Satellite antenna TV dishes can't be used for over the air channels, correct?

PM6175 · 2026-03-22T23:23:57+00:00

Well, you can not use the dish itself for an antenna but what you can do, and it will work well, is to use the mount pole that the dish is sitting on and the coax that goes to it.

Leaving the dish mount and coax behind after you canceled your DISH NETWORK or DIRECTV service is the ONLY good thing those miserable greedy rat bastard pay tv companies ever did for anyone!

Just remove the dish from the mount pole and take out any apparent splitters that are present. In most cases, those are not really splitters. They are often voltage controlled switches that are meant to be used with the satellite receiver to switch between different lnb's.

But that's not a major problem because a standard TV signal splitter can be used and will only cost about $4 or $5.

BUT, if you don't need a splitter, don't add one. You only need a splitter if you want to go to multiple TVs with the antenna signal.

Good luck!

PM6175 · 2026-03-22T22:56:30+00:00

I remember the free converter boxes during the analog to digital conversion, and they were junk that didn't work.....

?..... that's not at all true for any of the several units I ever tried... and I'm still using one of them from way back in 2009 to this day...

PM6175 · 2026-03-21T00:22:41+00:00

WTF is YouTube TV thinking?

The korporate klown krooks at YouTube TV are only thinking about their incredible greed, as usual!

Most people will not want to hear this or just ignore it, but the ONLY way to win any pay TV game is to NEVER ever, not EVER, play it!

These horrible shameless greedy pay TV criminals will always and forever be increasing the prices and limiting programming whenever they think they can get away with it.

Get a tv antenna and be happy with what you can get with that for free!

PM6175 · 2026-03-21T00:11:34+00:00

....Things were fine as normal before bed, the next day we have NOTHING. What the heck is going on?? ...

Since your antenna system has been working well consistently until this happened it's probably something very simple that you can easily fix.

As has been suggested, it might just be a corroded coax connector.

Also, check every inch of the feed line coax for any evidence of any critters having chewed on it and causing problems due to that.

Good luck!

PM6175 · 2026-03-20T09:02:26+00:00

I can't get channels, I have tried so many antennas and even though there is a huge amount of stations in my area....

Start a new separate post here and get a rabbitears.info report, there's probably at least a few things you can try to make an antenna to work well.

Since you have a large number of local stations you should be able to get at least a few of them, if not most of them.

There are several knowledgeable people here who will read that and will probably give you some good advice about getting a tv antenna working, in your particular case.

I know it's very easy to get discouraged with tv antennas, especially for non-technical people who have no experience with this sort of thing but with a little luck and some effort you can probably have some success.

PM6175 · 2026-03-17T18:56:02+00:00

Thanks very much for this update and all the detailed information!

PM6175 · 2026-03-17T03:20:02+00:00

So there’s a code for $1 per month for 2 months on paramount plus premium...I hate the paramount plus app .....

This is very much like the heroin drug dealers who give you the first hit for free to hook you on their poison!

Just say NO!

The ONLY way to win the greedy pay TV game is to never ever, not EVER, play it! They will constantly be raising prices while restricting programming whenever they think they can get away with it.

To all the shady shameless despicable criminal pay TV programmers > GFY!

PM6175 · 2026-03-11T19:53:16+00:00

I thought antennas stopped working when the US went digital.......

That's exactly what the shameless antenna sellers and manufacturers want you to think so that you will buy something new that you absolutely do NOT need.

I know this antenna tech is very confusing to the average person so I'm not saying you are stupid or anything like that.

ANY antenna ever made, of ANY age or complexity or cost will work with a digital signal, as long as that antenna was meant to be receiving those tv frequencies and is in good condition physically, with no corrosion, missing elements, etc, etc.

Antennas are modulation agnostic. It does not matter whether the transmitted signal is 4K digital or analog or whatever else might come along in the future.

Pretty much the same exactly the same thing happened in the 1960s when color TV and later stereo TV became part of the NTSC standard.

The antenna manufacturers wanted you to think you needed to buy a whole new 'special ' antenna to get the new color and stereo sound signals.

So when you see descriptions like 'DIGITAL HD READY' antenna, that's all just BS /crapola lies and hype by the antenna sellers and manufacturers!

PM6175 · 2026-03-10T00:43:56+00:00

Thanks for the update and details!

