Home > Consumer Reviews > Winegard SS-3000 Amplified Indoor UHF/VHF Antenna

I bought a Samsung DTBH260F converter to use with my Sony HD-ready TV but it simply would not function well on all channels with my old rabbit ears. I bought this unit -- and like magic, my TV now receives all the HD over-the-air broadcasts in HD as it should. Kudos to Winegard for producing this item. I recommend it very highly to anyone having reception problems with stations up to 30 miles distant.

I was skeptical about any indoor antenna really working for me. I live approximately 35-40 miles from all of the broadcast towers, and I was only able to pull in 3 spotty DTV channels with my previous antenna. Now, I get about 15 channels(and their sub-channels) with rock-solid reception. I only have to adjust the antenna for a couple of stations that are in the opposite direction from the rest. I live in a low house with a lot of tree cover, and I couldn't be more satisfied. I docked the antenna one star because all of the DTV stations in my area are currently UHF. Many will switch to VHF in February, so I will have to wait and see if the antenna continues to perform for the VHF broadcasts.

I purchased this antenna after reading many reviews and think it is a bargain for the money. I have the antenna next to the computer in my basement and still receive 6 HD OTA stations. I would buy again from this company!

Was skeptical of the rave reviews but they tell the story right.

This thing rocks.

First some background--I have had access to satellite HD and OTA HD from the second generation of sets. I watch both Direct TV and OTA broadcasts. I have lived close and far away from broadcasting towers (including Denver, Missoula, and Grand Junction). I have talked with local station network engineers about how they broadcast, the direction and spread of their signals, etc--to improve my own reception. I have observed how OTA digital has developed and improved over time. I know the difference between UHF and VHF signals and antennas.

I have had a LOT of antennas. For instance, in Missoula (MT), I initially had the old RS double bow tie antenna (UHF) tied to a non-amp'd rabbit ears antenna (VHF) to collect all the signals from the locals. Then the broadcasters moved their towers to a higher position, and I was left in a valley with spotty reception. I had to put up an outside antenna.

I recently moved to Grand Junction, CO. After trying my first solution, a combo RS amplified antenna, I realized that I was not going to get the local CBS or NBC signals without some more research. Antennaweb provides a nice resource for positioning antennas, along with distances from your house. KREX (local CBS) at 253 degrees and just over 20 miles away? NO signal. Not even a hint of a signal. KKCO (local NBC), in the same exact position.... with the RS rabbit ears.... 35-40% signal strength and spotty during watching. All other stations, at 110 degrees and less than 10 miles away... over 75% signal strength. I wanted KREX and CBS for football.

I contacted the local engineer armed with my information from Antennaweb and my signal strengths. Not much forthcoming help from KREX--so I decided to spend a bit more money and try the highly regarded Winegard SS-3000.

It is a winged antenna with a plastic deflector mounted on the front. It is also amplified, for which I have found works when it works, but sometimes makes things worse. Both UHF/VHF capable. Putting it together did require me to look at the directions, but it was simple. Hooking it up was just as easy. So how did it work for me?

All of the signals I could pick up before with my RS rabbit ears came in slightly better with 5-10% signal strength improvement (75-95% overall). For KKCO, the marginal NBC station 20 miles away at 253 degrees, the improvement was significant from 35-40% up to 60-65%... making the signal watchable with no breakups. For KREX, where I had no signal? Still no signal.

Me thinks that KREX is not broadcasting at full power, and there is plenty of local web based evidence to support that contention. With full digital moving forward in 2009, maybe things will improve. I really just wanted to know if I needed an outside antenna--and so far I do not have enough information to support that decision. Why put up an outside antenna when you have a great signal on 90% of the OTA stations, and you do not fully understand why you have absolutely no signal on one station?

So I am receiving one more station consistently better than before for my purchase of the SS-3000. Is it worth the money? I suppose that some might say that reception of one more station might be worth it... I am not sure. But I am keeping the SS-3000 and will continue to use it. MORE IMPORTANTLY, I think that for those that have not purchased a variety of antennas, or are considering buying their first antenna for reception of digital signals.... this is a great choice.

It is important to understand what types of signals you have in your local area (UHF, VHF), where the local signals are coming from, and what interferences you may have in your area. I think it is also important to try your cheapest antenna first... that $12 RS UHF ring/VHF rabbit ears set up. You may be very surprised. If that does not work, you should try the Winegard SS-3000. If that does not work, you may need an antenna on your roof, patio, or outside.