Antenna Handbook

The Best Indoor HDTV Antenna for 2022

The Best Indoor HDTV Antenna -  As we know, cable TV, streaming TV services, and satellite TV , as Hulu, Disney+, HBO, NetFlix, and etc, require us to pay a subscription fee every month, and burden the monthly bill for each house, and many people have left it to switch to Aerial TV and Digital TV services which currently have a variety of programs.

Indoor HDTV Antenna
Indoor HDTV Antenna

As consumer reports after tested  many digital Indoor HDTV Antenna , tested with different distance and location from many customers, I picks several popular brands Indoor HDTV Antenna  for your reference before purchase.
Consumer rated recommendation  the antenna based on easy installation, easy setup and get VHF and UHF band, also pick up almost all channel.

Indoor HDTV Antenna  will reduce Your Monthly TV Bill

You can now experience HDTV in the highest quality picture and sound available. Over-the-air broadcasts are transmitted in crystal clear Full HD 1080;  far less compressed than what cable and satellite offer. Many local broadcasts are digitally aired in 5.1 Surround Sound giving you the ultimate sound  stage for watching live television. 

With a digital antenna you can receive free local news, weather, kids shows, sports, cooking, shopping, and sitcoms  from networks like ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX, PBS, CW, ION, and much more with no cost or contracts. And broadcast TV won't be interrupted from service drop outs  (satellite). Quick fact: local sports are broadcast free over-the-air. You just need an antenna.

For those who still want to see local TV programming and don't want to pay subsciptions cost, Indoor HDTV antennas brands such as Clear Stream, RCA, Winegard,  Mohu, 1ByOne are the best choice for TV at home


The Best Powerfull performance Indoor HDTV Antenna with Ultra Thin Antenna material with flexible easy Installation options.

Price : $82.00 from Amazon 

Specifications :

  • Flexible Antenna Material
  • Amplifier Included
  • Detachable cable
  • Long range upto +50 miles
  • Easy Installation


RCA Ultra-Thin, Multi-Directional Indoor HDTV Antenna
RCA Ultra-Thin, Multi-Directional Indoor HDTV Antenna

Indoor HDTV Antenna with Patented, 360ยบ multi-directional design eliminates need for constant adjustments. RCA's advanced SmartBoost technology amplifies weak signals to deliver the most channels possible while filtering out false signals.

Price : $35.99 from Amazon

Specification 

  • 60 mile range reception
  • Amplifier Included
  • Flexible Antenna Material
  • Easy Installation


Winegard Flatwave Amped Pro HDTV Indoor Antenna
Winegard Flatwave Amped Pro HDTV Indoor Antenna


App-enabled to capture the most free TV channels. This indoor HDTV antenna is powered with a technology duo, an amplified Bluetooth signal meter, and Clear Circuit technology to give you quick access to all the channels in your area. The digital amplifier embedded in the antenna boosts available signals by 100%. 
Sort by signal strength or fine-tune to get the channels you want

Price : $104.62 from Amazon

The FlatWave Amped Pro is the only antenna with an actual signal meter integrated into the antenna to provide the best possible customer experience when installing. The Flatwave Amped Pro uses a built-in tuner to get real-time signal data

Specification
  • Capture signal more than 60 miles away
  • Built-in Clear Circuit Technology boosts reception, cuts dropout, and clears pixelation.
  • Ultra low noise (1 dB) digital amplifier is attached directly to the Antenna
  • Bluetooth Signal Meter and Integrated Channel Finder 

1ByOne Amplified Indoor Digital HDTV Antenna
1ByOne Amplified Indoor Digital HDTV Antenna

High Performace with on Budget Price , high gain Antenna almost 28dB


Price : $27.99 from Amazon

Specification

  • VHF/UHF Band Frequency Range
  • HDTV Compatible/ ATSC Compatible
  • Amplifier Included

The Best VK3UM downloads

VK3UM downloads -  was a software develop by Dough McArthur,Doug VK3UM. For VK3UM Downloads please click here    , VK3UM downloads software consist of EME Calculator [EMECalc] , EME Planner, VK3UM Libration Calculator [LibCalc], VK3UM Electro Magnetic Radiation Calculator [EMRCalc], Atmosphere , Atmosphere calculates the absorption attenuation at Microwave frequencies for both terresttail and slant paths for Amateur frequencies from 10-241 GHz. and VK3UM Noise Source Planner, VK3UM 4 Stage Inter Digital Filter Design [IDF], Transmission Impedance Calculator, VK3UM Auto Track, VK3UM Sun Noise and Measurements.


