Antop Antenna Review: Should You Buy It?
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In this Antop Antenna review, we will be taking a look at the ANTOP AT-415B, which is an advanced omnidirectional antenna that can detect VHF and UHF signals within a radius of 50 miles from all directions.
Omnidirectional antennas are a new technology capable of receiving signals from all directions i.e. 360 degrees, making it easy for RVs and moving homes to stay connected at all times.
ANTOP is one of the most popular digital HDTV antenna makers in the country, and thus a worthy gadget taking a closer look to see how good it is. So today we’ll dive into the features, installation, pros, and cons, and also alternatives of one of their top models, the AT-415B.
Key Specifications of the ANTOP AT-415B Omnidirectional Antenna
| Product Model | Antop AT-415B Omnidirectional Antenna |
| Dimensions | 14.96 x 14.96 x 10.42 inches |
| Impedance | 75 ohms |
| Range | 65 miles radius |
| Weight | 5.21 pounds |
| Frequencies | VHF and UHF |
| Coaxial cable length | 33 feet |
| Price | Check latest price here |
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Core Features of the ANTOP AT-415B Omnidirectional Antenna
Based on the multi-directional and omnidirectional signal patterns, ANTOP has developed a way to better capture TV signals by combining horizontal and vertical reception patterns.
The ANTOP AT-415B is also called the ANTOP UFO because of its design and performance features. It provides complete coverage reception of horizontal and vertical signals, making it ideal for moving homes and RVs.
Design and Build
The ANTOP AT-415B has unique design features which ensure maximum reception from all directions. It can be mounted on roofs, walls, and even on the ground.
The AT-415B weighs around 6 pounds and has a height and width of 11 inches. It is made of polycarbonate outer and comes with a smart outdoor bracket mast clamp kit, a vertical antenna rod, and a 33 feet coaxial cable with a screw and anchor kit.
It also comes with a tuner and instruction manual for setting up and installing the antenna at your desired location.
The Antop AT-415B is weather-resistant, UV-resistant, windproof, and durable. It is easy to install as you just need to fix a couple of screws. It has a 33 feet coaxial cable, which is the ideal length of most RVs, that you can plug into your TV unit.
Omnidirectional Antenna
The ANTOP AT-415B is omnidirectional, which means that it receives signals from all directions, 360 degrees around. It allows the antenna to receive enough signal strength to pick up any TV signal broadcasting in a radius of 65 miles, and beyond in some cases.
This is the best technology out there from ANTOP as most antennas I have come across pick up signals traveling across a horizontal plane. It can amplify signals from up to 65 miles from the source of the signals.
The ANTOP UFO supports channels of up to full HD and 4K. It picks up signals for both UHF and VHF quite well.
The ANTOP AT 415B is a great antenna for your RV due there are some drawbacks as well. Due to the omnidirectional capability, the signal strength is not that great as compared to unidirectional antennas.
One more complaint most users have is that the antenna is not that great in picking up UHF signals which gets worse during strong winds and rain.
Amplification
Another feature the Antop AT415B comes with is the built-in pre-amplifier, also known as the Smartpass Amplifier. The Smartpass amplifier helps in boosting the strength of the TV signals which are received by the antenna and increasing the number of channels you receive.
To put things into perspective, a stock antenna has a nominal gain of 20 dB. Switching to the Smartpass amplifier allows you to have a gain of 30 dB. This makes the TV signals stronger and overcomes any loss of signals as it travels through the coaxial cable.
The Smartpass amplifier operates on the principle of the signal boosters, which means there needs to be a signal present for boosting. So if the TV signal is not available, it will not boost it..
Cellular and LTE Signal Filter
The AT-415B omnidirectional antenna has a cellular and LTE signal filter to avoid any kind of disturbances created by nearby cellular towers. It also has a high gain reception technology, shielded for minimum interference.
Installation
Putting together the antenna is fairly simple and straightforward. You won’t need any tools to assemble it.
First, you must decide the best place to mount your antenna. It is better to mount at an outdoor high spot for best results, preferably with the least amount of obstructions for transmitting antennas.
The ANTOP AT-415B comes with complete instructions and accessories for mounting. After mounting the antenna on the desirable spot, run the coaxial cable to your TV. If the cable is too short, please be sure to source good quality cable and connectors to connect the cables.
The Smartpass switch is connected to one end of the coaxial cable which can be turned off and on as per your needs. The LED indicators help you find out if the Smartpass is activated or not.
You can also hook up one or more televisions in your RV to the antenna by attaching a splitter to the end of the coaxial cable and then connecting the other coaxials into the desired TVs.
Keep in mind that the AT-415B is not theft-proof. It’s actually quite easy to set up and remove so make sure to remove the antenna and put it in your RV when not in use.
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Pros and Cons of the ANTOP AT-415B Omnidirectional Antenna
While the ANTOP AT-415B is a good omnidirectional antenna for RVs, it has its fair share of drawbacks.
Pros
Great Build and Design
The Antop AT-415B UFO has a very distinguishable design that doesn’t look bad at all on top of an RV. It features a UV-resistant polycarbonate outer cover and can be mounted anywhere – on a roof, balcony, or even on the ground.
Signal Reception
The Antop UFO boasts vertical and horizontal signal receiving capabilities. It can receive signals from all directions to allow you to get maximum coverage from all directions.
Weather-Resistant
The Antop UFO is weather-resistant. It can easily withstand strong winds, heavy rains, dust, and other harsh weather conditions.
Built-In Amplifier
It has a built-in amplifier to boost nominal gain from 20 dB to 30 dB for maximum broadcasting strength. The Smartpass amplifier can also be turned off and on according to your needs.
