Author	[Modern View]
Dick 01-24-2013 14:45:37 64.184.244.225 Report to Moderator	How many of you out there still use an antenna for your TV reception? Of all the people I know, I'm the only one who does. Everyone else is paying for cable or satilite. I know there are some good programs on cable but I just can't see paying the price to watch TV. I get 23 channels with my antenna and of the 23 only about 5 are worth watching. But it's free. I would rather spend the money on a good internet connection than TV anyway. [Reply]   [No Email]
W_B 01-30-2013 10:28:11 155.188.183.19 Report to Moderator	Re: Another TV question: in reply to Dick, 01-24-2013 14:45:37   We are about 50 miles from most of the TV broadcast towers in Columbus and have only had over the air for some time. Between work and showing and caring for critters and some volunteer work on some local and national associations we just don't have time to watch much TV, maybe about 2-3 hrs. a night through the week. No cable in the area so satellite is the only other option, had satellite internet put in a couple of years ago too, but speed isn't enough to stream TV shows or movies and daily down load is limited. Would like to have cable internet or something like it that is faster and cheaper. I had a really big antenna up on the chimney with a small amp near the TV but the tree that hit the house in a storm took it and the chimney out. Put back up a smaller one and couldn't get reception worth a darn. The upstairs cheap flat screen did better with rabbit ears and an amp. I put a mast mounted RCA amp on it (up on a 40 ft. ladder on a 30 degree day in a steady 10 mph wind), replaced the old cable with a triple shielded cable and moved the upstairs amp to about half way along the run so now it is better. But the PBS station in Athens doesn't come in, except of course, upstairs with the rabbit ears! [Reply]  [No Email]
Leroy 01-26-2013 08:37:07 69.88.205.38 Report to Moderator	Re: Another TV question: in reply to Dick, 01-24-2013 14:45:37   No antenna any more, in about 2007 we wanted to ad an addition to the house and the tower was setting where it would have been inside the house so it had to go. Thought about putting a different tower up at a different place after the addition was finished but for the couple of channels that we were getting with the antenna that we don't now the cost of putting up the antenna is not worth it. And an antenna would not get RFD TV. [Reply]  [No Email]
Phlash in OK 01-26-2013 05:51:54 174.229.192.84 Report to Moderator	Re: Another TV question: in reply to Dick, 01-24-2013 14:45:37   In OK between OK city & Tulsa, with antenna with amphflier, get aprox 30 channels. get the sub-channels that are not on cable or satalite. [Reply]  [No Email]
Tony in SD 01-25-2013 17:51:17 216.106.217.45 Report to Moderator	Re: Another TV question: in reply to Dick, 01-24-2013 14:45:37   Funny thing about me is that all I use is an antenna and I own a technical services company that provides services for cable companies. I started working for cable TV companies in 1980 the same day that CNN first turned on [Reply]  [No Email]
TomgaI 01-25-2013 17:38:18 166.205.55.37 Report to Moderator	Re: Another TV question: in reply to Dick, 01-24-2013 14:45:37   Have an old antenna, missing a couple of arms, but still get about 20 channels. We watch a lot of the old stuff and PBS. I usually watch the morning news from Atlanta and the weather. Nothing on TV worth paying for in my opinion. [Reply]  [No Email]
ShadetreeRet 01-25-2013 12:38:35 184.4.20.29 Report to Moderator	Re: Another TV question: in reply to Dick, 01-24-2013 14:45:37   I am like several others here, I don't have dish or satellite, and never will. I just ain't gonna shell out that kind of money no more TV than I watch. Funny, though, when they went digital, I lost PBS, and when it rains or is windy, it messes up the picture. I have one set on outside antenna, and there are two others with wabbit ears. Been intending to purchase a new outside antenna and stick it about 30 feet in the air. [Reply]  [No Email]
Jon Hagen 01-25-2013 12:15:02 69.26.17.61 Report to Moderator	Re: Another TV question: in reply to Dick, 01-24-2013 14:45:37   We have both"Dish" satellite and an outdoor antenna. Dish puts several local stations on our dish package, but I need the outdoor antenna to get the local 24 hour / day weather channel and 4 extra PBS feeds. Supprising that the antenna feed from stations 100-150 miles distant will keep working in rain or snow conditions that blank out Dish TV. The digital changeover was a good deal for us. We went from 1 good and 2 snowy analog channels to 7 crystal clear digital channels. Outdoor antenna is on a 30 ft tower. Oddly, the 4 pbs channels are the strongest and are aimed at the side of the antenna ?? I suspect PBS is running a heap of watts in those 4 channels [Reply]  [No Email]