The software provides the ability to  :
 • select the Radiation Limit to suit your Governing Authority’s Standard. 
 • select the transmission frequency (1.8MHz to 49GHz).  
 • vary the transmitter output power and associated feed losses.
 • select the transmission mode duty factor and averaging period characteristics.
 • select ground reflection factor if required
 • vary the antenna size and efficiency of a Parabolic reflector or select single or multiple yagi arrays  
 • select pre programmed rectangular aperture antennae types for HF (High Frequency) calculations or adjust antennae gain as necessary.
 • vary the height of the HF antennae and display the resultant on axis Exclusion Zone. (bore sight direct line distance)
 • select metric or imperial display presentation.  
 • save and recall user specific preference configurations as required.  
 
The RF Radiation Calculator provides the On Axis Exclusion Zone (General Public), for both near and far field radiation levels, is displayed in both text and graphical (RFGraph) formats. 
 
The System Performance Calculator will simultaneously display both S/N of the Moon Echo and the Sun and Cold Sky to Ground Y factor levels for variables generally not provided in other calculators. These include the added ability to vary; • 10.7cm Solar flux. 
• dish mesh characteristics.
• derived spill over and feed through values. 
• Preamplifier and pre first amplifier gain and loss characteristics. 

Through out the World many Government Authorities have indicated that they are proposing to implement, or are in the process of implementing mandatory standards of radiation limits pertaining to the Radio Amateur Service.  Because of the nature of EME (Earth-Moon-Earth) and other Amateur communications, radiated power levels can be quite high and may, under certain situations, pose a radiation hazard. This software calculates the level of RF Radiation and specifically addresses the near field radiation characteristics of a circular aperture radiating antennae. (RFGraph.exe). This characteristic could be most significant in being able to demonstrate that an EME Station is able to meet Governing Authority’s radiation limits. 

VK3UM Opening Screen
VK3UM Opening Screen

VK3UM HF Option



Program Aim 

The prime purpose of the software is to define the Radiation Level of the On Axis Exclusion Zone, commensurate with the stations effective radiated power, mode of operation and antennae gain. The secondary purpose is to provide the most accurate calculations for the EME budget, Sun Y factor (relative to the solar flux), and Sky (Cold) to ground Y factor.  The user has the ability to vary all or any of the interacting factors and determine, with a high degree of accuracy, your system’s performance. 
 
 
Screen Options
 
The first time the program is run the default parameters as listed in Part 6 of this document will be displayed.  

The VHF-SHF Screen provides access to the Parabolic Reflector (default) and the yagi Array. To select the yagi array click on the button to the left of the display. Similarly to reselect the Parabolic Reflector display click on its button.  

The HF Screen may be selected by clicking on the small button (HF) in the bottom right hand corner of the frequency panel. The options available within this screen may be selected by clicking one of the available options (Low Gain Antennae, Yagi Array or Parabolic Reflector). Access to all the Low Gain Antennae options may be gained by clicking on the associated panel (it will high light in white) and further choose other options by use of the up/down arrows . To return to VHF-SHF screen click on the SHF button.  

Transmission Mode Form Factor options should be selected in accordance with the Standard chosen. In the case of the FCC OET Bulletin 65 they select Carrier or 100%.  

Six Minute Period Average options should also be selected in accordance with the Standard chosen. In the case of the FCC OET Bulletin 65 they select Conversational or 100%.  

