So I finally had my fill of the crummey cable company we were stuck with. I kinda told them what they could do with their service in a not so nice way. I think I’m happy, but the wife sure ain’t, oh boy she ain’t. I told her we could get the 2 locally availble (PBS & CBS, not bad I’m thinking) and we don’t need no stinkin cable company. Just get the 2 channels off the “airwaves” and no bills and no BS.
Well I think I’m in the doghouse big time.
How the heck do you put an antenna on a TV thats only got a cable hook-up. What ever happened to rabbet-ears? If I buy some sort of antenna how would I connect it to the TV?
I tried leaving the coax cable connected at the tv(it’s unconnected at the box on the side of the house) thinking all the coax throughout the house might act as a antena, didn’t work.
I guess my question is; can you hook up some sort of antena via the cable connection on a TV?
I’m thinking this whole ordeal is a blessing, but my wife ain’t anywhere close to agreeing.
help
Replies
No cable here either. My aerial antenna has a BNC connector to which I ran coax into the house, connecting to the TV with another BNC connector.
Thanks to pino andwallyo for the quick advice.
edited for spellin
Edited 2/21/2008 12:45 am ET by bobtim
We don't pay cable either we get 14 high diif channels and 6 reg channels plus a bunch of uhf.WAllyo
I'm in rural Alaska, so I guess I'm happy with 2 channels.
YOU must get squeezed real hard on the cable bill?Wallyo
something around $18 for the basics. All the major regular networks and lots of home shoping stuff. No HBO or discovery or anything else I only hear about.
pino,
Look at satelite! those small little dishes are wonderful (and free including installation and check out. All you need to do is agree to use their minimum program for at least a year.. (includes 30 to90 days of free HBO etc..)
Broadcast doesn't include stuff like History channel, Discovery, Turner Classic Movies, Speed, Military, ESPN, CSPAN, MSNBC, BBC, and dozens of other great channels that are extremely educational and informative.
Without those channels it's like living without a good referance library or information resource.. I save enough by not wanting to go out to movies and dinner etc.. that we more than pay for the cost of satelite..
Sure there are plenty of home shopping as well as stuff you may not want to watch but that can easily be programed out so you don't have to go through all 300 channels.
Besides if you want to listen to commercial free music from any era, or type it's only a click away..
Just a Bigger reminder of what you said.
"Besides if you want to listen to commercial free music from any era, or type it's only a click away.."
I have dish and I wasn't aware of it for awhile but go to channel 6000-6099 and it's Sirius radio.
Not sure if all packages have that or just the upgraded.
Considering it usually cost the 12$ a month for subscription. Not all of the stations but most.
Start at antennaweb it is a public service provided by the industry to guide you to what type of antenna you will need. You do not need to enter your name just address and zipcode, you will be guided to a interactive street map. once your correct street or close to it is located, hit continue a chart will appear giving you miles and compass orientation to the stations in your area it will give you a guide line to the type of antenna you will need. Note there is no such thing as a high definitions antenna, high definition is on the upper VHF and all the uhf spectrum. get your antenna set it up to your coax and you should be good.
http://www.antennaweb.org/aw/Address.aspx
Wallyo
radio shack has everything ya need...
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming
WOW!!! What a Ride!
Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
Best non-cable antenna is a roof top Yagi (typical pre-cable style antenna) on a rotator with a mast-mount signal preamplifier. Run all the connecting wires with RG-6 coax cable and it will connect directly to the TV or use twin-lead cable and a 300 ohm-75ohm balun to connect the twin-lead to the cable inlet on the TV. Minimum setup for decent reception is a rooftop Yagi on a mast though the style of antenna will depend a lot on your reception conditions.
Radio Shack sells all the bits you need and can give you reasonable advice on how to do it
"or use twin-lead cable and a 300 ohm-75ohm balun to connect the twin-lead to the cable inlet on the TV."Lots of luck gettin twin lead and the stuff that goes with it.And before he gets the rotor he needs to find out what station and what directions that they are.Might be a big waste of money..
