Thread: how do I find a local antenna repairman, or installer?

I looked at TVfool for your zipcode and you are on the fringe of both markets but very doable especially with the flat terrain of Florida. Yes the tower would be optimal for installing the antenna but you may do very well with one installed much lower. A 4 bay or 8 bay flat antenna may get everything you are looking for out of one or both markets. VHF would be difficult on this style antenna at that range but it looks like the networks are available on other UHF stations in the area.

Since money is tight you may want to look at one of the 4 bay designs online to build your own. They are easy to build and can be modified to pickup VHF-HI stations as well. You can make one without the reflector screen and strap it to the side of your tower for testing. I wouldn't be surprised if you picked up several stations with the antenna only a few feet off the ground.

mclapp M4 antenna free designs and kits:
DIY TV Antennas 4 bays, 2 bays, Kits and more

Originally Posted by wolfcrane

I was looking at this one:
Orca Antenna AX-909G2 Stealth Indoor Outdoor HDTV Antenna with Motor Rotor

I know it's not multidirectional though.

Please don't buy this especially at the Amazon price of $69! This design can be found any day of the week on ebay for less than $30 with free shipping. They are sold under several brand names and really are only good for 30 miles or less. The rotor is push button so you have no control over where the antenna stops.

These cheap Chinese antennas are mostly POS for fringe reception.

The antenna itself is small and inadequate for more than 30 mile reception if that.

All their 100 mile reception claims come from having a cheap high power pre-amp attached, which is great at amplifying all the noise the antenna picks up, but not so good for TV signal amplification.

For less than $50 you can buy a real antenna that is twice as good from a reputable Satellite/TV antenna dealer like the ones who SPONSOR forums like these, not the advertisers - the SPONSORS.

My biggest problems are that i am limited in what I can do physically, due to disabilities, and the rest is due to finances. I know it is harder to find the most bang for my buck, with little money, and/or with the lack of skills, or ability. Rock & a hard place i guess.
Thanks for all of the advice. I do appreciate it.

Originally Posted by wolfcrane

My biggest problems are that i am limited in what I can do physically, due to disabilities, and the rest is due to finances. I know it is harder to find the most bang for my buck, with little money, and/or with the lack of skills, or ability. Rock & a hard place i guess.
Thanks for all of the advice. I do appreciate it.

Since you have limitations then my advice is to sell your tower and put the money towards a Dish package and that will get you your local TV channels and some others. I'm sure that someone in your area would buy it as a new 45 foot one can cost around 3,000 dollars from US Towers and priced right yours should sell easily.

Originally Posted by sergei

Since you have limitations then my advice is to sell your tower and put the money towards a Dish package and that will get you your local TV channels and some others.

If someone has financial limitations, the last thing they need is an ongoing monthly payment. OTA is free after paying for hardware, of course.

Originally Posted by sergei

I'm sure that someone in your area would buy it as a new 45 foot one can cost around 3,000 dollars from US Towers and priced right yours should sell easily.

My money says he'd be lucky to find someone to even tear it down for SCRAP value, let alone pay money outright for it.

Originally Posted by wolfcrane

I was looking at this one: Orca Antenna AX-909G2 Stealth Indoor Outdoor HDTV Antenna with Motor Rotor
I know it's not multidirectional though.

I still follow a rule I read someone post over at AVS Forums: If the antenna looks "cool", avoid it !

That one also claims a 150-mile range... In a perfectly setup scenario, maybe it could. Many antenna makers stick to typical ranges, not absolute best-case scenarios.

My money says he'd be lucky to find someone to even tear it down for SCRAP value, let alone pay money outright for it

When was the last time you priced a used tower because here in Iowa Rohn 25G tower are still bring in a good price and you have to take them down so a tower like he has would be a hot item especically to a Ham operator.
As far as limitations go what happens when he spends the money and still doesn't get a good picture or has problems, is he going to be able to fix the problem on his own, doesn't sound like it, so he'd have to hire someone and spend more money.

You might try talking to sign companies. They have the equipment. They might not do it as a company, but perhaps they have an employee that would do it on the side.