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I work in an antenna manufacturing factory, which manufactures professional VHF, UHF, 700, and 800 antennas, of all shapes and sizes I received a call from a customer asking for technical support related to this Novawave reviewed antenna. He was obviously calling the wrong number, but I did a quick google to find out what the customer is talking about and finally found the manufacturer's site and your review, which is telling me that this is just junk antenna and company. I am an RF Engineer for more than 40 years, and when I see antenna products without any specifications, it is immediately very suspicious. This is just a UHF wideband open dipole. To achieve wideband resonance, they shaped dipoles into >< shape and put them into the plastic enclosure to keep it together and connected to the tiny coaxial cable. I agree with Antenna man it is not worth that money. Rule of thumb, "bigger antenna = better reception". "Higher antenna stay = better reception" No exceptions
It's all in the way they present it. As long as they don't outright lie, they don't have to tell you the drawbacks or that your just picking up the signals like we used to with out door antennas.
I told my GF not to buy this Nova Wave without looking it up on internet. Guess what she did folks ! Yup. 😮 It's not worth squat. Please don't buy one. Maybe I can look up main office in China.Yes .......CHINA !!!!!!!!!!
Thank you for exposing this, I hope that more people find this video so that they can avoid this piece of junk. The only thing special about these "special antennas" is how much of a scam they are. I hope that these antenna companies making the antennas promising antennas that can somehow magically pick up satellite TV get sued or at least stop promising something that isn't possible.
It does amaze me how Amazon allows these companies to advertise "150 miles", "200 miles", and now even "330 miles" of range when this is physically impossible. I've been a ham radio operator for 35+ years; yes, under certain conditions these distances are possible, but they are far from routine and highly misleading to consumers.
Many of these companies are based in Asia (India, The Philippines, South Korea, China, Taiwan, etc.) and change their names frequently. Lawsuits are fairly useless in most cases. And if the products are banned, they simply change the packaging a little and give it a different brand name before exporting.
Another cheap indoor "Mouse Pad Antenna" again that probably gets fewer than one or two broadcast channels (not counting subchannels of course) and likely doesn't get any VHF channels. I'm so glad you pointed this out Tyler. I always enjoy your antenna reviews.
Just seen two adverts for this FAKE antenna. Thanks for heads up on this scam! 😮 It sounded too good to be true & found was right after seeing your take!
I love how the copy at the bottom of that ad says it "literally captures low frequency electromagnetic waves", which clearly is an admission it does NOT pick up the waves a TV antenna NEEDS to pick up: Very High Frequency and/or Ultra High Frequency (VHF/UHF). Also love how the antenna is particularly wide compared to most of these flat antennas-- probably it's to imply that it's "widescreen" compatible or some nonsense.
this antenna is barely going to pick up "low frequency electromagnetic waves". I challenge someone to hook this up with improvisation on an am radio and see how many stations it gets in outside. I think the cord is going to be picking up more than the antenna itself
Someone could sell a paperclip under “Ultra HD 4K and ATSC 1.0 and ATSC 3.0 Digital Antenna” and people would still buy it, and believe those lies! The FCC and reputable antenna companies need to put a stop to this.
I have been following your channel for two years now and can't believe how often you still have the remind people that there's no such thing as HD, digital or 4K antenna.
He doesn't need to keep reminding about that (or other things, like what a station's RF channel is)...I guess it's just part of his regular intro. -- BR
@@billredding2000 Well if he had to warn about that antenna, I think he has. Guess he's getting a lot of non subscribe views and he says that to them. Of course us that subscribe knows already.
Like explaining the difference between UHF and VHF, he does it in case some new viewer comes along. That way, any lack of knowledge on the viewers part will be quickly enknowledgated (its a technical term, trust me, I totally did not just make that up right now ;o) )
I've been trying to pick up those 2 channels from the dark side of the moon for years and never could until I got my new Clearstream 4max, and there they are ! But they're somewhat of a let down, they're only music video channels playing Pink Floyd ... ...
Years ago before my grandpa passed away, he was reading something in a catalog stating that there was a antenna that would pick up cable/satellite channels. I had to tell him that that was a scam. This is sad that people would do anything to get rid of something.
You CAN pick up satellite stations with the right equipment, (DISH, LNA, TUNER) but they will be encrypted. Unless of course you pay the satellite company. BTW, STAY AWAY FROM DIRECTV!! (if you know what's good for you) THEY SUCK...
Thank you so much for the heads up! I'm a novice when it comes to antenna technology. On a bad day, I could've fallen for the hype about this antenna. Thanks again!
