TV Antenna instead of cable/dish

[lakngulf]

I think if you are within 40 miles of the transmitters you will have no problems, 60 seems to be the practical limit around here.
We did find that when the local network stations switched to digital that they added 3-4 subchannels as well, so now instead of just channel 5, there is now 5-1, 5-2, 5-3. But it's kind of like most cable offerings, one good channel to four or five you never watch:confused3:

The searches that I entered by zip code shows stations to be 50 to 60 miles away. Growing up we could get some stations from Bham and some from Montgomery, but you had to turn the antenna a bit.

 

[lakngulf]

Check out antennaweb.org. You can enter your location, and it will tell you what stations to expect, with different types of antennas.

I also bought a Channel Master DVR. In addition to automatically recording the shows I want, it provides on-screen channel listing for live TV viewing.

I'm not familiar with the specific antenna you mentioned, so I can't provide any feedback on it.

So is your antenna a Channel Master?

 

[lakngulf]

Sobetter HDTV Antenna Outdoor 150 Mile Long Range Amplified Digital Outdoor TV Antenna with Signals UHF/VHF/FM/Radio - 360°Rotation - High Performance Outdoor Antenna for TV with 33-Feet Coax Cable
by Sobetter
Link: http://a.co/dmlhSRK

This one works well in rural Mississippi

Thanks, seems to have some pretty good reviews.

 

[George2615]

I have one like this. It has a built in rotator and amplifier and a 2 TV hook up. Mine is mounted on a tripod on top of the garage about 25-30' above ground. Can't remember where I bought it but price was about the same (less than $40.)
I searched antennaweb and found I had several broadcast stations within 75 miles. I receive about 36 channels crystal clear and maybe 4 more that conditions have to be just right. I have not cut the cable cord yet because there are a few channels I can't seem to live without. But the 36 channels I do get are free. The antenna would be great for a camp or someone who currently has no cable or satellite.

HDTV Rotor Remote Outdoor Amplified Antenna 36deg UHF/VHF/FM HD TV 15 | Best Choice Products

 

[buickanddeere]

At 62 miles to obtain all network stations, an omnidirectional antenna won't do it. Will need an antenna mounted amplifier with a built in FM trap and RG-6 cable. If aimed approx 210 degrees south west it probably won't need a rotor. Each of those "channels" has 2 or 3 stations on each channel. Oodles to watch.
Higher mechanical gain from more, larger and longer elements improve the signal to noise ratio and maximum gain. An amplifier can't amplify a too weak of signal from a physically small antenna.
If it wasn't for my parents I would ditch the satellite dish tomorrow and put the TV tower back up.
As somebody else stated a digital recorder is a good idea. Great DVRs for After You Dump Cable TV - Consumer Reports
Digital Advantage HDTV Outdoor TV Antenna-Channel Master CM 2020 (CM2020)
TV Fool

 

[drssg]

So is your antenna a Channel Master?

No, I just have their DVR. It sounds like your stations are further away than mine, so I don't think my antenna would help you.

 

[Stimw]

I have an antenna that I bought from Walmart for $38. with free shipping and it works great!
It has rotate and remote control.
I pick up 36 channels from 3 cities, one is 60 miles away.
Some are repeat channels by the networks but I do get the sub channels. All in HD.

 

[japody]

Digital signals are line of sight. The curvature of earth limits that distance to a maximum of 90 miles. That's why we had to get sat TV at the farm.

 

[boggen]

DIY an antenna out of some metal coat hangers, a 2x4, and the little converter you can pickup at radio shack or like electronics store. lots of "diy tv antenna" out there on the internet. fairly simple and straight forward. best antenna ever. beyond all the garbled up electronic junk that does not work, worth a darn.

if i get really stupid for something, i have a piece of plywood and then just covered it with foil on one side (that you find your kitchen for cooking), toss it behind the home made antenna. and get instant reception from a given direction.

same old antennas clear back in the 70's can still be used with new stuff today. and more likely better.

i would advise if mounting in attic or on roof or on a pole outside. getting a "rotation" unit for it. so you can adjust angle.

i went through the ugly buy some antennas and then return'ed them because they were not worth a single penny. majority of them electronic crud. and amplifiers some of them even worse. the DIY antenna been priceless! when i say crud, i had any were from 20 to 60' feet of cable ran between tv an antenna. from each side of home sticking cable through windows temporary, to on roof. trying out different antennas and locations. and just not worth it. the DIY antenna looks like it could kill you if you fell into it. (sharp edge of coat hanger wire). but best reception setting inside i have ever obtained. ya i could place it outside of home. but the TV stations around here are in different directions all around me. which would mean a "rotation" device. *meh* to cheap for that. just set it inside, and move it a little bit.

 

[cqaigy2]

One of the things i like about OTA tv is that it is so clear! Much better then our HD sat, watching nature shows and such is such a treat, the quality of the picture is so good. The location of the antenna can be pretty important, especially in marginal reception areas. We moved ours around and rotated until we got the channels that were most important to us.

We built our own dvr with a spare computer using ubuntu with mythtv installed. The tuner is a silicon dust for OTA.