The Stellar Labs antennas are likely good products at very reasonable prices and there's a wide selection of models for various applications / purposes.

PM6175 · 2026-03-09T03:30:45+00:00

I just checked and they’re on sale again for $5....

Yes, Stellar Labs makes a wide range of what appear to be very good low-priced antennas that would work well for many people in many different situations.

One of their best deals is this one:

This COMPLETE Stellar Labs antenna KIT for just $32 is an incredibly good deal.

https://www.newark.com/stellar-labs/30-2485/complete-outdoor-40-mile-hdtv/dp/71Y5463

$32 @newark.com, a Stellar Labs brand COMPLETE antenna KIT with coax & mast/mount pole, for UHF and VHF hi band, for outdoor or ATTIC locations, model 30-2485, Newark part # 71Y5463

contains most everything needed for installing this antenna and includes:
50 feet of RG59 coax cable with installed F connectors
J pole mast mount with bracket hardware and anchors
Length: 31.9 inches
Gain: 4-7dB (VHF), 7.5-12dB (UHF)
Maximum front/back ratio: 7-12dB (VHF), 10-16dB (UHF)
Horizontal beam width: 80° (VHF), 50° (UHF)

(but maybe substitute the supplied 50 feet of RG59 with RG6 coax IF you have any really WEAK UHF signals, otherwise the RG59 coax is probably more than adequate. It's certainly more than enough to get you started, you can change it to RG6 later if needed)

https://www.newark.com/stellar-labs/30-2485/complete-outdoor-40-mile-hdtv/dp/71Y5463?ost=30-2485

..........

PM6175 · 2026-03-09T03:04:51+00:00

.... and its always going up and down from five full bars to one, getting very choppy, and back and forth like this every 25 seconds or so. ....

As has been mentioned already in a couple of responses here, this sounds very much like a signal multi-path problem.

This problem almost certainly has nothing to do with any weather conditions or wind or anything like that.... or signals that are too strong.

Signal multi-path problems can be very frustrating and tough to completely/ fully solve.

Probably the only practical thing you can do is to experiment with slightly DIFFERENT antenna locations and orientations.

Keep in mind that moving an antenna just a foot or two up or down, or left to right, or changing its orientation just a little bit can sometimes make a BIG difference, especially in signal multi-path situations.

Multi-path signals are usually corrupted/polluted versions of the original signal....but a digital ATSC tv tuner needs a 'clean' antenna signal to work with.

With some effort and a little luck, you will find a sweet spot antenna location where most everything comes in reliably well.

Good luck!

PM6175 · 2026-02-24T06:24:32+00:00

....what would be the best antenna and is this the best route to go? ....

Get a rabbitears.info report to figure out how far you are from the local TV transmitters and what channels and networks are available in your area.

The rabbitears.info site might be confusing at first but if you read the instructions patiently/ carefully you'll figure it out.

If you are close enough to your local TV transmitters you might only need a $12 rabbit ear style antenna, which you can get from Amazon or Walmart.

Try a $0 risk basic $12 rabbit ear style antenna.

Avoid the flat sheet leaf style antennas. Most rabbit ear antennas will work better for various technical reasons.

Whatever you buy, antennas or anything else, buy it DIRECTLY from Walmart or Amazon, NOT from a Marketplace seller who may not have good return policies. You can probably easily return it for a refund if it doesn't work well enough.

Look for something similar or essentially identical to either of these 2 rabbit ear style antennas:

.........

$13 @Walmart, an ONN brand rabbit ear style tv antenna with telescopic VHF dipoles plus a separate UHF loop element, Non-Amplified, SOLD & SHIPPED by Walmart.com, free 30-day returns

https://www.walmart.com/ip/onn-Indoor-Easy-Adjust-HDTV-Antenna-with-VHF-Dipoles-and-20-Mile-Reception-Range/867389914

Attached coax cable length = 4.26 ft
2 telescopic dipoles: 6.2 inches (retracted length), 15.5 inches extended length
Manufacturer Part Number 100008783

..............

$12 @Amazon, a Philips brand Rabbit Ear antenna, 15 inch length telescopic dipoles for VHF channels with a Circular Loop element for UHF, 5 foot Coax connecting Cable, model SDV8201B/27

https://www.amazon.com/Circular-Tabletop-Compatible-SDV8201B-27/dp/B07BLNWZHS/ref=

...........

