Can I ditch CATV

[FunGuy]

Greetings from Colorado. I have had it with my cable company. I ran the TV signal locator on this site and was encouraged but when I checked on some government site it looks like I will receive very little aside from a ton of religious progamming which I have no interest in. So here is my link. Can those of you in the know let me know if I can get some decent HD and what equipment I would NEED?

http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%3d46ae1800de47c0


Many thanks in advance

[ADTech]

Your TVFool plot suggests that, as long as there are no immediate signal obstacles such as trees or buildings in your signal path back to Denver, reception should be moderately simple with a medium-sized 7-51 antenna. If you have other requirements, then perhaps a rotor with a larger antenna might be suggested.

You will have to more clearly define your wants and needs to see what is necessary.

[teleview]

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A Very Simple Reception Situation That Will Receive , 20 Plus , LOS=Line Of Sight , Easy to Receive , Digital Broadcast Tv Stations.

And even more Digital Tv Channels.

Above the roof in such a manner that the reception is not , obstructed , impeded , blocked , by the roof and building in the directions of , South West / South / South East , North / North West.

Install a ANT751 antenna aimed at about , 150 degree magnetic compass direction.

Here is how to aim antennas , www.kyes.com/antenna/pointing/pointing.html .

Use a Real and Actual magnetic compass to aim antenna.

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A antenna system amplifier is not required.

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For 1Tv connected use No splitter.

For 2 Tv's connected use a simple common 2 way splitter.

For 3 Tv's connected use a simple common 3 way splitter.

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The Tv/s Must Channel Scan for the , OTA=Over The Air , Digital Broadcast Tv Stations Channels , often named the ~ DTV Channels ~ Air Channels ~ Antenna Channels ~ in the Tv Setup Menu because the Tv transmissions travel through the Air from the transmitting antenna to the receiving antenna.

Some digital Tv's will Automatic channel scan for cable Tv channels.

DO NOT channel scan for cable Tv channels.

Go into the Tv Setup Menu and select ~ DTV Channels ~ Air Channels ~ Antenna Channels.

Scan for channels.

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Home Depot and Lowes can have the ANT751 in stock in the store , no mater what the Home Depot and Lowes web sites say.

Here are some more places to buy antennas and etc. .

www.solidsignal.com

www.amazon.com

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As Always , trees and tree leaves , plants and plant leaves , have a Negative Effect on Broadcast Tv Reception.

Here are some Negative Effects.

Absorbing , Blocking , Reception

Multi-Path Reflecting Tv Signals Bouncing Around

And also buildings and other obstructions in the directions of reception.

The Best Practice is to install the antenna at a location that has the least amount to no amount of obstructions of any type or kind on the directions of reception.

[teleview]

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Any active cable service , be it , cable Tv , cable Internet , cable phone service , Must Be on a Separate Coax that is not connected to the antenna / antenna system coaxes.

[FunGuy]

Thank you for the response ADTech. I would like to keep this as simple as possible, a stationary discreet antenna. I want to receive the basic networks, NBC CBS CW and the like. What I am worrying about [/U]is I don't want to get ONLY two normal stations and 21 religious stations like JCTV etc.

There are two trees 100-200 feet south of me. They are about even with my roof height. Don't know how high they will get. I am not certain of the exact line to the transmitter but Denver is south and slightly east. There is also a "ridge about a mile south of my town (Berthoud). I REALLY despise my cable company the Digital Transport Box is the last straw for me. They gotta be kidding with that

Finally I don't see anyone else with a roof antenna. I worry that I waste my time. Tnx again.

[FunGuy]

Teleview I just saw your post now. No Cable for me I hope.

Sounds good but my question remains "I don't want to get ONLY two normal stations and 21 religious stations like JCTV etc."

Your response sounds promising. Just two trees as high as my house in the general direction S/SE. To the NW there are more trees in the picture. Can you give me an idea what types of stations lie to the south?

Thank you VERY much.

[teleview]

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Look the Tvfool channel list.

And you see ALL Network Programing Will Be Received.

NBC

ABC

CBS

PBS

The CW

MyNetwork

FOX

ION Television

And on and on and on all types of Tv Networks.

--->No it is not 21 channels of religion<---

It is in fact Many Many different types and kinds of Networks and Programing.

[GroundUrMast]

The government web tool is often far too conservative. You have a great TV Fool report... If it's based on your true location, not the general area summarized by a ZIP code, you have far better reception available than the average person.

Take a look at the stations network affiliations listed at rabbitears.info, you'll be impressed I think. http://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=KUSA#station

[FunGuy]

OK I think I get the picture. Ah my first OTA pun!!