Cellular and LTE Filter
The Antop UFO has a built-in cellular and LTE filter for blocking any distortion and sounds from nearby cellular towers. It also ensures better quality pictures without any interruptions.
Can be Plugged into Multiple TVs
Another great thing about the Antop UFO is that it can also be plugged into more than one device. All you need to it just add a splitter at the end of the coaxial cable and run the cable to the desired TV’s
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Cons
Insufficient coaxial cable
The ANTOP AT-415B comes with a 33 feet coaxial cable, which is a little on the shorter side of things. You will need to buy additional cable especially if you have a big RV.
Complaints in Rain and Heavy Winds
While the body of the antenna is weather-proof, many users have complained that the ANTOP UFO does not perform well in harsh weather. As a result, you may experience distorted images and sounds.
Signal Strength Weaker Than Unidirectional Antennas
The ANTOP AT-415B features omnidirectional signal capture technology, which means it can catch signals from all directions. This feature decreases its range as compared to unidirectional antennas.
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Alternatives to the ANTOP AT-415B Omnidirectional Antenna
There are a number of alternatives for the Antop AT-415B UFO on the market. Mentioning a few alternatives we think will be best compared to the Antop UFO. They are mentioned below.
KING OA8500 Jack HDTV Directional Antenna
The KING OA8500 Jack HDTV Directional Antenna is a 360-degree antenna that allows you to stay connected on your RV trips. It has a long range for better signal acquisition and more free channels. It has an amplified, ultra-high gain antenna for boosting signal strengths.
KING is the maker of some of the best antennas for RVs out there. Despite boasting the latest technology in directional antennas, the KING OA8500 has a simple and sleek design. It features a built-in meter with LED indicator lights to show you when the strength is at its maximum.
The KING OA8500 is known to receive remaining VHF channels while increasing receptions for UHF channels. That way you get UHF signals while still receiving VHF broadcast channels. It has a wider coverage, which means it can quickly locate the strongest signal and maximize its reception.
The antenna is designed for long-range signal acquisition, ease of use, performance, and durability, which makes it a perfect candidate for an RV TV antenna.
The built-in signal meter helps you locate the TV towers giving the maximum signals to improve the reception quality. It also features a knob for 360 rotation to avoid any dead spots in reception.
The KING OA8500 is a great product but it comes at a really high price point. It also does not come with a coaxial cable. Some users have also complained that the results are not promising and a unidirectional antenna could do a better job.
Winegard Elite 360 Pro Amplified Omnidirectional HDTV Antenna
Winegard Elite 360 Pro Amplified Omnidirectional HDTV Antenna is another great alternative if you don’t want to go with the ANTOP UFO. The Winegard Elite 360 is a new line of models which offer 360 signal receiving capability. It is omnidirectional with a built-in amplifier for boosting capture capacity from up to 55 miles.
Winegard has been a very successful name in the TV antenna business and has been around for the last 40 plus years. The Winegard Elite 360 Pro is a testament to its quality.
The installation of the Winegard 360 is also fairly easy thanks to the Winegard app. It gives you step-by-step instructions for installation and also guides you on the best place to install your antenna for the best results.
It comes with a built-in LED indicator system which indicates the position of mounting for best results.
The Winegard Elite 360 boasts excellent design features, capable of resisting winds up to 100 mph and extreme weather conditions. It is also waterproof and can work efficiently in rain.
The antenna weighs only 2.5 lbs. It’s very compact and easy to mount, with overall dimensions being 20 inches in height and 12 inches in width.
The package comes with the antenna, an integrated amplifier, an app for installation instructions, a USB power cable adapter that supports 110 V, antenna mounting hardware, a hardware bag, and a printed instruction manual.
A few users have complained that it does not receive signals well beyond 30 miles and causes the picture quality to go pixelated.
It does not receive signals well for stations below 10.1, i.e. it only receives high VHF and UHF signals. Some users have also complained about the mounting, as the screws don’t fit well and a strong gust of wind can displace the antenna.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Question: Does the length of the coaxial cable infer the reception quality?
Answer: Yes, a longer coaxial cable can have signal losses. It is recommended to have a shorter cable with less or no joints for the best results.
Question: Can I connect one antenna with one or more TVs?
Answer: Yes, you can connect one antenna with one or more TVs. Just attach a splitter to the end of the coaxial cable coming from the antenna and extend the cable from the splitter to your desired TV.
That said, there are chances of losses in signal with the increase in the number of TV units as the signal tends to get lost with more joints from the antenna to the source.
Question: How can I get a better signal for my RV antenna?
Answer: RV antennas can catch signals from miles away. Most omnidirectional antennas can catch signals from up to 65 miles in radius.
If you want to get better results in terms of range, try and install the antenna at a higher point to reduce the number of obstructions that might be between the antenna and the broadcasting tower. In some cases, adding a signal booster to your antenna can solve signal range issues.
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Conclusion – Is the ANTOP AT-415B The Best Omnidirectional Antenna?
In simple words, it’s not the best antenna out there, but it’s good for most RVs and many users will find it useful for their needs.
The ANTOP AT-415B omnidirectional antenna is a great product for RVs as it can catch signals from all directions. You won’t need to adjust the antenna’s direction at any given time.
The built-in amplifier and the cellular filter also add to the mix with better signals and no cellular tower distortions for better reception. If the received signal is strong, you can enjoy 4K and 1080HD picture quality in your RV with friends and family.
Yes, it does not have the range of a unidirectional antenna, but the ANTOP AT-415B is one of the best options out there in omnidirectional antennas. It also delivers a hassle-free experience where you don’t have to constantly change the direction of the antenna.
But in the end, it comes down to your personal choice and preferences of whether to stick with a unidirectional antenna or upgrade to an omnidirectional antenna.
