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Stuart Sweet
Staff member HERE TO HELP YOU! Pub Member / Supporter Cutting Edge
Last reply · posted in The Solid Signal Blog
For most people, it's "just the radio." Maybe you listen in the car on the way to work. Maybe it's something you keep in a drawer in case of emergencies. But, everyone has a passion in life, and for some people it's radio. There are far worse things in life to be passionate about. Those folks won't be satisfied with the little wire coming out of a clock radio or the telescoping chrome antenna of a pocket radio. They want something serious. Well, Solid Signal is here to help.

Take a look at the image above


If you're serious about radio, you need to get serious about this antenna. Not much to look at, the DX Engineering AM/FM External Outdoor High Definition Radio Antenna is the absolute cream of the crop for people who are desperate for that old-school broadcast lovin'. It mounts outdoors or in the attic and gives you absolutely top-notch radio reception.

There's not a whole lot that I can say about this antenna except it just works. DX Engineering is not the first manufacturer to make an antenna from these plans, but they are the only company currently licensed to make them. If you see an imposter and it doesn't carry the Pixel name, keep moving because if you're interested in the absolute top quality you want this antenna, not a cheap imitation. There are plenty of companies trying to put their own name on knockoffs, and the quality is not generally that good.

My experience with this antenna


At Solid Signal, we've been carring the DX Engineering AFHD4 for years. When we first started selling it, it was made by a company called Pixel, but the manufacturing rights were bought by DX Engineering several years ago. It was a rather odd story and to be honest I'm still not completely sure what went down. It doesn't matter. This antenna has always been a strong seller and I am always amazed at how well it sells. You would think that there would be some dropoff, that pretty much everyone who wants a radio antenna would have one, but this thing just keeps on selling like hotcakes. Think about that the next time someone tells you broadcast radio is dead — it clearly isn't.

The antenna's pretty big — a little under five feet when it's all put up. Of course it puts that size to good use with radio reception of up to 80 miles or even further on clear nights with AM radio. I've heard of people getting AM from hundreds of miles away, although I wouldn't promise that kind of result for anyone. All I'm saying is that if any radio antenna can do it, this one can.

Want to know more?


If you have questions about this antenna, call us! We have experts on the line who are ready to take your call. The technical support line is 888-233-7563. We're here during East Coast business hours. After hours? No problem! Just fill out the form below. We'll get back to you as soon as we can!


The post The BEST radio antenna ever appeared first on The Solid Signal Blog.

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6 Replies · 701 views
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harshness
It is usually easier to stream the content in full audio quality than it is to fight to get a signal.
jorgek
How is an HD antenna different from a non HD antenna?
sktrus
I saw this sales pitch and got curious. $130 plus (I assume S&H).

Let's see. You need to install this antenna on deck, roof, attic or wherever. Find a way to bring cable inside one of the rooms which means you have to be in that room to listen to your local fm/am stations. A lot of uncertainty.
I checked Amazon for wifi based internet radios. Anywhere between $70 to $220. If you have a decent speed and good data package, doesn't it make sense to get one of these radios? You can get thousands of stations including most of your local stations. Move your radio anywhere in the house with good wifi connections.

Am I wrong with my thinking?
harshness
How is an HD antenna different from a non HD antenna?
Fortunately for consumers, there's no such thing as an HD radio antenna.

If there's a difference, it is that most "HD" TV antennas don't work well for FM (or VHF TV channels).
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harshness
Am I wrong with my thinking?
From a practical standpoint, you're right on target.

As with anything that has arguably been substantially replaced by newer technologies, there are still romantics out there who want to do it the same way their daddy did.
M
Last reply · posted in Over the Air Television By RabbitEars.Info
Interesting article about the work being done to develope an ATSC 3 converter box. Yes it does mention affordable.
13 Replies · 733 views
primestar31
DEATH TO NEXGEN!
star trek GIF


It's dead, they just don't know it yet. They killed it by forcing DRM on it, and that TOTALLY botched implementing it.

