Free television stations available in your TV home.

[MikeVillages]

Some in TV are able to use attic antennas. I required an outdoor antenna. Federal law forbids the ARC from forbidding or even requiring prior approval of outdoor television antennas.

UPDATES
> The list of over 70 reliable, FREE Olando and other stations receive in TV. Post #26 & #81.
> Free INTERACTIVE news using an antenna. Post #36.
> Grounding an outdoor antenna. Post #46.
> :faint: Update Over The Air (OTA) television & SHUTDOWN of the current OTA free TV. Post #84
> Reason why broadcasters want ATSC 1.0 OTA tv shut down. Post #85
END OF UPDATES

[Bill14564]

Current List of free NextGen ATSC 3.0 television stations I watch in my TV home without cable or streaming. You can search my posts of over 70 stations I also get with an older but not yet shutdown standard.

Any questions?

PS
Some in TV are able to use attic antennas. I required an outdoor antenna. Federal law forbids the ARB from forbidding or even requiring prior approval of outdoor television antennas.

Yes. What area are you located in? The Villages is large and what works at one end of the Villages might not work at the other.

And a comment: The ARC cannot require prior approval but certain restrictions on placement are allowed. The safest bet would be to contact Community Standards for more information.

[MikeVillages]

Yes. What area are you located in? The Villages is large and what works at one end of the Villages might not work at the other.

And a comment: The ARC cannot require prior approval but certain restrictions on placement are allowed. The safest bet would be to contact Community Standards for more information.

I live on the north end of TV on the border between Marion & Sumter counties about 63 miles from the Orlando transmitters.

Yes, you can check with the ARC if you like but the FCC has the requirements. Hopefully someone will post the link to the fcc requirements.

Basically it must be over your area of control which is common sense. Below a high above the peak of the roof, I think up to 12 over the roof is ok otherwise IMO, get a professional installer. It should be properly grounded.

[villagetinker]

Has anyone used the TABLO device with an outdoor antenna, is it a good as it sounds?
Second question, it uses WiFi, so it that to get additional streaming services, or to get the signal to other television sets, or both?

I tried an outdoor antenna a few years ago with intermittent results, some days I would get 60+ channels, other days I was lucky yo get less than 10 channels. If I can get some end user experience with the Tablo device, I may try experimenting with that and the outdoor antenna again.

[djlnc]

Has anyone used the TABLO device with an outdoor antenna, is it a good as it sounds?
Second question, it uses WiFi, so it that to get additional streaming services, or to get the signal to other television sets, or both?

I tried an outdoor antenna a few years ago with intermittent results, some days I would get 60+ channels, other days I was lucky yo get less than 10 channels. If I can get some end user experience with the Tablo device, I may try experimenting with that and the outdoor antenna again.

We are TABLO users. Used it in McClure with attic antenna and using it now near Brownwood with an attic antenna. We have an older 4 tuner unit which allows us to use several TVs concurrently over our wifi.
We can get about 60 stations, but half are Spanish, religous or otherwise not of interest to us. We do get many subchannels like Grit TV or METV in addition to the network channels.
It, being OTA TV, is subject to atmospheric conditions and it can be aggravating when a channel drops out or is not strong enough to come through. Also, it is slow to select a channel.
We are happy with it, and you would likely have good success with an outdoor antenna.

[MikeVillages]

...

I tried an outdoor antenna a few years ago with intermittent results, some days I would get 60+ channels, other days I was lucky yo get less than 10 channels.

...

What antenna did you used?

[LeRoySmith]

We live in Lake Denham and we get about 60 channels with an attic antenna w/amplifier. I used the Televes 148883 Antenna Ellipse Mix Repack Ready! Channels 7-36, High-VHF/UHF, LTE/5G Filter from amazon and it was an easy set up and good results. I did have to aim it a little further north than I expected based on the towers location. I think I ended up at 110degrees.

[jebartle]

Someday will dump Comcast, so aggravating in so so many ways. Problem, we are hooked on Golf channel and History, and and and........ Me thinks, there is a great opportunity for a business to help seniors make the right decision for their TV needs. My wish list.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Someday will dump Comcast, so aggravating in so so many ways. Problem, we are hooked on Golf channel and History, and and and........ Me thinks, there is a great opportunity for a business to help seniors make the right decision for their TV needs. My wish list.

We get golf channel and I think also history channel, with our YouTubeTV subscription. We have Xfinity internet, and a roku device on the TV. Our Xfinity internet is $50/month - I just renewed it for another year at that price an hour ago. It's 300mbps, with 1.2T data (you pay for anything above that if you go over in a month's time). Fast enough for two devices streaming, two phones, a printer, a desktop computer, a laptop, and a tablet all running at the same time on the thing.

[MikeVillages]

We live in Lake Denham and we get about 60 channels with an attic antenna w/amplifier. I used the Televes 148883 Antenna Ellipse Mix Repack Ready! Channels 7-36, High-VHF/UHF, LTE/5G Filter from amazon and it was an easy set up and good results. I did have to aim it a little further north than I expected based on the towers location. I think I ended up at 110degrees.

I like Televes antennas, they redesigned their antennas when the FCC soldoff the higher US television frequencies to the cell companies. The redesign allowed the antenna to be the same size but higher gain for the remaining frequencies.

I ended up getting the Channel Master CM4228HD. It has great reviews like yours. Part of my research was to ring doorbells of VT homes that had antennas. I was new to VT at the time & didn't know the reaction would be. They were all friendly and most invited me & my wife in.

Anyway, I did not find anyone with a Televes antenna but the ones with the Channels Master were all very happy.

[villagetinker]

What antenna did you used?

dB4e, which should work, but after talking to another village who lives about a mile away, I may have tried to wrong location for my initial testing.

[dhdallas]

Current List of free NextGen ATSC 3.0 television stations I watch in my TV home without cable or streaming. You can search my posts of over 70 stations I also get with an older but not yet shutdown standard.

Any questions?

PS
Some in TV are able to use attic antennas. I required an outdoor antenna. Federal law forbids the ARB from forbidding or even requiring prior approval of outdoor television antennas.

Just what we need; a bunch of ugly TV antennas on roofs and elsewhere. What a bunch of cheapskates that can afford to retire here, pay amenity fees & all while enjoying the good life but are so stingy that they would go to the trouble & expense of putting up an antenna just so they could get "free" TV. It's amazing that anyone watches any TV with commercials in this day & age.
https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/members/dhdallas-118996/albums/1999-club-car-electic/10383-main-qimg-12b17e3883e53d1e28716d9e0c3fb666-pjlq.jpg

[MikeVillages]

With an antenna, you pay once and it's free for the rest of your life, hopefully a very long time.

[jimbomaybe]

With an antenna, you pay once and it's free for the rest of your life, hopefully a very long time.

Well it's $ free, but you pay with your time watching the commercials, but then Amazon prime , a service you pay for now has commercials as well , that doesn't bother me as much as search engines like Amazon and Walmart that wave all manor of products in your face that have little or perhaps no relationship to what you put in the search box , but of course your search results are tailored to what they know about you, your profile and they make significant sales with impulse buying

[MikeVillages]

Well it's $ free, but you pay with your time watching the commercials, but then Amazon prime , a service you pay for now has commercials as well , that doesn't bother me as much as search engines like Amazon and Walmart that wave all manor of products in your face that have little or perhaps no relationship to what you put in the search box , but of course your search results are tailored to what they know about you, your profile and they make significant sales with impulse buying
Agree, paying for streaming is paying to be spied on, and many are adding commercials. This is America and everyone should be free to do what is legal despite different opinions.