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A-holes. Hey every group has to have one. And I have been elected to be the one. I should make that my tagline.
Based on experience, I disagree. After much research I ended up with the setup on both my shop for radio and house for radio and TV.Though I used RG6, what used to be Radio Shack up here still carries twinlead and the standoffs required for installation as does the local electronics store.Rotator allows the antenna to be tuned to any direction. Only reasons not to use one is if all stations are located in the same direction so a preset position can be made, if all signals are strong enough that fine tuning isn't required or a different omni-directional antenna is used though that won't give you the signal quality a Yagi will.
If there is are no stations around then there is no need for a rotor.Based on the fact that he is in AK and they the cable companies only have 18 channels my guess is that the this is remote area and that the cable company is not in business to bring in multiple sources of channels, most of which aren't available over the air. Rather it is a "community atenna system". Those where used in rual areas, often with mountains, and where there was otherwise limited or no over the air signals..
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A-holes. Hey every group has to have one. And I have been elected to be the one. I should make that my tagline.
Whether or not it's Alaska, he says he can get two channels. He will get them better with the antenna, and unless they are both coming from the same direction, a rotator will help. If reception conditions are poor enough to cause multi-pathing, the rotator will greatly assist in finding the strongest signal. using the setup, I went from four, two of which were good to seven, five of which were good.
Just get used to not watching TV.
We haven't turned ours on in over a year and are very happy about it.
Just a thought..Many times in 40 years my wife and I had different opinions on things we needed, or wanted, as all couples do. On September 3rd she was diagnosed with lung cancer which had already spread to her skull, ribs, pelvis, hips, and thighs. There was nothing that could be done, but control the pain. After 12 days in the hospital and 15 days in Hospice, my previously very healthy 62 year old wife was gone. We usually compromised on most issues, and had a very happy marriage, but I now regret the things she didn't have.Hoping you will set up the best antenna system possible, or keep the cable.Gary
http://www.thesourcecc.com
View Image
I installed this about a year ago. There are mixed reviews, but it works great for us. Comes with an L bracket, so I just screwed it to a 4' 2x and screwed the 2x to the top eve of the house. You do have to play with the direction (spin it around) to get the best reception. Just run a co-ax cable from it to a small amp that comes with it, then run co-ax to the tv. Switch the input on the menu from cable to antenna on the TV and you are off to the races.
We are north of Toronto, we pick up about 15 channels. But isn't there a planned phase-out of broadcast signals? But I'll enjoy them free until they are gone ...
I've been curious as to the phase out and wonder if the Canadian stations are also subject to it or if it just a US situation?
You being in Canada what is the buzz in the news there on the subject.
Being on the southern coast of Lake Erie I've antenna access to quite a few Canadian stations so there is a vested interest.
be in vest or tongue in cheek
Peach full,easy feelin'.
Story below from the Globe that I stumbled on today. Until BillH mentioned in this post (I think it was him, not having scrolled thru it to refresh the noggin'), I thought all OTA signals were being phased out. But the switchover will be to digial. I'll keep the OTA until there is nothing left.
No cable, no problem - until next year
In 2009, when U.S. broadcasters shut down their analog over-the-air signals, those using antennas will be most affected
GRANT ROBERTSON
February 29, 2008
Ever since Eryn Smit bought his house in Chatham, Ont. three years ago, he's wanted to tear down the ugly three-storey television antenna attached to the side. He almost got around to it this month when his father suggested he play around with the contraption to see what kind of reception it got.
"I was absolutely shocked when I hooked it up," Mr. Smit says.
When he flipped the switch two weeks ago, major networks from Detroit, Toledo and Cleveland - and even a U.S. amateur sports channel - began flooding his home at no charge, in addition to the big Canadian networks. Some of them were in high-definition.
