Despite the widespread internetization of the population in our country, a good half of compatriots prefer to spend their free time watching the blue screen of the TV. The difference between a city dweller and a rural dweller in terms of TV broadcasting is very significant. If the former, as a rule, use TV services via leased lines (cable TV), then the latter can hardly do without an outdoor antenna.
Let's try to figure out how to choose the right outdoor antenna for a TV in the country or in a country house, what types of these devices can be found on sale, and also designate a small list of the most popular and respected model owners.
Types of antennas
To begin with, let's designate the main types of these devices, which differ from each other in functionality, appearance and other equally important features. The final conclusions about the appropriateness of a purchase should be made based on personal needs and the geolocation of your home.
Satellite dish
The now extremely popular "plates" do notdo not depend on proximity to TV towers, because they broadcast via satellite. In addition, the signal strength of the satellite street antenna for the TV is not affected by the terrain.
Even the simplest version of the "plate", like offset or direct focus, allows you to safely take an image in high quality. You can also add a large number of providers here, and at the same time a lot of channels.
Despite the obvious advantages of a satellite street antenna for a TV over other devices, it also has its own, for some, critical drawbacks. First, is the cost. Here you need to spend money on the “dish” itself, and the worse the terrain (harsh climate, the proximity of industrial enterprises that knock down the signal, etc.), the larger the diameter and more technologically advanced the device is required, as well as the more expensive. Secondly, you will need to buy a receiver for broadcast processing and, in difficult cases, a convector to get an outdoor antenna for a TV with an amplifier. And thirdly, for a normal broadcast, it will obviously not be superfluous to have a smart TV capable of producing and “digesting” a high-quality picture.
Polish antennas
This is the simplest, most unpretentious and cheapest device on the electronics market. It has a lattice frame with antennae and is perfect for ordinary cottages. With this antenna, you can catch a dozen local channels, including ORT and NTV. In addition, having at your disposal aluminum wires, a cable and a tool, you can easily make a semblance of the original with your own.hands.
Outdoor antennas for a TV of this kind are placed on the house, roof, poles and other hills, pointing the central part towards the TV tower. The latter should be no further than 30 km from you. If the local terrain is diluted with trees, mounds, heaps or other obstacles that knock down the signal, then the installation of a street antenna for the TV should be carried out as high as possible. In difficult cases, an intelligent amplifier will help to stabilize the broadcast and eliminate most of the interference.
"Polish" antennas with gain block
Such devices already come off the assembly line with a built-in amplifier and are called "active". An outdoor antenna for a TV of this kind significantly expands the list of received channels and improves the quality of the broadcast.
The design of this device consists of several separate blocks, which are arranged in a certain way for maximum signal perception. The internal amplifier allows you to expand the reception area for 80 km, recognizing even the weakest broadcasts (usually with loss of quality). Just as in the previous case, you can make a street antenna for a TV with an amplifier with your own hands. The only thing you need besides the materials described above is a high-quality converter. Install such devices at the highest possible point, that is, on the roof or a makeshift pole / pole.
Travel wave devices (Uda Yagi)
Antennas of this class have fairly high receiving characteristics and differcompactness. All main elements of the device are fixed to one common boom. In addition, this type of antenna is able to work with several bands, which is very important for remote and hard-to-reach villages, where only old towers broadcasting at non-standard frequencies are nearby.
Digital Antennas
Such devices consist of two parts - a tuner for processing a digital signal and an antenna frame that is installed outdoors. The design of the latter is as simple as possible, because the main responsibility for signal reception lies with the tuner. A digital outdoor TV antenna is perfect for those who are "friends" with modern technology, are not afraid of numerous settings / variations in the menu, and whose house is located near the city. Such devices are tuned to receive only the main signal and ignore reflected interference well.
Antenna types
In total, two types of antennas can be designated - passive and active. The first option involves a separate / external converter, and the second - with a built-in amplifier. In terms of the quality of signal reception, they differ little, but in terms of service life - significantly.
Active devices installed "as is", that is, without additional protection, will last a little more than a year, because due to bad weather and corrosion, the built-in converter begins to fail. Passive models come with an external amplifier that can be located at home or somewhere in the attic, so the life of such antennas is much longer.
Best outdoor TV antennas
In the domestic electronics market, you can find a large number of all kinds of receiving devices of various types and types, where each series or model is adapted to specific signal reception conditions. Therefore, it is very difficult to designate a particular model as the best, here you need to take into account many individual factors (geolocation of the house, nearby TV towers, signal quality, etc.). Well, making a list of the best antenna manufacturers that have proven themselves in the eyes of picky buyers is quite realistic.
Delta antennas
Antennas of this company enjoy enviable popularity among domestic consumers, especially since the company's range is very diverse. On the shelves of stores you can find both narrowly focused models that are designed exclusively for meter and decimeter waves, and broadband universal devices.
In addition, the vast majority of Delta's antennas are digital capable. Connecting and mounting devices is relatively easy, just insert the cable into the connector with the F-amplifier and fix the device at the highest point in the house. The antennas do a good job of receiving and processing the signal even at a considerable distance from the TV tower at home.
Lokus antennas
In the assortment of the company there are both active (with a built-in converter) and passive models (with an external amplifier). domestic buyer especiallyattracted by the brand's pricing policy and a very good quality of products.
The design of the antennas is very simple, and installation does not require any specific tool or training. The devices are designed to work simultaneously with two or three TVs, so they are suitable even for large cottages.
Harpoon Antennas
Another recognized leader in the production of high-quality antennas in the domestic market. Although the prices are democratic, the company's devices are famous for their "omnivorousness". Almost any Harpoon model is perfect for areas with poor signal reception.
In addition, the good signal selectivity of the antennas of this brand greatly saves the user from interference on the TV screen. One of the critical disadvantages of Harpoon products is their pickiness to meter waves, so problems may arise when working with outdated TV towers.
GoldMaster antennas
Despite the more than democratic prices of products, the devices of this company have distinguished themselves by very good reception in places with terrible signal quality. Judging by user reviews, GoldMaster brand antennas do an excellent job even in remote rural areas: the image on the screen is without “snow”, the picture does not slow down and is not interrupted by neighboring signals.
In addition, the devices are well tolerated in almost any bad weather, whether it be rain, heavy snow or gales. Let's add herelow prices for products and we will get a completely optimal country version of the antenna.