Antenna man thanks for me too. Saw the Novawave ad and thought I should ask you about it first. LOL you already had a video exposing it for what it really was. I should have remembered what my momma used to say, "You can't get something for nothing "
The ad came on during the last video of yours I saw. Someone spent a lot of time to choose the right buzz words in their marketing campaign for this thing. I'll bet they sold a lot of them unfortunately.
I just saw the promotion of the antenna and I came to see your page! Thanks. I can't believe I am so naive to believe it for a minute ..do your research fellas don't get ripped off.
Wow you have done well with your channel. Been a while,still enjoying no cable bills. Got antenna before subscribing to you and still using the same one. Pretty good one I guess. Take care.
Serious question: back when I was selling TVs, a lot of people mentioned the Mohu Leaf. Were these mouse pad antennas also junk? I understand cross sectional area and installed height, but would the Mohu perform just as poorly this Novawave?
Mohu probably has a thick cable, less loss. I think that's important. Then, the size. If it's a full square that's going to be better than a half-height panel like the one shown in this video. (All things being equal. It should come down to those factors. There's not much secret sauce they could have. It can only get so good.). A lot of this is subjective too. Someone can be closer to the towers, a wood frame house. They might love the one in this video. Someone else might be further, a tree in the way, a block home. ("The only one that worked for me is Mohu."). IMO, this stuff is like rabbit ears of the 1970s. They worked for some people, not for others. It only got so good. There was no magic rabbit ears. People who buy flat panels should buy one of the Clearstream Max antennas. They're almost flat, and a _real_ antenna. ("Bring Your Own Coax." Not locked into whatever lowest bidder the flat guy deals with, nor the length. You can put the antenna where it makes most sense.). The people who buy these flat panel things are the rabbit-ear people of the 70s. Some are better. Some are worse. Nobody knows why. "Wait, wait, hold it there. I think it's better. No, no go back...."
Great! I saw this video after I bought one of these so called, all access antenna's, They said I could get cable, internet, youtube and Spotify. If it works is yet to be seen as I am waiting for it to arrive. Thanks for the video!
Tyler keep the good work you are very honest l got the clearstream antenna indoor 84 channels crystal clear l paid 100 dollars at best buy reason that l always listen to you thanks
I am one of those who bought the novawave antenna. Needless to say I was duped into purchasing this antenna, I am 68 years old, and I SHOULD HAVE KNOWN BETTER. I'm currently trying to send it back and get my money back or credited back to my credit card but I'm having a hell of a time doing that.
I wasn't aware that there was such a thing as an Antenna scam. In my defense I cannot get a single TV channel in my area even though I tried many of the best reviewed Antennas from Amazon. I never get the news.
@@sylvainmichaud2262 That's the catch: You're forced to choose between availability of tech services (often based on reliable, high-speed internet); and living on a homestead where fewer agencies (HOA, county commissioners, "planning board," etc.) get to super-micromanage your way of life. 😑 We've been stuck with old-style copper-wire DSL since almost fifteen years ago (which tends to 'go out' at least 2 - 3x/yr.); and AT&T absolutely refuses to upgrade to 21st C. fiberoptics (U-Verse). It always kills me when people complain that they "only" have 50 Mbps access speed 🙄; and here we're stuck on 1.2 Mbps/dl. What's worse is that we're now (on a fixed income) paying over $50/mo. for this; and all they do is say, "well, this service has been grandfathered in... we're sorry, but there's nothing we can do" (with their palms turned upwards 🤷♀, b/c they really don't care at all if we leave or disconnect). It's gotten to where whenever we call in for service, the automated menu doesn't even recognize us; and we have to get transferred to CS to get anything done. Of course they keep sending us promos for DirectTV in the mail. I haven't had pay-TV since the late eighties; and never at current home. It's funny how they can send satellite and cable signals *down,* but never two-way. yeah, riiiiight.
For some reason when I saw Tyler's shirt the theme from The Twilight Zone started playing in my head. Also, don't look too closely at that multi-colored swirl. Maybe a possible seizure warning is advised.
I really hope the company who makes this antenna sees your video. I really want them to so they know we are aware of the scam. More than likely it is made in China or foreign.
Thanks Tyler.... And I really don't know which is sadder. That companies are continually allowed to blatantly lie with impunity and regularly promote junk like this. Or the fact that after well over a century now, PT Barnum's famous quote (the con-man's credo) "There's a sucker born every minute." Remains as true today as it was back then (if not more so). Most likely both are equally as sad and pathetic I guess ....
I saw your review of the Toshiba 43 inch TV which I thought was truly excellent. I would love to see some more in depth technical reviews/tests of equipment esp TVs... I know that isn't your 'bread and butter' but I think maybe it should go a little more in that direction and would expand your viewership. I have been on the technical side of audio/video for over 40 years. Really think you are one of the most honorable RU-vidrs. Excellent stuff. PS. I saw this silly scam and on the purchase page (No, I had no intention of buying it) they more or less backstep and admit it's only a crappy antenna.
