I am about 50 miles from the "local" transmitters. I had heard that even with a large roof antenna it was marginal, so I have always had cable. Well, they keep jacking the prices up on that, and there are no streaming services that include local channels for any less.
Walmart closed out a bunch of antennas. One claimed it was get 120 miles when used inside for $15. Naturally I didn't believe it, but figured it was easy enough to take back. It is like a 8"x8" sheet of plastic with a wire coming out of it. Sure enough, I got absolutely nothing from it, but when I hung it out the window I got all my stations! Some flickered in and out, but others were pretty strong. (all the transmitters are in one small area). That made me think that a somewhat better antenna might actually work. The plastic sheet worked when put below my deck, so I figure the other antenna would work there also. One small hole through the wall and I am good.
Antennas that look like they ought to be better than a sheet of plastic go from between $30 and $150. Can anyone suggest an antenna available at a big box store that would work?
The plastic sheet worked when amplified and not at all when not. Do I want an amplifier for the antenna, or does a better antenna not need it?
Oddly one of the most consistent stations was all by itself about 70 miles away; sadly, I don't really want that one. It didn't really matter how the antenna was pointed.
Thanks.