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Old 09-11-2013, 12:50 PM
 
85 posts, read 235,258 times
Reputation: 84

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We are thinking of canceling our cable bill and just getting tv over the air. We figured we don't watch a lot tv and prices seem to be getting higher. When we visit our family in Virginia, we can get the ION channels, which offer some cool shows for all of us. I can't seem to pick it up here no matter what we do. We have an indoor antenna with a 50 mile range. We live off Northshore and Pellissippi and were told we should be able to get it. Is anyone here getting that channel? Where do you live and what are using to get it?

Thanks in advance.
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Old 09-11-2013, 12:58 PM
 
Location: The Conterminous United States
22,584 posts, read 54,262,993 times
Reputation: 13615
Here's what AntennaWeb says:

AntennaWeb - Stations
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Old 09-11-2013, 01:48 PM
 
6,350 posts, read 11,580,635 times
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I have been able to get ION in the past with my rabbit ears, but just checked and can't get a signal now. I live south of downtown.
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Old 09-11-2013, 03:14 PM
 
19 posts, read 28,937 times
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I have no problems receiving WPXK-TV (ION) in Maryville with an attic mounted antenna.

Another site I recommend to check the path between you and the TV Towers is TV Fool. AntennaWeb as mentioned above is also good.
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Old 09-11-2013, 06:37 PM
 
Location: Sullivan County, Tennessee
510 posts, read 1,386,833 times
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After many years of working with over-the-air reception and antenna installation in rural environments, I am very skeptical of marketing claims of "50 miles" on any compact indoor antenna. Anything can be printed on a box. But, location within a structure and the type of construction can also great impact reception on the digital ATSC broadcasts. Locating a small antenna designed for outdoor reception in an attic (if available) and aiming it toward Sharps Ridge ought to do well.
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Old 09-15-2013, 03:57 PM
 
Location: Knoxville TN
358 posts, read 999,184 times
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We have three TVs in 3 different rooms, all with "rabbit ears". We don't get QVC or ION channels on any of them and the digital TV doesn't get the PBS stations. If we put up an outdoor antenna, could we expect to get all stations on each TV? Also, is $100 and under reasonable for an antenna? We know NOTHING about over-the-air tv and just realized we are probably not getting all the channels available. Thanks.
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Old 09-15-2013, 07:33 PM
 
Location: Sullivan County, Tennessee
510 posts, read 1,386,833 times
Reputation: 573
I don't live in Knoxville but I did go to school there and became well acquainted with the concentration of broadcasters on Sharps Ridge. I think most transmissions of interest would be from that central location. Unless you are blocked by a tall ridge or a massive building I think most locations in greater Knoxville should do well with a modest outdoor antenna.

To your question on antenna cost, I was passing though the TV hardware section of Lowes a few days ago and noticed they had changed vendors on outdoor antenna (to RCA). I noticed this one on display: Shop RCA Outdoor Digital HDTV VHF UHF Yagi Antenna at Lowes.com I have never used an RCA branded antenna but it has very good user reviews and is priced well under $100. This one is designed for VHF (needs long elements for the long wavelength), as well as UHF, which is very important in the Knoxville market since most of the older stations retained their VHF channel assignments after the HD/digital transition. It can be very hard to get a strong signal on VHF from a physically small antenna designed principally for UHF (channel 14 and up) broadcasts.

With multiple sets fed from one antenna using RG-6 coax distribution, I would recommend considering a good quality distribution amplifier rather than a passive splitter (which weakens the signal strength). I have found those sold by Radio Shack to be OK.
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Old 09-16-2013, 07:23 AM
 
Location: Knoxville TN
358 posts, read 999,184 times
Reputation: 309
Well, Jim37680, you were speaking in "tongues" as far as I'm concerned but I will pass this info on to my husband who is a little more savvy about this stuff! LOL!!!! Thanks for your reply. CD people are GREAT at sharing info without making people like me feel hopelessly techno-illiterates!
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Old 09-16-2013, 10:10 AM
 
Location: The Conterminous United States
22,584 posts, read 54,262,993 times
Reputation: 13615
Essentially, putting up an outdoor antenna - and pointing it at Sharp's Ridge - should do you, inave. You don't have to spend a lot on an atenna anymore. Under $100 should be fine. PBS should appear on Channel 17.
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Old 09-19-2013, 10:23 AM
 
Location: Sullivan County, Tennessee
510 posts, read 1,386,833 times
Reputation: 573
Since the original question was about ION station (WPXK) I thought I would follow up on a discrepancy between AntennaWeb and TVFool on the transmitter location. AntennaWeb locates it on Sharps Ridge and TVFool locates it on Cross Mountain near Jellico.

FCC data indicates the transmitter is still on Cross Mountain with a very low power (ERP) of 18KW. The owners have a several years old construction permit (renewed 5 April 2012) to relocate to Sharps Ridge with a power (ERP) of 1000KW. Until this move happens I think reception in greater Knoxville may be spotty. If you can see the tower lights on Cross Mountain....maybe.
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