Fact: To receive free over-the-air digital TV (DTV) signals, there is no such thing as a “HDTV antenna” or “Digital TV antenna”.
Fact: To receive free over-the-air digital TV (DTV) signals, there is no such thing as a “HDTV antenna” or “Digital TV antenna”.KAKE Blog Listing
Fact: To receive free over-the-air digital TV (DTV) signals, there is no such thing as a “HDTV antenna” or “Digital TV antenna”.
Topic Author: Jay Prater
Posted: 2:12 PM Feb 19, 2008
Replies Posted: 39 comments
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The only place a “HDTV antenna” or “Digital TV antenna” exists is in the mind of a marketing agency rep. Not that I have anything against marketing people. I married one!

I don’t know how many times I’ve overheard the attempted up-sell of one of these to someone that’s just acquired a HDTV. I think it’s due more to ignorance, than the salesperson’s greed, since most of them are hourly, and not commission. But, when a “HDTV antenna” costs more than a TV antenna, both having the same construction and performance, the manufacturer is cashing in on consumer confusion.

An antenna, is an antenna, is an antenna.

The same channels VHF 2-13 and UHF 14-69 (It was 14-83 until 1982, remember?) that carry analog television (KAKE Channel 10, for example) can also carry digital television (like KAKE-DT Channel 21 – Virtual 10.1).

Yes, the SAME EXACT frequencies, or TV channels, are used for either an analog or digital TV signal. An antenna picks up whatever radio waves hit it, within its frequency range, or bandwidth. It’s doesn’t know, nor care, if it’s a digital or analog transmission.

So, for example, if you have a VHF antenna that receives a hypothetical local TV channel 11, it will “capture” either an analog or digital signal of equal power, broadcast on that channel, with an equal amount of voltage (in microvolts, you can’t get shocked) or signal level.

See…there’s no need for a fancy new “digital” antenna. Blow the dust off of that old aerial and give her a try. Just make sure you have a VHF antenna, for VHF channels, and/or a UHF antenna, for UHF channels, or a combo VHF/UHF if you need both. (…which you just might. That’s more fodder for another blog.)
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  • by Jay Prater Location: KAKEland on Sep 9, 2011 at 05:47 PM
    Niurdy: An antenna, is an antenna, is an antenna...it will capture all RF energy that strikes it within its bandwidth...digital OR analog. It doesn't matter. I don't believe those channels you mention are blocked/encrypted...but rather now digital, and not analog. Yes, that would require a DTV converter box to watch them on an analog-only TV.
    Reply
  • by Niurdy Location: Puerto Rico on Sep 9, 2011 at 10:16 AM
    You use digital antenna or an old OTA antenna, the free OTA digital channels are being blocked by their respective TV program broadcasters.Which is illegal....I do not know if FCC is also taking part in this. In Puerto Rico, Channel 5 and 9 (Univision), Channel 21 and 41 (Cable Vision), channel 4 (WTIN), etc are being blocked/encrypted...hOWEVER, YOU CAN WATCH THESE CHANNELS FREE IF USING A CONVERTER BOX.. This is a way to force to purchase Digital TV service.
    Reply
  • by CHRIS Location: PAMPA on Mar 2, 2011 at 06:43 PM
    HDTV DTV SETUP YES SINGNAL OVER THE AIR
    Reply
  • by Jay Prater Location: KAKE on Mar 29, 2010 at 09:09 PM
    Platt, go to www.tvfool.com and enter your address, to make sure you're pointed in the right direction. What's the make and model of the antenna? Also, what do you mean by "the back of the antenna"? Thanks.
    Reply
  • by platt Location: haysville ks on Mar 24, 2010 at 05:41 PM
    I just put up a antenna and I only get one channel that is 10-01 why cant I get more channels? The antenna is mounted on my house about 25-30 in the air and the back of antenna is faceing northwest thanks for your help
    Reply
  • by george Location: vanderbilt,mi on Mar 8, 2010 at 05:13 PM
    Free tv in this area was cut more than in half with the new signal. I was told by 7&4/27&8 that there was a hill between the antenna and the house that would stop the signal from being received so tough luck. Many other people must be in the same luck as I am.
    Reply
  • by Jay Prater Location: KAKE on Sep 22, 2009 at 05:56 PM
    Adam: Be careful using amplified antennas! Amplified set-tops boost the noise floor as much as the TV signal, making it harder, in some cases, to receive the station. A non-amplified "outdoor antenna", even mounted in the attic, will almost always out perform indoor amplified antennas.
    Reply
  • by Adam Location: Cincinnati on Sep 20, 2009 at 10:17 PM
    I work at an appliance store, there isno such thing as an "HDTV Antenna," period they are digital and amplified, as to where some antennas are just plugged into the back of the television, not recieving an amplified signal, that can make or break recieving or not revieving a channel due to the "Cliff Effect." You only get what you pay for, always remember that but be smart about it.
    Reply
  • by Jay Prater Location: KAKE on Aug 13, 2009 at 05:54 PM
    Louis: Sorry, I'm not up on California laws. However, I am familiar with the federal regulations that can preempt local, and state laws, concerning the installation of TV antennas. I blogged about it here:

