The #1 thing I recommend when cord cutting is purchasing an antenna.
Earlier in the year, I was following this cord cutting blogger (with a major tech website) who was lamenting the fact that she couldn't watch the Oscars.
Several people commented and said, "Buy a $10 antenna at the store."
The blogger replied by saying she felt having an antenna defeated the point of "cord cutting."
(This is where I rolled my eyes).
She still had hi-speed Internet to power the various streaming services she used.
Cord cutting is just a term to refer to people who eliminate subscription cable/satellite TV packages. It isn't "code" for only using the Internet to stream programming.
Many of you stream content alongside your subscription TV service.
There are a number of cord cutters in the Omaha-metro area I know who are like the blogger mentioned above. They subsist on Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Hulu.
Great. Fine. If it works for you, I'm not gonna judge.
I Remember What It Was Like Before Cable
As if I need another reason to point out that I am getting old...
Cable didn't come to our neighborhood until 1981 or so.
I was incredibly envious of my friends who had basic cable at the time. Especially when they talked about watching "USA Network's Cartoon Express" after school.
We didn't get basic cable until 1988, when I was in high school.
(I wasn't too broken up about it because I had a VCR and TV of my own...before any of my friends.)
The concept of living without cable television isn't foreign to me. I did it for the first 16 years of my life...
...and hasn't bothered me being without it the past 14 months.
The cool thing is that over-the-air television broadcasts today feature hi-definition digital programming, Dolby Digital 5.1 sound, and don't suffer from the picture issues that plagued the old analog broadcasts. And it is all available for free.
It Is An Art As Much As It Is a Science
Okay, so you are thinking about trying an antenna.
I recommend trying to live as a "cord cutter" before you cut any subscription services. It takes some getting used to, and might not be the right choice for your household.
Start out with an inexpensive set-top antenna. They can be solid performers, and often offer better results than their more expensive counterparts.
You can determine how far you are from your city's TV towers by visiting antennaweb.org. Punch in your address or zip code and the site will give you a map detailing how far you are from the towers, what angle they are from your house (so you can point an antenna that direction), and get information on what type of antenna you'd need to pick up a particular channel.
Antennas sold today have a "mile range" description on the box (or in the "product description," if you purchase online).
When it comes to antennas, there are both directional and multi/omni-directional models. It is typically labeled on the box (or in the "product description" if you purchase online).
Directional antennas generally perform better if they are pointed toward the TV towers. Omni-directional antennas are said to perform equally well regardless of the position (but my experience is that placement is important regardless of the type used).
I've used the flat, "leaf-style" antennas, bow tie antennas, and "rabbit ear" antennas, but there are other styles available.
The set-top models on the market today come in both amplified and non-amplified varieties.
With these small indoor antennas, I recommend either purchasing an amplified antenna, or purchasing a separate amplifier to go with your non-amplified antenna.
Unless you are within a couple miles of a TV tower, the set-top type antennas benefit from a bit of amplification (The amplifier is a device that plugs into a wall outlet or the USB port on your TV. It uses a small amount of electrical current to help "boost" the signal).
As if I need another reason to point out that I am getting old...
Cable didn't come to our neighborhood until 1981 or so.
I was incredibly envious of my friends who had basic cable at the time. Especially when they talked about watching "USA Network's Cartoon Express" after school.
We didn't get basic cable until 1988, when I was in high school.
(I wasn't too broken up about it because I had a VCR and TV of my own...before any of my friends.)
The concept of living without cable television isn't foreign to me. I did it for the first 16 years of my life...
...and hasn't bothered me being without it the past 14 months.
The cool thing is that over-the-air television broadcasts today feature hi-definition digital programming, Dolby Digital 5.1 sound, and don't suffer from the picture issues that plagued the old analog broadcasts. And it is all available for free.
It Is An Art As Much As It Is a Science
Okay, so you are thinking about trying an antenna.
I recommend trying to live as a "cord cutter" before you cut any subscription services. It takes some getting used to, and might not be the right choice for your household.
Start out with an inexpensive set-top antenna. They can be solid performers, and often offer better results than their more expensive counterparts.
You can determine how far you are from your city's TV towers by visiting antennaweb.org. Punch in your address or zip code and the site will give you a map detailing how far you are from the towers, what angle they are from your house (so you can point an antenna that direction), and get information on what type of antenna you'd need to pick up a particular channel.
Antennas sold today have a "mile range" description on the box (or in the "product description," if you purchase online).
When it comes to antennas, there are both directional and multi/omni-directional models. It is typically labeled on the box (or in the "product description" if you purchase online).
Directional antennas generally perform better if they are pointed toward the TV towers. Omni-directional antennas are said to perform equally well regardless of the position (but my experience is that placement is important regardless of the type used).
I've used the flat, "leaf-style" antennas, bow tie antennas, and "rabbit ear" antennas, but there are other styles available.
