Monday, July 25, 2011

RCA ANT1650R Flat Digital Amplified Indoor TV Antenna

I seldom write reviews of things that do not make the same positive impression (or terrible ones), and this was one of the positive. To be brief, with the antenna I now have signal strengths between 64-74% in some stations 38 miles away that I did not before! I did a strength test signal from six different stations, first with rabbit ears and then the amplified signal for this new RCA ANT1650. The rabbit ears on average a signal strength of 51.66% (with a low of 32% and a high of 74%). The ANT1650 had an average signal strength of 90.16% (with a low - among the tested stations - at 67% and 100%)!

This product was also very easy to install. I connected the antenna to the detachable amplifier with a coaxial cable and then connected the receiver to the TV with another coaxial cable. I then plug in the amplifier (it will work just as well as rabbit ears with the amplifier power plug adapter), turned on the TV, did an automatic channel search, deleted some analog stations, and was good to go. The flat antenna portion can be positioned in different ways, so to get the best signal. You can clip it on the wall with two screws, you can set it upright with a stand (like a picture frame) or you can lay it flat. For our situation, worked out the best in an upright position, so to avoid being heated by other equipment. Since it is quite obvious, as a form and color, it looks great as well - certainly much better than our previous ear TV rabbit. The only thing would be better if the TV worked, but this point in the first place.

Here is the signal strength results from six test stations. I tried rabbit ears on a clear morning and tested ANT1650 on a clear afternoon the same day. Both antennas were placed on the site are not necessarily ideal for ANT 1650:

With the rabbit ears and clear calm weather:

Station A: 51%
Station B: 42%
Station C: 32%
Station D: 74%
Station E: 61%
Station F: 50%

With enhanced ANT1650 stacked vertically and clear calm weather:

Station A: 94%
Station B: 67%
Station C: 93%
Station D: 100%
Station E: 100%
Station F: 87%

I have since done a follow-up tests with ANT1650 as flat, and the average slightly better with 92%, even under windy conditions.

With enhanced ANT1650 as flat and clear windy weather:

Station A: 89%
Station B: 93%
Station C: 99%
Station D: 85%
Station E: 100%
Station F: 86%

In summary, most of the stations and sounds good with the antenna just flat. Now and then, inserts a problem stationed in and out, and you must keep your antenna up. In my case it was just a station that was problematic. Not a big deal, but design-wise, they might have made it easier to keep your antenna up by having a built in swing out of the back.

1 comment:

  1. There are many reasons to why consumers are buying an antenna. For one, indoor hdtv antenna

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