[LeRoySmith]

What a bunch of cheapskates

The wealthy stay wealthy by acting poor, the poor stay poor by acting wealthy. If I hadn't been a cheapskate all my life I wouldn't be in the position I am now.

[MrChip72]

We live in Lake Denham and we get about 60 channels with an attic antenna w/amplifier. I used the Televes 148883 Antenna Ellipse Mix Repack Ready! Channels 7-36, High-VHF/UHF, LTE/5G Filter from amazon and it was an easy set up and good results. I did have to aim it a little further north than I expected based on the towers location. I think I ended up at 110degrees.

Sounds promising. Do you have an pics of your install? I looked at it on Amazon and I'm having trouble picturing how you would install that in the attic.

[LeRoySmith]

Sounds promising. Do you have an pics of your install? I looked at it on Amazon and I'm having trouble picturing how you would install that in the attic.

I don't have any pictures and I wont be back there for several weeks. The install wasn't difficult but it is warm up there and it takes some time and effort. I would say it was 3 or 4 hours total for an accomplished shade tree tinkerer. I'm sure a pro could knock it out in an hour and a half.

[JGibson]

You can record live OTA TV with separate recording devices.

[MrChip72]

I don't have any pictures and I wont be back there for several weeks. The install wasn't difficult but it is warm up there and it takes some time and effort. I would say it was 3 or 4 hours total for an accomplished shade tree tinkerer. I'm sure a pro could knock it out in an hour and a half.

One more question. I don't recall but is there some existing coaxial wiring in the house? I'm not at my place in TV for another couple of weeks and I don't remember if I noticed coaxial outlets or not.

[daniel200]

Agree, paying for streaming is paying to be spied on, and many are adding commercials. This is America and everyone should be free to do what is legal despite different opinions.

This new generation of digital TV signals allows the broadcasters to easily spy on you and collect data:

“Next Gen TV’ will allow broadcasters to track and collect data on consumers through their TVs and other connected devices, much like Google and Facebook“

These are over the air digital TV signals that allows the transmitter to know who is receiving each signal. They will be spying on you and sending targeted ads.

Starks Warns of Potential Privacy, Data Issues With ATSC 3.0 | TV Tech (https://www.tvtechnology.com/atsc3/starks-warns-of-potential-privacy-data-issues-with-atsc-3-0)

Next Gen TV and Sinclair's Goals to Spy on It's Users (https://broadbandnow.com/report/sinclair-next-gen-tv)

[wlasowicz]

Hi I am near Lake Deaton plaza and get about 65 channels some are repeats and one channel is with about 12 sub channels which are mostly bs programs. As for NextGen TV you need to have a ASTC 3.0 tuner whether built into the tv or add on. Problem is there are not a lot available. The other issue is the tv station are encrypting the signal so you need a tuner that will un encrypts the signal A good source of info for Ota tv NextGen etc. is The Antenna Man. He is very knowledgeable and many you tube videos explaining many topics

[LeRoySmith]

One more question. I don't recall but is there some existing coaxial wiring in the house? I'm not at my place in TV for another couple of weeks and I don't remember if I noticed coaxial outlets or not.

In our house (Lake Denham) the cables were in place from each room to the low voltage cabinet in the garage (sprinkler control cabinet). The cables are terminated in the box in each room but are not terminated in the garage cabinet, you can buy the stuff to terminate pretty easily and with a little practice they are straightforward to install.

The cable is the larger size (thicker jacket) so you need to buy the larger of the 2 sizes of coax ends. Here is how mine turned out after I terminated and labeled them.

[djlnc]

This new generation of digital TV signals allows the broadcasters to easily spy on you and collect data:

These are over the air digital TV signals that allows the transmitter to know who is receiving each signal. They will be spying on you and sending targeted ads.



You're a little early. April Fools Day isn't here yet.

[MikeVillages]

Wow!!! :clap2:
Free 4k tv with an antenna and a 4k television less than 10 years old! Is this the death of ATSC 3.0? Watch the video below. The youtube video is somewhat technical but you don’t need to be to watch the FREE 4k television stations when available.
https://youtu.be/_t_GN8qPf8g?si=DVgGhFN0T1iZiMqA

[MikeVillages]

List of reliable, free Olando and nearby television channels I receive from the Sumter county area of TV. Some shopping channels are not included. Weaker and unreliable channels such as from Tampa are not included.

Post #81 channels received in a different part of TV.

I will try to keep this list updated as things change so keep tuned.

2.1 WESH (NBC)
2.2 MeTv (Memorable Entertainment)
2.3 Story (Documentaries)
6.1 WKMG-DT (CBS)
6.2 DABL (Black Sitcom)
6.3 Cozi (classic television series from the 1960s to the 2000s)
6.4 Start (classic television drama series from the 1980s through the 2010s)
6.5 Catchy (classic tv comedy including “All in the Family")
9.1 WFTV (ABC)
9.2 Laff (sitcoms from the 1990s through the 2020s)
9.3 Mystery (true crime, and police/legal procedural programs)
9.4 :a040: NEW “ME-TV Toons” Classic Cartoons starting June 25, 2024
15-1 WDSC-HD (Educational TV from the DSC campus in Daytona Beach)
15-2 WDSC-ED (non hd version of 15-1)
15-3 WDSC-WD (DW, World news)
18.1 WKCS (Same as 2.1)
18.2 TCrime
24.1 WUCF-HD (PBS)
24.2 Create (a PBS channel)
24.3 Kids (a PBS channel)
24.4 NHK (mostly world news from Japan in english
24.5 FL CH
26.2 LATV (Shopping)
26.3 Comet (Science fiction)
26.4 Charge (action and adventure)
26.5 CourtTV (includes live major court trials)
27.1 WRDT
27.2 CourtTV same as 26.5
27.4 This (MGM movies, classic television series & children's programming)
28.1 WFTF-HD
28.2 BOUNCE (target African Americans according to Wikipedia)
28.3 GRIT (Westerns, both tv & films)
28.4 Mystery
28.5 HSN (Shopping)
32.1 WMOR-TV
35.1 WOFL (Fox network outlet)
35.2 Buzzr {game shows)
35.3 FOX WX (Weather)
42.2 Fettuccine
43.3 Bounce (same as 28.2)
43.4 Mystory
43.5 Quest
43.6 Twest
45.1 WTGT-DT
51.1 WOGX-DT (FOX-51)
51.2 Movies!
51.3 ion-tv
51.4 Catchy
52.5 POSITIV
55.1 WACX-D1 (Christian)
55.3 WACX-D3 (Christian)
55.4 WACX-D4 (Christian)
55.5 WACX-D5 (Shopping)
55.6 WACX-D5 (Christian)
55.8 WACX-D8
55.11 WACX-D11
55.13 WACX-D13 (Christian)
56.1 ION (drana)
56.2 Bounce (same as 28.2)
56.3 Grit (westerns)
56.4 Defy TV
56.5 SCRIPPS
65.1 WRBW
65.2 Movies.
65.3 H and I (Heroes & Icons)
65.4 Grio.
68.1 WEFS-HD (Educational)
68.2 WEFS-CL
68.3 WEFS-NS
68.4 WEFS-FL
102.1 Next Gen ATSC 3.0 version of 2.1
106.1 Next Gen ATSC 3.0 version of 6.1
109.1 Next Gen ATSC 3.0 version of 9.1
118.1 Next Gen ATSC 3.0 version of 18.1
124.1 Next Gen ATSC 3.0 version of 24.1
127.1 Next Gen ATSC 3.0 version of 27.1
135.1 Next Gen ATSC 3.0 version of 35.1
165.1 Next Gen ATSC 3.0 version of 65.1

[BigDawgInLakeDenham]

I prefer the M25 Plasma rifle with the 40 watt range

[Snowbirdtobe]

In 1948 TV came to Boston on 2 channels and I started watching. I continue to watch free tv in the villages.
My system consists of an outside antenna and a TiVo box with a lifetime TiVo subscription.
I have setup my TiVo to record only new showings of shows on network tv. So I have all new releases of Law and Order etc. waiting for me to watch with commercials skipped by TiVo.
The total cost to me is $30 per month for Verizon internet service. I can eliminate that cost by using my phone as a hot spot twice a month but I want fast internet.
Florida is a great state for free TV. There are no mountains and few valleys to interfere with reception of the signals.