Mr. Smit has since cancelled his cable subscription and now represents a small slice of the population, most of them living close enough to the U.S. border to get a strong American signal, who watch TV over-the-air, or OTA as it's known.
Regulators and broadcasters have debated how many people like Mr. Smit are left in Canada. Holdouts like him - who were once part of the masses - now represent less than 10 per cent of Canadian homes by most estimates.
They will also be the most affected a year from now when U.S. broadcasters shut off their analog OTA signals and switch to digital. The same move is slated to occur in Canada starting in 2011.
The switch to digital signals is part of a broader industry-wide shift toward digital television taking place in the world, which is being done to foster high-definition OTA broadcasts, and to free up analog spectrum for other uses.
It will mean that many old televisions will no longer be able to pull signals out of the air with simple rabbit ear antennas as they once did.
But Mr. Smit has already started preparing for the digital world - and his giant antenna isn't going anywhere. For $72, he purchased a digital set-top converter box, hooked it up to an old TV, and will continue to watch the U.S. and Canadian networks free.
"I can't see why I would go back," he says. "The only thing we don't get now is the specialty channels, but we were watching less and less of What Not to Wear anyway."
By technical standards, it's a landmark shift for the TV industry. But for most Canadians who subscribe to cable or satellite TV, the transition may pass without notice.
Whether they know it or not, most households are already prepared for the switch.
Satellite services use digital signals, while more than half the country's cable subscribers are already subscribing to digital packages. Cable customers who still use a simple analog wire plugged directly into their TV set will have their signal converted back to analog by the distributors, meaning no disruption in service.
"So they will feed your dad's Zenith from 1975 if need be," said Kaan Yigit, an industry analyst with Solutions Research Group in Toronto who is tracking the transition.
However, for OTA people like Mr. Smit, the analog shutoff in the U.S. - set to happen on Feb. 17, 2009 - is potentially disruptive. He'll have to buy a digital tuner for the other two TVs in his house that are now only capable of picking up the outdated analog signal, or purchase a new TV that comes with a digital tuner inside.
If he doesn't, those cherished U.S. channels will turn to static in 2009, followed by the Canadian ones as early as 2011.
"Those old TVs will become rather large doorstops after the transition date," if new tuners aren't bought for them, Mr. Yigit said. "The winners - such as it is - will be cable and satellite companies ... as well as sellers of new TVs and converter boxes."
Not surprisingly, electronics manufacturers and retailers are salivating. In the U.S., roughly 21 million people are believed to be facing the decision of whether to go digital through a cable or satellite provider or to buy new TV sets or update old ones with new-fangled digital tuners to continue getting OTA broadcasts.
A massive federal program is helping the process there. In a move that has drawn fire from opponents who say the money could be better spent on social programs, Washington has set aside $1.5-billion (U.S.) to help consumers make the switch. U.S. homes can apply for $40 coupons to put toward a digital tuner, which retails for between $50 and $120.
There is no such program in Canada where digital tuner boxes can sometimes be tough to come by, because suppliers are sending most of their stock to the U.S. ahead of the switch.
"If we don't have one, it takes about a month," said Joe Lee, manager of Xtek, a Toronto electronics retailer. "We don't get many requests because the new TVs come with digital tuners now. But if your TV is two or three years old, you may need one" to receive OTA signals, he said.
Canada's national networks have argued to federal regulators that they should be allowed to shut off OTA broadcasts entirely in 2011, rather than spend millions on digital towers. They say the 10 per cent of Canadians not on cable or satellite service is dwindling and such consumers will soon be all but extinct.
Mr. Smit disagrees. "No, we're out here," he says. "And we're very pleased with what we can get for nothing."
*****
From analog to digital: What does it all mean?
What is it?
A year from now, U.S. networks will shut off their analog broadcast towers and move to digital signals over-the-air (that's OTA for you engineers). Canada will make the switch starting in 2011, with most analog signals turned off by 2013.