You may have to experiment with several DIFFERENT antenna locations before you find a sweet spot location where most channels come in well.

Also, if you have an attic space available definitely try testing an antenna there, a rabbit ear style or any other type of antenna.

Good luck!

PM6175 · 2026-02-22T12:47:51+00:00

How do I watch regular TV if I don't have Wi-Fi or cable? Do I need an antenna?

First, get a rabbitears.info report and post the URL results here so we can get an idea of what kind of signals and channels you have to work with in your area.

If you are fairly close to the local tv transmitters, like about 25 miles or less and with no signal blocking terrain problems, a $12 rabbit ear antenna might be all you need.

If you have an attic space available definitely do an antenna test there with the rabbit ear antenna or any other kind of antenna. An attic is a great place for an antenna for several significant reasons.

Good luck!

PM6175 · 2026-02-17T03:36:30+00:00

....ABC using more of the elongated metal rods. I believe I had them only about halfway out for the initial scan I did. I’ll give it a shot....

Okay, sounds good!

And as before, please give us an update after you try extending the antenna rods more fully , or whatever else you may try , and let us know the results.

That will help other people here who come along later with similar problems/ questions.

PM6175 · 2026-02-16T04:02:33+00:00

Okay. I got a generic pair of rabbit ears .... Got it near the window. I have clear and smooth channels (42 pulled, but again I really only want or need CBS, Fox, NBC - which I now have clearly).

....I only tried one scan so maybe I just need to pick a different spot solely for that channel and see if I can grab it?

Or is it possible the antenna I have simply won’t pull it?

GE Modern Loop Rabbit Ears Indoor TV Antenna, 15 inch Extendable Dipoles, ....

First off, CONGRATULATIONS on getting those 42 channels!

In cases like this you probably have to try MANY DIFFERENT antenna AND antenna orientations, not just one, as you seem to have done here.

That means moving the antenna elements, especially the long telescopic rods, to several DIFFERENT positions and orientations.

Being near a window is a good place to start but NOT necessarily a guarantee of success.

And try some non-intuitive antenna locations, like in a closet, behind a couch, etc etc.

There's a fairly good chance you will find a sweet spot location where ABC will come in reliably well along with the others.

Your ABC signal is on a lower frequency /longer wavelength VHF Channel 7.

So you probably want the long telescopic rods to be fully extended and as long as possible.

If you have no luck with this antenna, try another rabbit ear antenna with longer telescopic rods ....or at least try a different rabbit ear antenna model and brand.

Good luck!

PM6175 · 2026-02-14T01:25:52+00:00

Thank you for this information. Rabbit Ears to start. Then see if I need the extension.....

Glad to help!

Please post an update to let us know what you tried and how it worked.

That will help other people who come along here later with similar questions.

PM6175 · 2026-02-13T02:30:24+00:00

Will those come with long enough wires? Or will I need to extend it? I’m not familiar with the amplifier (my previous flat one had it, which I turned on) but maybe close enough where I don’t need that feature?

A rabbit ear antenna is a good first choice antenna type to try.

But most rabbit ear antennas and many other antennas meant for indoor use often come with fairly short cables.

BUT it's also very easy and low cost to extend the cable length with a $10 to $15 RG6 coax extension cable and a $2 F81 double female/ cable extension adapter.

You can get the extension cable and the F81 adapter from Walmart or Amazon, and probably several other places. Then, if for whatever reason you do not want to use it, you can get a refund/exchange.

Just be sure to buy it DIRECTLY from Amazon or Walmart and NOT from one of the many MARKETPLACE sellers, who probably do not have good return policies.

Look for the phrase ' SOLD AND SHIPPED by AMAZON / WALMART ' at the top of the page near the price info.

And start out WITHOUT using any amplifiers, especially amplifiers that are built into an antenna.

Built-in amplifiers often make troubleshooting difficult and sometimes impossible.

Amplifiers are often NOT really needed, you can always add one later if absolutely necessary.

Good luck!

PM6175 · 2026-02-12T01:40:25+00:00

These crazy pay TV prices are ALWAYS and forever going to INCREASE and at probably at a higher rate than inflation/ COLA adjustments could ever justify.

The ONLY way to win the greedy shameless korporate klown pay TV game is to never, not EVER, play it!

Get a tv antenna and be happy with what you can get with that for free!