[MikeVillages]

We are TABLO users. Used it in McClure with attic antenna and using it now near Brownwood with an attic antenna. We have an older 4 tuner unit which allows us to use several TVs concurrently over our wifi.
We can get about 60 stations, but half are Spanish, religous or otherwise not of interest to us. We do get many subchannels like Grit TV or METV in addition to the network channels.
It, being OTA TV, is subject to atmospheric conditions and it can be aggravating when a channel drops out or is not strong enough to come through. Also, it is slow to select a channel.
We are happy with it, and you would likely have good success with an outdoor antenna.

I use PLEX for my DVR. I paid for the lifetime program guide. Installing & setting up the Plex DVR is not for novices.

Plex alao has free streaming, easy to use, and will finds something in a different streaming service when they don't have it.
Web link to Plex, Stream Movies & TV Shows | Plex (https://www.plex.tv/)

PS. I have not experances reception issues with outside CM-4228 from Marion County. See post #26 above.
EXTREMEtenna 80 TV Antenna, Outdoor | Channel Master (CM-4228HD) (https://www.channelmaster.com/products/extremetenna-80-outdoor-tv-antenna-cm-4228hd?variant=37535839453352&currency=USD&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&srsltid=AfmBOopP4EWvr36yOuT7Q6glSGWM4MRmLJ_nCV0wCN RBZn2UnzJgDMQ8n0I)

[Sparky99]

I receive all the channels in post 27 and more... Pine Hills. Roof antenna. Used Mike Advanced Satellite & Antenna Service ASK for JimBo to install: (352) 694-7877. He installed my very old/used $5 Clear Stream antenna Model #C2MVB last summer for about $250. I use all 3 TiVo OTA Bolt, Roamio and Premiere models and an A93 mini. I have a powered 15 gain amp and a powered MoCa compliant 8 port distribution block. (MoCa compatibility allows me to sent internet over my existing coax outlets at 2.5 Gbps - compatible with OTA TV signal.)

I also use Plex.

[MikeVillages]

This new generation of digital TV signals allows the broadcasters to easily spy on you and collect data:

These are over the air digital TV signals that allows the transmitter to know who is receiving each signal. They will be spying on you and sending targeted ads.

There is no way a home tv antenna is capable of transmitting back to a broadcaster over 60 miles away.

The misunderstanding may be because televisions that support ATSC 3.0 also have internet connections. Everyone reading this has the internet.

The Internet is NOT a FCC requirement for 3.0. Some newer DVRs supporrting 3.0 do not require the internet. I can post links to review of these DVRs if anyone likes.

[MikeVillages]

Interesting video about the downfall of streaming.
https://youtu.be/fq_XeZyp1QY?si=Yya1Ap3g1shgixRK

[daniel200]

There is no way a home tv antenna is capable of transmitting back to a broadcaster over 60 miles away.

The misunderstanding may be because televisions that support ATSC 3.0 also have internet connections. Everyone reading this has the internet.

The Internet is NOT a FCC requirement for 3.0. Some newer DVRs supporrting 3.0 do not require the internet. I can post links to review of these DVRs if anyone likes.

I agree. Your antennae is not transmitting back. ATSC 3.0 allows stations to digitally encrypt their signal. For these encrypted stations, you MUST have an internet connection in order to decrypt the station. It is via this internet connection that they are collecting data.

[Maker]

FCC rule about TV antennas.


Installing Consumer-Owned Antennas and Satellite Dishes

FCC rules for over-the-air reception devices (OTARD) protect the rights of property owners or tenants to install, maintain or use an antenna to receive video programming from direct broadcast satellites, broadband radio services, and television broadcast stations in areas within the owner’s or tenant’s exclusive use.

The OTARD rule also applies to certain customer antennas that receive and transmit fixed wireless signals.

There are exceptions to the OTARD rule, including provisions for safety and preservation of historic areas.

What types of antennas are covered under the OTARD rule?

The following antennas or dishes are covered by the rule:

A dish antenna one meter or less in diameter (or any size dish if located in Alaska) that is designed to receive direct broadcast satellite service, including direct-to-home satellite service, or to receive or transmit fixed wireless signals via satellite, including a hub or relay antenna used to receive or transmit fixed wireless services that are not classified as telecommunications services.
An antenna that is one meter or less in diameter and is designed to receive video programming services via broadband radio service (wireless cable), or to receive or transmit fixed wireless signals other than via satellite, including a hub or relay antenna used to receive or transmit fixed wireless services that are not classified as telecommunications services.
An antenna that is designed to receive local television broadcast signals.

If a covered antenna is being used as a hub or relay antenna, it may receive or transmit fixed wireless signals for the distribution of fixed wireless services to multiple customer locations as long as the antenna serves a customer on whose premises it is located.

Antennas used for AM/FM radio, amateur ("ham") radio, CB radio, or digital audio radio services are not covered by the rule.

What types of properties are covered?

Under the OTARD rule, an owner or a tenant has the right to install an antenna on property that they own or over which they have exclusive use or control. This includes single family homes, condominiums, cooperatives, townhomes and manufactured homes.

In the case of condominiums, cooperatives and rental properties, the rule applies to "exclusive use" areas, such as terraces, balconies or patios. "Exclusive use" refers to an area of the property that only renters and their guests may enter and use. If the area is shared with others or accessible without the renter's permission, it is not considered to be an exclusive use area.

The OTARD rule does not apply to common areas that are owned by a landlord, a community association, or jointly by condominium owners. These common areas may include the roof or exterior walls of a multiple dwelling unit.

Under certain conditions, if a common antenna is available for use by residents, then the community association or landlord may prohibit the installation of individually-owned antennas or satellite dishes. However, the signal quality from the central antenna must be as good as the signal quality from an individually-owned antenna or dish, and the costs of using the central antenna must be no greater than the costs of an individually-owned antenna or dish.

What kinds of restrictions are prohibited?

Restrictions that prevent or delay installation, maintenance or use of antennas covered by the rule are prohibited. For example, in most cases, requirements to get approval before installing an antenna are prohibited.

What kinds of restrictions are permitted?

Restrictions necessary to prevent damage to leased property are permissible, as long as the restrictions are reasonable. For example, a lease restriction that forbids tenants from damaging the balcony floor when installing an antenna is likely to be permissible.

An association, landlord or local government may impose certain restrictions when safety is a concern or where a historic site is involved. An example of a permissible safety restriction would be requiring that an antenna is securely fastened down so that it will not be blown loose. Safety restrictions must be narrowly written so that they are no more burdensome than necessary to address a legitimate safety purpose.

If there is a conflict about a restriction's validity, the association, landlord or local government trying to enforce the restriction must prove it is valid. This means that no matter who questions the validity of the restriction, the person or entity trying to enforce the restriction must prove that the rule is legitimate.

Installation requirements for fixed wireless antennas that receive and transmit

The FCC requires fixed wireless antennas capable of receiving and transmitting voice and data services to meet certain guidelines regarding radiation exposure limits and environmental standards. Because of these guidelines, requirements that fixed wireless antennas be professionally installed are permissible.

