External TV antenna for local channels

[fcgiii]

We tried Spectrum and it did not play nice with our Samsung TV. My neighbor uses Hulu plus an external antenna for local channels.

There are two types it seems. An indoor one which is cheaper and has a range of 6 miles, and an outdoor one with longer range but over 3x the cost.

Looking for advice here from those who have tried this.

[retiredguy123]

I bought one for $12 at Best Buy. I saved a lot of money, but it didn't get any channels at all. I don't think an antenna that has a range of 6 miles will do anything since the nearest broadcast location is Orlando.

[tuccillo]

I have a DB4e mounted in my attic by Tom Grooms at VillagesAV. I pick up about 50 channels from Orlando.

We tried Spectrum and it did not play nice with our Samsung TV. My neighbor uses Hulu plus an external antenna for local channels.

There are two types it seems. An indoor one which is cheaper and has a range of 6 miles, and an outdoor one with longer range but over 3x the cost.

Looking for advice here from those who have tried this.

[GrumpyOldMan]

I recommend checking with ARC in your area before installing an external antenna, even if neighbors are doing it. Instead, I would recommend an OTA antenna in your attic. We are not far from many TV towers.

[Bilyclub]

The main Orlando towers are about 60 miles from my house. I have a DB4 in the attic that works pretty good. It will be nice when WESH switches to UHF.

[JoelJohnson]

I recommend checking with ARC in your area before installing an external antenna, even if neighbors are doing it. Instead, I would recommend an OTA antenna in your attic. We are not far from many TV towers.

Federal law permits antenna's, local communities can not stop you from putting up an antenna.

[npwalters]

I also mounted a antenna in my attic. Did it myself but it is a hot job and requires a few hours and the ability to route the cable to your TV. Bit of a job.

I must be oriented to the east. You can go online and get the exact azimuth from your area.

Works fine for me. I get about 30 channels including the networks but many are Spanish language or stuff I never watch. I have Comcast (Xfinity) and a Samsung TV in my living room and use it 99% of the time.

[stanley]

Federal law permits antenna's, local communities can not stop you from putting up an antenna.

Yep

[GrumpyOldMan]

Federal law permits antenna's, local communities can not stop you from putting up an antenna.

This is "sort of true".

From the FCC itself, placement CAN be controlled or restricted. Hence I said, I would check with ARC - to see what restrictions of placement they have.

Q: What restrictions prevent a viewer from receiving an acceptable quality signal? Can a homeowners association or other restricting entity establish enforceable preferences for antenna locations?

A: Enforceable placement preferences must be clearly articulated in writing and made available to all residents of the community in question. A requirement that an antenna is located where the reception would be impossible or substantially degraded is prohibited by the rule. However, a regulation requiring that antennas be placed in a particular location on a house such as a side or the rear might be permissible if this placement does not prevent reception of an acceptable quality signal or impose unreasonable expense or delay. For example, if installing an antenna in the rear of the house costs significantly more than installation on the side of the house, then such a requirement would be prohibited. If, however, installation in the rear of the house does not impose unreasonable expense or delay or preclude reception of an acceptable quality signal, then the restriction is permissible and the viewer must comply.

For DBS antennas, and digital fixed wireless antennas or other digital antennas to receive or transmit an acceptable quality signal, the antenna must be installed where it has an unobstructed, direct view of the satellite or other device from which signals are received or to which signals are to be transmitted. Unlike analog antennas, digital antennas, even in the presence of sufficient over-the-air signal strength, will at times provide no picture or sound unless they are placed and oriented properly.

[TheLawnKing]

The RCA, Outdoor Yagi on Amazon for $31.56 is a great antenna. From Channel Master, purchase an Amplify Adjustable Gain Preamplifier, Dual mode
$89.00 and you've got a nice system.

[laboutj]

I'm wondering why Spectrum didn't play with your Samsung TV? Were you using Spectrum internet only with an app or did you have Spectrum cable?

[laboutj]

And also, if you are looking at an antenna, you might want to try Locast first. For $5 or so a month you can use the app ad-free and get the Orlando stations.

[mulligan]

I recommend checking with ARC in your area before installing an external antenna, even if neighbors are doing it. Instead, I would recommend an OTA antenna in your attic. We are not far from many TV towers.

Absolutely not necessary. No political entity can interfere with your ability to receive tv signals. That's by federal law.

[Bilyclub]

Absolutely not necessary. No political entity can interfere with your ability to receive tv signals. That's by federal law.

If you go the the FCC page and read the rule ,it's not that cut and dry. Over-the-Air Reception Devices Rule | Federal Communications Commission (https://www.fcc.gov/media/over-air-reception-devices-rule)

Although a simple notification process (e.g. post installation) might be permissible, such a process cannot be used as a prior approval requirement and may not delay or increase the cost of installation. The burden is on the association to show that a notification process does not violate our rule.
However, a regulation requiring that antennas be placed in a particular location on a house such as the side or the rear, might be permissible if this placement does not prevent reception of an acceptable quality signal or impose unreasonable expense or delay.

[Boilerman]

The main Orlando towers are about 60 miles from my house. I have a DB4 in the attic that works pretty good. It will be nice when WESH switches to UHF.

I had not heard about WESH moving to UHF. This is great news as my antenna in the attic, installed by Tom of Villages AV, has never been able to pick up WESH (NBC). It looks like it is moving to UHF on June 22. So in 4 days, do a rescan and we should be able to get it now!

[Boilerman]

I recommend checking with ARC in your area before installing an external antenna, even if neighbors are doing it. Instead, I would recommend an OTA antenna in your attic. We are not far from many TV towers.

Unless you put the antenna in the middle of your front yard, I doubt you’d have a problem with the ARC. The legal precedents for homeowners installing antenna on their roofs are pretty strong.

But I agree with you 100% that you should go with an antenna in the attic if you can. Outdoor antennas are unsightly. Tom of VILLAGES AV is your man for that job.

Most of the towers with the major networks are near Orlando, not close at all to the Villages. An indoor, cheapo antenna is not likely to pick up much at all.

[Boilerman]

I had not heard about WESH moving to UHF. This is great news as my antenna in the attic, installed by Tom of Villages AV, has never been able to pick up WESH (NBC). It looks like it is moving to UHF on June 22. So in 4 days, do a rescan and we should be able to get it now!
Just caught up with the other thread…move to UHF has shifted to Jun 30

[GrumpyOldMan]

Absolutely not necessary. No political entity can interfere with your ability to receive tv signals. That's by federal law.

Well, the FCC disagrees with you. If you actually read the FCC rules, you would find you CAN put up an antenna, BUT, where you put it, and how you put it can be regulated.

Sorry, but nothing political here, you brought that up. Sigh, it seems someone has to no matter what the topic.

[jswirs]

We paid about $200.00 for an antenna, including installation, mounted on a pole which extends past the peak of our roof. Bought it at the Market of Marion. Works well, about 50 channels, but not during bad weather, of course. We supplement this with Sling, about $50.000 / month, which includes sports channels, as I am a tennis fan.