Analog to Digital signal Feb 09?

[BigAl_50]

I have a small TV with a built in telescoping antenna; does anyone know how or if this could be retro-fited with a connection to accept coaxal cabale and be usable after the switch mandated in Feb 09 from analog to digital?

 

[Makai Guy]

Is the antenna connected wholly internally, or does it connect via two lugs with screws on the back of the set?

Are there any other connections on the back of the set?

 

[BigAl_50]

The antenna is built in and connected internally.

 

[Icarus]

The antenna is built in and connected internally.

You didn't answer the rest of Doug's question.

-David

 

[isisdave]

You can probably take off the back, drill a hole in it at the appropriate spot, and pass through the twinlead of a coax-to-twinlead transformer. I'll bet there's a terminal strip inside, but if not you'll have to do a little soldering, and in that case the twinlead on the transformer will probably be too short to provide easy soldering. But it's possible, and you probably won't damage anything.

And I guess there's nothing to lose, anyhow, is there?

 

[BigAl_50]

Sorry I missed the second part of the question

The only thing on the back is the plugs for AC plug and ear phones.

Thanks to all who respond.

Al

 

[pedro47]

What will happen to all the hand held television that we sport junkie use at football and baseball games.

 

[Makai Guy]

Sorry I missed the second part of the question

The only thing on the back is the plugs for AC plug and ear phones.

Thanks to all who respond.

Al

[Reply edited to try to improve its clarity]

You will then need to take the coaxial output of some signal source that has already been converted from digital to analog (either a digital-to-analog converter or a cable signal that is already analog) and connect it to the antenna input of your TV.

This diagram shows how to connect an FM antenna from C Crane to a radio that only has a telescoping antenna. You can use the same approach to connect your source to your TV's telescoping antenna (diagram C):

http://www.ccrane.com/instruction-manuals/fm-reflect-antenna.pdf

Just as with the antenna shown above, you'll need to convert the coax connection you get from a digital converter or cable service to a twinline connection your limited tv can use, using a balun (i.e. a coax-to-twinline converter -- you may well have one or more around in a junk box as they came with most all VCRs). You could then use an alligator clip as shown in the diagram referenced above to connect to the telescoping antenna on the TV. If your set has dual telescoping antennas, connect each of the balun leads separately to the two antennas using two alligator clips.

But actually going in and permanently connecting to the antenna connectors inside the set as isisdave suggested would be a more reliable solution.

 

[Makai Guy]

What will happen to all the hand held television that we sport junkie use at football and baseball games.

You'll leave them at home because they'll be of no further use.

I suppose somebody could market a small battery operated antenna with a digital to analog converter that you could use to replace, or attach to, the antenna on your portable device, but I'm having problems picturing that such a product would be small enough to be practical.

[Edit] How much trouble are you willing to go to? Here's a do-it-yourself project:
http://www.digitaltvtrainer.com/national/showme-battery-tv-converter

 

[Icarus]

See this instruction manual for an FM antenna from C Crane, which has only a coax connection:
http://www.ccrane.com/instruction-manuals/fm-reflect-antenna.pdf

As with this antenna, you'll need to convert the coax connection to a twinline connection using a balun (i.e. a coax-to-twinline converter -- you may well have one or more around in a junk box as they came with most all VCRs). You could then use an alligator clip as shown to clip to the telescoping antenna on the TV. If your set has dual telescoping antennas, connect each of the balun leads separately to the two antennas using two alligator clips.

But actually going in and permanently connecting to the antenna connectors inside the set as isisdave suggested would be a more reliable solution.

Just to clarify, I think the point of the diagram is to show how you can connect one of the d->a converter boxes to that tv. Is that right Doug? It's not for that antenna, it's to show the connectors you need with the alligator clips. (that is what OP asked about, but it might not be clear here if anybody else reads this thread.)

OP will still need the converter or a cable connection for this tv, and he can get a coupon to defray the cost of the converter box from the DTV web site. https://www.dtv2009.gov/

-David

 

[Makai Guy]

Just to clarify, I think the point of the diagram is to show how you can connect one of the d->a converter boxes to that tv. Is that right Doug? It's not for that antenna, it's to show the connectors you need with the alligator clips. (that is what OP asked about, but it might not be clear here if anybody else reads this thread.)

OP will still need the converter or a cable connection for this tv, and he can get a coupon to defray the cost of the converter box from the DTV web site. https://www.dtv2009.gov/

-David

Exactly. I was not suggesting he connect that, or any, FM antenna to his TV. My intent was to show a means of connecting a coax cable, like the coax output from a digital converter box or a cable service, to his tv. Sorry if that was not clear.

I've edited my original post to try to reduce the confusion factor.