Methinks all UHF antennas OK for DTV

[wvfellow]

I'm looking for advice, naturally.

I saw this incredible-looking VHF/UHF antenna on eBay. It's item number 350260847394. (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=350260847394 You gotta see this kewl & unique indoor design! But the seller says, "For analog TV signals; not for HD or digital signals". I think the seller is far too modest! I see no reason why this shouldn't pickup Digital just fine, since the UHF band is defined the same before and after digitalization, right??

(Note: He's only got 2 and I might want the one).

Or I might not. I have a rather satisfactory Philips SDV6122 amplified antenna that most often affords me 100% reception quality from my one nearby transmitter (5 miles away, somewhat blocked by land features), though it registers only 20 to 55% signal strength; so it can and does drop out ever-so-briefly on occasions. But it's pretty decent most of the times, especially for inside a concrete-block home. Still, I am eager to improve my signal strength, so I am considering the purchase of a HIGH-QUALITY (ultra low noise) signal amplifier. There's one for sale on eBay. it's item number 280404488140 (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280404488140. If I wire that in downline, it would make the amp inside my Philips antenna obsolete. I should try using the Philips not even plugged in -- it's physical design alone should be sufficient to grab signals, right?? The guy selling the fancy amp suggested my using it with a passive antenna, so I was browsing them and saw that kewl oddity. But I suspect I can use my existing antenna unplugged. Who else here agrees? Or I could purchase one of those neato things I cited.

Any informed opinions?

Thank you

[tigerbangs]

I think that you are completely snowed by a lot of misinformation. Try giving us the information requested in the sticky " Tips for getting good antenna advice" at the beginning of the forum and restate your question. Based on what you are saying, you have confused amplifier gain with antenna gain. What you NEED is a proper antenna, but I won't know what you need until I know where you are.

[wvfellow]

I'm not snowed or confused. I gave sufficient info. Myh Philips antenna is cabled to my USB DTV dongle off my personal computer and it has fancy software that shows the signal strength and the signal quality. Even at lower strengths, the quality can be nearly steady at 100%, I assume that's because digital signals can and must be unambiguously discerned even at sub-par signal strength, until the signal is discarded as unintelligible. Don't you understand DTV, mister?? Since my signal strength keeps jumping around, often significantly below 50%, when using the amplified SDV6122, I occasionally suffer momentary drop outs, brief and hardly noticeable but annoying.

I am not snowed or confused! The low noise (<1 dB) signal amp I mentioned should beef up my Philips' signal enough to maybe prevent ALL drop outs. I am of the opinion that my existing antenna can be used unplugged from the AC outlet, in order so it won't suffer the noise (probably >3 dB) of the Philips' built-in amplifier (yes, it's an amplified antenna, what I already own!); and instead connect the expensive ultra low noise amp of which I spoke -- DOWN LINE.

You're the one confused, mister

[tigerbangs]

if you know the answers, then why are you here? I am not here to validate wrong thinking: your thinking is completely wrong! If you disconnect the amplifier built into your antenna, you will block whatever meager signal it sends out: you really need a better antenna, not more amplifircation.

[wvfellow]

If you disconnect the amplifier built into your antenna, you will block whatever meager signal it sends out

That's something to be considered: with the Philips' built-in amp unplugged, will the meager passive signal even proceed on to the output port, or might it simply dead-end at some uncharged diode or logic gate? Might the unplugging fail to turn my amplified antenna into a passive antenna? Of course, I could always keep it plugged in and simply turn its gain knob down to minimum. With amplification comes unwanted noise and I suspect the Philips has a noise level >5 dB (I revise my earlier estimate of 3 dB).

Readers here should understand two things perfectly:
1. The antenna I have performs at nearly 100% perfection, and its UHF grabber is only about 7 inches across!! So I don't need a bigger antenna or a roof-mounted antenna, only (perhaps) cleaner (ie. less noise) amplification of the captured signal.
2. The ultra low noise (<1 dB!!!) amp I propose to connect downline (perhaps with an ultra short 6-inch cable) is a big expense ($56), but the seller's return policy is excellent: if it fails to do the job for me within 14 days, I can get all my money refunded minus only $4 shipping each way. That makes it worth trying out ...but, since I have only 14 days to evaluate it, I want to make sure that I have a viable antenna to connect it with already here at my premises before I purchase and try the amp.

I figured the Philips would be OK for the trial of the expensive amp, but it's just as easy maybe to acquire a cheap passive antenna for the trial. Like maybe for $8 this item #260493320939 at eBay (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=260493320939). If the measly indoor 7-inch Philips can pull in a signal-to-be-amplified, then that $8 antenna ought to be able to as well.

you really need a better antenna, not more amplifircation.

What I have is a GOOD antenna that might be improved upon with cleaner amplification, or not as the case may be. I don't think there is a better amplified indoor set-top antenna than my Philips SDV6122, but if you know of one with a LOT LOWER noise figure to its circuitry, then by all means, tell us without delay!

[tigerbangs]

Good luck to you...