The set-top models on the market today come in both amplified and non-amplified varieties.
With these small indoor antennas, I recommend either purchasing an amplified antenna, or purchasing a separate amplifier to go with your non-amplified antenna.
Unless you are within a couple miles of a TV tower, the set-top type antennas benefit from a bit of amplification (The amplifier is a device that plugs into a wall outlet or the USB port on your TV. It uses a small amount of electrical current to help "boost" the signal).
Some argue that amplified antennas can be counter productive in certain instances because they can provide too much signal and keep channels from tuning in. But that is only if you have a particularly strong signal (most HDTVs have a signal meter built in, which we will get to in a moment).
The trick with any of these antennas is placement. Generally speaking, the higher you can get in a room the better, and it is often recommended that you put them close to a window.
As I suggested in the title of the section, "it is an art as much as it is a science." Basically, you'll find that antennas can perform well in a variety of spots.
In Omaha (where I live), the signals broadcast are relatively strong. The main towers are at 72nd and Crown Point for KETV (ABC), KMTV (CBS), WOWT (NBC). The KPTM (Fox) and KXVO (CW) tower is just west of Springfield, NE.
NET's (PBS) tower in Omaha is on the UNO campus.
Hooking It Up, Scanning for Channels, Looking at Signal Quality
Antennas are designed to be connected to a TV via the coaxial jack (sometimes called the "F" connector). If the antenna comes with a built-in coaxial cable, you can just hook it up.
If you choose an amplified antenna (or add an amplifier to your passive antenna), you would hook up the amplifier to the coaxial jack, connect it to the power source (outlet or USB port), then hook the antenna into the amplifier.
Note: Different models have different setups, so consult the instructions with the antenna.
Once the antenna is connected, you can go to the menu/setting area on your TV and set the channel source as "Antenna" (consult your user manual).
You can then scan for channels. In the Omaha area, the following over-the-air channels are available:
3-1 - KMTV (CBS, HD)
3-2 - LAFF (Comedy-based programming)
3-3 - Escape (Mystery and crime programming)
6-1 - WOWT (NBC, HD)
6-2 - Cozi TV (Classic TV shows and movies - NBCUniversal owned)
6-3 - AntennaTV (Classic TV shows)
7-1 - KETV (ABC, HD)
7-2 - MeTV (Classic TV shows)
12-1 - NET (PBS, HD)
12-2 - NET World
12-3 - NET Create
15-1 - KXVO (CW, HD)
15-2 - This TV (Movies)
15-3 - Grit TV (Action movies, westerns and classic TV shows)
26-1 - NET (PBS, HD)
26-2 - NET World
26-3 - NET Create
32-1 - KBIN (Iowa Public TV, PBS, HD)
32-2 - KBINSD1 (IPTV Learn, Create, PBS Kids)
32-3 - KBINSD2 (World)
42-1 - KPTM (Fox, HD)
42-2 - MyNet/This (Movies and classic TV shows)
42-3 - Comet (SciFi and fantasy programming)
48-1 - KOHA (Daystar - Christian programming, HD)
The number of channels you will receive depends on a variety of factors. The Iowa Public TV signal, for example, is hard to get reliably with a typical antenna in western parts of the city.
I have generally been able to tune all but Iowa Public TV (32-1 to 32-3) consistently with the various set-top antennas I have used and tested.
In addition, your TV may tell you how strong your signals are. Some TVs have an indicator that shows "bars" (like a cell phone) in the channel info section. Other TVs have a system information section in the menu area that will indicate "Signal Quality" (with a number between 1 and 100 -- 100 being the best) when you are on a particular channel.
A benefit of over-the-air HD signals is that they are uncompressed, which means you are getting the best possible resolution available.
(Note: if you are using an older TV -- something made 10-15 years ago -- you might need a digital converter box to use a digital antenna).
What Kind of Set-Top Antenna Do I Like the Best?
There are positive and negative aspects to each antenna type.
The "leaf style" antennas -- such as those by Mohu or the 1ByOne antenna pictured below -- are multi/omni-directional antennas. They come in amplified and non-amplified varieties.
The 1ByOne antenna is a decent antenna, includes an amplifier, and is affordable on Amazon.com.
I've had really good luck using various "rabbit ear" style antennas. Most of them don't come with an amplifier, but you can purchase this RCA Amplifier at a variety of big box, home improvement, and online stores.
While I realize the "rabbit ears" don't look as sleek and modern as some other styles, they have been in use for many years, and they have a proven track record tuning in over-the-air TV signals.
I also like bow-tie-style antennas. The RCA model pictured below works pretty well (with the addition of an amplifier) in our location. It isn't exactly a bow tie shape, but it is close. I have a couple old Radio Shack bow tie antennas I really like, and I'll focus on those in a "homebrew antenna" post down the road.
