Update:
Several of our readers have reported that this SkyWire TV antenna does not perform as advertised and that the company does not accept returns or offer refunds. According to the response one reader received, SkyWire will only accept a return if the buyer received the item already damaged. (Beware that this may be almost impossible to prove).
A few days ago, I wrote a review of the Mohu Blade Over-The-Air HD antenna that I was quite pleased with. It was sleek, and light, and gave me a decent amount of OTA HD channels, with excellent quality very close to the 1080P HD quality that we have all come to expect from cable TV. While I am very satisfied with it, I began to wonder what else is available, and recommended, and how it would compare to the one that I have.
Trolling around on Google, I came across the SkyWireTV Antenna. Several different review sources seem to have this antenna ranked at the top or close to the top of their recommended antennas, with the considerations of cost and performance dominating their opinion.
SkyWire TV claims that the technology behind its product is “Developed by a NASA scientist using military technology to capture full 1080 HD signals”. Their specs go on to include a 30 mile range that works anywhere in the United States, and dual band reception (VHF/UHF) with a 20 dB gain. Installation is similar to any other HD OTA antenna, with a coaxial cable to connect it to your TV, and this antenna comes with double-sided adhesive tape to mount it to a window or a wall.
If you would like to read more about the SkyWire TV antenna or purchase one, you can head over to the SkyWire TV website for additional information. You can also purchase one for $39.95.
Update:
Several of our readers have reported that this SkyWire TV antenna does not perform as advertised and that the company does not accept returns or offer refunds. According to the response one reader received, SkyWire will only accept a return if the buyer received the item already damaged. (Beware that this may be almost impossible to prove).
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I have a flat digital antenna. However, I would like to receive more than lical channels. Will the SkyTV antenna do the job?
Hi Mike,
I wrote the news story on this antenna because it seems to be a good possible solution and alternative to cable TV. However, I do not own one so I cannot effectively answer your question. Hopefully, I will be able to get my hands on one at some time, and if I do, I will test it and write a full review.
Then how could you do a review without testing the product? That would be a useless review, having absolutely no idea on how it worked. Hopefully this situation has been rectified, since this was in 2018.
Hi Fancy,
As I previously indicated, this was a News Story, not a review. I wrote the News Story on this antenna because when I read about it online, it seemed to be a good possible solution and alternative to cable TV.
Our reviews are labeled “REVIEW”, and include detailed photos and tests.
This antenna is very tricky – the picture depends on 3 factors: location(only one sweet spot on the window), the length of the rabbit ears(only one and a half segments out) and the angle between the rabbit ears(quite sharp)
I’m talking about SkyWire AD-500 antenna, not the one on the picture, sorry
No it is a scam, all you get is over the air TV channels nothing more
I could not even get those, it is useless. I suspect all the positive reviews are just paid-for bots.
It will only receive over-the-air channels. If you want to know what channels you will have available (potentially, as elevation, geographical features, weather, and interference can all affect quality and reception) then you can head over to this website and fill in your location and it will give you an approximation of the signals that might be reached by a DTV (OTA) antenna:
https://www.fcc.gov/media/engineering/dtvmaps
I never received my sky wire antenna took my money from my Visa card
My Visa will not give me credit
I ordered this in 1918 I was sick at the time
I pray they will get back every thing coming to them
They took the money !!!
Skywire tv antenna is a total waste of money. It is a fraudulent item which do not represent what they advertise about the antenna. I bought one based on the add and when I got mine and plug it and do the channels search and scan for channels, it was so so disappointing that I contact them but they refused to refund me but they where running away from the topic regarding refunds. I recommend any antenna of even as cheap as $7 -$15 on dollar stop or amazon will work way better than you think . Be aware of all the fraudulent add regards to all this HD antenna .
Most of these antennas have a mileage rating of some sort, like say 35 or 50 mile range. Do you know the rating on this one?
LOL, ok see you have a 30 mile in there thanks
“Craig”indoor antenna from Dollar General $12.00.Best I’ve found yet, believe me you can’t go wrong. Over 30 channels.
I hooked up the SkyWire antenna the other night. Pretty decent picture. I was able to bring in about 40 to 45 channels. The only problem I have is that over half the channels are of various Asian origins and I do not understand any of it. This will never replace cable/satellite. Most of the channels are the ones you get with cable/satellite that you probably would not ever watch.
how do i send this skywirekirback
Hi Leslie,
You should contact the place where you purchased it or try contacting SkyWire. This was a news story just to bring awareness to a product. We don’t sell products nor do we provide customer service.