Ground Reflection. Select his option where required. This will depend upon the situation under question and should be applied as appropriate. In the case of the FCC OET Bulletin 65 they stipulate this option (in most instances) as a worse case scenario.  

RF Radiation Standards. Three are provided as indicated plus a variable facility to allow for any other Radiation Limit. Many Countries have as yet to define their Standard and the variable option is provided for such eventualities.  

Transmitter Power. Levels from 1-9999 are provided to cover most Amateur situations.  

Transmission Loss. Actual power measured at the radiator. Adjust to suit your particular situation. Remember to include all feed, relay, balun, and divider losses as appropriate.  

Metric/Imperial Button. Selecting either will reflect on all displayed calculations. Note that this function is a ‘stored parameter’.  

System Performance Calculator. There are 14 variables that the user may adjust to suit their situation. The ability to ‘reverse engineer’ your results provides the user with a system analysis tool of considerable effectiveness. 

 File Handling Options  

The Data button provides access to data file management options. 


Save data allows the user to store as many files, with whatever file name you choose (extension is set to *.dug) .  Get Data allows the user to recall the file as stored above. 

Cancel aborts the process and returns the user to the main screen. 
 
Note. 1 All the screen variables available to the user are stored. 2. You may also cancel the save or get file options by using the cancel option when in these screens. 
 
 

Default Option allows for the retrieval of user defined set up parameters. When the program is first initiated the parameters displayed should be changed to suit the users preferred options. They should be stored as ‘default.dug’. This file will be recalled automatically when clicking on the default button. If the file has not been created then the user will receive an error message warning of the requirement. as well as all the other  variables of frequency, sky temperature, LNA, receiver noise figure, band width and system loss factors. The calculator will provide most accurate data for typical installations and allow the user to define and analyse the operational capabilities of the station. 


In the Next Articles I will write about Default Parameters , Parameters Description, Calculation Methods and Display Presentation.

Radiation pattern with matlab

patternCustom

Plot radiation pattern using spherical coordinate system (phi and theta angles)

Syntax
patternCustom(magE,theta,phi)
patternCustom(magE,theta,phi,Name,Value)
hplot = patternCustom(___)

Description
patternCustom(magE,theta,phi) plots the 3-D radiation pattern of an antenna magnitude, magE over the specified phi and theta angle vectors.

hplot = patternCustom(___) returns handles of the lines or surface in the figure window. This syntax accepts any combination of arguments from the previous syntaxes

Examples

Visualize Radiation Pattern From Antenna Data File
Consider a helix antenna data file in .csv format. This file contains the magnitude of the antenna directivity in phi and theta angles. Read The File 
Command : openExample('antenna/VisualizeRadiationPatternFromAntennaDataFileExample')

helixdata = csvread('antennadata_test.csv',1,0);

Use patternCustom to extract the magnitude of directivity, and the phi, and theta angle values. Plot the 3-D polar radiation pattern.

patternCustom(helixdata(:,3),helixdata(:,2),helixdata(:,1));

Visualize Radiation Pattern From Antenna Data File

Visualize Radiation Pattern From Antenna Data File


Use the same data to plot the 3-D rectangular radiation pattern.


figure
patternCustom(helixdata(:,3),helixdata(:,2),helixdata(:,1),...
 'CoordinateSystem','rectangular');

3D Rectangular radiation Pattern
3D Rectangular radiation Pattern


Visualize 2-D Radiation Patterns of Helix Directivity


Calculate the magnitude, azimuth, and elevation angles of a helix's directivity at 2 GHz.

Command :

openExample('antenna/VisualizeRectangularAndPolar2DRadiationPatternOfHelixExample')

h = helix;
[D,az,el] = pattern(h,2e9);

Here, az = the angle from the positive x-axis to the directivity vector's orthogonal projection onto the xy plane, moving in the direction towards the y-axis.

el = the angle from the directivity vector's orthogonal projection onto the xy plane to the vector, moving in the direction towards the z-axis.

