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Who is making do without cable/satellite, and how are you doing it?
Rank: 6th Round Draft Pick
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Joined: 8/10/2009(UTC)
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I recently eliminated cable and internet through Charter (our only option) to save the $55/mo, thinking that the over the air network channels plus netflix would be enough. This is in an attempt to pay down student debt faster. They are, except where I am my TV tuner only picks up two channels (and only on in HD), CBS and FOX. I am right on the edge of the broadcast range (~65 miles) of the Twin Cities stations, so my goal is to find an antenna that picks those up. I've tried a homemade coathanger antenna (successful for the two local channels), an amplified indoor rabbit ear style antenna (moderately successful, sometimes could pick up a single station (NBC) from the TC). Now I am looking at going all out, due in large part to frustration over not being able to watch the game on NBC tonight. I know some basics about ideal antenna (mount up high, minimize obstructions, minimize cable length), but do not know any specifics, such as:
1. How long exactly can the coaxial cable be?
2. What antenna should I buy?
All of the stations I am looking to pick up are oriented ~33 degrees to the northeast of my house, so a directional antenna should be adequate. I have looked online and nobody seems to have a specific antenna recommendation for this, only that it should be an amplified version.
Anybody have any experience out there that wants to offer some advice? |
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Rank: Legend
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Joined: 10/14/2006(UTC)
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RG6 offers noticeable signal loss around 75-100 feet. I've hated cable or satellite for financial reasons. It's too expensive. The alternative is a $8 per month netflix subscription and redbox movies. We've been fine and enjoy the extra monthly savings. Here's a thread regarding this ... http://packershome.com/y...st6006_Digital-TV.aspx?=Use the antenna map to see the distance of the furthest local station is from your residence and ensure the antenna purchased reaches. |
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Rank: 1st Round Draft Pick
Posts: 2,609
Joined: 8/22/2009(UTC)
Location: Milwaukee, WI
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I didn't grow up with cable TV and I've never felt the need to buy it. I'm not a huge TV person, not to say that I don't enjoy TV shows but it's not worth the money to me. I have HD over the air for free for Packers games, netflix for movies, and some DVDs for a few TV shows. Saved a lot of money over the years by not paying for cable TV. |
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Rank: Legend
Posts: 22,875
Joined: 10/14/2006(UTC)
Location: United States
Applause Given: 1,294
Applause Received: 904
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Yep, all the TV shows I like are on national broadcast. I do catch White Collar when its on USA's website, but its not important enough for me to pay for 98 other channels I don't care to have, nor pay for. |
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Rank: 4th Round Draft Pick
Posts: 740
Joined: 9/30/2009(UTC)
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Netflix, Irish pubs, and the neighbors 
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Rank: 6th Round Draft Pick
Posts: 118
Joined: 8/10/2009(UTC)
Applause Given: 7
Applause Received: 8
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I agree with not needing cable, and have been without for awhile now (3 months). I am just looking for ways to improve my low cost TV experience. If I was able to find an antenna for under $200 that would give me the TC channels I would be thrilled. Here is a report on tv coverage: http://www.tvfool.com/?o...mp;q=id%3dcc494a47d45bffAccording to this it would be challenging, but possible, to get the TC stations (shown on the chart in pink). On the other hand I don't want to spend $150-$200 for an antenna that does no more than my homemade one does now. |
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Rank: 1st Round Draft Pick
Posts: 2,609
Joined: 8/22/2009(UTC)
Location: Milwaukee, WI
Applause Given: 143
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Originally Posted by: olds70supreme  I agree with not needing cable, and have been without for awhile now (3 months). I am just looking for ways to improve my low cost TV experience. If I was able to find an antenna for under $200 that would give me the TC channels I would be thrilled. Here is a report on tv coverage: http://www.tvfool.com/?o...mp;q=id%3dcc494a47d45bffAccording to this it would be challenging, but possible, to get the TC stations (shown on the chart in pink). On the other hand I don't want to spend $150-$200 for an antenna that does no more than my homemade one does now. I'm not sure how elaborate your existing antenna might be but I'd take a look at this link (Thanks to Zero2Cool from the thread he linked to above), and take a look at what type of antenna (omidirectional or directional) is recommended to get which station. I used to have a link to a few different antenna designs but can't find it, here's one example of a more elaborate one you could build if you've got the room for it. Otherwise there's plenty of other designs out there of varying complexity. You could of course buy premade antennas but you're obviously going to pay a lot more money versus doing it yourself. I'll be getting my first house in less than a month and I'll need to experiment around with stuff then, if you're still looking for help then and I find something that works good for me I'll let you know. |
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