Why are they doing it?
In a high-definition world, which will eventually be the standard for TV rather than a luxury, digital signals are required. Once the switch to digital signals is complete, governments will either sell off the analog spectrum or use it for emergencies.
Will my TV still work?
If you subscribe to digital cable or satellite TV, you won't notice a thing. If you subscribe to analog cable, the signal will be downgraded for you. But if you only use an antenna, you will need to get a digital tuner to convert the signal. Newer TVs come with these inside, they're called ATSC tuners. Check before you buy.
Am I analog or digital?
If you are a satellite TV subscriber, you're already digital. Likewise if you have a digital set-top box from your cable company. If you rely solely on an old-school coaxial cable running from the wall to your TV, that's analog. If you use rabbit ears or a coat hanger for reception, that's analog OTA.
Is digital the same as HDTV?
No. Digital is how the signal is conveyed, but a digital signal can be in standard definition or in HDTV.
Well thanks for the update.
I'll keep the OTA until there is nothing left. What would be the final nothing left if you have the mentioned digital tuner box that transcribes the digital to analog?
Will there be a point in the future where the station's signals will be altered to where there will be nothing one can do to continue receiving thru an antenna?
Thanks
Peach full,easy feelin'.
I don't know if federal laws require broadcast signals, if its an option or if it's just a by-product of getting the signal out for further transmission.
Anyway, I figure you can't rely on anything to last these days, so as long as I can get OTA broadcasts (digital or analog), I'll take them over shilling out more of my money for stuff I don't need (or want).
The CN Tower here in Toronto was actually built to act as a giant TV/radio antenna and transmitter. As long as it stands, I figure that I am ok.
When I was a kid (not too long ago), we didn't have cable and the other kids looked at me like I was from Mars when they found out. But the local station had ChiPS and the A-Team, so I didn't lose out completely.
Now I have to decide if we will get cable or satellite in the future, as my kids approach school age. We are in the country, but cable has recently become available. I'll hold out as long as I can - maybe I'll tell the kids that the antenna disk on the roof is a new fangled satelite dish. That'll give me a few more years.
When the signal goes, so does the TV. You can't pay me enough to make me watch the #### they pass off as entertainment. Not a snowball's chance in he11 I'm going to pay for it.
Nothing you've written that I can disagree with.
The only thing I would miss would be the hockey games, but it's been a few years since the French CBC stopped broadcasting the Habs games.
It pains me to watch the Leafs on English CBC.
A few years back the CBC employees went on strike, so there were no announcers for the games. So they would just show the game and piped in the crowd noise. That was AWESOME, just like being at the game.
Don't know what your exact situation is, but.....I've installed a couple dozen TV antennas for folks over the years and wouldn't/won't recommend a rotor if you can possibly do what needs doing with a multiple array instead. Two antennas is usually all that's needed around here. Two major sources of air-wave signals are about 90 degrees from one another. One is about 30-35 miles east-ish and the other is 75 miles north. We have excellent reception from both of these sources which folks have frequently mistaken for dish when visiting for the first time.
IMO, it doesn't pay to mount a rotor when a second antenna is not only cheaper, but saves all the hassle and time of waiting for the rotor to turn so you can see what's on another stations....only to turn it back again when it's #### or something you're not interested in. By the time you stop fooling around, the show is half over. Multiple arrays also work better if you're doing a timed recording of a show. Set it and forget it. And rotors are prone to electrical and mechanical problems. How many times ya wanna climb up there to fix it? Not me, thanks. BTDT.
When it comes to TV antennas, generally speaking, higher is almost always better . If using a multiple array on a single mast, keep a minimum of 4' between each antenna and connect them to each other with a piece of twin-lead/300 ohm, then send the signal to a mast-mount amp (may require a 75 ohm balun and piece of coax depending upon type of amplifier) and finally down to the TV set(s) with coax. (Make sure you use stand-offs to support the 300 ohm between the two arrays and put a couple/few gentle twists in that 300 as it passes from one to the other. That will *usually* prevent any/most potential for ghosting and leaves the 300 less vulnerable to wind damage.)
