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Antenna For Free TV

Discussion in 'Trucking Electronics, Gadgets and Software Forum' started by Grumppy, Aug 27, 2018.

Page 1 of 3
  1. Aug 27, 2018 #1
    Grumppy

    Grumppy Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    Dec 11, 2010
    West Monroe, La
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    2015 Freightliner Cascadia

    I have been using a TV in my truck for about 4 years. I have had good luck with a set of rabbit ears that sit on the window glass. I just roll the window down a bit & stick the antenna outside & it sits on the top edge of the glass, then just roll the window up on the mount.
    https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001JSYCOC/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

    Now, when I say I have had good luck with these, I mean reception. But, I've already gone through 2 sets in 4 years because they dont hold up very well (cheap made).

    I have searched the internet over including ebay & Amazon & I am not having any luck finding something that is better quality but more specifically, easy mount & un-mount each day/night without having to get out of the truck & walk around to set up or take down every day..... sometimes in the rain or cold etc.
    I am pretty handy & have a small shop that I can build a bracket for the mirror or bird perch cb antenna bracket.

    So, I'm looking for a GOOD antenna both in quality & reception that will be easy mount on or near the window, mirror or bird perch.

    Any ideas? What are yall using for free TV? Any help would be appreciated.
     
    Grumppy, Aug 27, 2018
    Grumppy, Aug 27, 2018
    #1
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  3. Aug 27, 2018 #2
    truckdriver31

    truckdriver31 Road Train Member

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    what tv you got. a good smart tv works good with little to know help
     
    truckdriver31, Aug 27, 2018
    truckdriver31, Aug 27, 2018
    #2
    Grumppy Thanks this.
  4. Aug 27, 2018 #4
    windbag

    windbag Bobtail Member

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    Illinois
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    I use the Walmart stock indoor antenna that pulls hd signal from 60 miles away. I just hang it inside the truck out of view and regularly get 20-60 channels. Got mine on clearance for $10 but they sell for $40 I think. I've educated myself on signal strength and the truth about antennas is no coaxle cable will pull in anything over 60 miles away. The ones they say reach 150-200 miles is bogus. The one I use is plastic with reverse echo style ears ( ). Hope this helps.
     
    windbag, Aug 27, 2018
    windbag, Aug 27, 2018
    #4
    BUMBACLADWAR, Jazz1 and Grumppy Thank this.
  5. Aug 27, 2018 #4
    Cottonmouth85

    Cottonmouth85 Bad Influence

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    Floresville, Tx
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    Had a Winegard that worked good enough for me.
     
    Cottonmouth85, Aug 27, 2018
    Cottonmouth85, Aug 27, 2018
    #4
    Grumppy Thanks this.
  7. Aug 27, 2018 #5
    Grumppy

    Grumppy Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    West Monroe, La
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    I have a 32" Element that I got from Wal Mart a couple of years ago.
     
    Grumppy, Aug 27, 2018
    Grumppy, Aug 27, 2018
    #5
    Jazz1 Thanks this.
  8. Aug 27, 2018 #6
    STexan

    STexan Road Train Member

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    Oct 3, 2011
    Longview, TX
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    HDTV Antenna Fact or Fiction

    Basically you should look for an antenna that can be easily situated in different locations and stowed easily. Finding the optimal location to match your truck’s orientation and the location of the bulk of the towers that might reach you is key.

    If signal is distant and weak, you’re going to get signal distortion with passing trucks no matter your antenna. The type/brand of tv you have makes no difference as far as reception goes. Also I’m not convinced “powered signal boosters” provide any real improvement
     
    STexan, Aug 27, 2018
    STexan, Aug 27, 2018
    #6
    snowman_w900 and Grumppy Thank this.
  9. Aug 27, 2018 #7
    twistedmetal2002

    twistedmetal2002 Bobtail Member

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    Aug 27, 2018
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    I have good luck with the flat ones
     
    twistedmetal2002, Aug 27, 2018
    twistedmetal2002, Aug 27, 2018
    #7
    Grumppy Thanks this.
  10. Aug 28, 2018 #8
    Jazz1

    Jazz1 Road Train Member

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    Interesting posts. I tried a flat antennae on my smart tv at home and got 2 snowy channels
    I’d dump my cable in a heartbeat if I could pull in local tv which broadcasts a few miles from my house
     
    Jazz1, Aug 28, 2018
    Jazz1, Aug 28, 2018
    #8
    Grumppy Thanks this.
  11. Aug 28, 2018 #9
    BrandonCDLdriver

    BrandonCDLdriver Road Train Member

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    Sep 1, 2017
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    You do know that the 2015 Cascadia has a built in TV antenna right? It seems to work well for me. I have 3 old antennas from the house I tried. Two unpowered and one that plugged into the wall for power. None worked as well as the antenna built right into the truck.

    And don't be fooled about getting an antenna that is called an "HD" antenna or "digital antenna". There is no such thing. An antenna is designed to pick up something (or transmit) at a certain frequency. TV signals have always been the same frequencies. In 2009 the signal went from analog to digital, but at the same frequency which is why old "analog" antennas from 40 years ago still work just fine.
     
    BrandonCDLdriver, Aug 28, 2018
    BrandonCDLdriver, Aug 28, 2018
    #9
    Grumppy Thanks this.
  12. Aug 28, 2018 #10
    Grumppy

    Grumppy Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    West Monroe, La
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    Yes, I used the built-in antenna for about a year & eventually (I dont know if it was the coax or the antenna but) it just wouldn't work any more. That's when I bought my first rabbit ears from the Loves in Jonesboro, Ar. Since then, I have not been able to find them anywhere in a Loves. I ordered the last one from Amazon. At Loves, it was $20.... from Amazon it was $30.... same RoadPro antenna.

    I bought a flat one (powered) from Loves about a year ago & I couldn't get it to pick up but about 3 or 4 channels in the Dallas, TX area, when my rabbit ears would get 60 or 70 channels.
     
    Grumppy, Aug 28, 2018
    Grumppy, Aug 28, 2018
    #10
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