The Terk OMNITV2A is one of the older antennae that we've reviewed, but it still does a good job of picking up TV signals - especially if you're in a suburban area. While it no longer makes our list of the best HDTV antennas, it's still a decent choice, largely thanks to the simple design and ease of set-up and use.
Our signal testing was done in two locations: in our office building downtown and in an apartment a few miles south. Our office has taller buildings and trees surrounding it, and these obstructions cause disruptions to TV signals. The fact that we tested these HDTV antennas on the bottom floor of our buildings makes the surrounding buildings more of an issue.
With the Terk OMNITV20 HDTV antenna, we were able to receive 26 total channels in our office. This compares favorably to some of the other antennas in our comparison, but it isn't the best. The Terk antenna is amplified and boasts a strong search radius of 50 miles, like the 1byone Amplified HDTV antenna.
This HD digital antenna received ABC and PBS, but we missed out on CBS and NBC. Both ABC and PBS had light breakup, which was a bit annoying, but it was still very watchable. It also picked up a bunch of local channels and subchannels that came through, with mild to zero breakup. You still don't get the same quality as you'll find on the best TV streaming services, but it's good enough with this antenna.
At our second location – the second-floor apartment – there is an empty field beyond the building, so there are no immediate obstacles to block TV signal. Here, we were able to pick up 30 channels. This is in the upper range for our comparison overall, proving that the Terk OMNITV20 works effectively in suburban areas. We received the major channels with HD quality streaming, although PBS had its share of interference.
Even though it didn’t pick up many more channels in a more suburbanized area, the reception was much better. People in those areas will most likely have the best luck with this antenna. Keep in mind the number of channels you receive will vary based on your location.
The Terk antenna is made of hard plastic. It doesn’t resemble the paper-like, flimsy antennas that many manufacturers produce. This digital HD antenna has a stand that props the antenna up so it can stand alone on a table top. It can also be mounted to a wall. Like the AmazonBasics Ultra Thin Indoor, the coaxial cable is ten feet long, which gives you a good amount of leeway to find a decent spot for reception in your home, something you’ll need to do when installing your receiver.
The Terk OMNITV20 antenna is covered by a standard one-year warranty. If you have any questions or concerns about the Terk antenna, you can contact customer support through phone or email.
The Terk HDTV antenna performs a bit better in suburban areas than in a city, in our experience. It is amplified and scans in a 50-mile radius, so you should receive a number of channels even if you're far away from the nearest TV tower. It’s not the highest performing HDTV antenna we reviewed, but it is a good one even in 2020.
