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Old 10-23-2015, 02:11 PM   #1
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TV antennas

what is the difference between the jack antenna and the amplifier antenna. we were not go to get a TV set up, but after reading about some one holed up for 6 days with rainy whether
thought we would double think this. thanks.
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Old 10-23-2015, 02:24 PM   #2
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The Jack has a built-in amplifier.

Basically there are 3 ways to pull in signals that aren't close to you. Use a small antenna with an amplifier. Use a larger antenna, the 4 bay or 8 bay type, without an amplifier. Or use an amplifier with a large antenna when you're trying to pull a rabbit out of a hat, sort of a hail mary situation for getting a marginal signal.

I use a 4 bay antenna on the road, but it's bulky and needs to be set-up. I've read so many good comments about the Jack that I'm ready to switch before my next major trip.

Ron
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Old 10-23-2015, 04:17 PM   #3
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I didn't know much about TV antennas in setting up the build sheet but in reading this forum, I decided to go with the Jack antenna. A glowing review from Tractors sealed the deal and after being parked in one location for 4 weeks, it really came through. Though I had said I would be happy if I got the one local channel, I got 24 stations and the picture quality on a Samsung 19" TV beat anything here at home with cable. It was a very good choice. Loren
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Old 10-23-2015, 05:07 PM   #4
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Originally Posted by Loren & Cathy View Post
and the picture quality on a Samsung 19" TV beat anything here at home with cable. Loren
Not an unusual situation. My den TV is connected to both cable and my 8 bay OTA antenna. Switch back and forth between the two and the antenna does have a better resolution picture.

Ron
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Old 10-23-2015, 05:10 PM   #5
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Over the Air signal is true High Definition signal. Cable is compressed and does not deliver true high def, even though a lot of cable companies charged for high def.
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Old 10-23-2015, 10:32 PM   #6
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Originally Posted by Ron in BC View Post
My den TV is connected to both cable and my 8 bay OTA antenna. Switch back and forth between the two and the antenna does have a better resolution picture.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Greg A View Post
Over the Air signal is true High Definition signal. Cable is compressed and does not deliver true high def, even though a lot of cable companies charged for high def.
All digital video transmission systems use compression - the data volumes would be impractical otherwise. The surprise for many of us was that over-the-air (OTA) broadcasters have generally chosen to transmit at higher resolution than most satellite and cable systems (1080 instead of 720), and also use less aggressive compression. If you can receive OTA broadcasts without problems (data dropouts that cause freezing, audio dropouts, loss of resolution, or areas of the image not updating in synch), they are great quality.
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Old 10-23-2015, 11:45 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ron in BC View Post
The Jack has a built-in amplifier.

Basically there are 3 ways to pull in signals that aren't close to you. Use a small antenna with an amplifier. Use a larger antenna, the 4 bay or 8 bay type, without an amplifier. Or use an amplifier with a large antenna when you're trying to pull a rabbit out of a hat, sort of a hail mary situation for getting a marginal signal.

I use a 4 bay antenna on the road, but it's bulky and needs to be set-up. I've read so many good comments about the Jack that I'm ready to switch before my next major trip.

Ron
4) Or use a directional antenna.

I think the Jack offers a nice combination: a relatively small, directional antenna with an amplifier and a signal strength display.

Regards,

Matt
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Old 10-24-2015, 12:52 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Loren & Cathy View Post
I didn't know much about TV antennas in setting up the build sheet but in reading this forum, I decided to go with the Jack antenna. A glowing review from Tractors sealed the deal and after being parked in one location for 4 weeks, it really came through. Though I had said I would be happy if I got the one local channel, I got 24 stations and the picture quality on a Samsung 19" TV beat anything here at home with cable. It was a very good choice. Loren
I'm delighted when I'm right! Had that happen last year too!
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