Free Digital Broadcast Television Reception: a How-To Guide

The www.tvfool.com printout, while quick and easy, is best when fine-tuned, as many local variables and terrain features will affect the directional TV reception of each channel.

To do this, we started out with a hand-typed text version of the TVFool.com printout.

We then performed a 8-point scan of the compass (on the antenna rotator housing): North=0º, North-East=45º, East=90º, South-East=135º, South=180º, South-West=225º, West=270º, North-West=315º.

And while the 8-point scan was in progress, we carefully noted the number of digital television channels that were detected in each 45º sector. After the 8-point scan, the number of television stations that were detected in each 45º sector were then totaled up and any television stations, that were not on the TVFool.com printout, were added to the hand-typed text version.

Starting with our most-viewed digital television stations, we made precise compass corrections, and, weeks later, gradually fine-tuned the directions to the other stations, over time. The end result is the sample text file listing (see below) of our local channels, with the best possible antenna direction noted. Notice that the compass bearings on some of the channels are different from those on the www.tvfool.com sample printout.

A pleasant surprise: We discovered new television stations that offered interesting programming that we had not initially considered.

So to watch a particular TV station, the TV station list is referenced and the exact direction is set on the antenna rotator console, and then the desired channel is set on the TV.

Note:  Transmitter locations of local TV stations sometimes change, and without prior notice.

If your favorite television station seems to have completely disappeared, it's more than likely because the TV station transmitter has been moved to another location in your region.  Unfortunately, the websites for the local TV stations do not feel compelled to post such information, nor do they offer viewer email alerts of such important announcements.

When this happens, first check to see if the TV station still exists.  TV stations are sometimes shut down, or merge with other TV stations, but this is rare.  But if the TV station is still listed, then simply set your television (or digital-to-analog converter box) to the desired TV channel, and then do a 360-degree sweep on your rotating antenna console, until the direction to the new TV transmitter location is found and fine-tuned.  And be sure to make note of it on your TV station list printout.   

Although we are able to receive 104 channels of perfect TV reception, we only watch about 28 of them on a regular basis.

And the local newspaper seems to be posting less and less free digital broadcast TV stations, while posting more and more pay cable TV channels. There seems to be a blatant racket out there, I tell you, with the local newspapers attempting to create an overall decline in free digital broadcast television.

But a handy and convenient local digital TV broadcast listing is available at:

http://tvschedule.zap2it.com/tvlistings/ZCGrid.do...

Or go to:

www.yahoo.com

And click "More" in the upper-right.

Select "TV"

Select "Listings" on the left

Or go to:

https://tv.yahoo.com/

Select "Listings" on the left

And enter your zip code to produce a complete listing in your area, and bookmark it.

Update: As Zap2It seems to have a strange compulsion to modify their TV listings to the point of being dysfunctional, try:

http://www.titantv.com/

Titan TV is a refreshingly functional TV guide that is easy to set up and print out.

As mentioned, I reduced my list to about 28 TV stations, which are bookmarked on my internet browser, and conveniently printed out each day on a 8.5x11 sheet of paper, landscape format, as a whirl-and-tumble color inkjet format, for a quick and easy reference. Inkjet printed on both sides, the landscape format sheet is easily tumbled, to read the other side, without losing track of the desired hour being referenced.

If you have an outdated analog television, or video projector, you'll have to purchase a Digital-to-Analog Broadcast Converter (costs about $ 60.00).

But choose your digital-to-analog broadcast converter wisely: The internal circuit boards of many brand names out there run HOT (absence of internal heat-sinks on critical electronic components), and all it takes is a hot day, or direct sunlight, and the unit will burn out. Check out the customer reviews, on Amazon.com, to get the lowdown on a particular Digital-to-Analog Broadcast Converter, before purchasing. We've used the DigitalStream model (pictured here) for years now, as the internal circuit board runs much cooler.

A Digital-to-Analog Broadcast Converter is simple to install and use, and with the analog television set on channel 3 or 4, the digital TV channels are then easily surfed via the digital-to-analog remote.

The early failure of many of these digital-to-analog broadcast converters, plus the poor performance of tabletop "digital antennas", combined with the falsified decline of free digital broadcast stations posted in the local newspapers, and also the unannounced relocation of existing TV station transmitters, all combine to present a real threat to the future of free digital broadcast television.

But if you're already stuck with one of those digital-to-analog converters that runs too hot (and it hasn't burned out yet):

I also own a Craig CVD506 Digital-to-Analog TV Signal Converter, and it's just one of those devices on the market that I mentioned that runs too hot. To correct the problem, I removed the cover and fashioned a 3/4" x 2-1/4" piece of aluminum flashing, and with two right angle bends, formed it into a "U", 3/4" x 3/4" at its base, carefully surfaced with a chalked file to ensure a good heat transfer, and superglued (only 1 or 2 drops) directly on top of the Broadcom BCM3543KPB5G CPU. And to get the CPU to run even cooler, I bored a 3/8" hole in the black plastic cabinet, directly underneath the CPU, to draw in cooling air directly to the circuit board.

And while others have dismissed the Craig Digital to Analog-to-Digital Broadcast Converter CVD506 as a piece of junk, I'd like to point out that it has an internal 120VAC-to-12VDC converter:

Open Frame Power Supply Model #ADS0125-S120100
Input: 100-240VAC, 50-60Hz, 0.5A
Output: 12VDC, 1.0A

And this feature alone gives the unit, when easily hacked, versatility. That is, it can be easily rewired and powered by a 12VDC power source.

Check out this link this guy posted, detailing the simple procedure:

InstructablesDotCom
and search: "Digital-TV-Converter-Hack"

And while he features modifying a RCA Digital to Analog Broadcast Converter, the unit uses the same internal 120VAC-to-12VDC converter, as well as the Broadcom BCM3543 CPU.

This simple modification will breathe new life into those old portable analog color TVs and video projectors.

I went one step further and completely removed the clumbsy OEM 120VAC cord-plug, and replaced it with a flush mounted 120VAC panel jack, as well as a 12VDC panel jack. I now have a lean-and-mean unit that will function anywhere.