I used my exact location give or take 60 feet. So let me ask two (maybe) final questions.

Where can I find the names of the specific models of antenna (conservative) that you recommend on this expert forum?

Do You have installers in this area? Berthoud Colorado. I hate working on the roof and I will need a tight install. Gets serious windy here sometimes.

Wish I could buy you folks a beer or burger. You are really helping me.

FunGuy

[teleview]

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Home Depot and Lowes can have the ANT751 , aka , ANT751R antenna in stock in the store no matter what the Home Depot and Lowes web sites say.

Here are more places to buy antennas and etc. .

www.solidsignal.com

www.amazon.com

[GroundUrMast]

Manufacturer Websites:
http://www.antennacraft.net/index.html
http://www.antennasdirect.com/
http://www.channelmaster.com/default.asp
http://www.rcaaudiovideo.com/antennas/
http://www.tinlee.com
http://www.wadeantenna.com
http://www.winegarddirect.com/

Some Retail Vendors:
http://www.3starinc.com/
http://www.amazon.com
http://www.bestbuy.com
http://www.solidsignal.com/c/products.asp?tc=over-the-air-tv-antennas-supplies&mc=03&d=over-the-air-tv-antennas-supplies
http://www.warrenelectronics.com/

Hardly exhaustive... there are certainly other resources.

[FunGuy]

Thanks everyone. I am going to order the antenna tonight and try it in the attic. If that doesn't work well enough I will move it to the roof. Wish me luck. May take me a while to get it installed but I will post my result when I get it done.

EDIT: I am thinking attic so as not to worry about lightning. Should the ant-751 work ok in the attic??

[GroundUrMast]

That depends on your attic... Thankfully, the ANT-751 is small enough that you should not have to work too hard to move it if the attic is a reception black-hole.

[FunGuy]

OK tnx. I will not trouble you folks anymore for a time. I have ordered the antenna. See ya

[StephanieS]

I agree that the government web tool is almost humorously conservative. In my situation, signals I see don't make my reception list or the tool tells me I require a mammoth antenna with a preamp. Those 'requiring' the mammoth antenna do fine with the ANT751. :)

Funguy, I looked at your tvfool plot and thought myself what a fantastic reception situation provided you have an unobstructed view in the direction of the Denver towers. Quite a few people would wish for such a favorable situation!


The government web tool is often far too conservative. You have a great TV Fool report... If it's based on your true location, not the general area summarized by a ZIP code, you have far better reception available than the average person.

Take a look at the stations network affiliations listed at rabbitears.info, you'll be impressed I think. http://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=KUSA#station

[FunGuy]

Thanks SS. I am excited at the possibility to ditch my Cable company. Only obstructions are two trees 100 and 200 feet away. They are about level with my roof. There is a ridge about a mile away also but I don't think that will hurt me.

I will post back when I get set up!!!

[FunGuy]

Well I just tested the antenna on THE FLOOR in my living room and I got more than 30 crystal clear channels. THIRTY! YIPPEE! I was so happy I just started laughing out loud very loudly. Luckily I am alone cause if anyone else was in the house they would have thrown a net over me and called the twinkie wagon.

About half these channels are of no interest to me. I can't wait to see what I get when I put the antenna outside. I was going to put it clear up on the roof but I may just put the mount just below the roof and, perhaps, the top of the antenna just above it.

I suspected I would need a lightning arrestor but now I know I do so I will have to buy that before hooking up the antenna outside.

If I had known I could do this I would have dumped Comcast years ago.

Thanks everyone. I will post back in a couple of weeks when I get a final tally of the number of stations I receive. Good karma to you, you have made me very happy. Oh and thank you Comcast for pushing me too far. I am leaving your nest of thorns.

Guy

[teleview]

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Look at the , Digital Tv Current Plus Pending Applications Included Tvfool report and see that you have receivable Tv stations in the directions of , South West , South , South East , East , North , North West.

Recommend install the antenna above the peak of the in such a manner that the antenna has a good clear view of those directions that is not , obstructed , impeded , blocked , by the roof and building in those directions.

Is also best to avoid trees in those directions , if can have the antenna higher then the the trees then that is better.

[teleview]

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Yes , Digital Broadcast Tv that is received with a , Plain O Low Teck Tv Antenna , has Nice Clear Pictures and Sound that is better then cable Tv and dish network and direct Tv.

