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We just bought a small place in Blowing Rock, N.C. and it has two old analog T.V.s we don't want cable as we are only there twice a year. What are the best bets for an antenna and coverage of a few local stations? Not sure what type of antenna to buy. We cannot put it outdoors.
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We just bought a small place in Blowing Rock, N.C. and it has two old analog T.V.s we don't want cable as we are only there twice a year. What are the best bets for an antenna and coverage of a few local stations? Not sure what type of antenna to buy. We cannot put it outdoors.
To get reliable digital TV reception in a fringe area requires a good outdoor antenna. And possibly an amplifier. Go to Walmart and get a Clearstream 2MAX antenna which is compact enough to use indoors. They also sell Onn brand amplifier. Also purchase their 15ft. coax cable to give you flexibility in placing the antenna at the optimum location. That may be the best resource available. Also the GE Attic Antenna from Walmart or Amazon may also perform well and is a bit cheaper. Model number 33692 or the newer 29884 which is at some Walmart stores. Most Radioshack stores have closed or no longer carry the large outdoor antennas.
While Blowing Rock is in the Charlotte broadcast market, it may be easier to receive some signals from Johnson City, Tennessee or Asheville-Greenville-Spartanburg. From Charlotte WBTV may be your strongest signal, but WSOC and WCCB also have translators. To get the neighboring signals as well as Charlotte, a good High VHF/UHF combo antenna may be needed, which would be Winegard 7697 or 7698. But for something smaller, try the Clearstream 2MAX or 4MAX. A good preamp would be Winegard LNA200 from Home Depot, or RCA brand from Lowe's. But better performers may be Channel Master Amplify or Antennas Direct Juice.
Remember it as against the law according to FCC regulations to deny an outside antenna. But start at Walmart first and go from there. The Mohu may work at some suburban locations, but a fringe area in the mountains may not be adequate. The Clearstream 2MAX may be the better choice, but a larger outdoor antenna may actually be required.
You should understand that there are NO local network stations. The nearest are Charlotte, Winston-Salem, High Point. You can receive those with a good outdoor antenna when the weather is favorable, meaning no rain storms between here and there. If you have high speed internet service at your home, consider using a Roku device if you're just looking for entertainment and can do without live TV.
You should understand that there are NO local network stations. The nearest are Charlotte, Winston-Salem, High Point. You can receive those with a good outdoor antenna when the weather is favorable, meaning no rain storms between here and there. If you have high speed internet service at your home, consider using a Roku device if you're just looking for entertainment and can do without live TV.
That is correct. Boone is in the fringe areas of many broadcast markets, but is technically classified Charlotte market area. But with a good outside antenna, you may receive stations from multiple marketsin addition to Charlotte, including Johnson City, Tennessee, Asheville-Greenville- Spartanburg, and Greensboro-Winston-Salem.
It's actually an indoor antenna (sits on top of the tv). I live in an apt, so an outdoor one is not an option. I already have charter for internet and I cannot afford to pay for cable as well. Plus, I noticed that they would charge me an $80 fee to have the guy come and turn it on. Which is bloody ridiculous because my internet constantly goes out and I've had tech people here to fix it quite a few times. I can't believe it's that bad. I don't understand why they don't increase the signal here.
Consider getting Sling for $20/month, since you already have internet. Live TV, DVR capability, and no fiddling with the antenna.
I'm in Hickory, and have trouble getting a few stations from Charlotte/Concord via antenna. I imagine it's much much harder being another 20-30 miles away.
Consider getting Sling for $20/month, since you already have internet. Live TV, DVR capability, and no fiddling with the antenna.
I'm in Hickory, and have trouble getting a few stations from Charlotte/Concord via antenna. I imagine it's much much harder being another 20-30 miles away.
For the news, both WSOC and WBTV have dedicated live streaming apps on the Roku, and WSOC is also on the Amazon Fire. The WSOC live streaming app seems to work the best, with very good video quality. And it repeats the news all day between the live newscasts.
Consider getting Sling for $20/month, since you already have internet. Live TV, DVR capability, and no fiddling with the antenna.
I'm in Hickory, and have trouble getting a few stations from Charlotte/Concord via antenna. I imagine it's much much harder being another 20-30 miles away.
Both WSOC and WCCB have translator signals in nearby Burke County. And the Dallas signals from WBTV, WCNC, and WJZY should be strong in Hickory, right down 321. And WSOC also has a translator on Crowder's Mountain. So the proper antenna set up should be feasible in Hickory.
In addition to Sling, you may want to check out Playstation Vue as another good option.
As I pointed out in the Charlotte thread, WBTV-3 is currently operating at reduced power until their transmitter is replaced sometime in December. So this may cause issues with reception in the fringe areas, especially with an indoor antenna. But WBTV has a very strong full power signal, so many closer viewers may notice no loss of reception. At my location in Greenville County, SC I still receive WBTV at a full 10 bars on the Samsung signal meter, despite the reduced power, using an attic antenna and amplifier.
Both WSOC and WCCB have translator signals in nearby Burke County. And the Dallas signals from WBTV, WCNC, and WJZY should be strong in Hickory, right down 321. And WSOC also has a translator on Crowder's Mountain. So the proper antenna set up should be feasible in Hickory.
In addition to Sling, you may want to check out Playstation Vue as another good option.
I leave my antenna pointed in the same direction (approx 150 degrees), so I'm getting WSOC out of Charlotte using my outdoor antenna. I originally had the antenna on a 15ft mast on my back deck. Couldn't get it. I added 5 more feet and added an amplifier so I could watch the Indy 500. Works great now.
I had bad video with PS Vue. Tons of skipping and playback issues. YMMV
Youtube TV is awesome however. A tad pricey, but I have no complaints other than the lack of a guide showing you what's coming on in the future.
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Outdoor Antenna May Be Needed
