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Does anybody have DirecTV and use the AM21 tuner to get local network stations? We currently have Distant Network Service but only get either the NY or LA channels. According to the AM21 manual you hook it up to your DirecTV box and then it gives you the local NBC/ABC/CBS network affiliates.
What I'm looking for is what to use for an antenna for the AM21…we've got the standard batwing installed in addition to the sat dish…it looks like I could just disconnect the batwing cable from the back of the TV where it's normally hooked up and cable it up to the AM21 for outside input. I would have to undo this whenever we didn't have satellite visibility of course to hook it back up to the TV for direct over the air stations…or would I?
What I'm looking to find out before I order an AM21 to find out is whether the standard batwing works fine as an input and whether I would need to recable the batwing back to the TV when I can't get satellite visibility…or does the AM21 pick up all of the available OTA signals and just pipe them through the DirecTV receiver regardless of whether I have satellite visibility.
Somebody must know the answer to this so I don't have to order one to find out.
Does anybody have DirecTV and use the AM21 tuner to get local network stations? We currently have Distant Network Service but only get either the NY or LA channels. According to the AM21 manual you hook it up to your DirecTV box and then it gives you the local NBC/ABC/CBS network affiliates.
What I'm looking for is what to use for an antenna for the AM21…we've got the standard batwing installed in addition to the sat dish…it looks like I could just disconnect the batwing cable from the back of the TV where it's normally hooked up and cable it up to the AM21 for outside input. I would have to undo this whenever we didn't have satellite visibility of course to hook it back up to the TV for direct over the air stations…or would I?
What I'm looking to find out before I order an AM21 to find out is whether the standard batwing works fine as an input and whether I would need to recable the batwing back to the TV when I can't get satellite visibility…or does the AM21 pick up all of the available OTA signals and just pipe them through the DirecTV receiver regardless of whether I have satellite visibility.
Somebody must know the answer to this so I don't have to order one to find out.
Hey guys:
I have used the AM-21’s for a long time. The AM-21 is an off-air TV tuner and will receive the TV stations just like we have since the 1950’s.It uses the same antenna your “TV” uses.You could use a “splitter” from the antenna so that you can feed both your TV and the AM-21. This will, however, reduce the signal to both the TV and the AM-21.When you “split” something it reduces the signal going to each one.
Standard RV “batwings” work fine BUT, there are amplified “batwings” (Winegard for example) that work much much better.They look the same but have an amplifier which significantly improves reception – especially when a “splitter” is used.
The AM-21 will ONLY tune local stations that are in the Direct TV database for your location – and yes, you must be able to see the satellite to operate / view – and record - stations from the AM-21.When you move from location to location you input the zip code of your location and the Direct TV receiver then knows what TV stations you might be able to receive and integrates those stations into the Direct TV Guide just like they were satellite channels.You mange and record them just like you would a satellite channel. Naturally if the off-air TV stations are not strong enough in your area to be received you cannot record / view them even though Direct TV puts them in the guide.
There is a signal strength meter on the AM-21 to peak the off-air batwing antenna as you rotate it.However, I find it easier to use my TV to do that rather than the AM-21.It depends on your TV.
I have had very good results with the AM-21 and consider it a very good tool.It will receive all the sub-channels (i.e.the “dot” channels e.g. 3.2) as well as the main TV channel and those are integrated into the Direct TV Guide as well. Installation of the AM-21 with the DVR is plug-and-play, IMO.One cable from the AM-21 to the DVR and a power cable.
Did I cover the bases well enough?If not, ask away. If you get one I'll be glad to help with any operational details you might have trouble with.
Thanks Bill; we do have the amplified Winegard batwing; I'll get a splitter and see how it works for us given that it is amplified. Mostly what we're looking for is the ability to get local stations in addition to just the NY/LA affiliates; makes getting local news and weather a lot easier.
I figured you would know the answer and tell me since you were in the TV biz before you retired.