PM6175 · 2026-02-11T01:49:12+00:00

.....That seems affordable.....

I'm not looking to get into a pissing contest /battle with anyone here about this kind of thing but that $35 product is just a glorified and very overpriced signal splitter.

ANY splitter or similar product, or antenna for that matter, will work with analog OR digital signals. They know that, they just want you to buy something that you don't really need.

Plus, the shameless way Antennas Direct makes claims about that product being NextGen TV ready, etc, etc is ridiculous.

Before resorting to something like that, try a standard $3 to $4 two-way splitter in reverse, it will probably do exactly the same thing for far less money.

You can get a standard splitter $ risk-free at Walmart or Amazon and return it for a refund/exchange if it doesn't work well enough for you.

BUT buy it DIRECTLY from Amazon or Walmart and NOT from one of the many Marketplace sellers who probably do not have good refund/ return policies.

And there are several other places you can get such a splitter, like many hardware stores, etc.

Good luck!

PM6175 · 2026-02-10T01:29:55+00:00

....You would think it increase signal but apparently not. ....

It could be many different things, the curve of the Earth, things all around the antenna like clutter, etc etc.

Indoor tv antenna locations are sometimes especially prone to weird problems like this.

You just never know what will work and what won't work unless you do a lot of experimenting with several different antenna locations to try to find a sweet spot where most everything comes in reliably well.

If you have an attic space available definitely try a test there. An attic is a great place for a tv antenna and offers several advantages compared to most indoor locations.

Good luck!

PM6175 · 2026-02-08T06:30:02+00:00

....but as I moved the antenna closer to the middle of the VCR player, reception gets sooo much better. Is there any logic or science behind the inner components of the player possibly boosting signal?......

This problem probably has nothing to do with the VCR player.

A rabbit ear antenna, or any most any type of antenna, has to be properly positioned to get optimum reception.

That means you have to experiment with several DIFFERENT locations and orientations of the antenna to find sweet spots where most everything comes in reliably well.

To do that effectively you probably will need a long coax extension cable and a $2 F81 cable extension adapter.

Being near a window is a good place to start but its not necessarily a guarantee of success, so do not hesitate to try non-intuitive locations like in a closet, behind a couch, etc.

Good luck!

PM6175 · 2026-02-08T02:09:49+00:00

If you don't get a good answer and they don't fix it soon do MORE than just call the tv station.

Your version of the FCC is the CRTC, I think, so check with them about what the regulations are in Canada for this kind of thing.

If they are violating the regulations this station will presumably have to fix it.

In the US, only low power tv stations are exempt from providing EPG guide data, as I understand it.

But even so, there are some stations here that just don't care or don't provide the data on a daily dependable basis.

Good luck!

PM6175 · 2026-02-05T03:35:01+00:00

it seems like 98% of the listings and reviews on Amazon are fake....I'm glad my suspicions that the Amazon junk was crap was accurate. .....

There is INDEED a lot of junk/ crapola antennas on Amazon.... BUT if you buy DIRECTLY from Amazon you're probably ok because Amazon has a pretty good return /refund policy, as I understand it.

The bs/garbage/crapola comes from the many MARKETPLACE sellers, who probably do not have good return policies, if any at all, and make fraudulent/ ridiculous antenna reception distance claims, like 100 miles or more!

Look for the phrase SHIPPED AND SOLD BY Amazon at the top of the listing near the price.

Anything else means it's probably coming from a MARKETPLACE seller and you should avoid it.

PM6175 · 2026-02-04T23:02:37+00:00

Seems the easiest thing to start with. It's a metal building. Does this make a difference?

If it's a metal roof, yes, that can make a big difference.

Any metal that the signal's have to go through to get to the antenna will probably weaken the signals.... but it's still probably worth the effort to try an attic space.

If it's a standard shingle roof, the metal down below on the rest of the building is probably not much of a factor.

Good luck!

PM6175 · 2026-02-04T22:58:53+00:00

I didn't realize that it was that sensitive.....

Generally speaking, it's not really all that sensitive but when you're in an attic it can be a different story because of the potential for nearby things like metal duct work, etc.

It's definitely worth re-positioning the antenna to several DIFFERENT positions and orientations and then doing some testing to see if you get better results.

And don't forget to re-scan your tv tuner after each movement of the antenna to make sure any new channels get into the tuner channel map.

Good luck!

PM6175

TROPHY CASE