Mickey43 Loc: metro Philadelphia

I'm pondering whether to opt out of cable tv service and going with an hdtv antenna. The options are a scaled-down version of the old roof top, for an attic, or a wall hanging one. Both in the $50. range. I'm in suburban Phila. about 14 miles from several sources. My attic is 18' +/- of the ground. Any experience out there? Thanks in advance, Mike

edrobinsonjr Loc: Boise, Idaho

We used to have one of the wall mounted antennas and it was a real pain. The microwave messed it up. Even the ocassional car going by.

We have since switched to a roof mounted antenna and the difference is amazing. We get all available over the air channels and they are crystal clear. There is no interference from anything.

Cut the cord and never look back.

Ed

Mickey43 Loc: metro Philadelphia

Thanks Ed, that's helpful

G Brown Loc: Sunny Bognor Regis West Sussex UK

In the UK we have 'Freeview' satellite service. one initial purchase and no further costs. Too many channels to list (probably different in any case) May be worth looking to see what equivalent is available. Dish ariel about 10 foot of the ground on the appropriate wall.
Terrestial TV has taken a slide ....I wouldn't go back to it.

Have fun

Mickey43 Loc: metro Philadelphia

Thanks GB

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

An attic mounted antenna will work nicely, and though there's a little attenuation vs outside on the roof, access is easy and there's no deterioration due to weather. Get out a map and plot where the transmitting towers (not studios) are with relation to your house. If they're all in roughly the same direction, then choose a high gain directional yagi antenna, but if they're not, then choose a lower gain omnidirectional antenna. Antennas are not expensive - Radio Shack (if you can still find an open store) used to sell an assortment at reasonable prices. No need for a higher-priced active antenna, but make sure to purchase a 300 ohm to 75 ohm balun (TV antennas are often, but not always, designed for 300 ohm flat lead) and run RG-6 coax to the TV, keeping the run as short as possible. A 3/4" dowel rod or a sawed-off broomstick handle makes a good mast to mount it on - just screw it to a rafter hanging down. Then either point using a compass, or get someone to watch the TV while you point it for the best signal(s). I have cable, but keep an attic mounted antenna in place for cable outages. During the recent hurricane, we used it for about 2 days. Not the variety of cable, but we receive about 20 over-the-air channels here in Raleigh, NC.

Mickey43 Loc: metro Philadelphia

Thanks for your excellent answer TriX. I'm 75 and a tad slow with all things mechanical. I'll pass your answer on to my son. He's my go to guy for these situations. Mike

cmc4214 Loc: S.W. Pennsylvania

L got rid of the TV altogether 5 tears ago and I don't miss it one bit. bonus... A lot of little things get done that never used to

sb Loc: Florida's East Coast

It does seem that my family pays a lot just to watch news and maybe three programs each week. I have considered doing this also.

Mickey43 Loc: metro Philadelphia

The cost now is more than my first mortgage payment! It's time. Just wondering the success of fellow Hogs. Thanks.

Graveman Loc: Indiana

Even though we live in a valley reception via outside antenna worked most of the time. Switched to cable when it came through town after a while I decided I wasn't getting my moneys worth (always something better to do). Pulled the plug about 25 years ago, never looked back.

TMeitz

I'm in a low spot 25 miles away from all the local source! I was lucky to get 2 home shopping network stations. Return for refund. Kept very basic cable for local programs and bought SkyStreamone $149. that works off the internet. Now I can watch dam near anything in the world when I want. With no extra cost. Just giving you another avenue.

Mickey43 Loc: metro Philadelphia

Thanks TM, will look into that.

Cykdelic Loc: Now outside of Chiraq & Santa Fe, NM

Check out some of the streaming services.....I'm told one of them either has, or soon will have, the big three networks live.

MichaelH Loc: NorCal via Lansing, MI

Check out https://www.antennaweb.org/Address for some sense of how many stations you may receive. If you live in a flat area and have line of site to the HDTV transmission tower you should get a signal. There are probably other sites that do the same check.