(Make sure your mast is strong and guy-wired for support if necessary. Those antennas catch more wind up there than you might think. Go outside with one unfolded and hold it over your head with one hand sometime when it's blowin' about 30 per.)
(Don't try using a separate piece of coax from each antenna and then combining those with a coax splitter in front of the amp. Won't work worth a hoot. Too much signal gets back-fed to the other array spoiling the quality of both signals.)
Put one person down by the set while the other fine tunes the direction of each antenna and then lock 'em down. Voice activated walkie-talkies are good for this. ...or a pair of cordless phones if you don't have those. Keep you body as far away as possible from each antenna as you tune it in. Little things can make a big difference when it comes to collecting air-waves.
Metal roofs can make for trouble .....or they can be helpful. All depends upon the pitch, the direction they point relative to the station, type of antenna, etc. They can be a source of problematic ghosting. It all depends.
Radio Shack no longer carries the long-boom/deep fringe dedicated UHF antenna that performed so well as far as picking up those 75 mile distant UHF stations. Good thing I bought several extras years ago when they were dirt stinkin' cheap ($30). Now I'd have to spend way more to buy a huge UHF/VHF combo antenna to get the same performance.....or build that deep-fringe dedicated UHF from scratch, which isn't all that tough to do, just kinda time consuming.
Edited 2/21/2008 3:21 pm ET by HootOwl
Good advice. Only thing I would add is that the rotor is very useful in a situation where your line-of-sight reception is compromised, ie. rolling terrain, and atmospheric conditions real strongly influence receptions. Those change hourly and being able to tune the antenna to the strongest reflected signal can make the difference between watchable/listenable and not. Got both my rotators from surplus stores for under ten bucks each. Both are ancient but dismantling, cleaning and lubricating and ensuring they are weathertight makes them problem free since the electronics are almost bullet proof.
"Only thing I would add is that the rotor is very useful in a situation where your line-of-sight reception is compromised, ie. rolling terrain, and atmospheric conditions real strongly influence receptions. Those change hourly and being able to tune the antenna to the strongest reflected signal can make the difference between watchable/listenable and not. "
I'll take your word on that, thank you for it...... and heed it if such a situation arises in the future. So far, so good.....around here......without one. So far, rotors/rotators have proven to be more of a liability than an asset around these parts as regards reception from the avialable sources. You are speaking of various/varying obstructions in the fresnel zone (amongst other issues), I presume.
On a side note.....I have my mother hooked up with Dish Network now. Gives her more channels/choices than air reception alone..and at her age, sitting and watching the tube is about all she has..particularly during the winter months. Basic package plus the locals = $25 a month. Dish has no senoir citizens discounts, but.......there is Club Dish. ....which the folks/contractor informed me about. Basically, you request coupons which you can apply and receive credits for if/when others subscribe from your reference. The fella said to order the coupons up and when they arrive, bring 'em in here. I did. They then applied them to new accounts they installed. Each one is worth $5 off for ten months running. So........she's paying a total of $5 a month for Dish Network. <G> Thank you folks. She really appreciates it.....and so do I. I'll order more coupons when these are about to run out and we'll do it all over again. Guess who we'll be buying the new Toshiba HDTV from. (They price match anyone)
Edited 2/21/2008 11:07 pm ET by HootOwl
Bobtime.
Do you have a clear view of the southern Sky?
Why not look into satelite? basic satelite is wonderful but the real value is things like discovery channel, history channel, etc..
They will install every thing for you but it's easy to do yourself.. Where you are in Alaska will determine how successful it is..