    http://www.kake.com/blogs/dtv/15897987.html

    I hope that helps!

    Reply
  • by Louis Location: Roseville CA. on Aug 13, 2009 at 02:06 PM
    Whatlaw in the state of California prevents apartment associations from using and UHF/VHF television antenna? Given th reason with the price of CATV and the small dish providers doing the same I feel that over the air broadcast TV stations porvide a much better quality with picture and sound. There is a much overhang which si causing my antenna to work properly, no matter what direction I used, when on the patio. My personal rights are being violated, and knowing that I have to rely on many of these broadcast that CATV nor the small dish are unable to provide Discriptive services for the blind and visually impaired, to which I am. I would hope that someone out there would be able to find a specic law that will help me with issue to which I feel is a disability issue and being forced to go with CATV is unfair for me since the television airwaves are free.
    Reply
  • by Jay Prater Location: KAKE on Feb 28, 2009 at 03:45 PM
    Seth: Are you using a VHF antenna? Is it amplified? If you had clear KAKE analog reception with rabbit ears before 2/17/09 try a non-amplified VHF dipole (<$10 two extendable rods) antenna. Amplified set-tops also amplify the noise floor frequently blocking the tuner's ability to lock onto and decode the digital stream.
    Reply
  • by seth winzer Location: Andover on Feb 22, 2009 at 08:22 AM
    I have a new TV and an HD converter and now I don't get KAKE on my TV. When I was using my old TV. With my old TV and no converter box KAKE had the strongest signal of all the channels. Why can't I get KAKE channel 10 now?
    Reply
  • by Jay Prater Location: KAKE on Jan 12, 2009 at 06:12 PM
    Gail: Please see my reply to Sarah. Also, after 2/17/09 some TV stations will move their digital signal back to the channel that current has analog. So, rescan for digital channels after 2/18/09...you may then be able to get them. If not, an outdoor TV antenna may be the answer to continue to receive free over-the-air digital TV.
    Reply
  • by Gail Location: Chester, South Carolina on Jan 12, 2009 at 04:06 PM
    I live in a somewhat remote area on 11 acres surrounded by more farm land. I am ten miles from the nearest small town and 30 miles from the nearest small city. 50 miles from Columbia SC and 70 miles from Charlotte NC. I have always had analog TV with rabbit ears and recieved a fairly good picture on 16 different channels. However, we purchased converter boxes and can only recieve 4 channels rather poorly through the converters. I am being told we are to far from the digital signals to get digital reception and since we have no cable service in this area I will need to pay for a satalite service if I want TV after Feb. 17th. My new TV with a built in converter indicates no digital signals at all when I try to scan for digital signals. I am on a fixed income of Social Security Disability and do not have the money for a satalite dish. I have contacted the FCC with this problem. I talked with a very rude person who gave me only flippen answers. What do I do now? Gail
    Reply
  • by Jay Prater Location: KAKE on Dec 21, 2008 at 05:13 PM
    Sarah: Go to tvfool.com and input your "winter address". Then you'll see what is available now and after 2/18/09 in over-the-air digtal TV for that location.
    Reply
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