse wipes while all around the silence was destroyed. Thankfully he turned it off after the news. Music is one thing but TV? Why even leave home?

No offence Two Dogs - just had to get that off my chest and make a polite request to all boat tv users. Noise travels on water and boats aren't made of bricks. End rant.

Basic omni just a bared end of a coax wire capped off in a pvc pipe.. bent as a ring is what theyre selling as rv/boat antennaes. My research turned a big thumbsdown with them, i got a cheap uhf/vhf compatible vee type log periodic house antennae, very rarely i have to point it correctly and adjusted for the sway of the wind.. if any omnis going to work, then what i have is supposedly more versatile. Start off with a coat hanger or rabbit ears maybe?

As a ex TV repairer and aerial installer, I can post a lot about antennas.
Latest digital TV transmission requires good strong singnal.
That creates serious problem to get good reception.
First..... TV signal coverage, is it present, in the area you are in.
Could by weak as and super aerial would not help.
Second...Omni aerial are only for strong signal.
Most have build in amplifier, even with them, very strong signal only.
Next is mesh, popular, caravan people used them a lot, with amplifier
marginal reception, also have to be directed towards transmission.
Yagi antennas , simple rule more element narrower receiving angle, stronger signal.
Old days I build 20 elements yagi, very strong but narrow engle, that even strong wing affected.
Nowdays, we have good combination of smaller yagis with, wide band versions
and combination with pre-Amplifier is the only way to go.
the rule ...more element ..high gain more dB..but also
.more precisely must by pointed towards transmitter, still applies.

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Franrick said...
Hi Twodogs,
I have a Deck Tech omni directional from Whitworths that cost me $170 so I don't know if they are a different model or simply that you got a better deal.
I am not a TV person and I mainly use my TV to look at movies that I have downloaded or DVD's but on the odd occasion when I have used the TV (to watch Qld win the first State of Origin, for example) it has worked well.
Assuming that you connected it up acording to the directions then I cant see why it wouldn't work.
Mine has a 12v inlet so if yours is the same model I would be checking the power in side from your plug to the connection box.
If that is OK and you have connected it properly and it still doesn't work then I would be taking it back to Whitworths.
Mine antennae isn't fixed and I just run it out and put it on my solar panel that is mounted on my davits and it seems to work fine.
Probably not much help, but thats the best I can offer,
Rick.

I think the $170 version is the model up they have 2.
The light on the booster is on.

It came with the cable so would assume it is the correct one.

I have one of the expensive omni directional antennas with the amplifier and I must say am not overly impressed , one night while trying to watch a particular channel without much success I plugged in the antenna that came with my laptop tuner . All sydney channels and no drop out when the boat moves go figure . I just stick it under a sail tie on the main I don't use the "good" one any more .

I have one of those oldboyracer might give it a try thanks.
I have tried mine at my mooring in Kogarah bay sydney and at Franchmans bay only got tvs sydney in both locations i have the amplifier on max.

I have used a home made one which is very cheap and easy to make and has picked up all stations with no problems.the following are the instructions that I picked up off the net but have unfortunately lost the name of the original contributor.

Here's the instructions for making a tv antenna.Make you own ....."6-66 antenna".
Can be used for FM/VHF/UHF and is omnidirectional.
Take a 66 inch length of small copper tubing and form it into a circle. then put a 'gap' of exactly 6 inches where the two ends of the circle of tube come together and use rubber hose slipped over the 'ends' to maintain the 'gap'. Drill two small holes through the tubing near the 'ends' for small screws, washers and thumbscrews to affix a screw-on 'splitter/amplifier'. Attach lightweight coax cable to the splitter.Tie on lightweight line/cord to make a 'cradle' so that the antenna is horizontal to the horizon. Raise the antenna on a flag halyard on your spreader - enjoy. Dont let the antenna touch the mast or shrouds. No need to cut...Just bend the 66" length so there is a 6" gap.The total 'circle' of copper and hose will be about 72 inches
I used a 300 to 75 Balun.
Can send photos if required.
Ken

I use a similar antenna to Travlinon's except my total length is 52 inches. I use it for FM radio and it's mounted vertically inside the cabin. Fm radio is has both vertical and horizontal polarization.

Check what polarization the channels use in your area and rig your antennas to suit. Since we have gone digital some areas have changed and no one bothered to tell any one. In my local area 80% of antennas are wrong.

On my fishing vessel I had a stabilized TV antenna in a dome, needed 240 volts. It was about $500 and cost a lot more than the TV. Probably useless now we are digital.

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Ramona said..
I use a similar antenna to Travlinon's except my total length is 52 inches. I use it for FM radio and it's mounted vertically inside the cabin. Fm radio is has both vertical and horizontal polarization.

Check what polarization the channels use in your area and rig your antennas to suit. Since we have gone digital some areas have changed and no one bothered to tell any one. In my local area 80% of antennas are wrong.

Yes, most of the aerials around me (including both mine) are oriented the wrong way, but I get perfect reception on all channels so am not bothered enough to climb onto the roof to change them.

On my fishing vessel I had a stabilized TV antenna in a dome, needed 240 volts. It was about $500 and cost a lot more than the TV. Probably useless now we are digital.

If you still have the aerial it will still work, just as it did back then. There is no such thing as a digital aerial in spite of what the marketing material may say, any aerial merely picks up RF and RF is neither analogue or digital.