johnlobb 01-25-2013 09:42:58 67.142.181.25 Report to Moderator	Re: Another TV question: in reply to Dick, 01-24-2013 14:45:37   We do not own a television so we have no problems with reception.. [Reply]  [No Email]
BAnNC 01-25-2013 07:45:48 98.94.132.238 Report to Moderator	Re: Another TV question: in reply to Dick, 01-24-2013 14:45:37   Got a RV antenna hung on a rotor in the attic. Even in the mountains, receives 12 different channels. That's enough. [Reply]  [No Email]
Russ from MN 01-25-2013 06:26:46 68.235.89.10 Report to Moderator	Re: Another TV question: in reply to Dick, 01-24-2013 14:45:37   We have an antenna at the cabin, much better reception since the change to digital. We have a rotor as we have 2 options, Fargo TV from Lake of the woods county or Duluth TV from Koochiching county. I still get 2 analog channels in my fish house on lake Bemidji! [Reply]  [No Email]
kito169 01-25-2013 05:53:28 173.184.27.61 Report to Moderator	Re: Another TV question: in reply to Dick, 01-24-2013 14:45:37   I use the rabbit ears antenna that I have used for years. With analog tv I got all the Dallas stations (60 mi) and all the Waco (30 mi) stations. 2 years ago we moed to Waco and just used satellite. 3 months ago wife kicked me out so I moved back into the old house. I got it, she got the new one (that is fine with me). I decided to try the rabbit ears again as money is tight now. I put them in the attic and ran rg-6 coax with spitters on it. I still get all the Dallas stations and all the Waco stations. I have one new digital hd tv and one analog that I still have to use the converter box on. I still had the converter box stored in a closet here. I get excellent reception. I mentioned this to my son and he told me that the digital antenna thing was just a marketing ploy. I believe that. Rick [Reply]  [No Email]
Mike M 01-25-2013 05:28:56 24.140.0.120 Report to Moderator	Re: Another TV question: in reply to Dick, 01-24-2013 14:45:37   Up until December we did. Wife got Direct TV and internet. No wonder she is always broke !!! I was happy with the old antenna. Then the government forced you to do without or go digital.Yet another expense I didn't want or need ! I never was really happy with the digital storms effected it too much. [Reply]  [No Email]
David G 01-24-2013 20:22:52 205.215.206.18 Report to Moderator	Re: Another TV question: in reply to Dick, 01-24-2013 14:45:37   I have one in the attic, no cable or dish. We get 10-15 channels. [Reply]  [No Email]
Dusty MI 01-25-2013 04:36:56 76.250.62.134 Report to Moderator	Re: Another TV question: in reply to David G, 01-24-2013 20:22:52   We use an omnidirectional disc antenna. It was on the top of a 1-1/2 story house, about 30 feet. Then we moved and it was about 7-1/2 feet off the ground. No reception. I fastened it to the top of the 1 story house, about 18 feed, pulled in a couple of channels but not very good. I raised it another 8 feet. Good reception now, like it was before we moved. We only moved 8 miles. Dusty [Reply]  [No Email]
Stephen Newell 01-24-2013 19:20:22 66.53.80.112 Report to Moderator	Re: Another TV question: in reply to Dick, 01-24-2013 14:45:37   We use broadcast television. At one time we tried a satelite service but everytime there was a cloudy day the service was down so we went back to broadcast. We got tired of the service anyway. They would put just a few shows on each month and run them over and over so that got old. Then the satelite service didn't include our local stations. [Reply]  [No Email]
Tramway Guy 01-24-2013 18:25:17 65.127.215.58 Report to Moderator	Re: Another TV question: in reply to Dick, 01-24-2013 14:45:37   We have Satellite, but still use an antenna to get the local channels; the Directv DVR has a tuner and can record the programming from the antenna that way. We get 7 locals. [Reply]  [No Email]
RayP(MI) 01-24-2013 18:09:43 207.241.137.116 Report to Moderator	Re: Another TV question: in reply to Dick, 01-24-2013 14:45:37   We're still using broadcast only TV. No cable here, even near here, and unless they have more customer density, probably never will. I'll be darned if I'm going to pay for satellite TV. Still have one of the big dishes in the back yard, but that 's out moded too. We get four networks, and a few miscellaneous secondary channels, but since they went digital, reception can be iffy, once in a while. Lots of nights, there's nothing I care to watch anyway. [Reply]  [No Email]