I've had great results with DISH TV. I currantly have DIRECT TV and can't wait untill I get rid of it.. (mar 17 th. ) My wife got a better package on cell phone service, Satelite and High speed internet.. So she jumped for it.. turns out that we didn't get such a deal after all.. But I'm going back to DISH on march 18th
Edited 2/21/2008 5:39 pm ET by frenchy
don't start with an antenia. In 2010 all airwave chanels will be gone and you will have to have cable or dish
Ductape can fix EVERYTHING!!!
"don't start with an antenia. In 2010 all airwave chanels will be gone and you will have to have cable or dish"Not true.What is going away are the analog over the air signals.Digital over the air will still be available.But you need a newer TV or a converter box. And the end date is Feb 17, 2009.http://www.dtv.gov/.
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A-holes. Hey every group has to have one. And I have been elected to be the one. I should make that my tagline.
Edited 2/21/2008 7:14 pm by BillHartmann
the first part- yes, that's what I ment.
the latter- yeah, i got confused
Ductape can fix EVERYTHING!!!
What is going away are the analog over the air signals.
And not even all of those - low power stations can still broadcast analog. So if you are getting a converter box and live in an area with low power stations, get the ones that will also receive analog signals.
Bill, ""But you need a newer TV or a converter box."" Any idea how one can tell if your tv is set up for digital already?
Mine is maybe ten years old and I don't know when the technology started to change in them.
They can't get your Goat if you don't tell them where it is hidden.
If it is 10 years old, then it does not support the newer standards (ATSC) unless you were really into buying high end stuff. The standard wasn't agreed upon until 1996, and I can't say exactly when tv's started coming out to support it, but it wasn't really prevalent until the past several years.I guess the easiest way to see if it does, is to go into the menu of your tv, and do an autoscan of available channels. If you have an ATSC tuner, you will see the analog channels (2-69?) you have now, and also the new digital channels (2.1, 3.1, etc) first number is the station identifier, second is the subchannel number, which can be up to 4.
Fast check... If there is no decimal point key available on your remote, then you can be 99% sure your set is not a digital tuner. (although some tvs insert this automatically)
Edited 3/5/2008 11:57 am ET by WindowsGuy
Dash key as well, one receiver I have has a - key
Thanks to all . Looks like a box is in my future. I don't spend much time at all in front of the thing, but gotta see the brownies play next seasons during the playoffs..
They can't get your Goat if you don't tell them where it is hidden.
Hmmm -- our ATSC converter remote has neither decimal point nor dash. You must tune to the main channel and then up-channel to what you want.
If your view never changes you're following the wrong leader
Well, if you have an ATSC converter box, then you already know your set wasn't digital right? ;-)
Just for grins, which box do you have? I have several relatives that will need them and I am already anticipating a whole bunch of confusion with people unable to find their channels.
We have a Samsung HDTV receiver, several years old, mated to an HD-capable TV.
If your view never changes you're following the wrong leader
Oh, okay. Yours is not just an ATSC converter box, it's an HDTV receiver as well. The age probably explains why no "." or "-" on the remote.
I was interested in an SD-ATSC converter box as that's what folks with non-HD TVs (and VCRs) will need and the feds have issued coupons to buy.
Thanks
The boxes are really equivalent except that the HD box has HD audio/video outputs in addition to standard outputs. I'd bet that boxes of similar vintage use the same internal electronics.
If your view never changes you're following the wrong leader
Andy,
No sense in me repeating what Bill has already pointed out and that's something you can also easily Google to confirm.
Most folks look upon TV antennas as undesirable relics from an era gone by, but fact is they will and do supply a very high quality digital signal (no compression whatsoever). Many of the shows/programming we pick up here are already digital and it is sweet stuff to see. Better than the neighbors with Dish Network or Direct TV. Almost makes them mad. <G> Can't tell the difference between the 35 mile distance stations and those 75 miles away. They're all top notch quality on the screen....although.....