There is absolutely NO compelling reason for anybody to switch to ATSC3.0. They only want it as a total and complete money grab.
Mister B
What bothers me is the total waste of broadcasting spectrum in this very crowded market. It has been almost three years now since KFOX converted their broadcast tower to ATSC 3.0 and moved all of their channels to other towers causing noticeable degradation of the picture quality.
I have a Sony TV with 3.0 capabilities but still use the 1.0 version of locals due to the fact that one or all of the 3.0 channels are often missing or unwatchable. In this city of 800K I doubt that more than a few hundred even know about ATSC 3.0.
The only thing that could motivate me to be interested in 3.0 would be if all of the minor networks (diginets) could be in at least 720P rather than blurry ultra-compressed 480i.
Three years is long enough to waste one of the few available RF frequencies in the area for this trial.
It is time to either move on with this experiment or call it quits.
navychop
It is time to either move on with this experiment or call it quits.

QFT. Of course, my preference involves a curb and some kicking.
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S
star trek GIF


It's dead, they just don't know it yet. They killed it by forcing DRM on it, and that TOTALLY botched implementing it.

There is absolutely NO compelling reason for anybody to switch to ATSC3.0. They only want it as a total and complete money grab.
WHAT ABOUT THE INTERNET PART OF IT. NO ONE WANTS A BOX CONNECTED TO THE INTERNET EITHER.
navychop
Cough, cough. COVID vaccine implants.

:oldlaugh
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Foxbat
Cough, cough. COVID vaccine implants.

:oldlaugh
That would be handy. Download the latest RNA snippets that can be updated over 5G and no more shots! You're a Genius!
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R
I want it and I have to have it.

I can neuter the phoning home with adguard home so it won't be doing that in my castle but I prefer without Internet so that my TVs in the house don't turn into e-waste
M
Last reply · posted in DISH Network Support Forum
Over the past few weeks, I have had problems connecting to streaming services (Netflix, HBO et al). When I go to the TV's native Channels, I have no problem. The Dish internet troubleshooter shows I have a good internet connection. I'm wondering whether it's an issue with my internet provider or a problem with the Dish software on the Hopper Plus. Anyone else seeing this?
1 Replies · 84 views
Almighty1
Over the past few weeks, I have had problems connecting to streaming services (Netflix, HBO et al). When I go to the TV's native Channels, I have no problem. The Dish internet troubleshooter shows I have a good internet connection. I'm wondering whether it's an issue with my internet provider or a problem with the Dish software on the Hopper Plus. Anyone else seeing this?
I have a DISH Hopper 3 (Software H713) with Hopper Plus (Software P15403). I have not tried streaming services but I primarily watch TVB Jadeworld international package which is only available by streaming and when I have an issue, I usually have to go to a non-streaming satellite channel first before the streaming channels will work again. What software versions do you have and what is the error message if any are showing on your screen? or is that Dish downloading logo just stuck and never finishes?
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dishstaller
Pub Member / Supporter Lifetime Supporter
· posted in The Chit Chat Club
It states the average amount they are under water is OVER $7,000. :eek

Personally, I tend to be the type that drives a vehicle for a lot of years....do my own oil changes and other fluid changes. Just replaced the spark plugs and a couple coils. Youtube is great for things like this.

0 Replies · 11 views
Scott Greczkowski
Staff member HERE TO HELP YOU! Cutting Edge
Last reply · posted in The Chit Chat Club
Sometimes a thread gets so many posts in it that is can cause issues for the server so that why today we introduce The Song Name Game Part 3!

So let the game continue!

The last song was added by Bobby who posted...

One Meat Ball - Andrews Sisters

CONTINUE ON AND HAVE FUN! WELCOME HOME TO SATELLITEGUYS.US!

Here are the original rules for the game as posted by WebbyDude back in 2006. http://www.satelliteguys.us/threads/68645-Song-Name-Game

Just name a song title and the band who performed it. The next person does the same thing, but needs to list a song title or band name which includes a word from the previous entry. Pick songs from any genre.

