OTA TV reception (San Antonio, Schertz, Anton: house, high school, rooftop)

[Katsy]

I have very basic Time Warner Cable and am getting ready to get a new HDTV. I'm thinking of switching to U-Verse or even simply getting an OTA roof top or inside antenna, since there are very few stations that I watch, i.e., KLRN, and the other basic ones. Re/signals, I'm not far from Churchill High School. I have no idea what kind of antenna might work, or if this is even a good idea at all.
Thanks for any suggestions!

[datacity]

Try this to figure what size/type of antenna you should consider...

Address (http://www.antennaweb.org/aw/Address.aspx - broken link)

[Dopo]

Here's a thread about it that I started and has a lot of information.

BTW, an HDTV antenna is not necessary.
Right now I'm using a normal antenna downstairs and a hanger upstairs and I get all the channels from San Antonio.

HDTV in San Antonio

This page shows you what channels you should be able to get with your zip code.
After putting your zip code, you can move the marker and put it right on your house to be more accurate.

The digital TV transition: Reception maps

[ged_782]

By "basic", do you mean the package that is something like $20 per month, has the local channels and not much else? If you get a new HDTV, and it has what is called a "QAM" tuner (which they almost all have), you should be able to get the local channels in HD without a set-top box and without additional charge.

As for getting the local channels via OTA, an indoor antenna might work, but you would almost certainly get better results with a rooftop antenna. You would need a VHF/UHF combination antenna in any case. You should be able to disconnect your Time Warner cable outside the house, then connect your rooftop antenna to the grounding block where you disconnected the cable, and you should have OTA TV wherever you had Cable before.

I have an old directional rooftop antenna aimed toward Elmendorf, and I am getting all the local channels without an amplifier or rotator (just inside NE Loop 410). I can also get channels 2.1 (MyNetwork) and 2.2 (THIS TV) off the backside of the antenna. Those two are probably the most difficult to receive in San Antonio.

I don't know of any place in town that actually stocks traditional directional outdoor antennas anymore. You can order them through Radio Shack or Walmart, in addition to a number of other online sources.

[Dopo]

Originally Posted by ged_782

As for getting the local channels via OTA, an indoor antenna might work

Upstairs (2nd floor) I'm using an indoor antenna that I made with a hanger and I get all the channels from San Antonio even though I live in the Schertz area.

[Katsy]

Yes, I have the basic TW bundled with Roadrunner.
Thanks so much for your info. re/antenna and the QAM tuner. I'd seen it on the specs when shopping, but I really didn't know what it was.

[Katsy]

That's cool! I thought they were just for roasting marshmallows.

[Bo]

When you get your new HDTV, all that it will cost you to test your OTA reception is whatever you pay for an indoor antenna. I occasionally use one that cost less than $10, but the nicer looking antennas will likely set you back $20 - $30. There are no fees to receive HD signals OTA.

Even if you go with cable, cable sometimes can go out for a few hours. The set top antenna could be a handy thing to have if your cable goes out right when your favorite show is on.

[Katsy]

Thanks!!

[Katsy]

That's a good idea about the extra antenna when the cable goes out.
Thanks!