PJH 01-24-2013 18:09:21 50.40.255.30 Report to Moderator	Re: Another TV question: in reply to Dick, 01-24-2013 14:45:37   We have an old ratty outside antenna. No cable or satellite. We turn the weather on in the morning, then right back off, sometimes weather again at noon to see if anything has changed, and then about 10 PM to see it once more, just like it might make some kind of difference. I have to admit that we like to watch the Columbo re-runs, and some show about a guy named Monk, but as far as I'm concerned, the rest is mindless drivel. We had satellite for a few years until we finally realized it was nothing but trash. One of my main gripes about cable/satellite TV was there's always some smart a$$ telling you how to think. I like to think for myself, without anyone else’s influence. [Reply]  [No Email]
Dick 01-24-2013 18:52:37 64.184.244.225 Report to Moderator	Re: Another TV question: in reply to PJH, 01-24-2013 18:09:21   I'm with you PJH. I like Monk, Columbo and other old programs like Leave it to Beaver and Burns and Allen. I get 5 local (30 miles away) stations for the news channels and the rest of them are all garbage for the most part. PBS is probably my favorite with Nature, Nova and Frontline and a few others. Since I'm an Apple man I someday hope to get a flat screen so I can get an Apple TV box. I guess as long as my big TV (27") is working ok I'll wait until a great deal comes along for a new flat screen. All I want is at the most is a 32" screen, my eye sight is still ok. If I want to see a movie on a big screen, I'll go to the theater on tightwad Tuesday. [Reply]  [No Email]
Samuels68 01-24-2013 17:56:49 173.215.11.129 Report to Moderator	Re: Another TV question: in reply to Dick, 01-24-2013 14:45:37   We still have antenna tv, or as my friends call it "amish TV." With an amplified antenna in the upstairs bedroom we can get about 16 channels, but only get about 10 down in the living room with no amplifier. Neighbor with a rooftop claims to get 50, but I can't quite believe that one. [Reply]  [No Email]
bob in oakboro 01-24-2013 16:46:03 166.82.157.222 Report to Moderator	Re: Another TV question: in reply to Dick, 01-24-2013 14:45:37   I have used an antenna for about 7 years. Since tv went digital the picture has been much better. Only get 6 channels. But they are HD channels. Very little sports, but I do get the evening news. [Reply]  [No Email]
Gambles 01-24-2013 16:44:22 24.246.215.127 Report to Moderator	Re: Another TV question: in reply to Dick, 01-24-2013 14:45:37   We used to have satellite TV, but the bill slowly crept up to about $80 a month and we didn't subscribe to any premium channels, such as HBO, Showtime, or Cinemax and we didn't buy any movies either. Our kids used to watch some stupid, mindless shows that were geared down to the mentality of a 6 year old. We stopped paying for satellite, put up an antenna and just watch broadcast TV or occasionally a DVD. The kids whined for about a week, but then started reading books and doing more homework. My daughter got high enough grades that she is getting a free ride to a state university school. My oldest son, a junior in high school, scored high enough on the ACT that he gets about 5 offers every week from colleges. I will admit that I miss my Monday Night Football, but it's a small price to pay. [Reply]  [No Email]
Ultradog MN 01-24-2013 18:01:49 184.100.109.75 Report to Moderator	Re: Another TV question: in reply to Gambles, 01-24-2013 16:44:22   Great post Gambles. Thanks. [Reply]  [No Email]
Russ from MN 01-25-2013 06:20:57 68.235.89.10 Report to Moderator	Re: Another TV question: in reply to Ultradog MN, 01-24-2013 18:01:49   Great post, I always tell my wife I would of been valedictorian instead of her if it wouldn't of been for TV! We graduated in the same class. [Reply]  [No Email]
Fawteen 01-24-2013 16:28:23 72.65.99.223 Report to Moderator	Re: Another TV question: in reply to Dick, 01-24-2013 14:45:37   I'm so far out in the puckerbrush that antennas are just not an option. Even back in Analog days, I was in a fringe area and counted myself lucky to get The Big Three and PBS. Now that it's all digital, it's a no-go. If it wasn't for SWMBO, I wouldn't even have satellite. I can get all the news I need on the 'net, and with movie rentals at least you have SOME choice. [Reply]  [No Email]