I bought 3 antennas and 2 boosters. they don’t work in my area. been trying for weeks to contact some one on what to do and where to send them back for a refund. called corporate office phone number they said email them. have sent three and to date I have not received any contact from them. their customer service stinks. I am begining to think they are running a scam.if anyone have a clue as to how or what im supposed to do to return these things please let me know.
What do you hook the USB on the booster to?
I purchased 2 of the skywire antenna’s and they did not work, so I returned them and I have not seen a refund as of yet. If I don’t see a refund soon, I am reporting your company to the FTC as a scam.
Thank you Lola Parker
YOU TOLD ME MY AREA CODE WOULD BE GOOD FOR SKYWIRE GOT 2 CHANNELS SENDING BACK NO RERCEIPT THO I HAVE MY BANK STATEMENT
WHY WONT YOU ANSWER WHERE I CAN SEND THIS BACK AND GET MY REFUND IT IS A SCAM RREPORTING TO BETTER BUSSINESS
Diana, We do not sell or support this product. You are commenting on a news posts that we wrote about this product, not a sales page. You will need to contact Skywire directly if you want a refund or support on this product.
HOW DO I DO THAT ALL SKYWIRE SAY THEY ARENT THE ONES
Go back to where you bought it from in the first place maybe?
I DID THIS IS A SCAM
Great question. I have the same story:
I tried it and only got 9 channels of which 3 were the basic ones. Then when I tried to return it, they said, tough luck; only defective ones. Sorry, but that’s not good business. Here’s the full response:
Hello irv,
I am sorry to hear that you are not completely satisfied with your antenna! With any antenna, reception varies greatly depending on a number of conditions. Crystal-clear, over the air reception is dependent on factors such as distance from a broadcast tower, the terrain surrounding your home and other environmental factors. There is also variance in what is being broadcast by local networks in any given area which is why we cannot guarantee specific channel reception.
For these reasons, we are unable to accept returns or exchanges for undamaged, non-defective items.
Sincerely,
Stephanie | Customer Support
is this a scam this does not go in new Zealand and i bought 2 of them please please reply it does not do what is advertised
Ruatapuwai
I had a very bad experience with Skywire. Not only did it not yield many channels – 9 or less, but reception was splotchy. And when I tried to return it for a refund, as the article above states, they won’t take it back unless it’s damaged. FAULTY? eh, so what, is basically their reaction. Sorry you got scammed by them, too.
Total CRAP and the owner will be going bankrupt very very soon!
This owner is selling a pridect that doesnt give you the desired outcome you want and paid for!!!
this antenna is hard hard to assemble then once you get it assembled this antenna products doesn’t get you any not any channels!!
This is a scam!It is not worth your time or money,if you find channels often they are Asian ,are you ca’t see them. This company;skywire,
Scams you into believing you will be able to get a full refund,just call# on your bank statement,you will be referred to sky wire.com no one will answer a #.Thet say they will respond in 24 hrs.They do,then you do not hear from them due to what skywire calls high
volume response and they will get back to you.I have been waiting for TWO months.I have continue in that time to try and reach them.
I paid $85.00 as I got additional equipment,I see now I will never see a red cent of that money.My advice to you if you are unhappy ,do not wait for their response to you, if you put your order on debit or credit card, stop payment in installments,STOP IMMEDIATELY!!!They will noe accept the product back, or give you promised refund.
I agree. They sell a less-than-advertised product and won’t take returns unless it’s broken. DO NOT BUY IT!
I just installed the skywire and was disappointed because all it gets is the local channels. I thought I would be able to receice cable channels also. Maybe I didn’t read enough but I bought 3 antenna’s plus 3 boosters and it cost $200.00. I fill like it was wasted money and I am going to try and return everything.
Hi Ray,
It is an Over-the-Air antenna. It picks up free HD channels that are broadcast in your local area.
I agree. They sell a less-than-advertised product and won’t take returns unless it’s broken. Good luck on the return…
skywire is a total ripoff. False advertising on HD and channels it will pickup……cheap , cheap , cheap, product that does not work ……
don’t waste your money because thats what you’ll be doing if your purchase this CHEAP misrepresented product
I agree. They sell a less-than-advertised product and won’t take returns unless it’s broken. DO NOT BUY IT!
All the talk about range and number of channels are ideal conditions and assuming that you are in an area with multiple stations available. City reception will be different than being out in the boonies. Dallas, Houston, NYC, etc., you may have dozens to chose from. Ely, NV or Alpine, TX; it will be a crapshoot.