Example:

Long Live Rock and Roll -- Rainbow

Rainbow in the Dark -- Dio

Another example:

Ride the Lightning -- Metallica

Lightning Strikes -- Ozzy Osbourne


Get it?


An additional note: we all know that song titles, sometimes, use profane words. Because this is a family friendly website it is advised that you clean up that title up a bit. This is accomplished by using something like sh!t instead of the real word. Thanks....
68659 Replies · 2680271 views
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Bobby
98.6 - Keith
harshness
I'm Easy - Keith Carridine
gms49ers
It's Easy - Boston
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RaiderPower
Take It Easy On Me - Little River Band
long_time_Dish
Take It Easy - The Eagles
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jamieh1
Last reply · posted in DIRECTV Programming Forum
DIRECTV Stream/Internet added Ch 4105 SportsGrid
268 Replies · 38715 views
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K
Now live:
4101 Yahoo! Sports Network
4121 DP World Tour
4195 F1 Channel
4196 MotoGP Channel
K
Now live:
4275 Law & Crime
4364 Military Makeover Channel
K
Game Show Central is now live on channel 4342
K
Now live:
4101 Yahoo! Sports Network
4121 DP World Tour
4195 F1 Channel
4196 MotoGP Channel
It only took them 41 days to announce it
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K
TWiT Tech Podcast Network
· posted in TWiT Tech Podcast Network
0 Replies · 5 views
dfergie
Staff member HERE TO HELP YOU!
Last reply · posted in What's Cooking?
We have a Breakfast and Dinner thread so... :)
Continuing from the Breakfast thread, found Cornbread mix so ...
Yellow Cornbread Mix
2 Hatch Green Chiles -diced
1 Egg
2/3 cup of milk
add to greased pan
Bake for 400f 20-25 minutes(From instructions)
now to put together and try... this to go with pinto beans...
5449 Replies · 336094 views
TRG
TRG
Club sandwich and corn chowder. Iced tea.
dfergie
Chili dog bowl, water… (homemade chili)
TRG
TRG
Leftover wanton soup and pork fried rice. Water.
dfergie
IMG_5955.webp

Sweet tea…
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TRG
TRG
Tuna salad sandwich on toasted honey whole wheat bread with a handful of kettle chips. Water.
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R
Last reply · posted in Computers and Gadgets
Lately my eight year old Dell laptop has been shutting off even when I have a full battery. I have had to keep it plugged up all the time to keep this from happening. Any idea what is causing this? I replaced the battery about three years ago.
2 Replies · 52 views
arlo
A recalibration might be needed. Even if it shows full, the individual cells may have become unbalaced. And the BMS chip in the battery reports false information to the pc.
Try this. Start it up in the bios/uefi and leave it there until the battery dies and it shuts off.
It might just keep running longer than in Windows. Or run for a short while and shut off.
If it's the first case. Probably just needs a balancing. If the latter, the pack might just be dead.
Not throwing stones but perhaps just a cheaply constructed battery with substandard cells. Could be.

Patience. Keep restarting it in bios/uefi until it won't fire up anymore.
Then plug the charger in and let it complete a full charge. And see what happens. If it's better.
Do the same thing one more time. Run it until it dies dead-dead. Then just let it charge, pc shut off.
When charged, it might be better. It might not be.

There are bench jigs that read the actual BMS and override it to let a tech manually monitor and charge the separate packs. They can also reset any "time bombs" in it that cause an otherwise good pack to show bad.
Maybe Santa will be good to me some year.

You might just need a new battery. Maybe the PC power management chip is going. A Dell common thing.
Leaving a laptop plugged in with a full battery is known to reduce the life. Asus for one recommends that you don't leave the charger plugged in all of the time even when shut down. And setting Windows to charge the battery to 85% instead of 100% increases life.
That's all I got.
dishstaller
That's all I got.
That was quite enough....I definitely learned something from your post. Thanks