Filing a petition about an antenna restriction

If you believe an antenna restriction is invalid, first try to resolve it with the restricting person, association, landlord or local government. If you are unable to resolve it directly, you can file a Petition for Declaratory Ruling with the FCC or a court of competent jurisdiction.

There is no particular form used for filing a petition with the FCC. Your petition, at a minimum, should include:

A description of the facts, including the restriction you're disputing.
Contact information for all parties involved in the dispute.
Copies of the exact language of the restriction.
Any relevant correspondence.

You must include a "proof of service" with your petition. A proof of service is a statement indicating that on the same day that you filed your petition with the FCC, you provided a copy of the petition and any attachments to the person or entity trying to enforce the antenna restriction. The proof of service should indicate the name and address of the parties served, the date they were served, and the method of service, such as regular mail, personal delivery service or certified mail.

Note: All allegations of fact included in petitions must be supported by an affidavit signed by one or more people who have actual knowledge of the facts.

A petition may be filed by a paper submission or electronically as stated below.

Paper submission: You must send an original and two copies of the petition and all attachments to:

Office of the Secretary
Federal Communications Commission
45 L Street NE
Washington, DC 20554

ATTENTION: Media Bureau – Policy Division (include on envelope and first page of petition)

Electronically: You must submit an original petition and all attachments to: OTARD@fcc.gov

You may continue to use your antenna while the petition is pending, unless the restriction you are challenging concerns safety or historic preservation.

Consumer Help Center

For additional information on the OTARD rule regarding antennas, please consult our website at http://www.fcc.gov/guides/over-air-reception-devices-rule.

[JRcorvette]

Can someone tell me the total cost of YouTube TV with all the taxes and fees? they say $74 month for programming but I can not see if that is the out the door price?

[MikeVillages]

Free INTERACTIVE news using an antenna. 5:30 in the video but you may find the whole video interesting.
https://youtu.be/PTs6awWTKJk?si=dXUGkaTnEBStrE5s

[PJOHNS2654]

Can someone tell me the total cost of YouTube TV with all the taxes and fees? they say $74 month for programming but I can not see if that is the out the door price?
I was paying $77.00 when I cancelled this morning.

[JGibson]

I was paying $77.00 when I cancelled this morning.

The State just added more taxes to streaming it's $82 now.

Hulu Live is $87 but comes with Disney/Hulu and ESPN+ bundle. It also has A&E.

If I can’t DVR it I don't want it, the inundation of commercials these days is ridiculous.

[Battlebasset]

I live in the Fenny area. I installed a large 8 foot directional UHF antenna (yagi) in my garage attic and added a Wingard booster at the point that the coax cable comes out of the attic and into the garage, then fed the coax that runs to my TV. When I scan I consistently get 60+ channels but between duplicates and things you don't want to watch, about 30 useful channels. Did it myself and spent about $120, all from Amazon.

I tried the Tablo streaming box. Really liked the interface, but could not get it to work with the Roku app. It would play for awhile, then dump out. They recommend you connect directly to an ethernet cable but even when I tried that, it would still dump out after a few minutes. I finally gave up and sent it back. Read the reviews on Amazon, they all say the same thing.

I was able to find this on Amazon - Mediasonic HomeWorx ATSC Digital Converter Box with TV Tuner, TV Recording, USB Multimedia function (HW-150PVR-Y22). You connect it to your antenna, to your TV via HDMI cable, and you can then record OTA TV for later watching. You will need to use a fast USB stick to record, no larger than 128 gig.

It works fairly well, but be warned, the remote and interface is really clunky. 1990's clunky. But once you buy it for $30, that's it. No monthly fees, no connection to the internet. And you can pop out the USB, plug into your laptop, and watch what you recorded there at home or on the go.

[dhdallas]

UPDATE
The list of over 70 reliable, FREE Olando and nearby television channels I receive in TV are now available in post #26.
Free INTERACTIVE news using an antenna. Post #36.
END OF UPDATE

--

Current List of free NextGen ATSC 3.0 television stations I watch in my TV home without cable or streaming. You can search my posts of over 70 stations I also get with an older but not yet shutdown standard.

Any questions?

PS
Some in TV are able to use attic antennas. I required an outdoor antenna. Federal law forbids the ARB from forbidding or even requiring prior approval of outdoor television antennas.

I can't believe that there are people who can easily afford to live in TV but are such cheapskates they would use an antenna for broadcast TV & put up with commercials. And only being able to watch shows they may like at certain times, no pausing to come back and finish it later (or taking it with you on your phone) like you can with streaming video. Not to mention, the really good shows and movies are streaming and not on broadcast TV. Wow...how prehistoric!

[Battlebasset]

I can't believe that there are people who can easily afford to live in TV but are such cheapskates they would use an antenna for broadcast TV & put up with commercials. And only being able to watch shows they may like at certain times, no pausing to come back and finish it later (or taking it with you on your phone) like you can with streaming video. Not to mention, the really good shows and movies are streaming and not on broadcast TV. Wow...how prehistoric!

Foolish comment. I use both OTA and a number of streaming services to customize what I want to watch. Why do I not get a cable/satellite/YouTube TV set up? Because there is very little I want to watch on what those $70+ per month platforms offer, much less DVR. For the $120 I spent once I get all of the networks, plus a number of substations, and even some movie channels. If I don't watch anything on them for a week, I'm not thinking that I'm wasting my money. Honestly, the only thing I watch on them with any consistency is live sports.

Sure, I can afford to pay for it. But I didn't come to TV to watch TV. Would rather take that $70 per month and go out to dinner or an event, or put it towards a new golf club or pickleball racquet. Not watching some dumb reality show or the latest episode of "The Masked Singer", or heaven forbid "The View".

This philosophy in other parts of my life allowed me to retire early and move down here, with alot of healthy life left. I can watch TV in 20 years if I want. It's not going anywhere.

And if I die unexpectedly younger, I guarantee I will not be on my deathbed saying "Oh, if I had only watched more TV!"

[MikeVillages]

I can't believe that there are people who ... are such CHEAPSKATES they would use an antenna ... only being able to watch shows they may like at certain times, no pausing to come back and finish it later (or taking it with you on your phone)
You are MISINFORMED !
DVRs for antenna television have been around for decades.
Additionally, the DVR I use allows me to watch recordings WITHOUT the internet at a later time such as on an airplane.

[villagetinker]

Update on my outdoor antenna installation, apparently the initial install had a bad cable. I tried again with the antenna at about 6 feet off the ground (pointed to Orlando) and inside the birdcage and got around 60 channels now. This will be moved to an outside location and raised to gutter level. I was also in discussion with Antennas Direct technical service, and they have told I can place a second antenna on the opposite side of the house pointed to Ocala/Gainsville for those stations.
As an aside, Comcast is supposed to have a lower cost TV service that I am going to investigate, along with a low cost packaged streaming service that should cut my bill in half. This will give me the OTA as a backup and low-cost use in the garage and spare bedroom.

[bob47]

I'm curious, what do you do about lightning protection with an outdoor antenna? Is it a bigger concern above gutter level?

[Bill14564]

I'm curious, what do you do about lightning protection with an outdoor antenna? Is it a bigger concern above gutter level?

It should make very little difference.

Antennas and lightning rods do not draw lightning from more than a few feet away. If lightning is about to strike your neighbor's house then neither your antenna nor your lightning rod will do anything at all.

