Model: Range Xperts OB-130 – 360 Degree VHF/UHF Omni-Directional HDTV Antenna
The Range Xperts OB-130 is a very efficient 360 degree omni directional antenna with both full sized UHF and VHF elements for maximum amount of omni directional performance possible. Reaching all directions on both the UHF and VHF bands makes it a good choice for general purpose use.
*Tip: using a single element design for each band (VHF and UHF) helps keep the pattern much wider on this model vs a multi-element antenna, however a slight gain advantage is possible when facing the long side toward the stations.
This model features an up to 60 mile Line of Sight range on both VHF and UHF and when excellent Tropo is present (this is a condition that can happen sometimes during the late summer nights and mornings, when the signal bounces off the troposphere), an up to 130 mile maximum Tropo (sky wave) range.
*Note: range refers to when conditions are optimum and with the item mounted outside, above roof height, with an unobstructed path (indoor mounting or terrain obstructions will of course dramatically reduce this range).
Mounting:
This item is designed to mount on standard sizes TV antenna masts (which are approx 1.2" in diameter), but will fit snugly on poles from 1" to 1.39" diameter (a thumbnail set screw allows user adjustment for snug mounting on poles/mast from 1" to 1.39" diameter range).
How to Maximize Performance:
This item will have less range than a directional antenna, but can still reach pretty far when mounted the correct way and fashion. For good range, item should be mounted outside above roof height, as indoor mounting or if walls, homes, or buildings in the way will reduce range significantly (especially within apartment buildings) .
WHAT IS AN OMNI-DIRECTIONAL STYLE ANTENNA?:
An omni style simply means the pattern isn't largely focused into one direction, but rather works in all directions well. A dipole is typlically considered an Omni directional, however it's shape will have a small gain increase broadside to the antenna (meaning there will be just a light gain boost if the long side of the antenna faces the stations). An Omni style 360 degree antenna is of course more convenient than a directional antenna, but won't have as high of a range as a directional antenna's pointed to direction.
Omni directional antennas, when mounted well outside are more of a medium range antenna, however they work decently well in all directions, making them much more convenient in areas that have stations in multiple directions. An Omni style antenna will have lower range than a directional antenna however. They should be mounted outside, as indoor mounting will reduce their range (especially within apartment buildings) .
WHY OUR 360 DEGREE OMNI STYLE ANTENNA:
With Over the Air TV, both the UHF and VHF HDTV frequency bands are very wide, such that a thin mono element design results into a too narrow bandwidth. As such smaller and thinner elements on other Omni antennas don't do a good job of maintaining their gain and efficient matching across over all the UHF and VHF-hi TV channels. To combat this, our design uses known engineering tactics such as more more efficent broadband matchig and much wider elements (note the wide aluminum blades) to greatly improve this Meaning, a 4 inch wide VHF single element antenna will cover a much wider frequency spectrum than only a 1/4inch or even 1 inch single element Omni antenna.
Our Omni OB-130 style model ultilizes a more efficient wideband matching system in tandem with wide, flattened VHF and UHF full sized elements for an improved, wider frequency response (higher efficiency).
This Omni directional design is most especially superior to smaller circular omni antenna designs on the VHF-hi band, as the longer length and widened wings offers full sized VHF element performance, however it should be noted that an Omni directional style antenna is by no means, will have the same range as a powerful directional antenna.
What to Expect:
Although this antenna is an efficient, 360 degree Omni DIrecitonal antenna that works on both VHF/UHF, an Omni style antenna will "not" have the same range as a Directional Antenna with a focused signal. There is always a trade-off in performance for convenience.
So an Omni-Directional antenna that works in all directions well, is only recommend to use in areas, such that stations are spread out in multiple directions and turning or adding a rotor/rotator isn't desirable and you're okay with not picking up the weakest of signals.
The paragraph below also explains on how to get a general idea of which stations are and are not possible with a well made Omni Directional VHF/UHF antenna:
Run a TV Signal Report on TV Fool or Rabbitears dot info First (using your full address):
If mounted outside above the roof, this effective Omni can generally pick up VHF and UHF stations that are listed within the "Green" and "Yellow" background colors (but none in the pink or below) as shown on the TV Signal Locator page on TVfool.com, but none of the stations in the Pink or Grayed out colors. This is typically under 60 miles Line of SIght path range if mounted outside above the roof height.
Indoor mounting or "edged" paths shown on TVfool signal report will of course also reduce the range significantly. This item will also lose nearly all it range if mounted in an apartment, condo, or even homes if they use brock, concrete, stone/rock walls, or stucco, aluminum, or metal siding.
Range:
The easiest method, is run a TV signal report on the TV signal locator page on TVFool as explained above (the stations in the "Green" and "Yellow" backgrounds tyupically are possible, if this item is mounted outside, above roof height).
Generally under 130 miles during Tropo/skipping off the lower atmospere (Tropo occurs randomly during some summer and early fall late nights & mornings only), and normal line of sight range under 60 miles, when mounted outside, above the roof (range will be significantly lower if mounted inside).
