Laptop TV Aerial?

[Stuckontrucks]

Hi, The small TV aerial supplied with my laptop pulls in about 3 decent signals.
If I connect the house external one I get the full range of programs.
My question is, Is there a decent aerial on the market (with gain) that doesn`t require mains power? In other words, I need to improve reception and yet remain totally portable. Thanks in advance.

[breezybadger]

Originally Posted by Stuckontrucks

Hi, The small TV aerial supplied with my laptop pulls in about 3 decent signals.
If I connect the house external one I get the full range of programs.
My question is, Is there a decent aerial on the market (with gain) that doesn`t require mains power? In other words, I need to improve reception and yet remain totally portable. Thanks in advance.

Unfortunately, USB/PCMCIA TV adaptors come with very small antennas which are close to useless unless you live nextdoor to the local TV transmitter, where I used to work we sold such items stating that the antennas are inadequate for use around the home, and in some cases even outdoors!!! As for replacement aerials, I don't think there are any boosters ore powered antennas for laptop tuners, just ones similar to the originals, which is a shame as it restricts the use of the tuners...

Thinking back though, I once bought a cheap antenna from Lidl once, it had a built in booster which ran on 5v, with some ingenuity I could have made up a USB cable to power it for my analogue TV card, but me being me I broke it accidentally, so I haven't got it anymore. If you sign up to Lidl's newsletter they may have one in again when they next have DVB-T equipment in as that's when I got mine...

[Stuckontrucks]

Many thanks for your reply, I DO suscribe to Lidl (and Aldi and Netto etc. LOL) so I`ll keep my eyes open.

[breezybadger]

Originally Posted by Stuckontrucks

Many thanks for your reply, I DO suscribe to Lidl (and Aldi and Netto etc. LOL) so I`ll keep my eyes open.

No problem, I think Aldi and lidl sell the same equipment just branded differently, so Aldi might have the aerial I had too at some point...

[Rick]

Some indoor set top ariels with built in booster run with a 12v transformer so you should be able to make a power lead to plug in to a car lighter socket etc without to much trouble then just plug in like you would the house ariel. A bit bigger than the laptop ariel but can get an ok signal and has the built in booster. I had one years ago for my bedroom tv got it from argos as i recall.