On the other hand, if lightning is about to strike your house then both could have an impact. Properly spaced lightning rods will protect your house by being the first things the lightning strikes. Similarly, if the lightning is about to strike close to the antenna then it might be directed to the antenna rather than the roof. In that case, if the antenna is sufficiently grounded it will act as a lightning rod and protect the house. However, if the lightning was close to the other end of the house then it would be too far away and the antenna would again have no effect.

The antenna cannot hurt but might help a little.

Disclaimer: Not an expert on lightning, just spent a little time trying to understand lightning protection systems.

[MikeVillages]

I'm curious, what do you do about lightning protection with an outdoor antenna? Is it a bigger concern above gutter level?

Every new tv comes with instructions on properly grounding both an outdoor antenna coax and the mast.

Verify an installer does both or do the grounding yourself if you are confident in doing it. IMO, simply having the mast on or slightly in the group does not meet the requirements.

The Weather Club recently had their yearly presentation of protecting your home from lightning. Sometimes they give the same presentation to other clubs.

UPDATE:
Video on grounding an outdoor tv antenna.
https://youtu.be/5aey9rCC5Gs?si=oQ7miYIEgv6OwrMW

[MikeVillages]

I'm curious, what do you do about lightning protection with an outdoor antenna? Is it a bigger concern above gutter level?
The weather club next presentation is being given at the invitation of the Property Owners Association on June 18th, 7 PM at Laurel Manor. This is an educational, non-commercial presentation that they do as a community service.. They discuss surge protection including the type what the electric utilities offer. They also suggest layers of protection and reasons for doing both.

Their past prestations talk about lighting and usually have a Q&A section and you can ask them about outdoor antennas.

[Bilyclub]

dB4e, which should work, but after talking to another village who lives about a mile away, I may have tried to wrong location for my initial testing.

I'm on the other side of you in Altair Path and my setup is a DB-4 in the attic. I added a signal booster in the low voltage box which pretty much stopped any dropping channels.

[villagetinker]

I'm on the other side of you in Altair Path and my setup is a DB-4 in the attic. I added a signal booster in the low voltage box which pretty much stopped any dropping channels.

I now have a stable connection for 60 or so channels, it turns out I had a BAD coaxial connection on a FACTORY MADE CABLE. I cut off the coax connector, installed my own replacement connector, and all is good. This avoids the $10 to $20 per month additional charge for TV to rooms that are rarely used for TV viewing.

[dhdallas]

Some in TV are able to use attic antennas. I required an outdoor antenna. Federal law forbids the ARC from forbidding or even requiring prior approval of outdoor television antennas.

UPDATE
The list of over 70 reliable, FREE Olando and nearby television channels I receive in TV are now available in post #26.
Free INTERACTIVE news using an antenna. Post #36.
Grounding an outdoor antenna. Post #46.
END OF UPDATE

What a bunch of penny pinching cheapskates! The rest of us stream everything we want to watch, all commercial free and can watch our favorites whenever we want.

[Battlebasset]

Has anyone used the TABLO device with an outdoor antenna, is it a good as it sounds?
Second question, it uses WiFi, so it that to get additional streaming services, or to get the signal to other television sets, or both?

I tried an outdoor antenna a few years ago with intermittent results, some days I would get 60+ channels, other days I was lucky yo get less than 10 channels. If I can get some end user experience with the Tablo device, I may try experimenting with that and the outdoor antenna again.

I tried it. I have a large Yagi attic antenna connected to a Winegard amplifier. I live in the Fenny area. I get 60 channels with no reception issues on them. Even during storms for the stronger network channels.

So I know I have good signal. I liked Tablo, and it includes some streaming stations built in as well. But it would not work consistently over wireless and it constantly dumped out on the Roku app. If you go to the Amazon website and look at the product reviews there, you will see a number of people note this issue.

I went back to just using my OTA antenna and a few streaming services. Roku TVs allow live pause if you just need to step away for a bit. I found a digital OTA DVR for $30 on Amazon. It's a bit clunky, but it works well enough for the occasional live sports event that I want to record, which IMO, is the only reason to have a DVR any more, with the ability to "on Demand" so many shows via various apps.

[Battlebasset]

What a bunch of penny pinching cheapskates! The rest of us stream everything we want to watch, all commercial free and can watch our favorites whenever we want.

Yup. I moved to the Villages to watch TV...

When, in 20 years, I'm in my 80's, and have to spend more time at home, I'll perhaps get YouTube TV or whatever they have then. Then, I can catch up on all of the wonderful TV I've "missed" in that 20 years.:rolleyes:

[Aces4]

What a bunch of penny pinching cheapskates! The rest of us stream everything we want to watch, all commercial free and can watch our favorites whenever we want.


I think someone is financially invested in "Pay Big for TV". There are also certain types of people who love to pay for toilet paper when using a European rest room and then they also get to leave a tip. So much neater than having an ugly toilet paper dispenser hanging on the wall, right?

Most channels have little to offer and as stated earlier, leave the TV off and live life until you can't. Then you can sit all day long and watch TV.

To each their own.

[kcrazorbackfan]

The wealthy stay wealthy by acting poor, the poor stay poor by acting wealthy. If I hadn't been a cheapskate all my life I wouldn't be in the position I am now.

Same here.

[Battlebasset]

I think someone is financially invested in "Pay Big for TV". There are also certain types of people who love to pay for toilet paper when using a European rest room and then they also get to leave a tip. So much neater than having an ugly toilet paper dispenser hanging on the wall, right?

Most channels have little to offer and as stated earlier, leave the TV off and live life until you can't. Then you can sit all day long and watch TV.

To each their own.

Well said. Newton N. Minow said this in 1961, and not only has it not improved, it has gotten worse:

" I invite each of you to sit down in front of your own television set when your station goes on the air and stay there, for a day, without a book, without a magazine, without a newspaper, without a profit and loss sheet or a rating book to distract you. Keep your eyes glued to that set until the station signs off. I can assure you that what you will observe is a vast wasteland."

TV has it's place. It can be a distraction, and a way to pass your time when you aren't feeling well or it is too hot/cold to be outside. But a way of life? Hardly.

[alehew]

I have had an antenna in my attic and had approx 70 channels since 2016. We were away for a week and came back and 3 channels are DTV. Originally CBS, COZI and DABL. Anyone know what happened. Seems other stations are different also.

[MikeVillages]

I have had an antenna in my attic and had approx 70 channels since 2016. We were away for a week and came back and 3 channels are DTV. Originally CBS, COZI and DABL. Anyone know what happened. Seems other stations are different also.
I’m not sure I understand your question. If you mean you are getting less stations, check for any issues with the antenna, coax and that the antenna is pointing in the same direction as before. All the channels I receive are DTV.

[Battlebasset]

I have had an antenna in my attic and had approx 70 channels since 2016. We were away for a week and came back and 3 channels are DTV. Originally CBS, COZI and DABL. Anyone know what happened. Seems other stations are different also.

As the other poster said, check your connections. If you have a booster it might have died. I moved mine out of the attic and to where the coax comes into the garage because I believe the heat killed it. Just have the antenna in the attic.

You also might try to rescan and see what happens. Channels sometimes change.

[jpvillager]

I found that moving the antenna sideways just a few feet can make a big difference.

[MikeVillages]

:a040:
NEW “ME-TV Toons” Classic Cartoons coming to TV on June 25!
Channel 9.4 Orlando. (You may need to rescan your tv)
https://youtu.be/FrCqaDwYCnU?si=lar3Tu8Xzt6R6E7q

[MikeVillages]

:a040:
NEW “ME-TV Toons” Classic Cartoons coming to TV on June 25!
Channel 9.4 Orlando. (You may need to rescan your tv)
https://youtu.be/FrCqaDwYCnU?si=lar3Tu8Xzt6R6E7q
Me-TV Toons schedule:
https://metvtoons.com/schedule

[ldj1938]

Someday will dump Comcast, so aggravating in so so many ways. Problem, we are hooked on Golf channel and History, and and and........ Me thinks, there is a great opportunity for a business to help seniors make the right decision for their TV needs. My wish list.
T-MOBILE MODEM $55 a month and you get everything.

