IMPORTANT NEW "PREFACE TO THE PREFACE" ABOUT ANTENNAS! (New preface prompted by several inquiror questions September 2011) The average layman knows very little about just what an antenna does just as he/she does not know how to distinguish much of the hype surrounding digital versus analog transmission/reception. And, you really can not expect them to . Unfortunately, if YOU are one of these laymen, you really NEED to KNOW a few basics so that you do not waste your time and money and are NOT gullible when it comes to choosing a TV antenna for today's state of the art (as hard as it is for some of us "old timers" to believe, many of today's generation even think that a TV antenna for over the air reception is a "NEW" thing - as do some promoters, apparently!). Without getting too technical here, let me clarify what I have come to see as a few common misconceptions about antenna performance right at the outset since many people, based on their questions, simply do NOT know, or understand, any of this information! First and foremost, an antenna does NOT directly affect DIGITAL picture or sound quality! Any reviews, or ads, you see about a certain antenna receiving an "exceptionally clear" picture, or sound, are absolutely meaningless in this, the digital age! Assuming an antenna can detect a usable digital signal, then rest ASSURED that it has done its ONLY job. The "clear picture" with digital transmission comes from the medium itself and is determined by that and the processing/display in the receiver ... period! Unlike the old days of noisy analog with its variations and graduations in reception display which WERE directly affected by the antenna, a digital signal is either there or it is not. When it is not you see NOTHING. When it IS there, you ALWAYS see "picture perfect" digital displays and hear digital audio just as you do on your computer ... there is no in-between "grey area" with digital! Remember this fact, please, as you read meaningless advertising claims about an antenna's "picture quality" etc. Most people who use one of these antennas to experience HDTV over the air for the first time are actually being "knocked out" by the current state-of-the-art (that we talk about below) which is what they are actually raving about in their reviews - NOT the antenna itself that simply detects the signal! Secondly, there are a LOT of, what I call, "gimmick" antennas out there nowadays claiming "space age", or "new cutting edge", or similar miraculous performance! You often see this in regard to some newly marketed, flat, so-called "omnidirectional" indoor antenna. Remember, these truly are just variations of the same old, basic UHF "loop" or, perhaps at best, one of the newer fractal design variations. But, just remember they have still NOT repealed the old laws of physics and they will ALWAYS apply regarding wavelength and antenna gain. Do not expect ANY kind of indoor antenna to work consistently well beyond 30 miles or so from a transmitter (typically much closer distance is required). Some of these new indoor designs are fine for those living in metro areas and will, indeed, receive all of the many stations now out there in these markets. But, so will old "rabbit ears" (a basic dipole) and an amplifier. However, if you live in the fringe, or want a chance at receiving distant stations, and especially the lower VHF channels, do yourself a favor and forget about all the gimmicks! In that case, you need a REAL, properly designed for gain and wavelength, outdoor antenna for consistent performance. Of course, our "TruTenna" design will still work better in an attic mount situation than any other "indoor" antenna simply because it is designed to optimize all the real reception parameters that matter. It will work even better when mounted high, outdoors, as will ALL antennas. It is human nature to want to believe in some "new", "miracle" technology and that a cheap, or sometimes expensive, easy, "cool looking" or "hidden" type antenna will do the job miraculously. The TRUTH is ... when it comes to antennas, there is not much new under the sun and there are NO miracle designs. Radio Frequency (which is how TV signal waves are delivered) is still transmitted and received the same way it has always been and the same laws of physics apply today just as they did in 1950! ORIGINAL PREFACE - Most everyone has, by now, experienced "High Definition" television in some form or other. But, what many people STILL do not seem to realize, is the fact that broadcast television, so-called "OTA" (for "over the air") has the greatest potential for ULTIMATE "High Definition". All of the digital "HD" transmissions are NOT equal and "OTA" broadcasts, assuming faithful signal maintenance by the transmitting station, noticeably exceeds the inherent limitations and capabilities of both satellite and cable! I believe that broadcasters are, by and large, missing the boat by not emphasizing this fact in constant on-air promotion. This kind of informative promotion is not happening, at least in my locality. When the digital transition occurred, they told you a lot about the cheap, government sponsored "converter" boxes, and coupons for them, but they should have been mentioning antenna quality and discussing the excellent inherent quality of the new ALL-DIGITAL TV receivers. I suppose they are afraid of offending their cable carrier affiliates. Anyway, the point here is, if you have not seen high definition programming received over the air on a quality, all-digital TV from a quality network and affiliate station, then you have not yet experienced true HDTV (your local PBS HD channel should be a very good example of the current state-of-the-art)! This fact, along with the new and varied programming that is, and will be increasingly, offered by TV stations on their multiple sub channels, is why antenna based reception systems are, and will continue to be, making a huge comeback in the months and years ahead! Once again it will be "fashionable" to sport a TV antenna on your roof! This listing is about HOW TO MAKE YOUR OWN high quality bi-directional antenna that will provide you with SECOND TO NONE fringe reception of all the new, highest quality programming that is, and will be, available to you ... FREE ... "OVER THE AIR"!

Forget about all of these and their relatives!