Community Champion ⭐

Over the Air TV - (With an antenna)

Forum|Forum|2 years ago
December 6, 2023
31 replies
13883 views

I don't see any other subtopics under Technology other than "Computer Questions & Tips"

Am I the only one here that may still watch TV over the air with an antenna @ no cost still on local channels? I don't see the subject brought up. I always did this up until a few years ago when Fedzilla sold off the last group of Channel allocations to CellCo for some milk money that is obviously blown already. This last "repack" of channels has made this difficult to do, & also prevented my area from having a NextGen TV Channel allocation for ATSC 3 (broadcast in 4K HD).

Plus my HOA had banned Roof antennas, as of 2014, placing mine now in the attic, which was sufficient before this last channel repack.

DirkB349973

Conversationalist ⭐

We use a passive Antennas Direct DB8 that looks something like this. Local channels are free but we pay for several streaming services.

Tempest332Author

Community Champion ⭐

That's the 4 Bay, but UHF only I see (Physical Channels 14-36). I still have 2 channels on VHF Hi. (Physical RF Channels 8 & 10), these lower channels are susceptible to electrical interference.

My HOA board decided that there was no such thing as "free Television" after 2009 thus did not want antennas, yet are OK with cable companies wiring running all over the siding. I have never paid for TV other than paying for the internet for some of the free streaming. I have my older Radio Shack 90 mile Yagi antenna laying in the attic now. It was doing a sufficient job until the last repack.

Much prefer the Older flat screens, tuners were better, & then applying my own choice of streaming device.

cat0w

Conversationalist ⭐⭐⭐

@Tempest332

How are you connected to the internet so that you can post here?

DirkB349973

Conversationalist ⭐

T-Mobile home internet is a cellular modem that provides WiFi to the the house. There are also fiber options, but they are more expensive.

Tempest332Author

Community Champion ⭐

When the clock strikes midnight on New Year's Eve, there will be some changes on the diginet landscape (Subchannels on OTA TV)

The country music/blue collar network Circle will to end operations. Circle will move over as a Streaming App on Roku or possibly other devices.

However, Gray TV and Warner Brothers Discovery are collaborating to create 2 new diginets to debut on 1/1/24.

The 365 - Black oriented programming (ala Bounce)
Outlaw - Westerns.

D

DeanM807970

Contributor ⭐

I posted a blog on the dvr options for OTA;

https://morgansoftblog.blogspot.com/2024/02/tablo-gen4-vs-hdhomerun-flex-duo-2.html

Tempest332Author

Community Champion ⭐

@DeanM807970 I believe you have to have internet with the HomeRun, I inherited a ChannelMaster DVR, Internet is not a requirement to get a guide, (but I think it had an internet option). I actually need to get that running, I want to see how well the Tuner works, not all tuners are created equal.

No real rating on tuners, since everyone has cable or streams they cut corners on that, I wish I could purchase the tuner as a separate component.

SummerOnTheWay1

Community Champion ⭐⭐⭐

📎 (2/24/24) A very interesting topic and read all the responses @Tempest332 ! I grew up on ANTENNAS that sat ON TOP of "black & white" televisions. At age 66 this year, I do not own a TV - have NOT for years. I watch what I like on my Android 😎

Tempest332Author

Community Champion ⭐

You watch TV on that little thing? I just sold my antique 1978 Black & White CRT TV, that was inb pristine condition, actually used it as a backup as recently as 2012 with a converter box.

D

DeanM807970

Contributor ⭐

You should push back on the HOA, since that is technically against the law. They cannot block you from putting an antenna on your home.

The rule (47 C.F.R. Section 1.4000) took effect in October 1996. The Commission has modified the rule three times since then. The rule prohibits restrictions that impair the installation, maintenance or use of antennas used to receive video programming and certain antennas used to receive or transmit fixed wireless signals. The rule applies to certain antennas, including direct-to-home satellite dishes that are less than one meter (39.37") in diameter (or of any size in Alaska), TV antennas, wireless cable, and certain fixed wireless antennas. The rule prohibits most restrictions that: (1) unreasonably delay or prevent installation, maintenance or use; (2) unreasonably increase the cost of installation, maintenance or use; or (3) preclude reception of an acceptable quality signal.

Tempest332Author

Community Champion ⭐

Already know of the OTARD rule, their loophole for the roof & siding is the HOA is suppose to be maintaining these as to be in uniform & color. When I moved in my place did have the roof antenna. This was actually a factor in my purchase, along with the community pool. The pool has been closed. along with the antennas being removed. Our HOA board "experts" believe TV is now a utility, & the roof antenna install compromises the integrity of the roof (even if I sign a waver making me responsible for the maintenance).

Lesson learned do not deal with the evils of most HOA's. I need to repair some of the wiring to the attic, add an amplifier, & I should be good to go, or at least in a bit better shape than I'm in anyway.

Tempest332Author

Community Champion ⭐

My ATSC3 Lighthouse will be lighting up in a couple of days, unfortunately I will lose that channel as it was one of my powerhouses on Low UHF. I will not invest the $200 yet to see if they are going to DRM encrypt my local channels on it (Scrambling the signal for pay TV). I was hoping they would select one of the high VHF channels for the lighthouse.

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