[MikeVillages]

I'm curious, what do you do about lightning protection with an outdoor antenna? Is it a bigger concern above gutter level?
REMINDED
The weather club's next presentation is being given at the invitation of the Property Owners Association on Tuesday, June 18th, 7 PM at Laurel Manor. This is an educational presentation that they do as a community service. Come early to insure a seat.

I expect they will talk about the Class Action Lawsuit for GAS PIPES in the attic. My home’s previous owen took the money and installed lighting protection.

You can ask them about grounding your antenna. Many antennas, including ones installed by professionals, are not properly grounded.

[MikeVillages]

FINALLY, after over 3 weeks of delay, TV Tunes with 24 hours cartoon is on the air from Orlando. Channel 9.4, You should do a rescan.
Apparently they also have streaming. I don't know if this is free streaming or paid. Maybe somebody who can stream TV Toons will tell us?

[RoadToad]

@VT.. In answer to your original question... We have the older Tablos (4), and 4th gen Tablos (2), Sililcone Dust HD, and Hauppage Media Center. And 3 separate antennas. We have had TiVo in the past. And a Plex running.
(this is my hobby :shocked:)
The Gen 4 Tablos are suffering from a mixture of issues; their tuners are not as sensitive as the early models and firmware is buggy. Slowly evolving better though.
We rely on the older Tablos (quads and duals) as our daily device.
Main issue is subscription fees for 14 day guide service (1 day guide is free).
After you babysit daily for a week of selecting your shows for permanent recording, the one day service is livable. And there is a subscription based Commercial skipping option.
The best tuners are in the Silicon Dust HD units, however their stand alone DVR app is bulky at best. They are perfect as tuners for a Media Center server like Plex or Windows. As are the Haupagge units. We still use our Windows 7/8 tower unit exclusively for Windows Media Center and PLEX.
Our best antenna is the Channel Master (defer to Mike Village here).
Also trying out a couple PBD antennas (ultra cheap) that are performing satisfactorly in their 3rd yr now.
Contact me if you want amplification.

Update on my outdoor antenna installation, apparently the initial install had a bad cable. I tried again with the antenna at about 6 feet off the ground (pointed to Orlando) and inside the birdcage and got around 60 channels now. This will be moved to an outside location and raised to gutter level. I was also in discussion with Antennas Direct technical service, and they have told I can place a second antenna on the opposite side of the house pointed to Ocala/Gainsville for those stations.
As an aside, Comcast is supposed to have a lower cost TV service that I am going to investigate, along with a low cost packaged streaming service that should cut my bill in half. This will give me the OTA as a backup and low-cost use in the garage and spare bedroom.

[Normal]

Why add a lightning rod to your home? Am I the only one who would avoid attracting any static electricity from clouds?

[Topspinmo]

Just what we need; a bunch of ugly TV antennas on roofs and elsewhere. What a bunch of cheapskates that can afford to retire here, pay amenity fees & all while enjoying the good life but are so stingy that they would go to the trouble & expense of putting up an antenna just so they could get "free" TV. It's amazing that anyone watches any TV with commercials in this day & age.
https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/members/dhdallas-118996/albums/1999-club-car-electic/10383-main-qimg-12b17e3883e53d1e28716d9e0c3fb666-pjlq.jpg

Who looks up at roof, some noisy old complainer? :pepper2:

[Pairadocs]

We get golf channel and I think also history channel, with our YouTubeTV subscription. We have Xfinity internet, and a roku device on the TV. Our Xfinity internet is $50/month - I just renewed it for another year at that price an hour ago. It's 300mbps, with 1.2T data (you pay for anything above that if you go over in a month's time). Fast enough for two devices streaming, two phones, a printer, a desktop computer, a laptop, and a tablet all running at the same time on the thing.

I wish I knew how to get that. I went AGAIN last week to the office to sit down face to face. Same thing they told me 4 months ago. I wanted to quit the TV service and my cell phone service with them, and take ONLY internet. They told me the ONLY reason I get my internet for $50 is because I have the other services, if I drop the TV service, OR the cell phone, OR both, they said my internet price would go to $91 a month PLUS taxes and "fees" !

[Pairadocs]

Who looks up at roof, some noisy old complainer? :pepper2:

Who spends their time looking up at ROOFS is right ! And "stingy" ? Seniors shop for places in Florida with the lowest HOA or amenity fees. This is definitely the place for those who can't afford the expensive exclusive places, or the the $300 and UP monthly fees, so the idea that people trying to make their last years decently comfortable by shopping for the best value for "extras", and allow them to meet all their basics, is objectionable to someone ? Oh dear, that's sure how those in our family were raised, came from a home where when you LEFT a room, you turned the lights out, when you brushed your teeth you turned on the water when you were ready to rinse your mouth, NOT when you entered the bathroom to get the toothpaste, the brush, etc. Were NOT allowed to leave the door open if the AC or heat was on, etc.etc. So being "stingy" (or perhaps "WISE" ?) when spending money on non essentials is not something I was taught to be ashamed of !

[jtpearce34476]

The link below will take you to the FCC guidelines for Satellite TV Antennas and Satellite Dishes

https://www.fcc.gov/sites/default/files/installing_consumer-owned_antennas_and_satellite_dishes.pdf

:MOJE_whot:



I live on the north end of TV on the border between Marion & Sumter counties about 63 miles from the Orlando transmitters.

Yes, you can check with the ARC if you like but the FCC has the requirements. Hopefully someone will post the link to the fcc requirements.

Basically it must be over your area of control which is common sense. Below a high above the peak of the roof, I think up to 12 over the roof is ok otherwise IMO, get a professional installer. It should be properly grounded.

[tophcfa]

I can't believe that there are people who can easily afford to live in TV but are such cheapskates they would use an antenna for broadcast TV & put up with commercials. And only being able to watch shows they may like at certain times, no pausing to come back and finish it later (or taking it with you on your phone) like you can with streaming video. Not to mention, the really good shows and movies are streaming and not on broadcast TV. Wow...how prehistoric!

Part time residents like to keep controllable expenses to a minimum when they aren’t there. We now stream, but for 8 years we only had an antenna for TV and were quite happy with it. We are typically so busy doing fun stuff we barely have time to watch television. The antenna got us the nightly news and some great reruns of old sitcoms we haven’t seen for ages that we very much enjoy. The only thing we don’t like about the antenna is that we loose the signal when we tended to use it most, during bad weather.

[sounding]

The weather club next presentation is being given at the invitation of the Property Owners Association on June 18th, 7 PM at Laurel Manor. This is an educational, non-commercial presentation that they do as a community service.. They discuss surge protection including the type what the electric utilities offer. They also suggest layers of protection and reasons for doing both.

Their past prestations talk about lighting and usually have a Q&A section and you can ask them about outdoor antennas.

Sign up for monthly announcements of everything from Lightning to Tornadoes to Hurricanes to Climate and more at The Villages Weather Club ... The Villages Weather Club (https://www.theweatherclubvillages.com/)

[Sparky365]

I have been using Legacy Tablo for almost 2 years now with my outdoor antenna here in Fernandina. I watch free TV on my 4 TV's with just a Roku and Tablo through my wifi with no real problems. With a remote hard drive ( or the more expensive model ) you can also record live TV with it.