Extract theta and phi angles of the directivity magnitude.

phi = az';
theta = (90-el);
MagE = D';

Plot 2-D phi slice of the antenna in rectangular coordinates.

figure;
patternCustom(MagE,theta,phi,'CoordinateSystem','rectangular',...
    'Slice','phi','SliceValue',0);

Plot 2-D phi slice of the antenna in rectangular coordinates.


Plot 2-D phi slice of the antenna in polar coordinates.


figure;
patternCustom(MagE, theta, phi,'CoordinateSystem','polar',...
    'Slice','phi','SliceValue',0);

Plot 2-D phi slice of the antenna in polar coordinates
Plot 2-D phi slice of the antenna in polar coordinates.




rf bnc 50 ohm attenuator

rf bnc 50 ohm attenuator
rf bnc 50 ohm attenuator


rf bnc 50 ohm attenuator

Attenuators - Interconnects PADS BNC 50 OHM BNC(M) (F) 20db - 

Is 20db enough attenuation to reduce 1W output to 0.5W ? 
20dB for this attenuator provides drop of voltage 10 times into 50 Ohms load. The power which is V^2/R will drop 100 times accordingly . The difference between 1 watt and 0.5 watts is 3 db. A 20 db attenuation is 1/100. 1 watt input gives 0.01 watt output. It will reduce your 1 Watt to .01 Watt. If you really need 0.5 Watt , then you need a 3 DB attenuator. It goes loke this: 3 db = half the power; 6 db = one fourth the power; 9 db = one eighth of the power; 10 db = one tenth of the power; 20 db = one one-hundreth of the power.  Said another way: for every 3 db of attenuation reduce the power by one-half. For every 10 db reduce the power by a factor of ten A 3db drop is half power.

What's the working frequency range of this attenuator? I need one working between 0.5 and 3 MHz with minimal distortion of the waveform.
I use them on 490MHz all the way to 875MHz, don't see distortion on waveform but I mainly use them to drop the signal so I don't overload enritsu or pathtrax. 

What is the maximum power input in Watts for this attenuator?
Max power input isn't indicated on the attenuator itself, but I've been running 1/2W through it without any problems so far.

will this attenuator work @ 30mhz and below ? I want to attenuate the input on a spectrum analyzer for use on the HF bands
You are looking at a resistive Attenuator. Should work all the way down to DC as long as you keep the power level low. At the upper frequency range you are limited by the BNC connection but should be good to 1GHZ.


Find The Best Guide to Indoor and Outdoor TV Antennas


Indoor Antennas for receiving DTV 

(Note: An auction of spectrum that had been licensed to broadcast television stations operating on UHF TV Channels 38-51 resulted in many TV stations on these channels transitioning to other channels. Almost all of the TV stations affected finished transitioning in July 2020.) 

To receive DTV signals from all stations in the area, your antenna needs to be able to receive both VHF channels (channels 2-13) and UHF channels (channels 14-36). 

Some antennas only provide good reception of VHF or UHF channels, but not both. For example, indoor "rabbit ears" usually need to be augmented with an additional "wire loop" or "bowtie" antenna (see images on the next page) in order to pick up signals on UHF channels. 

Many of the antennas being sold as "HDTV Antennas" perform best at receiving UHF signals, but perform less well receiving VHF channels. Check with retail consultants and consumer websites to make sure that any antenna you choose provides good reception of both VHF and UHF channels. 

Even if you use a digital-to-analog converter box, you will still need to use an antenna to receive DTV signals. Digital-to-analog converter boxes do not contain additional antennas or signal amplification.

Antennas for reception in different signal conditions 


The antennas on the next page will work for the indicated signal strength in most instances, but may not work in all cases. 


The type of antenna needed at a specific location may vary depending on geographic location, the height at which the antenna is used and other local factors such as nearby buildings, trees, terrain or home construction. 

Generally, outdoor antennas will get better reception than indoor antennas and are strongly recommended for the most reliable reception.

If your home near the TV Broadcasting Station and not much blocking obstacles such high building and the TV signals is Strong Use Circular Loop and Dipole Antenna such Rabbit Ears Antenna.