Silicon Chip Magazine: Product Showcase. April 2014
See-Through Window UHF TV Antenna
"We would highly recommend this antenna for good UHF signal areas"
If you're in a reasonably strong UHF signal area this new "roll-up" TV antenna from HD-Quad could solve a number of TV antenna problems - especially if you're renting or perhaps you don't want to go to the trouble and expense of erecting an external antenna.BUY NOWThe HD-Quad is a two-bay UHF phased array which simply sticks to a window, facing in the general direction of the TV transmitter.
The backing laminate film is completely transparent - it won't block your view at all - and the antenna "elements", made of conductive silver ink traces, are hardly noticeable. Because it's so thin, operation of sliding windows, blinds, etc are virtually unaffected.
The antenna is A3 in size and weighs in at a miserly 100g. While it naturally lends itself to horizontal polarity, it could be mounted vertically for vertically polarised signals. However, we have to say that when we tried it out, there was no discernable difference in signal when mounted horizontally and aimed at a vertically polarised translator.
It will cover UHF channels from 28-69; however, when the digital TV restack is completed this year you will only need to cover 28 to 51 (channels 52-69 will all disappear).
A short (50mm) lead is attached to the antenna with female PAL connector for plugging into a standard TV coax extension lead-in. This (and the lead-in) should be secured in their own right to prevent the weight teventually dragging the antenna free.
In use
We tried the HD-Quad in two locations - one with line-of-sight coverage from Noth Head translator (at about 10km) and the other in a known TV black spot, where coverage is normally only availiable from the Bouddi translator (at about 50km) using high-gain outside antenna mounted high off the ground, and definatley assisted by a masthead amplifier.
In the first location, the picture was rock-solid on all channels (now, of course, digital). In fact, there was even a good picture received from the off-axis (about 90) Kings Cross translator (at about 15km) on all channels. We would highly recommend this antenna for good UHF signal areas.
The second location was, as we expected, not so good. In fact, the only channels we were able to receive was the SBS suits - 1, 2, 3 and HD. Even then, there was pixellation and drop outs. But having said that, we were surprised it did that well! It is the only "indoor" antenna we've ever tried in that location that received anything! The HD-Quad is definitely not designed for such poor signal strengths.
At $39.99, the HD-Quad won't break the bank - especially as you have nothing else to buy (except a lead-in, perhaps). It's simply a matter of fixing it to the window (tabs are supplied) plugging it in and away she goes!
HD-Quad also have a similar but larger (A2 size) model, capable of receiving both VHF and UHF signals. Again, after the restack is finished, you probabaly won't need to be able to receive both (however, there are exceptions in very few areas).
