Skippy
Skippy's Stats
- Review Count1
- Helpfulness Votes4
- First ReviewNovember 22, 2015
- Last ReviewNovember 22, 2015
- Featured Reviews0
- Average Rating4
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- Answer Count3
- Helpfulness Votes14
- First AnswerNovember 22, 2015
- Last AnswerNovember 22, 2015
- Featured Answers0
- Best Answers2
Skippy's Reviews
Antennas Direct - ClearStream 2V Long-Range HDTV Antenna - Black/Silver
Enjoy a crisp and clear digital TV signal with this Antennas Direct ClearStream 2V C2-V-CJM long-range HDTV antenna that is specially tuned to receive high-quality DTV signals, including UHF and VHF frequencies, from more than 60 miles.
Good for a small antenna
Customer Rating
4.0
We live in a rural area about 30 miles away from two transmission farms. One is NE of us, the other is NW of us..Without an external antenna we could get no usable signals.
Using the ClearStream 2V, I was able to pull in 10 channels from the NW towers, plus one or two sub-channels for each one. A couple were experiencing occasional dropouts, so I purchased a cheap RCA signal booster (TVPRAMP1R) and attached that to the antenna.
The booster made every signal stable. A re-scan of channels pulled in another dozen channels, with most being very stable. Atmospheric conditions dictate whether I watch broadcasts from the towers NE of me, or NW. Options are good.
I had to subtract a star from my rating for the mounting hardware. It is far too light and will not securely hold the antenna no matter how much you tighten the fasteners. The tube started to crush and turn into an oval, yet the antenna was easily moved with light force. Stacking washers on the bolt inside the tube was my fix for this. I suppose a short metal tube would do the same.
For $100, I could have bought an antenna with greater range, but antenna size was a major factor in my purchase decision. To make it a better value, Antennas Direct should either make the mounting hardware stronger, or include a signal booster.
I would recommend this to someone looking for a small outdoor antenna as long as they are within 30 miles of the towers. My results could have been better, but I did not mount this on the highest point of my roof. I don't have a ladder tall enough, and the pitch of the roof is too steep for me to climb on. Had I put it on the peak, I probably could have done without the booster. A $30 booster is much better than a $10,000 hospital bill, though.
Using the ClearStream 2V, I was able to pull in 10 channels from the NW towers, plus one or two sub-channels for each one. A couple were experiencing occasional dropouts, so I purchased a cheap RCA signal booster (TVPRAMP1R) and attached that to the antenna.
The booster made every signal stable. A re-scan of channels pulled in another dozen channels, with most being very stable. Atmospheric conditions dictate whether I watch broadcasts from the towers NE of me, or NW. Options are good.
I had to subtract a star from my rating for the mounting hardware. It is far too light and will not securely hold the antenna no matter how much you tighten the fasteners. The tube started to crush and turn into an oval, yet the antenna was easily moved with light force. Stacking washers on the bolt inside the tube was my fix for this. I suppose a short metal tube would do the same.
For $100, I could have bought an antenna with greater range, but antenna size was a major factor in my purchase decision. To make it a better value, Antennas Direct should either make the mounting hardware stronger, or include a signal booster.
I would recommend this to someone looking for a small outdoor antenna as long as they are within 30 miles of the towers. My results could have been better, but I did not mount this on the highest point of my roof. I don't have a ladder tall enough, and the pitch of the roof is too steep for me to climb on. Had I put it on the peak, I probably could have done without the booster. A $30 booster is much better than a $10,000 hospital bill, though.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Verified Purchaser:Yes
My Best Buy number: 2678318784
My Best Buy number: 2678318784
+4points
4out of 4found this review helpful.
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Skippy's Answers
Antennas Direct - ClearStream 2V Long-Range HDTV Antenna - Black/Silver
Enjoy a crisp and clear digital TV signal with this Antennas Direct ClearStream 2V C2-V-CJM long-range HDTV antenna that is specially tuned to receive high-quality DTV signals, including UHF and VHF frequencies, from more than 60 miles.
Do large trees around your house pose a problem?
Yes. A few trees shouldn't be a problem, but a lot of trees could be.
I used to live two miles from transmission towers, with a large, heavily wooded area between my house and the towers.
In analog days, we had decent reception without any external antenna. When they went to digital, no signals wade it through the trees. A small, non-amplified digital antenna made little difference.
I think our analog signals were probably borderline usable, but you can do that with analog signals. Digital just drops out altogether once it falls below a certain point.
I used to live two miles from transmission towers, with a large, heavily wooded area between my house and the towers.
In analog days, we had decent reception without any external antenna. When they went to digital, no signals wade it through the trees. A small, non-amplified digital antenna made little difference.
I think our analog signals were probably borderline usable, but you can do that with analog signals. Digital just drops out altogether once it falls below a certain point.
8 years, 5 months ago
by
Posted by:
Skippy
from
SE Michigan
Antennas Direct - ClearStream 2V Long-Range HDTV Antenna - Black/Silver
Enjoy a crisp and clear digital TV signal with this Antennas Direct ClearStream 2V C2-V-CJM long-range HDTV antenna that is specially tuned to receive high-quality DTV signals, including UHF and VHF frequencies, from more than 60 miles.
How high do we need to mount antenna?
We have weak reception even with the amplifier we only get 5-6 channels. Any ideas on what to do? We are within 50 miles from 3 major cities so we should be getting good signal. We were told to point it north at 30 degrees, is this correct?
50 miles may be pushing it for this antenna.
In any case, the higher you can mount it, the better. An unobstructed line to the transmitting towers is ideal. Trees are very effective at blocking the digital signals.
Cable quality has a huge impact on effectiveness of the antenna. This is more important when you get cable runs of 100 feet or more.
Is your booster mounted on the antenna? The booster is really an amplifier and must be as close to the antenna as possible. It can only amplify the signal it receives. As the signal travels further down the cable, it weakens. You want to amplify a strong signal (near the antenna) instead of a weak signal (near the television). Again, this is where good quality cable makes a difference.
If your television has a signal strength meter on it, use it. Have someone rotate the antenna while you monitor the signal strength on your television.
In any case, the higher you can mount it, the better. An unobstructed line to the transmitting towers is ideal. Trees are very effective at blocking the digital signals.
Cable quality has a huge impact on effectiveness of the antenna. This is more important when you get cable runs of 100 feet or more.
Is your booster mounted on the antenna? The booster is really an amplifier and must be as close to the antenna as possible. It can only amplify the signal it receives. As the signal travels further down the cable, it weakens. You want to amplify a strong signal (near the antenna) instead of a weak signal (near the television). Again, this is where good quality cable makes a difference.
If your television has a signal strength meter on it, use it. Have someone rotate the antenna while you monitor the signal strength on your television.
8 years, 5 months ago
by
Posted by:
Skippy
from
SE Michigan
Antennas Direct - ClearStream 2V Long-Range HDTV Antenna - Black/Silver
Enjoy a crisp and clear digital TV signal with this Antennas Direct ClearStream 2V C2-V-CJM long-range HDTV antenna that is specially tuned to receive high-quality DTV signals, including UHF and VHF frequencies, from more than 60 miles.
Will reception worsen during high winds or storms?
An old question, but I'll answer it, anyway.
High winds should have very little effect on reception unless the winds move your antenna.
Heavy rain and snow can cause signal disruption, just like digital satellite signals will drop out in heavy precipitation.
High winds should have very little effect on reception unless the winds move your antenna.
Heavy rain and snow can cause signal disruption, just like digital satellite signals will drop out in heavy precipitation.
8 years, 5 months ago
by
Posted by:
Skippy
from
SE Michigan