I considered doing this. My review of the Toshiba TV was a test to see how a video like this would do view wise. Unfortunately it flopped with very little views so I won't be reviewing anymore TVs
@@AntennaMan Ha, ha, ha, oh dear!.... Well, that is a real shame. Sort of funny though. I am very surprised, I got to say. You have a great channel anyhow. Maybe if it was a Samsung, Sony or LG it may have had more interest as a one-off tester?
Hey Antenna Man a friend of mine in Houston is so frustrated with the indoor antennas he has found at the local stores. Based on your experience what would you recommend for the Houston area ?
Sadly I've seen two more of those junk Amazon 150mile cheapo antennas go up on my route to work. Granted they can probably pick up the local NBC affiliate(WPSD) since it covers this area well, and the local PBS(WKMU), which is the closest broadcast tower, but I'm doubting its getting the rest of the Paducah/Cape Girardeau locals. Or the ones I seen in West TN that are trying to get the Jackson locals.
Hello, what indoor antenna do you recommend for an apartment in the city? I tried with the common small antennas with booster they don't work well, I don't know whether to buy a bigger antenna or a bigger booster
You cant fix stupid. Last antenna i bought, the sales person asked me "dont you feel guilty stealing tv signals?' I replied " its not stealing if its free." He had a stunned look on his face. SMH.
I live in Canada and I bought the "Digiwave BMX HDTV Digital Antenna" for $20 plus taxes at an electronic store. I get 7 very clear digital channels. No booster, just a coax cable connected to the flat screen television. I watch my local CTV news as well as GLOBAL TV which is a National Network. That's all I need and I no longer have monthly bills to pay.
I bought three of them and they work great where we live in Pittsburgh. We just have them sitting on the stand where the TV is sitting. It pulls in 69 channels, but 10 are so-so.
i forgot how i got it, but i opened up one of these flat antennas once. THERE WAS NOTHING IN THERE!!! there was a metal strip with 2 wire soldered to it. im suprised the trade commision hasnt shut this company down.
Love ❤️ you’re shirt. Yeah that antenna looks pretty Mickey Mouse. The developer probably thinks we’re dumb enough to believe that it can get Disney Channel.
Thank you! "If it looks too good to be true it usually isn't true." It's crazy how they actually create fake consumer report web sites to trick people.
Thanks for the video. I live in a low lying area more than 20 miles from the nearest TV station and can only get signals in one corner of my home with rabbit ears. That's if it's not raining or windy. Over the air digital sucks. When I was a kid we would see what was called ghosts but we were still able to hear the voice. Now you get a clear picture or nothing. Thanks to DVD and Blu Ray I don't have to feel so isolated.
We live in the mountains of sw Virginia. Which recommended antenna works in areas like mine? I’m sick of losing signal with xfinity and high prices just to watch a bit of television.
I really hate the ads that say you can put a junky antenna on the wall, directly behind a big-screen TV. Even worse are the ones that plug directly on to the TV's antenna jack, an inch or so from the guts of the set. You should use a spectrum analyzer, and show how much interference comes off the TV.
Hello friend , onetime I bought an antenna from a thrift store an it was from the 50's and used it on a crt TV digital converter box and it picked up all local channels except PBS and ever as far away as north Carolina and I live in Vinton VA now that's awesome for a really old bakelite antenna,I guess they knew back then how to make products that really really really last and stand the test of time , hope to hear back from you soon thanks and may God bless you always my friend ps-goes to show you how some of today's products are real garbage and poorly made also I paid only $ 1.00 dollar for the thrift store antenna and they want to much money 💸💰 for the new flat one and it sucks as you found out
As usual an excellent review of another junk antenna, I agree that the government should step in and stop the snake oil crap antennas that are being sold as such, keep up the good work
If they charge for online items less than $20. there's no way you can get refund at all for anything you bought even if it was an scam. That's why they charged $19.95 or $19.99
It's total crap !!! We got a rooftop antenna in my apt.complex and before I ordered "novawave" I could get 68 channels. I plugged in "novawave" and it picked up only 1 (one) channel - hsn..... I have reported them to a consumer protection agency. I have friend who works for the fdls and he said,they know about this Chinese rip-off online company but would not elaborate further. Some American crooks are on it too. I"ll leave it at that for now.
68 channels thats impressive. where I live I can get about 20 channels by an antennae but i also have cable. most of those 20 channels are worthless to me.
