What is Reddit's opinion of
Winegard FL-5000 FlatWave Digital Indoor HDTV Antenna (4K Ready / High-VHF / UHF / Ultra-Thin), 35 Mile Long Range?
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33 reviews of this product found across Reddit:
This is literally about as simple as it can get. I'm jealous. Grab rabbit ears from Best Buy, or if you have to have something mounted on the wall a passive Winegard Flatwave, and see what you get. Judging by your report, that particular direction (315 degrees) would probably make it easier to get DC stations, but you can play around until you get what you want.
Don't go near the Leaf or any of the other knockoffs you find on Amazon.
My pleasure! We have this one, even cheaper than I remembered. It lays on the floor under a chair close to the window, very out of sight and out of mind. YMMV in terms of what you can get over the air, but most places in the US should at least get the major networks.
Just hooked up a Winegard FlatWave FL-5000 and my problem is solved! VHF-HI, VHF-LO and UHF channels all have strong signals now. Rabbit ears did not work for me.
I have Winegard Flatwave antenna: https://www.amazon.com/Winegard-FlatWave-FL-5000-High-VHF-Ultra-Thin/dp/B0063705PE/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1539375572&sr=8-5&keywords=wineguard+flatwave It works very well. As the other poster mentioned, get a Roku, it has the most content. Look at the shows you watch most, then check which services offer the best value for you. You have lots of options that will save you money.
Bummer, what antenna do you have? If you have something like a Mohu Leaf you might be able to get 13.1 using a Winegard Flatvision 5000. Leaf's are made for a more commonly used signal called UHF but Q13 broadcasts in VHF and that brand (Winegard) is better at picking those signals up.
Sorry, what is VHF and UHF exactly?
I live, straight up, in the toolies and was able to get 12 channels with it, no effort whatsoever. Plugged it in, propped it up in the window, and hit scan. It's not amplified, and Im sure I could get some more channels with a bit of fiddling.
Actually this unamplified version is the one I would suggest trying.
You can pick them up at Home Depot, easily returnable if it doesn't work out.
You have to be careful with an amplified antenna and strong signals cause they could overload your TV's tuner and cause reception issues.
Which neighborhood are you in? Depending on your set-up, you might be able to get by with a cheap-o Winegard flatwave. We've got two in our house and they work perfectly, but granted we're only a stone's throw from TV Hill. We get around 30 channels.
guys its great to post excellent deals for people
its not cool to post affiliate links
its also not cool to post links to pages that use affiliate links
when you generate a link for Amazon please just use its direct link as shown below and show the url
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0063705PE
thanks
If you decide to go with an antenna, I've had this one for over a year and been pretty happy with it. For whatever reason I can't get ABC on it, but I get the other networks beautifully.
I got this one https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0063705PE/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
plugs right into the cable tv jack. I had zero problems with scanning for airwave channels. All in all one of the easiest installations i've ever done.
I'll pay for the solution, she cannot mess with rabbit ears. She is in a wheel chair with limited mobility and eye sight. I don't think she even understands what the internet is.
I have prime, would this work? https://www.amazon.com/Winegard-FlatWave-FL-5000-High-VHF-Ultra-Thin/dp/B0063705PE/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1469844975&sr=8-2-fkmr0&keywords=lifeguard+flatwave+mini
From what I recall the older antennas aren't as good as the new ones designed for HD ota. I could be wrong lol.
I upgraded to one of these and the HD quality is very impressive. Its small and I just stick it to my window. The few glitchy channels I get are the weird pogo or whatever channels that I never watch.
http://www.amazon.com/Winegard-Company-FL-5000-FlatWave-Digital/dp/B0063705PE
Seems like a lot of other people have a similar setup, but I have this antenna for OTA TV (it just sits on a bookshelf next to my TV and I've had no trouble with it so far), and watch Netflix and Hulu through my BluRay player.
Sounds like I'm similar to your wife, in that I mostly watched HGTV and Food Network and the like, and I definitely miss being able to DVR new episodes of things, but really I'm very happy just binge-watching stuff on Netflix.
I actually just have an "in-room" antenna that requires no rooftop setup...and it works great down here in San Mateo. I just hang it up on a wall that looks north towards the towers on San Bruno Mountain...and then it just works. Here is a link:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0063705PE/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I have this and I'm a few minutes north of Ann Arbor. I'm just in a 2nd floor apartment, no attic, I have it in the bottom corner of my sliding glass door.
