Need assistance?

[poloknights]

I have a sister that I am trying to help install an indoor antenna. She lives in a two story apartment complex in Lakeville, NY 14480, about 25-30 miles away from the nearest broadcast tower. She has a Sony analog tv on the 1st floor. I am not sure which digital converter box she has, I think it maybe a zenith or Panasonic not certain though. I have tried various basic antennas to achieve a semi-decent signal. These include an old RCA with rabbit ears and a Phillips sdv2210/17. I had limited success with either. If I connect an antenna to the digital converter box I get no signal whatsoever (0% siginal). When I connect the antenna directly to the "cable/ant input" on the tv I'm able to get 4 to 5 channels with poor reception (fuzzy, slight color distortions) but they are still watchable. She also has a zenith tv on the 2nd floor that I connected with an antenna to the digital converter box. The results are the same, no signal through the digital converter box, but does have a signal when the antenna is connected directly to the tv. The antenna can be basically moved within a 4' radius about the tv, I will need longer coaxial cable to try placing the antenna in different locations throughout the apartment. I just wanted some recommendations or suggestions before spending money on the antennas listed on antennaweb. I am currently looking at the 3 different antenna models Winegard SS-3000, AntennasDirect DB2, and Terk HDTVa. I know it is mostly a trial-n-error process, but I just wanted some value insight before making a purchase only knowing that I might need to return it.

Thanks for the time,
Dave

[hdtvlabs]

If you ask me, you need a decent VHF/UHF outdoor antenna + a rotator for the best results, and you need a medium size outdoor UHF antenna without rotator for mediocre results.

If you insist on an indoor intenna, then SS-3000 and DB2 are the best to look at. BTW, DB2 can work pretty well in 20-30miles distance if mounted high outdoors (and properly aimed)