[FunGuy]

OK I will likely do as you say teleview but I am very uncomfortable at heights. I was going to pay an installer but I can not find one. I think if folks knew what they were missing a guy/gal good do a fair business installing OTA for people. But then again not everyone would be happy without twelve sports stations or the like.

[teleview]

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Please do not get up on the roof and fall off.

Ask around , I am sure you will find some one that is up on roofs with no problem.

The ANT751 is Light Weight and easy to install , the J pole type mount. 2 Screws will hold the antenna in place.

Even a roofer that installs roofs on houses can install this simple antenna.

Handy Man , guys and gals are often up on roofs.

Heating and air conditioning guys and gals are often up on roofs.

[teleview]

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The December 2013 Consumer Reports , page 42 , has a to the point easy to understand artical about , Internet Streaming Media Players and recommendations , Internet Tv services such as , Netflix and Hulu+ , are Low Dollars and have a lot of Programing.

[tomfoolery]

OK I will likely do as you say teleview but I am very uncomfortable at heights. I was going to pay an installer but I can not find one.

A quick google search turned up one in Thornton. I don't know what the policy is here for posting links to businesses like that, so I won't test it, but you can search on 'Berthoud CO tv antenna installer' will get you the same results.

But a roofer would probably be just as capable of mounting a J-pole and antenna, as long as you're doing the wiring.

Just make sure whomever you hire, assuming you do hire someone, has insurance including and especially worker's comp.

[teleview]

I do antenna installs and a lot more and have for many , many , many , many , many , many , years , and I do not have insurance or workers comp. .

Many people do odd jobs on the side or are retired and stay busy doing what make them happy and do not have insurance or workers comp. .

It is the way life is , we do what we do.

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There was a time when I did research to recommend Tv antenna installers.

I stopped doing it.

Why??

To many reports of "tv antenna installers" installing wrong antennas and or selling people on the Cheap China Junk antennas and outright ripping people off.

[StephanieS]

This is a really important point.

If you are going to tackle an antenna install on your roof by yourself, make sure you have the tools, comfort level and knowledge to not fall off. Those of us in more northern states can vouch that rooves with a steep incline can be especially prone to danger. One wrong shift of your weight at 25' above ground, and a chain reaction may ensue.

My roof is the steepest I've ever worked on. Each step I make I have to consciously be aware of my weight and balance.

Hiring an installer sounds like the right move for you. If you have any question or are queasy going up, don't even try. Hire the job out.

SS



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Please do not get up on the roof and fall off.

[FunGuy]

Wow thanks everyone for your good advice and concerns. Tom I believe the installer in Thornton is the one I tried to contact. He says that an installation is not worth it for him to come up this far north. I should be OK If I go up there I will be cautious. I am going to look some more for an installer maybe a dish installer. I want to be sure that the antenna is properly grounded also which is big part of my hesitation. I am not sure how to install the arrestor.

I didn't mean to throw up such a red flag. Thanks again all for your concern and advice. I can do this I just won't like it :)

[FunGuy]

OK good folks. I put the antenna in the attic. I have ordered the 75 ohm lightning arrestor but it was just too easy to put in the attic. I found wires ready for hook-up there. I could not find anyone in the satellite dish or similar work in this area that would install the antenna on the roof for me. Maybe in the spring I will put it up on the roof. For now I am satisfied. JUST GOT OFF THE PHONE with Comcast. They are diconnected!!!

I hope I will keep my plan to re-locate to the roof but you all know how those plans can get lost to the staus quo.

Thanks everybody. Really........Thanks and Happy Holidays

[teleview]

If you - were - like most people that are paying $100.00 a month for cable or satellite , you now have $1200.00 more a year in your pocket.

And Yes you can install the antenna above the roof at a later date , now that you see how really easy it will be.

[FunGuy]

I had basic so my savings will be lower. Started out about 25 years ago paying $10 per month. Has gone up to $27 now plus they took away discover and the aforementioned degradation in signal and such. I will put that $325 to much better use getting ready for my retirement in a few short years.

I feel like knocking on my neighbors doors to tell them to get rid of cable and dish but they probably like the stuff on TV or want 10 sports channels.

[teleview]

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If the antenna is above the roof in plain sight for best reception.

The neighbors will be asking you about the Tv reception and you can show them all the channels and the clear pictures.

It is Great Fun and Pride to show it all.

[FunGuy]

Hah, one more incentive to move it up to the roof next spring! I have to admit I am feeling down right smart about this. I probably need to run over the garbage can or something to get my ego back in line.

[teleview]

Thank you

A smile to my face and a happy laugh.

A good kind of pride is Ok.