Anxiously awaited the arrival of the SKYWIRE ANTENNA!! Hooked it up, scanned for channels. Only receiving about 4 channels. Very disappointed in this product!! I purchased 3 and an amplifier. Couldn’t really afford it but I’ve been trying to get rid of cable due to expense. I’m hoping they allow returns..but hard to locate contact information on this company!! Has anyone had luck with this???
I also have 3 units I want to return. and they are not responding to my request. You need a rma label. And they won’t give it to me If you get someone. Let me know. Not a happy camper.
Same issue. Read my story:
I tried it and only got 9 channels of which 3 were the basic ones. Then when I tried to return it, they said, tough luck; only defective ones. Sorry, but that’s not good business. Here’s the full response:
Hello irv,
I am sorry to hear that you are not completely satisfied with your antenna! With any antenna, reception varies greatly depending on a number of conditions. Crystal-clear, over the air reception is dependent on factors such as distance from a broadcast tower, the terrain surrounding your home and other environmental factors. There is also variance in what is being broadcast by local networks in any given area which is why we cannot guarantee specific channel reception.
For these reasons, we are unable to accept returns or exchanges for undamaged, non-defective items.
Sincerely,
Stephanie | Customer Support
This is susie cundiff again asking if u got my return for refund. Please advise
This is the last one of these types of emails that I’m going to approve. I’m going to delete any new ones.
Once again, The Gadgeteer did not sell this antenna to you. We do not sell products, we do not support products that other stores sell. We just wrote a news post about this particular antenna. That’s all. Please contact the store where you purchased the antenna if you want to return it.
Susie, I could not get a refund. Here’s my story:
I tried it and only got 9 channels of which 3 were the basic ones. Then when I tried to return it, they said, tough luck; only defective ones. Sorry, but that’s not good business. Here’s the full response:
Hello irv,
I am sorry to hear that you are not completely satisfied with your antenna! With any antenna, reception varies greatly depending on a number of conditions. Crystal-clear, over the air reception is dependent on factors such as distance from a broadcast tower, the terrain surrounding your home and other environmental factors. There is also variance in what is being broadcast by local networks in any given area which is why we cannot guarantee specific channel reception.
For these reasons, we are unable to accept returns or exchanges for undamaged, non-defective items.
Sincerely,
Stephanie | Customer Support
I had the same experience so many describe here. No refunds UNLESS defective – and they won’t give you an address to return to for weeks. By that time, they say it’s too late to honor return.
I give you credit here for mentioning how returns and refunds are practically impossible to do. Maybe put it in bold. This is a very iffy product. If you money to throw away, you might give it a shot.
I am now seeing all these negative reviews on this freakin product….of which i paid $100.00….and am running into the same problems……good job to those jerks who say this the best……i can only say…..they wanna make you believe in them…..just remember…..in life…..theres assholes!!!!
This product sucks. DO NOT BUY. IF YOU DO YOU WILL BE SORRY.
To anyone looking for a refund from Skywire TV Antenna and don’t know how to reach them, haven’t gotten a reply from them or have gotten the standard reply of “no refunds except on damaged or defective antennas”, you can file a complaint with your credit card company, bank and/or PayPal. They will handle it for you. You can also go to Skywire TV Antenna Better Business Bureau website and file a complaint and/or bad review. They are giving out refunds there too. This is definitely a “Buyer beware” company.
BE CAREFUL BE CAREFUL BE CAREFUL
THIS DEVICE IS NOT WORKING. ITS PRICE THREE TIMES HIGHER THAN A SIMILAR SOLD BY OTHER COMPANIES.
IF YOU BUY IT ON LINE AND RETURN IT BACK YOU NEVER GET BACK YOUR MONEY.
BE CAREFUL BE CAREFUL BE CAREFUL
You should check a website such as http://www.tvfool.com/ first. Put in your address and see what channels are even available in your area. If you use the Interactive TV Coverage Browser you can see the direction of the signal. No antenna is going to bring in more channels than are broadcast LOCALLY. If the towers are in opposite direction from your house an indoor antenna will probably only get the ones facing the window nearest the device.
I haven’t tried the Skywire but it would be good to see a comparison of how many channels you get with an antenna vs a cheap stick antenna (like what came with old USB tuners). Ones with an inline amplifier don’t give you more signals but may give a better picture on a weak signal…. you still must have a usable signal to boost though.
I have never received mine call the BBB how do I do this? No device no booster no refund any ideas anyone on what I can do
With an antenna, you’ll be set even if the cable goes out. Your local channels will still be able to get you the information you need to keep your home and family safe in the event of an emergency.