As I said earlier, I would start with a moderately priced antenna and work from there. It is very possible you'll be happy with the results right out of the box.
The Spirit of Adventure
You have to be willing to try different things in this process, but it is a worthwhile adventure.
Depending on your location it could take a bit of tweaking to get the right setup, but there are plenty of resources available, and the various antenna manufacturers have toll-free numbers you can call if you need assistance.
You really don't have anything to lose in the process. It is a nominal amount of money spent that can yield cost saving results.
I was watching a video on YouTube recently where one particular cord cutter (and antenna fan) said he'd been without pay TV for the past 10 years, and estimated he'd saved $12,000 ($100 per month) during that time.
In the past week, these are some of sports broadcasts I was able to watch for free with the over-the-air antennas in our home:
College Football
High School Football
NFL Football
Golf
While not as comprehensive as a multi-tiered cable or satellite package, it is a decent amount of sports programming to get with an antenna.
This weekend, the Nebraska-Oregon game will be available on ABC to antenna users in the Omaha-area.
If you solely stream programming to your TV, it is a game you might miss.
Antennas were what people used to use to receive television programming. The idea of paying was a foreign concept for a number of years.
Unfortunately, the past 30 years has changed the paradigm to the point where many consumers don't realize you can get free broadcast television.
As a result, prices for cable and satellite subscriptions have continued to rise.
I think that is why we are seeing a renewed interest in antenna use. There is a better slate of programming available today for antenna users than at any time in history.
Depending on your location it could take a bit of tweaking to get the right setup, but there are plenty of resources available, and the various antenna manufacturers have toll-free numbers you can call if you need assistance.
You really don't have anything to lose in the process. It is a nominal amount of money spent that can yield cost saving results.
I was watching a video on YouTube recently where one particular cord cutter (and antenna fan) said he'd been without pay TV for the past 10 years, and estimated he'd saved $12,000 ($100 per month) during that time.
In the past week, these are some of sports broadcasts I was able to watch for free with the over-the-air antennas in our home:
College Football
- Notre Dame vs Texas - ABC
- Central Florida at Michigan - ABC
- Tulsa at Ohio State - ABC
- Nevada at Notre Dame - NBC
- Virginia Tech vs Tennessee - ABC
- Kentucky at Florida - CBS
- BYU at Utah - Fox
- North Dakota at Bowling Green - ASN (15-2 KXVO Subchannel)
- Georgia Southern at S. Alabama - ASN (15-2 KXVO Subchannel)
High School Football
- Lincoln Pius X at Millard South KXVO Game of the Week (KXVO)
NFL Football
- Carolina at Denver - NBC
- Green Bay at Jacksonville - Fox
- NY Giants at Dallas - Fox
- San Diego at Kansas City - NBC
- New England at Arizona - NBC
Golf
- PGA Tour Golf: BMW Championship - NBC
While not as comprehensive as a multi-tiered cable or satellite package, it is a decent amount of sports programming to get with an antenna.
This weekend, the Nebraska-Oregon game will be available on ABC to antenna users in the Omaha-area.
If you solely stream programming to your TV, it is a game you might miss.
Antennas were what people used to use to receive television programming. The idea of paying was a foreign concept for a number of years.
Unfortunately, the past 30 years has changed the paradigm to the point where many consumers don't realize you can get free broadcast television.
As a result, prices for cable and satellite subscriptions have continued to rise.
I think that is why we are seeing a renewed interest in antenna use. There is a better slate of programming available today for antenna users than at any time in history.
Read yesterday's blog post: Pop Culture Influences of 9/11
If you invest money in an outdoor or rooftop antenna, it is possible to stretch your range significantly. At my old house, I used a couple of Antennas Direct UHF arrays. One was pointed towards 72nd & Military for 3, 6 and 7, and the other pointed towards Gretna for 15 and 42. 26 usually found it's way through while the amplifier got me decent coverage of 32. Sometimes Red Oak's Iowa Public channel 36 came through as well.
ReplyDeleteMy previous house was in a bit of a valley, but if conditions were just right, Sioux City's channels 4 and 9 would come in.
Then I added a VHF antenna pointed west towards Lincoln (actually just north). That gave me great coverage of channel 12, and then decent coverage of channel 10, and every so often, channel 8.
The advantage of those were that sometimes channels 3 and 10 would show different Sunday NFL games. I understand there's also a Fox affiliate in Lincoln that sometimes shows different games than 42.
I set this up in the early days of HDTV when Cox charged double their rate for a handful of HD channels. Since we moved, I haven't had the urge to hook up a new antenna because CenturyLink's cable system is so convenient with their wireless boxes. I'm not ready to cut the cord just yet because the sports I want just aren't available via streams just yet.
Great information, Mike. Jon has wondered about tuning in the Lincoln channels, and thought about installing two antennas in our attic.
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