Thanks tyler the anthenna man you are the best l been using the clearstream antenna l live in the 6 floor building and l pick up 84 channels crystal clear l live in new Jersey l also have a Samsung 4 k smart tv thanks tyler you are very honest with the best anthennas God bless you
I just talked someone out of buying this antenna. I showed people how I pick up most of my OTA stations in my apartment here in NYC using my 20 years old Phillips set top antenna. I live on the 18th floor and the Empire State Building is less than a mile east from me and One World Trade Center is about 3 miles to the south. I have LOS to both.
I bought a used Philips flat antenna compatible with the Brazilian digital TV, known as SBDTV a variation of the Japanese ISDB-TB. I live in a building surrounded by others in a city with extreme interference from broadcast FM spurious. I was surprised with its performance. My old Samsung TV was able to decode perfect image without interruptions from all channels but one. I was also surprise about the number of channels available and most of them, I'd say 70% have close to no audience at all. Most of them belong to religious organizations. I have to thank Antenna Man for this video and another one where he suggests an RCA antenna rotator. I bought it and it is very good. I use it to listen to distant Broadcast FM and Shortwave stations in another property.
Subscribed 👍🛎 really glad I found this video because I kept getting emails on this device and they make it sound so good... as the saying goes, sounds to good to be true... and coming across this video reminds me to think before buying something that won’t work... thank you !!!!
We have the old school big dish with a updated descrambler bought off the blackmarket and balancer . Everything is free . Yes there are 10,000 stations but once you go thru and save the channels you want to watch then it's easy . Having a big family comes in handy because those with free time would sit down and document as many channels as they could on computer.
as a broadcasting nerd this infuriates me. Microwave TV was a thing in my country. You had to install a dish antenna of sorts like you see on cell towers on your roof, (not a piece of plastic with an earbud wire of a coax) and be within 40-50 kilometres of Budapest or be in an area with lots of hotels (because it was hotel network)
YOUR ALWAYS SPOT ON. I HAVE A PLUG IN RABBIT EARS INDOOR ANT. AM ABOUT 45 MILES EAST OF NYC AND I GET ABOUT 30 SOMETHING CHANNELS 100 %. THANKS FOR ALL YOUR HELP.😉👍🇺🇸
Good Content. Ive had antenna for years. and agree the flat ones are junk. At one of my homes we did find that the service for TV was coming booth from the north and the south, we literally installed 2 antennas back to back to receive then the Coax was blended into one cable then down to a signal amplifier. This is in the central coast in Calif currently getting I believe 30-40 channels, many are in languages other than English. It is also noted that my antenna is on a short mast maybe 6 foot mounted to the side of the fireplace. Now for those reading a bit of history for the older people out there. Often late at night maybe in the car or at home we lived in Central Calif, at night you could hear Salt Lake City on the AM Radio. Now AM Amplitude modulation is low band and suspectable to weather and other atmospheric conditions so radio waves would bounce off clouds ect. The antennas were often large and then it came to TV you moved up in the frequency band AM FM VHF(very high freq) UHF (ultra high few) going up to cellular digital and others. Since these channels are very high they need to be direct, thats why you see so many cell towers as the signals travel straight and need towers to move the signals as they are more line of sight. OK enough of the history lesson digital TV is high to you do need a decent antenna preferable outside and line of sight to where the broadcast point is ie: the tower. In some cities there are repeaters other areas on on top of a mountain. It at all possible put it on the roof and dont trust these cheesy on line gimicks
I'm cutting the cord after 20 years of Comcast. I started out with a antenna and I'm going back to a antenna. Cable had their chance and they blew it. However, it won't be this antenna.
Thank you for your honest review! 👍 I saw a marketing video for this and wanted to check if it was legit or not. I am tired of paying for package cable programs that include tons of channels I don't even like or watch, but the lower priced programs don't have the channels I Do like and watch!
If you are with Spectrum and are in NY (might be other states too) they DO offer something called "Pick 15" meaning you can pick 15 channels that you actually like and watch, and only get charged for that. It will DEFINITELY bring down the bill.
Just as I thought. I spent 40 years in the TV business, fixing all sorts of receivers. Installing channel Master and Winegard antennas . That work was half of my income. . This Nova thing reminds me of the turn your whole house into an antenna plug in device, a 1960’s consumer rip off.
Just got the antenna ,this is a fraudulent junk. I m looking for my attorney . It wiped out 9 of my channels. Sick of fake thing just to steel my money.
i bought a cheap digital antenna and get 130 channels. i live in a brand new apartment complex, prewired for cable. i pick up digital signals from my neighbors..... i live in Phoenix most of my neighbors pay for Cox cable. i dont think this would work so well anywhere else
