TV antenna question - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Briz9 · 08-24-2004, 09:38 PM

So I just moved into my own apartment, and I can't afford the $40+ a month for basic cable. So I've been reduced to using an antenna. Problem is, I get 1 channel about cable quality, and 1 channel kinda fuzzy, and that's it. I'm not sure how the antenna's work, but mine has a cable-in, and tv-out. I was wondering, can you daisy chain another antenna into the cable-in and double the signal strength? Or does it not work that way?

The one good channel I get shows soap operas all day. AAH!

Cynthetiq · 08-24-2004, 09:45 PM

One of the things that you could hope for is that the cable is connected to the floor junction box still.

You can just plug your TV directly into the cable foresaking the cable box. This is known as raw cable, so the numbers and channels that are regularly set by the box top giving say MTV channel 20 and on raw cable it may be on 16. Once you get used to the numbering convention you're good to go.

I use raw cable even though I have a cable box so that I can use the picture in a picture function.

edit: forgot to tell you to set the TV mode from ANT to CABLE if there is a cable setting, if not then you'll just get 2-13

Farty Towels · 08-26-2004, 08:54 PM

Those ant-in(or cable-in as yours says) are usually pass-throughs meant for a VCR or satellite without locals... That being said, I don't think it would be like having two times the antenna but really just pulling in a signal off of one or the other. If you're far away from towers you could always try amplified antennas if it's just poor reception the good ole tinfoil flags may do the trick.(may not be everyone's idea of good decorating though)

brandon11983 · 08-26-2004, 11:10 PM

Give us a more accurate description of the antenna system you have set up. Where is the antenna mounted? Are you in a location close to the towers? Do you have an amplified antenna?

08-24-2004, 09:38 PM	#1 (permalink)
Briz9 Crazy	TV antenna question So I just moved into my own apartment, and I can't afford the $40+ a month for basic cable. So I've been reduced to using an antenna. Problem is, I get 1 channel about cable quality, and 1 channel kinda fuzzy, and that's it. I'm not sure how the antenna's work, but mine has a cable-in, and tv-out. I was wondering, can you daisy chain another antenna into the cable-in and double the signal strength? Or does it not work that way? The one good channel I get shows soap operas all day. AAH!

08-24-2004, 09:45 PM	#2 (permalink)
Cynthetiq Tilted Cat Head Administrator Location: Manhattan, NY	One of the things that you could hope for is that the cable is connected to the floor junction box still. You can just plug your TV directly into the cable foresaking the cable box. This is known as raw cable, so the numbers and channels that are regularly set by the box top giving say MTV channel 20 and on raw cable it may be on 16. Once you get used to the numbering convention you're good to go. I use raw cable even though I have a cable box so that I can use the picture in a picture function. edit: forgot to tell you to set the TV mode from ANT to CABLE if there is a cable setting, if not then you'll just get 2-13 __________________ I don't care if you are black, white, purple, green, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, hippie, cop, bum, admin, user, English, Irish, French, Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Buddhist, Muslim, indian, cowboy, tall, short, fat, skinny, emo, punk, mod, rocker, straight, gay, lesbian, jock, nerd, geek, Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, Independent, driver, pedestrian, or bicyclist, either you're an asshole or you're not. What's the best nation in the world? DO-NATION! Last edited by Cynthetiq; 08-24-2004 at 09:51 PM..

08-26-2004, 11:10 PM	#4 (permalink)
brandon11983 Stereophonic Location: Chitown!!	Give us a more accurate description of the antenna system you have set up. Where is the antenna mounted? Are you in a location close to the towers? Do you have an amplified antenna? __________________ Well behaved women rarely make history.

08-26-2004, 08:54 PM	#3 (permalink)
Farty Towels Upright	Those ant-in(or cable-in as yours says) are usually pass-throughs meant for a VCR or satellite without locals... That being said, I don't think it would be like having two times the antenna but really just pulling in a signal off of one or the other. If you're far away from towers you could always try amplified antennas if it's just poor reception the good ole tinfoil flags may do the trick.(may not be everyone's idea of good decorating though)