Antenna TV is not perfect, it can disappear, freeze or pixelate but not often.

Overall I am happy with Tablo's performance.

[MikeVillages]

Update on NextGen ATSC 3.0 television scheduled to replace the current antenna television next year..
https://youtu.be/2ua5r7krryM?si=U6u2QWb-ST5hUeSo

[MikeVillages]

YouTube TV Price Goes Up Again! What ALTERNATIVES are there?
https://youtu.be/9MNonzs2z8s?si=VqSkER_WXY3yppRt

[MikeVillages]

Free streaming of DW News

We like to watch “DW News”, world news from Europe. We usually watch it on channel 15.3 using an antenna. However it is a weaker channel and something breaks up.

You can stream it live & free at: DW News livestream | Headline news from around the world - YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/live/tZT2MCYu6Zw)

[airstreamingypsy]

Can someone tell me the total cost of YouTube TV with all the taxes and fees? they say $74 month for programming but I can not see if that is the out the door price?

$82.60.... now. But it's going up in 5 mos. I went to cancel and they extended the current price for 6 mos.

[jrref]

Some in TV are able to use attic antennas. I required an outdoor antenna. Federal law forbids the ARC from forbidding or even requiring prior approval of outdoor television antennas.

UPDATES
> The list of over 70 reliable, FREE Olando and other stations I receive in TV. Post #26.
> Free INTERACTIVE news using an antenna. Post #36.
> Grounding an outdoor antenna. Post #46.
> :a040: FINALLY, Free TV Tunes with 24 hours cartoon is on the air. Post #65.
> YouTube TV Price Goes Up Again! See ALTERNATIVES. Post #75
> Free stream of “DW News" Post #76
END OF UPDATES

Although Federal law forbids the ARC from forbidding or even requiring prior approval of outdoor television antennas, ARC does have guidelines on it's installation so you should get this information. You can't just put the antenna any crazy way on you home. Or you could until your neighbors complain.

[La lamy]

Update on my outdoor antenna installation, apparently the initial install had a bad cable. I tried again with the antenna at about 6 feet off the ground (pointed to Orlando) and inside the birdcage and got around 60 channels now. This will be moved to an outside location and raised to gutter level. I was also in discussion with Antennas Direct technical service, and they have told I can place a second antenna on the opposite side of the house pointed to Ocala/Gainsville for those stations.
As an aside, Comcast is supposed to have a lower cost TV service that I am going to investigate, along with a low cost packaged streaming service that should cut my bill in half. This will give me the OTA as a backup and low-cost use in the garage and spare bedroom.

You know that lower cost from Comcast is temporary. I'm sure you know to be vigilant about checking the contract renewal price. My internet went up 33% this year and they wouldn't budge on the updated cost. Grrrrrr

[jrref]

You know that lower cost from Comcast is temporary. I'm sure you know to be vigilant about checking the contract renewal price. My internet went up 33% this year and they wouldn't budge on the updated cost. Grrrrrr

I had the same problem. I tried to get a "win-back" offer from Spectrum and no-go. If I bundled my internet with stuff like phones that I didn't want then they would give me a lower price. They do this becaue once they have you on their phone plan, customers are less likely to cancel when the price goes up.

[Sparky99]

Some in TV are able to use attic antennas. I required an outdoor antenna. Federal law forbids the ARC from forbidding or even requiring prior approval of outdoor television antennas.

UPDATES
> The list of over 70 reliable, FREE Olando and other stations I receive in TV. Post #26.
> Free INTERACTIVE news using an antenna. Post #36.
> Grounding an outdoor antenna. Post #46.
> :a040: FINALLY, Free TV Tunes with 24 hours cartoon is on the air. Post #65.
> YouTube TV Price Goes Up Again! See ALTERNATIVES. Post #75
> Free stream of “DW News" Post #76
END OF UPDATES

My updated details (14Feb2025):

VHF in my area is all high band. Flat terrain 55 miles to TV towers.

Current setup :
-Clearstream 2V on roof
-Evolution EV01-AMP-1 15 dB gain, 1.5dB loss
-Antonio MVRA902B (MoCA) 0dB fwd/loss


Reception 20Jan2025
2.1 WESH (NBC)
2.2 MeTv (Memorable Entertainment)
2.3 Story (Documentaries)
6.1 WKMG-DT (CBS)
6.2 DABL (Black Sitcom)
6.3 Cozi (classic television series from the 1960s to the 2000s)
6.4 Start (classic television drama series from the 1980s through the 2010s)
6.5 Catchy (classic tv comedy including “All in the Family")
6.6 WKMGDT6
9.1 WFTV (ABC)
9.2 Laff (sitcoms from the 1990s through the 2020s)
9.3 Mystery (true crime, and police/legal procedural programs)
9.4 “ME-TV Toons” Classic Cartoons
18.1 WKCS (Same as 2.1)
18.2 TCrime
24.1 WUCF-HD (PBS)
24.2 Create (a PBS channel)
24.3 Kids (a PBS channel)
24.4 NHK (mostly world news from Japan in English
26.1 WOTFDT
26.3 Comet (Science fiction)
26.4 Charge (action and adventure)
27.1 WRDT
27.2 CourtTV
35.1 WOFL (Fox network outlet)
35.2 Buzzr {game shows)
35.3 FOX WX (Weather)
43.2 (Music Video)
43.4 Mystory
43.5 Quest
43.6 Twest
52.5 POSITIV
56.1 ION (drana)
56.2 Bounce (same as 28.2)
56.3 Grit (westerns)
56.4 Defy TV
56.5 SCRIPPS
56.6 WOPXDT6
65.1 WRBW
65.2 Movies.
65.3 H and I (Heroes & Icons)
65.4 Grio.

Received but don’t want:
24.5 FL CH Legislature
26.2 LATV (Shopping)
27.4 Shopping network
43.1 (Spanish)
45.1 WTGT-DT
52.1 WHLV-TV (TBN) Religious
52.2 Religious
52.3 Religious
52.4 Religious

No reception:
15-1 WDSC-HD (Educational TV from the DSC campus in Daytona Beach)
15-2 WDSC-ED (non hd version of 15-1)
15-3 WDSC-WD (DW, World news)
26.5 CourtTV (includes live major court trials)
28.1 WFTS-HD (Tampa)
28.2 BOUNCE (target African Americans according to Wikipedia)
28.3 GRIT (Westerns, both tv & films)
28.4 Mystery
28.5 HSN (Shopping)
32.1 WMOR-TV
42.2 Fettuccine
43.3 Bounce (same as 28.2)
51.1 WOGX-DT (FOX-51)
51.2 Movies!
51.3 ion-tv
51.4 Catchy
55.1 WACX-D1 (Christian)
55.3 WACX-D3 (Christian)
55.4 WACX-D4 (Christian)
55.5 WACX-D5 (Shopping)
55.6 WACX-D5 (Christian)
55.8 WACX-D8
55.11 WACX-D11
55.13 WACX-D13 (Christian)
68.1 WEFS-HD (Educational)
68.2 WEFS-CL
68.3 WEFS-NS
68.4 WEFS-FL
102.1 Next Gen ATSC 3.0 version of 2.1
106.1 Next Gen ATSC 3.0 version of 6.1
109.1 Next Gen ATSC 3.0 version of 9.1
118.1 Next Gen ATSC 3.0 version of 18.1
124.1 Next Gen ATSC 3.0 version of 24.1
127.1 Next Gen ATSC 3.0 version of 27.1
135.1 Next Gen ATSC 3.0 version of 35.1
165.1 Next Gen ATSC 3.0 version of 65.1

[jrref]

From what I can tell, most Villagers are cost sensitive to a point. Overall, most are streaming and there are very few with outdoor antennas.