I will admit that weather can play a role. If there's heavy fog between here and the 75 mile city....reception quality suffers to varying degrees.....on analog broadcasts. With digital signals, we'll either have a nice picture or none at all. Not a big deal in the grand scheme of things cause that kinda weather problem only occurs maybe 10 days a year.....tops. The rest of the time the pictures are great.....and so is the price. <G>
http://www.crutchfieldadvisor.com/S-SUaO7f2XgLr/learningcenter/home/antenna.html
PS- It's the mast-mount amplifier that makes reliable long distance quality reception possible. That and an appropriate quality antenna.......and a proper installation....and.....and..... <G> Point being, it can be done even at fringe reception distances.
Edited 2/21/2008 8:32 pm ET by HootOwl
Edited 2/21/2008 10:20 pm ET by HootOwl
Bingo
I went to the local Radio Shack today, said "what do I need"? They said I need an antenna (duh). You need this antenna, a pair of rabbit ears with some sort of adapter thingee for the coax connection. I said don't you have any of those antenas that go on the roof? They said "nope", the only other antenna we have is for CBs. I asked if they could order me one, and they didn't know if they could or not.
So I bought the 8 buck rabbet ears and they work great.
I love it when the cheap,simple , locally availble solution works out.
Thanks to all for all of the advice.
PS wife is a happy camper now, she mostly watches PBS and that's one of the two stations we get.
Well, good deal. I kinda wondered about what your actual situation was in that you had cable. If you were too far out from town/the source......I kinda figured you wouldn't have access to cable at all. Then again, I don't know squat about what goes on up your way as far as TV and such. If you have other TV stations available within reception distance, you might still find yourself looking into an outdoor antenna setup someday.
Your experience at RS was about the same as mine at our local RS. The kids (literally) who work there don't even know what a tower/rooftop antenna is anymore.....and can't imagine why anyone would want one. Was in there about three months ago for a mast-mount amp and they didn't have a clue what I was talking about. Simple explanations complete with hand gesturing ensued. Futile. Had to find it myself and show it to them. (Only one on the display hook) They just grunted at me with a "so who cares" expression on their faces. Argh. Next we looked in the catalog for available rooftop antennas.....cause they stock nada anymore. Stockroom used to have a couple dozen at any given moment. They were truly clueless. Didn't know one from another. Tripod? Tower sections? What's that? Cable-kids, quite evidently. <G>
Wonder what would happen if I asked 'em about shortwave radio?
Edited 2/21/2008 9:34 pm ET by HootOwl
I'm glad you went the cheap route... too many people are freaking out about digital and getting sold expensive antennas they don't need. The next year promises to be very good for previously out of work TV repair guys. :-)
While I have satellite, I use a homemade UHF antenna to get my local HD channels.
For good tech info on antennas, an Alaska station has a nice site here:
http://www.kyes.com/antenna/antennadex.html
The good news is that this time next year, your reception will likely be better because of digital transmission. Most people will only need a homemade UHF antenna then. (Think small loop of copper wire about 8" in diameter.) Some stations will still use the VHF bands, but not many. To see what your stations will be doing, type your zip here:
http://www.antennaweb.org/aw/Address.aspx
The bad news is that you'll need a digital converter box for any older TVs you may have now. You can get more info and sign up for a $40 off coupon here:
https://www.dtv2009.gov/
Welcome to the new world of TV.
We watch PBS mainly as well, and with our HDTV receiver box, we get 4 PBS stations from the single local pbs1st channel is high def programming, all the time, nature, nova, soundstage, This old house, all 24-7
2nd channel is the 24 hour kids channel
3rd channel is their regular programming
4th channel is create tv - which is This old house, ask this old house, painting, crafts, gardening, etc.
Hootowl,
Unfortunately that's not always true.. I'm the worlds tightwad.. look that word up in the dictionary and that's my picture squeezing the nickle..