Diydave 01-24-2013 16:08:03 96.244.163.33 Report to Moderator	Re: Another TV question: in reply to Dick, 01-24-2013 14:45:37   Down at the shop, I put up one of Radio shak's outdoor digital antennas, for $ 50 bucks, I get about 50 channels. Most of the time, it's just like cable. nothin worth watchin! My favorite is ME tv channel, with all the old reruns! [Reply]  [No Email]
Indiana Ken 01-24-2013 16:05:29 66.249.232.131 Report to Moderator	Re: Another TV question: in reply to Dick, 01-24-2013 14:45:37   I use an antenna. With the big switch to digital I had to upgrade to an amplified antenna - it is no big deal and sits on top of a cabinet in the kitchen. I get 4 - 5 stations and several versions of each. I use the TV to watch the news if there is something that interests me. Last time the TV was on was several months back. The radio works for me - you can listen and get something done at the same time. [Reply]  [No Email]
ss55 01-24-2013 16:04:12 173.31.19.80 Report to Moderator	Re: Another TV question: in reply to Dick, 01-24-2013 14:45:37   I put up a TV antenna and dropped cable TV about five years ago. It paid for itself in four months. If you have a good internet connection you can still stream most popular cable and over-the-air TV shows from the original broadcasters' websites. You just have to watch the original commercials that were broadcast with the show. Other good sites for movies & TV are: tv.com (free) hulu.com (free) netflix.com ($10/month for streaming) A Roku box has access to many more free TV and movie sites. Some Blu-Ray players do too. Most colleges and many high school sports teams stream free live radio broadcast of their major ball games. [Reply]  [No Email]
big fred 01-24-2013 15:17:32 97.113.9.189 Report to Moderator	Re: Another TV question: in reply to Dick, 01-24-2013 14:45:37   We have antenna only at our vacation home. We get one channel, Riverside County PBS. About the only thing worth watching is Huell Howser, so we use our teevee mostly for DVDs. No internet. [Reply]  [No Email]
Dick2 01-24-2013 15:15:08 174.19.205.113 Report to Moderator	Re: Another TV question: in reply to Dick, 01-24-2013 14:45:37   I put up a fairly large antenna when we lived 60 miles from the transmitters and pulled in 30 some channels from Phoenix and Tucson stations. We moved to about 12 miles from the transmitters and pull in 70 channels with just a small antenna on the back wall of the house. Whenever we are where there is cable, we go around 150 - 200 channels and can't find anything that we want to watch, so we certainly wouldn't pay money to have that kind of TV. We don't like the over abundance of re-runs and old black and white movies that are on cable. We receive the pure digital signals broadcast by the stations, not signals that have been compressed and then expanded like cable or satelite. [Reply]  [No Email]
hanovertom 01-24-2013 15:14:51 96.228.0.201 Report to Moderator	Re: Another TV question: in reply to Dick, 01-24-2013 14:45:37   I have never had cable, only over the air. We get CBS, NBC,ABC, Fox and PBS plus several others. Occasionally there is something on cable(like VCU Basketball tonight) that I can not get, but will listen on radio and read about tomorrow. Maybe I am cheap, but why should I pay to watch something AND pay to see the commercials! [Reply]  [No Email]
paul 01-24-2013 14:58:39 66.60.223.232 Report to Moderator	Re: Another TV question: in reply to Dick, 01-24-2013 14:45:37   Sounds right to me. My 15 year old antennea or the coax coming down musta went bad, I am missing ABC, which also had ME, THIS, ANTENNEA, and some other. Those were about the best - reruns from 30-40 uears ago.... Gotta go check the roof, but a little warmer day.... --->Paul [Reply]  [No Email]
Hoenes 01-24-2013 19:01:29 75.121.58.30 Report to Moderator	Re: Another TV question: in reply to paul, 01-24-2013 14:58:39   Paul, I went through the same thing last year. I doubt the antenna is bad. I tried indoor antenna for quick fix, same problem. Turns out it was the cable, had loose ends from too much movement. Replaced coax cable from tv to roof, looks like brand new antenna.(picture) We do buy netflix and hulu plus to substitute for cable. 8 dollars each per month. [Reply]  [No Email]
mozark1 01-24-2013 14:54:53 64.22.251.130 Report to Moderator	Re: Another TV question: in reply to Dick, 01-24-2013 14:45:37   Same here, I get 14 channels, I could get a couple more if I put in an amp. I would like the Discovery channel, History channel, and maybe an old movie channel, but its not worth what you have to pay to get those. [Reply]  [No Email]