[jerphy]

When we moved out here 6 months ago, we didn't sign up for cable TV. We bought internet wifi-tv instead. The initial cost is high, but in the long run, it will save us money. Between the $100+ monthly charge and same shows/movies running - we are done with it! Its one of the best decision we made and never missed it at all.

We signed up with Netflix streaming $8 month. We watch different movies almost every night, and still have a lot in queue. Then, we bought a $40 rabbit antenna at walmart. Put in on top of the entertainment center, we have crystal clear reception of Fox, NBC, CBS, PBS, HSN, and tons of spanish channel. We can get at least 35 clear channels on it. Were in the SW area, Fort Apache..

I read it somewhere before that the closer you are to black mountain the better the reception, its where a lot of towers were located, but im not sure..

[TheSa|nt]

I've been meaning to contribute to this but hesitated when I found I didn't have a login for this site. Then I came back today and finally broke down and registered

I think I might be able to help. I ditched cable last year here in the valley. I tried 8 different antennas trying to get as many channels as possible. I tried everything from indoor flat antennas to a $200 giant directional one from Fry's (biggest pos ever...lol). In the end I finally found this one that worked. I tried it both on the SW side of town at my house, my friends house in Summerlin and my parents in Henderson. All three locations picked up 68-73 channels total on the channel count (including all sub channels in the total). All 3 locations picked up channel 3!

Finally I won the war!! The antenna was tested both inside and out. It worked best indoors as close to any window as possible (all channels except for channel 3 worked from inside the atic...could be because all 3 homes have a radiant roof barrier?). All 3 locations it worked great outside about 6 ft off the ground attached to a wood post (you just have to figure out a power run if you keep it ouside). Obviously based on the tests it would work great on the roof. Since it's omni directional you don't have to worry so much about which direction it is facing. I'd just make sure you do your best to give it the most open view possible and you are good

[bayview6]

I live in a small valley in the shadow of Black Mountain. Only can get a few channels using an antenna so finally decided to go with Cox cable. Their economy TV package for $36 gives me plenty of choices since I only watch TV for a couple of hours a day.

Just depends what you want to watch and how much. The cable guy told me that some folks get the full cable package PLUS satellite TV.

[TheSa|nt]

Of course he is going to tell you that. He wants to make commission and make you feel like your not buying enough heh.

They never offered me cheaper when I dumped them. I found that to be funny as can be. I knew of their smaller packages from reading the website but on the phone they could only offer me "more" after my saying I'm done with giving them so much. I chose to go free as I too only watch so much TV. I only need it for local news and background noise. US and World news is only more depressing and it's usually about crap that doesn't effect my life. I don't want to know about some girl in a city on the other side of the country that drowned her child. Prosecute her like everyone else in line for the court but don't give your national exposure and attention. Spend less time and money on that crap and just lock her up or put her down......*next*.

Anyways, you could pay the $36 every month for those few hours here and there of TV or you could pay the $36 (or close to it) once and never bother with it again. That last option saves you $432/year that could go to your mortgage, retirement or a nice vacation. Chances are you won't want half the channels you are paying for anyways. I get 68-72 channels OTA for free....minus the dozen or so spanish ones (lol) and I have more than enough for background noise. You have to really dig down and determine "what you need" vs what you get or will have to pay for.

[bayview6]

Originally Posted by TheSa|nt

Of course he is going to tell you that. He wants to make commission and make you feel like your not buying enough heh.

They never offered me cheaper when I dumped them. I found that to be funny as can be. I knew of their smaller packages from reading the website but on the phone they could only offer me "more" after my saying I'm done with giving them so much. I chose to go free as I too only watch so much TV. I only need it for local news and background noise. US and World news is only more depressing and it's usually about crap that doesn't effect my life. I don't want to know about some girl in a city on the other side of the country that drowned her child. Prosecute her like everyone else in line for the court but don't give your national exposure and attention. Spend less time and money on that crap and just lock her up or put her down......*next*.

Anyways, you could pay the $36 every month for those few hours here and there of TV or you could pay the $36 (or close to it) once and never bother with it again. That last option saves you $432/year that could go to your mortgage, retirement or a nice vacation. Chances are you won't want half the channels you are paying for anyways. I get 68-72 channels OTA for free....minus the dozen or so spanish ones (lol) and I have more than enough for background noise. You have to really dig down and determine "what you need" vs what you get or will have to pay for.

I'm afraid you're preaching to the choir. I used antenna tv when I lived between DC and Baltimore and Loved it. Unfortunately, because of where I live in Henderson the SIGNAL from the tv towers has a hard time reaching me.

You're right about not watching most of the channels on cable. That's the reason I went with the economy package. As for the $36 bucks a month, it's pocket change. If I wanted to save money I would stop flushing $100 bills down the toilet at the casinos.

[TheSa|nt]

lol...can't help you there. I was born and raised here and I don't spend a dime gambling.

The antenna I am using though worked in Henderson at my parents house (they live by the Fiesta). So Henderson isn't impossible. There is still hope...and the antenna is both cheap and looks cool vs being a giant metal eye sore

[tigerwokie]

Hi, does anyone know how good or bad is the over-the-air reception in the Buffalo Ranch area? Thanks.

[TheSa|nt]

I can't picture where Buffalo ranch is. SW or NW side of valley perhaps?

[tigerwokie]

Its zip is 89147

Originally Posted by TheSa|nt

I can't picture where Buffalo ranch is. SW or NW side of valley perhaps?

[TheSa|nt]

That area isn't too far from here and judging by the fact that it is somewhat in between two places I have tested (including here) I would say as long as you have an open view you should have decent reception with the right antenna. The one I mentioned earlier (dis) would be good for more to all channels unless you are only looking for minimal channels then you can use a directional antenna that has a good distance.