Note: item will not work within apartments, condos, or homes with brick, concrete, stone/rock walls, or stucco, metal, or aluminum siding!
Line of Sight means major obstructions aren't in the way, and the stations should show LOS paths when inputting your full address at the TV Signal Locator page on TVFool. Note: If the paths on TVfool are not "LOS", this antenna may still be able to pick up many 1edge and 2edge path signals, but only in the "Green" and "Yellow" background colors only.
Although directional antennas will have farther range in the direction they're pointed at, this antenna often works better in areas where the stations are in multiple directions in Strong to Fair (green and yellow highlighted channels shown on TVFool or Rabbitears). This is convenient areas such as the Northeastern US when adding a rotator to a directional style antenna isn't desirable. Additionally, it may be worthwhile to use both an Omni directional and a directional antenna in an install, and switch amongst them with a simple coax switch.
HAVE STRONG to MODERATELY WEAK STATIONS IN MULTIPLE DIRECTIONS?:
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We get it, adding a rotor / rotator is both expensive and inconvenient. If your stations are both in the pink color and in many directions, a rotator is unfortunately a likely necessary investment, if getting them all is desirable. If you're mainly concerned about station in the "Green" and "yellow" background colors only as shown on the TV Locator Page on TVfool dot com, this may be a good alternative solution if you either want to keep your antenna small or portable and/or don't want to rotate your antenna constantly. This HDTV antenna works in all directions with good performance (under 60 miles line of sight), when mounted well outside, without neighboring homes or buildings in the way.
Although a non-directional (also known as an Omni directional) antenna isn't as strong as a directional antenna pointed in its best direction, this model does a remarkable job in all directions without any turning necessary (great choice, if a rotor can't be used in an area with stations scattered in many directions).
This model outperforms most Omni directional models, by using a more efficient, low loss design on the UHF and VHF bands. Using effective, large conductor UHF loops within its housing, and full sized VHF elements (its aluminum wings), it has outstanding efficiency over the wide HDTV frequency spectrum!
*IMPORTANT RECEPTION WARNINGS* - Not recommended for apartment or condo building installs. Also not recommend for inside homes that use brick, rock/stone, and/or concrete walls or with metal/aluminum siding, as these materials effectively shield out radio and tv signals. Poor reception expected if mounting inside of apartments or condo buildings or buildings/homes that use brick,concrete, metal, or aluminum walls or exterior siding as these materials shield out tv signals... Note: TV signals cannot penetrate through any metal, brick, or concrete barriers! If you mounting indoors or below roof height, be aware of walls or neighboring homes composed of brick, concrete, and/or metal / aluminum siding, if the antenna isn't mounted above them and they're in between the path toward the TV stations. Northeast USA & Areas with Weak Stations in Different Directions - Higher gain antennas are consequently also more directional. This item's maximum strength is approx 35 degree wide, however can often pick up full power stations up to 35 miles away in all directions too, (assuming they aren't weak stations and/or blocked heavily by terrain), however If you reside in the Northeast part of the USA and/or in an area which has weaker stations (such as due to mountains or large hill ranges in the way (also known as 1edge or 2edge paths on the TVfool tv signal reference site) in different directions, a rotor or second antenna with a coax switch (a combiner sometimes also works well) may be needed to pick up stations in different directions. In the northeast part of the USA, this area is especially common to have weak stations heavily scattered in different directions and blocked by mountains and/or heavy hill ranges, thus a rotator is almost always necessary for this part of the USA. We sell rotors in our store, but rotors are a bit pricey. If a rotor is undesirable, a second best option would to add one of our quality Outdoor Omni-Directional antennas. ATTIC Mounting - Attic Mounting will always have lower range than outdoor mounting. Note: if you must install indoors, our fully adjustable indoor / attic tripod is superior to stationary attic mounting solutions or limited movement mounting, as they'll reduce likelihood of getting the optimum signal indoors and you may find you have to mount too close to your homes walls or roof (thus adding loss). No tools needed for our tool-less tripod and no drilling whatsoever into your expensive home. It's superior to fixed mounts, as it installs instantly and both the height and direction are fully 360 degree adjustable at anytime, and you can place it away from home materials to prevent them from detuning it (via a simple hand tension knob to alter it's height or direction instantly). HIGH INSTALL LOSS WARNING - Long coax cable runs (more than 50ft of RG6) or running your antenna to more than one TV (or adding splittlers) creates high install loss that can greatly weaken the signal and reduce channels found, unless a quality, low noise "Signal Booster" is added. View our store for name brand Signal Boosters for only $10 to $30.
Features:
· Full UHF and VHF Omni-Directional Performance · No Rotor Needed! · 50ft of "Low Loss" quality RG6 coax cable included! · Full Sized VHF elements also inlcuded (which is rare on most omni antennas, as others try to make the antenna too small). · Up to 130 Maximum "Tropo" range (sometimes happens very late at nights and early mornings), up to 60 Mile Line of Sight (ground wave) range on both VHF & UHF! |
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