It has come time (February 2012) to "kick" my satellite TV provider at my primary residence in Warrenton, VA. Need to get back to FREE "broadcast" TV.
About 11 years ago, I dropped a cable TV provider and went satellite TV (first with a circular antenna; later swapping out the circular dish with a parabolic dish); but last month they upped my monthly fee for the last time!
With the amount of advertisements blasted at us every hour, I firmly believe cable and satellite providers ought to be paying us to watch.
Having installed a UHF HDTV antenna system over the roof of our West Virginia cabin sixteen months earlier, I decided to go with a similar setup, except I wanted to add an additional VHF HDTV antenna.
So, a two phase project: Phase 1. Put up an inexpensive "temporary" antenna mast; test out reception with the two antennas. (Completed - end of March)
Phase 2. If reception is acceptable, put up a permanent antennas configuration. (Completed 02 April)
Total Cost: $572 (Not counting the cost of a new flat screen TV) (Could have saved about $60, if I wasn't a "rookie" and actually knew what I was doing!).
Canaan Valley, WV outcome: Currently receiving 29 HDTV channels (depending on transmitter power, weather and time-of-day reception conditions).
Warrenton, Virginia outcome: Currently receiving 37 HDTV channels (About 4 of the 37 probably won't watch). Should have "free TV" in less than 6 months.
Both antenna configurations are just as susceptible to high wind and foggy days pixelation fadeout as the parabolic satellite dish was; but at least I'm not paying for provider service any longer!
6 Aug 2012 - At the end of August, I'll be receiving "Free" HDTV. I'm perfectly content with the channels I'm getting. Channel 4's Olympics was fabulous off-the-air.
19 Dec 2012 - With no leaves on my close trees, I've got even better reception. For anyone reading these comments:
One UHF antenna and no rotator would be a good starting configuration.
If you have lots of close trees, recommend converting from cable/satellite to over-the-air "Broadcast" TV as a late Fall project.
I get to enjoy the weaker signals only when the close trees are bare in Fall/Winter/Early Spring.