TV reception via antenna

[husky]

Has anyone had success/failure receiving broadcast TV signals on antenna?

If so, where are you generally located, what channel(s) if successful,  and was reception (older) analog or (newer) digital/HDTV?

Thanks...

[JoeP]

I can get UHF channels 16, 22, 28, 44 and 56 via antenna.  I think 44 is Hi-Def but I don't have HD TV.  I only switch to the aerial when the cable goes out which is very rare.

There are local translator towers on Bald Mountain so I pick them up from there with an old fashion UHF aerial.  I can see the local translator towers from my back yard.

Some of the over the air channel were/are off the air since their main towers (in Luzerne) blew down during the weekend storm.

[husky]

Thanks, that helps a bit.  I may try an antenna to see what happens. It is my understanding that digital broadcasts are usually either 'very good' (quite watchable...comparable to cable) or 'bad' (not watchable at all)...not much in the middle such as is/was the case with weak analog signals which give 'snowy' or other flawed reception.

Cable service is not available at my property even though it is nearby. I'm surprised(?) and disappointed  that the town did not require the cable company to service all people within reason when they negotiated access rights to the town. I have seen this done successfully elsewhere.

I am aware of satellite as an option. I will consider this and likely end up using it. Unfortunately it doesn't provide good  high speed internet service,  thus requiring the use of DSL which is typically not as good as cable.

If any others have info on reception etc. Please post it. Thanks,

[husky]

I determined that I can receive quite a few channels with a simple indoor antenna ($20) and a DTV/digital capable receiver/TV. My first try results with little effort include:

13 Digital (includes CBS/22, NBC/28, FOX/56, PBS, ION and 7 'sub-channels' of PBS, FOX, ION) ... any of these 13, when receivable, are nearly flawless. Some are HDTV capable if programs are broadcast in hi-def...

9 Analog... much more grainy, wavy, snowy etc and vary a lot. Most can be made 'watchable' by playing w antenna some but even the best are not anywhere as clear as 'DTV'. Because of the weaker signals and many duplicates of the digital channels most are worth bothering with if the DTV equal is available.

Though I didn't receive it yet,  I hope either or both of ABC's Channel 16 / 49 is receivable when their tower is repaired.  

My home has a decent 'view' of towers on the mountain but there are some trees in the way. Maybe the results will be worse during leaf seasons. These results can probably be improved by using a better indoor or especially an outdoor antenna.There are many varieties of both at all levels of sophistication and price.

For now while I consider satellite and cable subscriptions I am enjoying the excellent free broadcast service.

[davidk]

I can't get reception of locals on an aerial and I live closer than anyone to the towers. Doesn't make sense to me.
I see them everytime I look out my window.

[husky]

Are you using a digitally capable TV and antenna? If you haven't bought them fairly recently you may still be all or part analog and both must be digital to get the 'good' signals. I just over a year ONLY digital signals will be broadcast.

Since my last post, I now also get digital channel 16 and its 2 sub channels bringing my total digital channels  (counting the sub-channels) to about 20 (there is sometimes duplication in programs on some channels...). When the signal is tuned right, these channels come in FLAWLESSLY... as good as cable or satellite, actually maybe better in some cases.  

I sometimes have to rotate/move the indoor antenna when changing channels to get the signal. I am only using a small $20 antenna (a loop with rabbit ears) on my kitchen counter or cabinet. There are better outdoor and even indoor antennas  for more money that should improve reception and could add more digital broadcast channels (and improve the analog...but analog wont matter as of February 17, 2009 when the analog broadcast signal goes away). I may look into a better/outdoor antenna when I get around to it.

Note that now analog channels are often vary snowy etc. and frankly I don't watch them at all, except if there is a unique program that can't be seen on digital which seldom if ever happens. Most (all?) analog broadcasts are already duplicated in the station's equivalent digital broadcast.

Here are two links on the subject including info on the 'coupon program' to help purchase digital receivers that allow older analog TVs to receive the new signals.

http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/digitaltv.html

http://dtvfacts.com/58/what-is-a-set-top-box/

[husky]

To update the earlier 2008 post:  We have since bought a big screen TV and paired it with a better antenna ($40, bow-tie design, 'DB2' model from antennasdirect.com )  designed for indoor-outdoor use. It isn't petite or pretty but it does a good job from our 2nd floor balcony, surprisingly a lot better than when we placed in the attic.  It does require occasional re aiming for a couple channels, depending on the weather.  

We remain fairly content with the approximately 15 channels we get very well. We  miss cable channels only channels occasionally. We miss the cable bill less often. Reception for others will vary because as with real estate,  location is important.

FYI, There is a thread elsewhere on this forum and mention on the town's web site about some disputes between customers/the town and the cable providers. Many people in this area can't get or unhappy with cable service. There are a lot of satellite dishes too. Because of the low density, woods, and rolling hills, you must determine what is best for your viewing and internet needs. It can be tricky, frustrating and expensive. Even then you may not have what you wanted.  Borrowing a decent antenna to try it first is probably good and/or ask nearby neighbors, especially if you see an antenna outside (mine is in the house).

It is not like just plugging into the wall jacks in a city condo and calling the service company, but it is part of the 'fun' of living in this area.

[husky]

December 2010: We now get 24-27 channels (counting 'sub-channels') using the DB2 antenna, still indoors. We moved it next to a sliding door on the second floor. Doing this added two Binghamton channels, each has 2 'sub-channels' thus giving us 4 more program choices. . It also strengthened most of the other channel's signals, reducing the need to shift the antenna at times to nearly zero. Admittedly some channels broadcast the same programs, but we also get a decent variety. The picture is great when we can get the signal.  

We tried moving it to the attic and it didn't work at all! We were surprised and disappointed. I appears that the window is important. In the spring we plan to try moving it outdoors to see if there is any improvement.

[husky]

March 2011: We added an 8 way signal amplifier. It boosts the available signal  to 8 outlets that are wired to different points in the house. This is needed because a standard splitter (such as 1 in 3 out) degrades the unamplified antenna signal servicing multiple rooms. This matters more with weak signals through long coax cable runs.  

The amplifier works very well and was worth the $40.   This was the unit we used: http://www.amazon.com/Bi-Directional-Am ... _rhf_p_t_4  Signal amplifiers come in other capacities such as 4 outlet. There are also units designed specifically for cable use.

Note that this unit only boosts the available signal strength. It does not add MORE stations. To do this, we must improve our antenna and/or its location/orientation. Some possibilities here are: mounting antenna  outdoors and/or higher; using an antenna rotater; or adding a 2nd antenna facing a different direction. We may try one or more of these in the warm weather. For now, we still get spectacular reception on about 20-25 stations depending on how we count.  The better counts depend on favorable weather and or an antenna adjustment. There are some redundant programming in these 20-25 channels. We can and do occasionally supplement the OTA with Internet programming.

Our cable/satellite bill is still $0 per month.