You will find people spending $300 and more per month and don't want to do anything about it because they are "set in their ways". The cable companies depend on these people. On the other end of the spectrum you have people looking for the absolute cheapest service and will spend time to keep looking for the cheapest. Then you have everyone in between.

Personally, I don't have YouTube TV or any full featured steaming service because we don't watch a lot of TV. We do have Netflix, Amazon and AppleTV where we use a lot of free services to get what we want to watch. If there is something special we want to watch, I'll sign up for that service then turn it Off when done. That's the beauty of streaming. Unfortunately, for a lot of us here in the Villages, many don't to do this and rather have something like YoutubeTV to emulate what cable was giving them.
There is no "right" or "wrong", just the way it is.

What's happening is cableTV is getting way too expensive so everyone is looking for alternatives. Now, even YouTubeTV is being affected by the networks increasing their content fees. Is there a way to get totally Free TV and get what you want? Depends on what you watch. The only thing streaming does for us is give us a choice. With very little effort, once we have a reliable and cost stable internet service, with a click of the mouse we can subscribe to what we want and when we want it vs having to negotiate with a cable company. This trend is why cable companies are offering cell phone service. They need a way to retain and provide a service that people want besides TV and Internet to stay in business given the competition they are facing.

It's a good thing most have a lot of choices here in the Villages.

[Sparky99]

clarityFrom what I can tell, most Villagers are cost sensitive to a point. Overall, most are streaming and there are very few with outdoor antennas.

You will find people spending $300 and more per month and don't want to do anything about it because they are "set in their ways". The cable companies depend on these people. On the other end of the spectrum you have people looking for the absolute cheapest service and will spend time to keep looking for the cheapest. Then you have everyone in between.

Personally, I don't have YouTube TV or any full featured steaming service because we don't watch a lot of TV. We do have Netflix, Amazon and AppleTV where we use a lot of free services to get what we want to watch. If there is something special we want to watch, I'll sign up for that service then turn it Off when done. That's the beauty of streaming. Unfortunately, for a lot of us here in the Villages, many don't to do this and rather have something like YoutubeTV to emulate what cable was giving them.
There is no "right" or "wrong", just the way it is.

What's happening is cableTV is getting way too expensive so everyone is looking for alternatives. Now, even YouTubeTV is being affected by the networks increasing their content fees. Is there a way to get totally Free TV and get what you want? Depends on what you watch. The only thing streaming does for us is give us a choice. With very little effort, once we have a reliable and cost stable internet service, with a click of the mouse we can subscribe to what we want and when we want it vs having to negotiate with a cable company. This trend is why cable companies are offering cell phone service. They need a way to retain and provide a service that people want besides TV and Internet to stay in business given the competition they are facing.

It's a good thing most have a lot of choices here in the Villages.

As I ask around and talk TV to TV'ers, a surprising percentage have antennas in their attic. Attic reception is slightly diminished but larger antennas are installed in their attic to compensate. Reception for them is surprisingly good with zero pixelation or freezing. My antenna is smaller but mounter outdoors 30' off the ground.

[MikeVillages]

Update on Over The Air (OTA) television & SHUTDOWN of the current OTA free television.
https://youtu.be/zNPn_jCQeLosi=L0jZWu4GfhWbqCn1

[MikeVillages]

Reason why broadcasters want ATSC 1.0 OTA tv shut down.
https://youtu.be/SdzoWryhuYo?si=5rJs6QzKQEGY-ZzX

[Battlebasset]

Doesn't look like that will happen for awhile. Very little benefit to the consumer and the ATSC 3.0 tuners add quite an expense to a set. I think this will be a much slower process than having the conversion by 2028. The manufacturers are going to balk as well.

That said, TV is a nice to have, not a need to have, so I'm happy to wait and see how the OTA world plays out, vs trying to preemptively buying a new TV when the one I have works perfectly fine.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

I wish I knew how to get that. I went AGAIN last week to the office to sit down face to face. Same thing they told me 4 months ago. I wanted to quit the TV service and my cell phone service with them, and take ONLY internet. They told me the ONLY reason I get my internet for $50 is because I have the other services, if I drop the TV service, OR the cell phone, OR both, they said my internet price would go to $91 a month PLUS taxes and "fees" !

They suckered you into a bundle. So in order to get the internet-only prices, you have to use them ONLY for internet, and nothing else. You also have to do it before your contract term expires - within 30 days of expiration or else you'll have to pay a penalty for early opt-out. You ALSO have to wait until there's a promotion in your area, and ask to talk to someone in Customer Retention if the person who answers the phone says they can't help you further.

It's a bit of work on your part. But saving $40/month means saving $480/year. That's a month's worth of groceries, or several nice meals at the better restaurants, the cost of a new lower-end laptop computer, or a weekend trip to St. Augustine including hotel, gas, meals, and tips.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

YouTube TV Price Goes Up Again! What ALTERNATIVES are there?
https://youtu.be/9MNonzs2z8s?si=VqSkER_WXY3yppRt

I negotiated and got 6 months at last year's price. Will either switch to Hulu+TV or stay with YouTube, depending on which is cheaper when my 6 months is up. I wouldn't even do that, and just have my internet plus ROKU TV, except beloved spouse requires his Golf channel and Weather channel, neither of which are available with an antenna.

[MikeVillages]

Doesn't look like that will happen for awhile. Very little benefit to the consumer and the ATSC 3.0 tuners add quite an expense to a set. I think this will be a much slower process than having the conversion by 2028. The manufacturers are going to balk as well.

...

The FCC is requesting public comments of the new OTA tv and the shut down of the current television. Public comments are due this Monday. See the web link for more info.
https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/villages-florida-general-discussion-73/fcc-requesting-public-comments-future-free-over-air-television-due-soon-358091/

[blibecap]

Although Federal law forbids the ARC from forbidding or even requiring prior approval of outdoor television antennas, ARC does have guidelines on it's installation so you should get this information. You can't just put the antenna any crazy way on you home. Or you could until your neighbors complain.
I am relativity new here so my question is where would I find this information "ARC does have guidelines on it's installation so you should get this information. " ???

[Bill14564]

I am relativity new here so my question is where would I find this information "ARC does have guidelines on it's installation so you should get this information. " ???

You could try contacting the ARC but you might have better luck with Community Standards. (https://www.districtgov.org/services/resident/community-standards/)

You can always call Customer Service who would point you in the right direction.

[MikeVillages]

I am relativity new here so my question is where would I find this information "ARC does have guidelines on it's installation so you should get this information. " ???

The Villages tried to ban outdoor television antennas but they are not allowed to by federal law. Someone reported The Villages to the FCC and The Villages lost.

People have posted the fcc law website in posts in this thread. I believe there are two FCC websites listed in this thread but you can also google to find them.

What we did before having an antenna installed was ring the doorbell of homes with antennas. We were new here & I was surprised how friendly they were and many invited us into their home for demos.

Everyone we talked to upgraded the standard installation with a taller, stronger mast as TV is in a fringe area & the higher stronger antenna is best. Get the upgrade price before they come out as they liike to lowball over the phone & then tell what you really need at a higher price when they come out.

Ask the installer if they ground the the coax from the antenna before it enters the attic and also ground the mask according to the required code.

We got the CM-4228HD aka EXTREMEtenna 80 with a upgraded preamp & taller stronger mast.

Antennas Direct | TV Transmitter Locator and Mapping Tool (https://www.antennasdirect.com/transmitter-locator.html#_results)
Is a website of where the transmission antennas are for your location. Their are other websites & apps you can google for.

Let us know how you made out & if you have additional questions.