Modern Television Antennas and Early Television Antennas

Some things have not changed.  Outdoor antennas are required for the best television reception.  If you live close enough to the television stations, an indoor antenna can be used. The most common type is the "rabbit ears" antenna.

The names most commonly used for television reception are tv antenna, aerial, roof top antenna, or television antenna. So lets take a look at what these four words really mean.

 re·cep·tion (rĭ-sĕp'shən) n.

1. 1. The act or process of receiving or of being received.
   2. Football. The act or an instance of catching a forward pass.
2. A welcome, greeting, or acceptance: a friendly reception.
3. A social function, especially one intended to provide a welcome or greeting: a wedding reception.
4. Mental approval or acceptance: the reception of a new theory.
5. Electronics.
6. 1. Conversion of transmitted radio waves or electric signals into perceptible forms, such as sound or light, by means of antennas and electronic equipment.
   2. The condition or quality of the waves or signals so received.
      [Middle English recepcion, from Old French reception, from Latin receptiō, receptiōn-, from receptus, past participle of recipere, to receive. See receive.]

tel·e·vi·sion (tĕl'?-vĭzh'ən) n.
            The transmission of dynamic or sometimes static images, generally with accompanying sound, via electric or electromagnetic signals.

1. The industry of producing and broadcasting television programs.
   [French télévision : télé-, far (from Greek tēle-, tele–) + vision, vision; see vision.]

an·ten·na (ăn-tĕn'?) n., pl. -ten·nae (-tĕn'ē).

aer·i·al (âr'ē-əl, ā-îr'ē-əl) adj.

1. Of, in, or caused by the air.
2. Existing or living in the air.
3. Reaching high into the air; lofty.
4. Suggestive of air, as in lightness; airy.
5. Unsubstantial; imaginary.
6. Of, for, or by means of aircraft: aerial photography.
7. Botany. Growing or borne above the ground or water: aerial roots.
   n. (âr'ē-əl)
   A radio antenna, especially one suspended in or extending into the air.
   [From Latin āerius, from Greek āerios, from āēr, air.]

By the late 1980s, 98% of all homes in the U.S. had at least one TV set. On average, Americans watch four hours of television per day. An estimated two-thirds of Americans got most of their news about the world from TV, and nearly half got all of their news from TV. These figures are now estimated to be significantly higher.

Practically every country in the world now has developed at least one television channel. Television has grown up all over the world, enabling every country to share aspects of their culture and society with others.

Indoor or Outdoor television antennas, people have been installing for themselves (do-it-yourself) for years.

The development in TV antennas designed today is the greatest. From omni directional (round rotorfree antenna), to amplified rotating conventional antennas (vhf & uhf) people can view channels from all around them.

See the Future

FREE TV

I believe that HDTV is the future of television. Network channels are going to become the most popular watched channels on television. Free TV is going to give cable TV and satellite TV a run for their money. We have tried to make it easy for the people to get the facts about HDTV. We have set up pages of the best information on the web for you to view. Along with a channel finder to locate every network in the United States. It’s all set up for you. Free information, free phone call or email a question. We are here to help the do-it-yourself installer. If you can put up an antenna once and get awesome picture quality why pay monthly?

The most convenient, least expensive, easy to install,  HD-VHF-UHF TV antenna is the MS-2000 (the round antenna) by Winegard. This television antenna picks up stations in all directions without a rotor and it's also amplified. It can be used just about anywhere. We helped bring that antenna to the market years ago. The original antennas we sold are still out there working today.

Some people have used them for places like:
Home television antennas
RV (motorhome) television antennas
Marine (boat) television antennas
Garage (or polebarn) television antennas
Attic television antennas
Cabins (cottage) television antennas

Now on the other hand the ultimate television antenna system to have is the Winegard HD-7084 TV antenna with an amplifier and a rotor, mounted above your roofline (for best reception). If a channel can be gotten from your location this system will get it.

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 Early TV Antennas and Modern TV Antennas

Before the war, television stations had limited transmitter power, and receivers had poor sensitivity, so an antenna was almost a necessity. On your left are some of the antennas used before World War Two. 

Today television stations have a great out put power and you can receive signals from several directions at a time.  We have the conveniences of choosing the size, style, and shape of a television antenna that you prefer for your home. On your right are some modern television antennas.

Click on a picture to view a larger image!

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Telesine TV Antenna History

TV stations had limited transmitter power, and receivers to the televisions had poor sensitivity, so an antenna was almost a necessity. Here are a few of the antennas used before World War II. Below are 2 type of antennas:  1st: Andrea Teleceptor 1939     2nd: Don Lee antenna 1939

After the war, stations were broadcasting with higher power, but until the mid 50s there were still many areas of the country that had poor television service. Large outdoor antennas were needed. Here are a few of early antennas from the late 40s, when channel one was still used.

Motorless Antenna from the 50's and 60's.  Now we call these kind of television antennas omni directional or rotorfree. The rotorless idea then carried through to today. It has advanced in technology just like the rest of the UHF/VHF/HD television antennas have.

 "Pictures courtesy of the Early Television Museum"

Television History

These links will take you to other information about the history of early television.

Television before WWII

TV During World War II

History of Early Color Television

Early Television Museum

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Telesine TV Antenna History