What is your experience with HD Antenna TV?

[Deleted]

I don't have Cable currently but I do miss some of the local broadcast content. Does anyone here use the HD rooftop antenna to get their TV? What are your thoughts on the antenna choices and service?

antenna.org tells me I need a long range amplified antenna. 
It's been a long time since I bought an antenna. They look like giant lazer guns!

[b2r]

  I've had success with the same antenna that was used before the switch.
  Your neighbors may give you a hint to the size and direction to aim it. A rotor is useful to dial in the signal...Good luck!

  Related links... www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/dtvantennas.html
 
                      www.fcc.gov/mb/engineering/dtvmaps/

                       

[Tiny]

I had a new roof top antenna installed (by a service) about 2 maybe 3 years ago- after which I promptly stopped thinking about it so I can't remember what I've got installed. - the antenna was in the $80 to $100 dollar range and gives me all of the 50 or so channels that are available. Best money (about $300 total with the installation - yeah, pricey - but 2 nice young men came with really big ladders to get to the old antenna (1 1/2 storey up), removed all the old stuff up there, ran new wire, connected the wire where I wanted it (versus where it use to be - running down in front of a window!!) drilled new holes inside and outside, connected my TV and verified I had reception, and then cleaned up after themselves in about 45 minutes. Worth every penny. Everything still works great.

But, that's not what you are asking. I've only got 2nd hand info for you based on the experience of a brother and some coworkers who after I talked up my wonderful new antenna! went and did the same.

Every one of them (are geeks) and checked antenna.org and then did research on the appropriate antenna and what kind of results they could expect. Brother installed an $80 Best Buy antenna himself at his Florida condo and LOVES it (he gets all the reception/stations antenna.org said he would). he also installed an antenna (again from best buy) for his kid's Illinois condo after a bit of research. They did the work themselves. Very happy with the results.

2 coworkers, after researching what stations they'd get and what type of antenna to use felt it was worth while (they live in Bumblef#@k but it sounds like they get the major stations for the area - note the whole 50 or so that I get -most of which are foreign language stations) and they are happy with the decision. They are young and spry and did the installation themselves - they ordered antennas online (cause they are young).

Another coworker after doing the research opted to keep basic cable he lives where God Left His Shoes.

What this means to me is that people who do some research and are happy with what antenna.org tells them are generally happy with their decision. They didn't go into it thinking --ha! it sez I'll only get 3 stations - that's stupid I'll get more! and then install the antenna and get all pissed when they only got 3 stations.

[JustLurkin]

I didn't have a problem with the outdoor antennae, but in order to pick up channels the rabbit ears had to go *in* the window, if they were even a foot away I'd lose about half the channels.

Before realizing that was the problem, I had bought something from antennasdirect.com.  Antenna.org is not loading for me, so I can't compare the information provided by each.