It is a little bit of an investment but here's what I have:
(Links are not necessarily the exact one I have, just one I found quickly on google)
- PC (For Sunday Ticket)
- 1-to-2 HDMI Splitter (One goes to my computer monitor and one goes to the TV setup)
- Digital Antenna x 2
- Digital TV Converter Box x 2
- HDMI Quad Multi-Viewer
So the way it works:
PC (With Sunday Ticket Quad Box) -> Splitter -> HDMI Quad Multiviewer -> TV
Antenna -> Converter -> HDMI Quad Multiviewer -> TV
Antenna -> Converter -> HDMI Quad Multiviewer -> TV
Pi -> HDMI Quad Multiviewer -> TV
I'm in Port St John. I get ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, WBS (and more) from a simple indoor, flat antenna. The one in my "den" (smallest bedroom) isn't even on a window, just hung from the ceiling. The ceiling has a plant hook, and I got a cheap swivel on a hook from amazon to clip to the antenna. The swivel makes it easy to angle the antenna. I paired it with an Channel Master OTA DVR, and I can record shows.
Two tips: (1) hang the antenna, don't lay it flat near the TV, and (2) roll up and zip tie the unused cable from the antenna to the TV input. For some reason, leaving it loose degrades the signal.
Antenna: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0063705PE/ref=oh_aui_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Swivel hanging clips: https://www.amazon.com/Super-Clever-Clips-White-4-25/dp/B0040UIR7O/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1550804300&sr=8-1&keywords=Super+Clever+Clips
Edit: Also, I just notice you said you had an "amplified" antenna. If you are within 50 miles of the station, you do not want an amplified antenna. They don't just amplify the signal, but also noise and distortion. Try turning the amplification off (If you can), and rescan for channels.
Also, near a window is good, but having the antenna higher is more important.
Hey u/Nightwing3, I am assuming you're in Regina? If so -
We get French CBC, CBC, Global and CTV. The picture is actually technically a touch cleaner than through a digital box (the signal is uncompressed) but I mean, you'd be really, really hard pressed to see a difference. We're talking like 1% difference, maybe? Still, it's nice to know that the free version is actually technically better than the paid one. Now if only we could get more than 4 channels! :-)
This is the one I got - I'm very happy with it. (as others have noted, Global will be tough to get - moving the antenna a few feet can make all the difference, JFYI!) That said, there's been a lot more added to their inventory since I bought mine 5 years ago, so... could be something just as good, for cheaper. And wow, this one has gone up in price, as I paid <40 for it back then. But I'm 100% happy with it.
https://www.amazon.ca/Winegard-Company-FL-5000-FlatWave-Digital/dp/B0063705PE/
(oh and, do not get an amp'ed one - even if it was amp'ed, we still wouldn't get any additional channels out here. Although maybe Global would be less of an issue to get?)
Oh and finally, check out http://www.tvfool.com/index.php?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29to see what your reception should be like - kind of a fun site to see what channels you get regardless of where you live.
This is long.. but don't be scared!
Getting local TV over the air is similar to getting a radio station over the air. All TVs sold in the US contain the necessary cards to support broadcast TV. However, TV has all moved to Digital, which means you can't access channels unless a re-scan on your TV to find them all first. Re-scanning is pretty easy to do, just go into your TV menu, usually it's under "Channel" or "Signal" or something like that.
Before even looking into an antenna, you'll need to figure out how close/easy to receive the station you're looking for will be. I've linked the FCC site below, put in your address and see if it's towards the top of the list. There's also TV Fool, which tends to be more detailed but slightly out of date. Check both. Also take into account if you live in a building with thick walls or in a neighborhood with a lot of trees, they will make signals harder to receive. If you're in the green on both TVfool and the FCC sites, it should be possible to get it with an indoor antenna.
I'm assuming you're going to want at least Newschannel 9 (Chattanooga), with the callsign WTVC. TVfool has a callsign lookup with a guide for indoor/outdoor reception. Plug "WTVC" in there and check your neighborhood. It looks like that station still broadcasts on Channel 9, so you're going to want an antenna that supports VHF at least, more on that at the very end.
If you've checked the resources, and getting the stations you want over the air is possible, it's time to get an antenna. You can spend really as much as you want, I've linked to the Winegard flatwave below which is recommended by the sub and fairly cheap. If the rating an TVfool for the station you want is below 50 or so NM (dB) there's an amplified version.
thanks for replying. I was trying to pick between Winegard FlatWave FL-5000 OR ClearStream Eclipse Indoor HDTV Antenna with Sure Grip, Black/White – 35 Mile Range Any recommendations between the two?
Do you have a window that faces north and a line of sight to the horizon through that window? If so, you can place a VHF/UHF antenna in that window and receive most, if not all of the stations in the green except you may not receive 33 (ION) and 42 (Ind, Christian stations) because they come from the east.