However I'm about 20 miles from some of the TV stations and with the best antennia and rotator I couldn't pick up all stations clearly. In the end I choose to go with satelite after trying out cable..
I saved enough money from staying home watching movies to more than pay the cost of the satelite bill.
The really great thing is stations that broadcast does not send.. Discovery, Learning, History, Halmark,CSPAN, MSMBC, Disney, ESPN, Foodnetwork Fine Living, BBC, Military, Nickelodeon, Outdoor, ScFi, RFD, Smithsonian, Speed, and my personal favorite Turner Classic Movies.. 24 hours a day 7 days a week non stop commercial free movies.. etc..
These are high quality educational informative and interesting channels that you, your children, and your grandparents will enjoy watching.. If you want to avoid the adult shows it's extremly easy to block channels you don't want children to view plus don't connect the box up to the phone line and you will never get charged for a pay per view or anything other than what you select..
Broadcast doesn't show them and it's a real pity. That's like living in a home without a good selection of books or resource information..
Couldn't get good reception from stations 20 miles away? That likely means you either have some geographical/terrain/power line issues or you need some assistance/lessons in setting up an air-antenna rig. Can't say which from here. Doesn't matter.
I built my first homemade antenna back around '80.....from a 24" piece of 1x2 and some copper tubing. Took all of 15 -20 minutes to make. Pulled stations clearly from 70 miles away without a mast-mount amp. It worked for years and years......until it was destroyed in a big storm that downed several large trees on the property.
I get the impression you didn't read my posts very thoroughly or you'd realize that I'm very familiar with what's on/available for programming on Dish and similar. Musta just skimmed. My friends and neighbors have dishes ....and I have my mother setup with Dish Network.......for $5 a month.
Yes, there is some wonderful/educational stuff to behold on many of these stations.....but frankly.......I have many more important/pressing issues and activities so that viewing time is limited. Not much sense in paying for something I won't use much. Not in my world anyway. Besides much of what's on those stations is also available on the internet. Maybe when I retire I'll have time to sit on my butt for hours & hours a day gazing at the box. Right now.... if I have some free time, I'd much sooner get the motorcycle out and ride thru the rolling countryside.
Edited 2/23/2008 2:07 pm ET by HootOwl
Hootowl
It was terrain issues.. I'm west of the TV stations and got lousy reception.. I have a semi clear view of the southern sky and can always get a better signal off the satelite than the techs they send out. I originally trained as an electronic tech so it's not technical.
Yes, you are right I was just skimming some of those posts..
As to time, well I work untill I'm stiff and sore and then rest watching the tube..
I used to do a lot of vintage sports car racing but with my heart condition I have trouble getting past most physicals.. Once the house is finished I'll go back and freshen up some of the race cars and finish my MGuar but I don't really see many more vintage races in my future..
No TV is not such a bad thing. I vote for the two channels. However, if your bride prevails in this discussion, you can do what my father did after he "fired" their cable service. He bought one of those little satellite dishes. 300+ channels, all perfect, for about the same price as the cable service.
Redford Henry..
Now days they will give you one,, mount it for you and check to make sure it's working properly. (plus 30 to 90 days of free HBO ETC.) The only deal is you must agree to sign up with their minimum service for at least a year..
bobtime..
look into satelite those little dishes are free including installation and set up. slightly cheaper than cable but I get some wonderful channels like Discovery, Turner classic movies, Hometime, Disney, Food network, etc. etc.. some great programs that are extremely educational and very interesting as well.
With hook up you get those plus HBO and a dozen other movie channels for 30 to 90 days free.. You are committed for a year but after that you can do as you want..
I save enough by not going out to movies and etc.. to more than offset the cost.
OH and you also get commercial free radio from any era or type of music.. just a click away..
Without those great channels it would be like living in a home without good books or acess to a referance.. (ps High speed satelite internet is also alvailable.. lot faster than dial up)
Thank you for your information.