Well that’s embarrassing. A random search of the internet turned up this picture which looks like an early version of our Xtreme Signal HDB91X that took a turn for the worse at some point. Yeah, I’d probably be replacing that. I mean, chances are it still gets some reception, but those broken directors on the front mean that an antenna like that is seriously compromised.
A 75-year history of antennas
The first TV antennas went up just before the Second World War after television broadcasts started in New York City. Work on television was suspended during the war and didn’t start up again until 1946. It wasn’t until the early 1950s that television hit its tipping point, where every household either had a TV or desperately wanted one.
Back then, the only way to get television was over-the-air. Cable TV really didn’t get a footprint until the early 1970s and satellite didn’t start until the 1990s. And of course, it was the late ’10s when we started watching videos on our TVs using streaming hardware.
So, there’s a history of antennas being put on houses. If your home is more than 40 years old, it either still has an antenna on it, or it did and someone took it down.
Our labs are the same way.
Many of us have old antennas on our roofs. Our Southern California labs have a 55-year-old antenna on the roof and while it still works great it might be just a little bit worse for wear. There’s some bent elements and it doesn’t sit quite level. Is it time to replace?
Of course only you can answer that question, and it comes down to, are you getting the performance you want out of the antenna you have? Are you losing channels now and again? Are some of your favorites not coming in when they used to just a few years ago? Or is that old monster just unsightly? When most network stations were on channels 2-13 (the “VHF” band) you almost always needed a gigantic antenna to get your channels. Everyone had these things on their roofs and if you can believe it, having the biggest, ugliest one in the neighborhood was actually a status symbol in 1957. Flash forward 60years, though, and that status symbol might just be an eyesore.
There really is a difference
Most people with old antennas will find that they can now use a much smaller, much simpler antenna that won’t look unsightly, and still get all the same channels. Most TV broadcasting now takes place on channels 14-35, with a few less common channels using channels 7-13. There are only a handful of channels in the country that still use channels 2-6.
Having all the channels up in one small range means that the antenna can be smaller and can focus more on those channels. Today’s antennas can be no larger than a pizza box and still deliver great results, even without ampification. Add a modern low noise amplifier and things get even better.
If you are tired of looking at that old antenna on the roof, the first step is a call to the experts at Solid Signal. I’m talking about a real person who will look at your location and choose the right antenna and accessories for you. You might find that a new antenna won’t cost a lot and might be a lot smaller. There is absolutely no obligation to buy, but of course we’d like it if you did.
So, call us at 888-233-7563. We’re here for you during East Coast business hours. If it’s after hours, fill out the form below. We’ll get right back to you!