Both of these antennas are good choices and will receive both VHF-Hi and UHF. I got slightly better reception with the FreeVision antenna but it is thicker and not really easy to mount on a window/wall but you can build a stand for it out of a dowel rod and a small piece of wood. You can purchase these antennas at Home Depot which I find is easier to return items to. You can purchase both, see which gets the better reception and then return the other. You will need a coaxial cable to connect the FreeVision to your TV, the FlatWave comes with a ~15foot long cable attached to the antenna.
As long as you're not in an English basement or first-floor apartment, then you should be good with almost anything.
If you have time to mess around with it, you could build a Gray-Hoverman antenna or McLapp bowtie antenna out of dry-cleaner hangers.
Easiest may be to just put a Winegard Flatwave in the window.
That's a beautiful reception report.
You definitely do not need an amplified antenna. In fact, an amplifier will make your TV drown in overly-strengthened signals.
Just a basic Flatwave or Freevision (which are both good for VHS stations like WABC and WNET PBS) will do the trick.
Try to place it in a window facing 328 degrees (northwest). To figure out the angles, use your iPhone compass app or install an Android compass app.
Wow, that's a good report. You're only 12 miles away from your towers and they're all in the same location!
You're so close that the built-in amplifier on your Terk might actually be drowning out some of your signal and hurting your reception. So the first thing is to remove the amplifier unit of the Terk, so that you only have the antenna itself plus the short coaxial cable that comes out of it. [Basically, do the reverse of what this YouTube video shows between 4:03 and 4:23.]
You're so close that assuming you have a south facing window with a clear sight-line to the south, you won't need to go on the roof.
Use your iPhone compass app or install an Android compass app, and see if any of your windows that you could possibly place an antenna on face 177 degrees. Look through those windows and see if the view is clear.
If so, then try your Terk in that window. (If the Terk in the south-facing window does not pull in your NBC, Fox, and PBS, it's because those three stations broadcast on VHF. So you should move on to antennas that are better capable of VHF reception.)
You could try something basic like a Winegard Flatwave or Freevision (both available at Home Depot).
Your Terk and the two Winegards come with a short length of coaxial cable. To extend this to your television, simply use a barrel connector and then another length of RG6 coaxial cable which will screw into your television on the other end. (You can find similar stuff at any Walmart/Target/BestBuy/Fry's.)
To prevent this from becoming a tripping hazard, use some special coaxial staples to keep the wire hidden against the wall. (Also sold at any store.)
Let us know if you don't have any windows facing that direction, or if this doesn't do the trick for you.
Then we can go into full suggestions on roof antennas and instructions. But that probably won't be necessary.
And if the rabbit ears don't do the trick, you could take a step up and try the Winegard Flatwave or Freevision (both available at Home Depot and easily returnable).
If those don't do the trick, then come back and we can make suggestions for rooftop antennas, along with setup instructions.
Alright here's a long answer that covers possibly using your bathroom windows for your antenna location, and, if that fails, your roof.
As silly as it may look, those 12x48 inch windows in the bathroom may just be able to do the trick for you -- especially if they have a clear view to the south (if the sight-line from the window is not blocked by other buildings). It's worth experimenting with:
- Bring one of your televisions into that bathroom (to narrow down the possibility of a bad long run of coaxial being the problem)
- Put an antenna like the Winegard Flatwave FL-5000 or even your cheap Amazon antenna on the window.
- Directly connect the coax from the antenna into your TV and run your TV's "scan channels" feature for 'antenna' or 'air'
If that process gets you all the channels you want, then you can hide the antenna with a little window curtain from Home Depot. Return the TV to its normal spot and consider using a preamp like the RCA preamp 1 to lock in the signal you receive before the long-run of coaxial to the main TV room. Buy some coaxial cable to run from the antenna in the bathroom window to your TV, and use some special coaxial staples to keep the wire hidden against the wall.
This one:
They apparently are available at Home Depots...
Thanks.. Which Flatwave? The standard indoor flatwave? The Flatwave air looks like it is not for indoor use. Also two other versions..
http://www.amazon.com/Winegard-FlatWave-FL-5000-High-VHF-Ultra-Thin/dp/B0063705PE
If you want to stay legit as possible go check out your OTA coverage here and pick up an appropriate antenna. I'd recommend the Winegard Flatwave. I've got the mini version and it works great. You can get CTV and Global in 1080i. You do need a newish tv but my 8 year old Samsung LCD works.
Sign up for netflix and check out Crave or Showmi. You'll have to watch for compatibilty. I have a Roku 3 and an xbox one that I use for Netflix but they aren't supported by showmi.
Sign up for unblockus and you can get Netflix from any region in the world. Use Filmefy to look for the content and then change to that region to watch it on netflix.
Beyond that you'll have to resort to grey areas like websites that stream shows from other countries and torrents.
I'm out past 128 and I get every channel with a flatwave antenna: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0063705PE/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1
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